Summary of Member Meeting 9/13

On September 13th we held our first member meeting per the request of the membership. There were 13 members is attendance (Peter Delfausse, Peter Laskowski, Blaine Laskowski, Dave Goldstein, Marilyn Zelin, Karen Winchell, Milli Chapell, Judy Bowen, Barrie Fisher, Susie Johnson, Walter Oberlander, Martha Edelson, Cathy Giannattasio). This represented roughly 10% of our membership when including all family members. Board members Bob Vietze, Woody Dugan, Darlene McCormick, Susan Snider and Geordi Hall were in attendance. Below is a summary of the detailed notes that were taken by Darlene at the meeting. The notes taken will be discussed at our year end board meeting to form strategy for the 2026 season.

I opened the meeting discussing the history of the club which spans 55 years. Then went into how I became a member, joining the board and ultimately becoming president. Reviewed how we were in dire straits in 2015-2016 financially and how we had maybe 4-5 years left it membership continued at its current number. The club has grown from 40 memberships between individual and family in 2020 to 70 total currently. I stated we are at the max based on only two courts and can’t see adding additional members going forward unless we see attrition. My goal as well as the board is to offer a quality playing experience while keeping the cost of a membership reasonable. Recent infrastructure the past couple of years includes new lines, nets, net posts, table, chairs, umbrella and court seating. Going forward there are a couple of large infrastructure projects that will need addressing which are the court base and the fencing. Relayed that costs are up to open and maintain the club, but goal is to keep the membership cost reasonable. Emphasized we are not a commercial or country club with two courts and need to appeal to the entire membership and not a subset. I did recognize those on the board that work to open and maintain the club. That was the end of my spiel and opened it up to comments and questions.

Below are the comments which we will take under advisement.

More volunteer workdays?

Why is membership Full? We only have two courts.

Membership is too inexpensive

Cost for doing the court base and fencing? ($50K) court and fencing (15K)

Who is the club? Club is being run by the board the same way it always has for 55 years.

Asking for input but club being run same way.

Question on land being purchased…we lease the property it’s a rental for tennis. Membership entitles everyone to court time.

Where is money going? All membership dues go to the lease, taxes, material, labor to set courts, portable, lawn service, misc. maintenance materials, club improvements. None of the board members are paid and we all pay membership dues. MRTC has a business account and year end spending audited by the board.

Angst within group, when people want more programming the board objects. Reminded we have only two courts. Need to balance the expectations of all members.

Th main topic of concern was with the ability to redo the court surface. We will look to a short-term solution while focusing on how we can make this happen in the long-term. Woody has ideas for grading, and we’ll brainstorm with New England Clay Court Professionals as well.

Question on how club is structured …good old days gone should be elected board members, bylaws and 501c4 status.

How many people don’t use the courts? Darlene has done the analysis.

Guest fees on track to double this year due to members not renewing. Board will look at policy for 2026.

Question on how club is being run so we know what’s going on.

Question on extending lease beyond current 2-year recurring lease.

Feedback on capital campaign to raise money for court resurface with longer lease to safeguard investment. A number of ideas were expressed on how to get Mad River Corp to lengthen the lease or donate the land pending court resurface.

Any questions or concerns if you were not at the meeting feel free to reach out.

Bob