USATT Teleconference Minutes

May13, 2009 - 6:00 P.M. Eastern Time

Board Members Present:  Peter Scudner, Han Xiao, Harold Jeffcoat, Michael Babuin, Linda Leaf, James Kahler, David Del Vecchio, Christian Lillieroos

Board Members Absent:  Ashu Jain (excused for business reasons)

USATT Staff Present:  Michael Cavanaugh, CEO, Doru Gheorghe, Technical & High Performance Director, Deborah Gray, USATT Secretary

Guest:  Dennis Taylor, USATT General Counsel

Agenda Review:  New sites for our major tournaments added to agenda                        

World Championships Report:  The World Championships results were as expected.  The US Team worked well together and the young players got a mental boost from the experience.  Except for trouble with getting schedules for matches, the event went well.

Prior to the Worlds, the ITTF announced a program sponsored by Butterfly for kids 11 years or younger to fund a one-week training camp in China in June.  Charles Deng, USA Cadet Boy’s Team member, was selected.  The top 6 players from the China camp will be invited to a training camp in France in August.

Trials:  Doru presented criteria for 2010 Youth Olympic Games selection procedure.
Phase 1 – US Trials (in Las Vegas, July); the winners will participate in the Pan Am Trials; the top 4 finishers at Pan Am Trials will go to the ITTF Challenge Cup.  The top 4 finishers at the ITTF Challenge Cup will qualify to go to the YOG.
Phase 2 – The top 4 eligible players on the first ITTF Under 15 World Ranking will be qualified to go to the YOG.
Phase 3 – Winners of the 5 ITTF Junior Circuit events (selected by ITTF) will be qualified to go to the YOG.
Phase 4 – Continental Qualification:  US Trials (in Las Vegas, December); winners will participate in the Pan American Trials in El Salvador; the top 3 finishers will qualify to go to the YOG.

U.S. Open Report:  Registration is ahead of pace.  Tournament hotel is the Las Vegas Hilton; venue is the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Audit Report:  Procedure for reviewing audit report is in place.  Order of review is staff review; audit committee review; then Board review.  Staff review of audit report has been completed.

Strategic Plan:  Recommendation made for a two-day meeting in Colorado Springs with a facilitator, to focus on the strategic plan as a culminating event.  Process will begin by gathering input from the Advisory Committees, Coaches, Athletes, Staff and Board members.

Club Fund Raiser:  Thought to be the first fund raising program focused on clubs that offers them an opportunity to raise money through the purchase of US Olympic Team Rings wrist bands as presented by Linda Leaf.

Bylaws Report:  Bylaws review completed; revisions in process.  Expect report at the planned June Board meeting.

Business Plan:  Business Plan overview presented by Dale Neuberger.  Association is financially solid; attention to fundraising is needed; recommendation made according to best practices profile written for non-profit sectors.  To be examined in greater detail in the future with incorporation into the Strategic Plan.

Bud Light Hardbat Classic:  Discussion on USATT presence at the Classic discussed and approved.

Barney Reed, Jr.:  Motion to allow Barney Reed, Jr. to repay prize money debt estimated at $3,035 in monthly installments of $380 for seven months and an eighth installment of $375.  A payment schedule will be implemented by USATT CEO with a provision that Barney will become a member not in good standing if he falls behind in making monthly payments.
Motion made by: Linda Leaf
Motion second by:  James Kahler
Passed:  Vote 6-0

Website:  CEO seeking a group of volunteers to migrate NGB content to USOC site and to monitor and submit content.  CEO to serve as editor of content.

Logo Design:  Feasibility of new logo design in progress.

Event Ideas for Nationals:  Call for new ideas and vision for the Nationals tournament.  Tournament Advisory Committee and Board to submit ideas for incorporation.

TAC Recommendation Approval:  Mel Eisner voted as a member to the Tournaments Advisory Committee
Passed:  Vote 5-0

Role of Advisory Committees:  Work on assignments given by the Board and to make recommendations to the Board.  Policy decisions are made by the Board of Directors.
  
RailStation:  Researching companies to implement website upgrades to an on-line registration, membership and ratings is ongoing.

June Colorado Board Meeting:  Dates considered are:  June 11 to June 14, 2009.  CEO to present a survey for Board review for the June, September and December future Board meetings.

Sites for US Open/Nationals:  Explore venue opportunities in Chicago area for the U.S. Open and Nationals tournaments in the immediate future.

USTTA Foundation:  Motion to invite a representative from the USTTA Foundation to attend all future USATT Board meetings and teleconference calls.
Motion made by:  Christian Lillieroos
Second made by:  Linda Leaf
Passed:  Vote 5-0

Meeting adjourned 8:30 p.m. Eastern time

Respectfully submitted by
Deborah Gray, Secretary