State of the Union for RSRA

May 10th, 2006 Mithun Mukherjee Posted in Board of Directors, General

State of the Union for RSRA
by outgoing RSRA President, Bob Gerace

Hello RSRA Members,

This will be my “state of the union” message to all RSRA members for the past two years as president of RSRA. It will serve as a chronicle or baseline for this board of directors, and a challenge to the next board to exceed what has been done, and to further promote squash in our community.

Vision Statement:
The RSRA will be the focal point of individual, league, and tournament play in the Greater Rochester Squash Community. In addition, the RSRA will become the primary host of Pro-Am tournaments and squash professionalism in Western New York. This will be accomplished through research into activities done in other cities, prudent use of endowment funds, and competitively priced league and tournaments to provide self-funding. The expectation is for a 15% increase in membership per year.

Long Term Goals:
➢ Promote the game to men, women, & children in the Greater Rochester Area through clinics, education, and coaching.
➢ Develop a strong program for individual league and tournament play.
➢ Develop greater connectivity to USSRA resources.
➢ Recognize and support other club activities.

Current Board Members:
A board must, by its nature/purpose, be accountable to its members. It’s a form of stewardship. Here are the names of the current board members who have volunteered hours of their time to develop ideas, organize tournaments, and finds ways to increase membership in the Rochester Squash Community.
➢ Herb Barbehenn
➢ Bridget Borsa
➢ Tim Broshears
➢ Andy Butler
➢ Chris Thomas
➢ Thomson Chew
➢ Mike Coil
➢ Bob Good
➢ Eric Hernady
➢ Mithun Mukherjee
➢ Chip Nimick
➢ Mark Raeside
➢ Lisa & Gary Slater
➢ Morgan Smith
➢ Amanda & Alan Smrcka

Endowment Fund:
We were blessed by past boards that took proceeds from the National Tournament from the early 1980s, and plus contributions earmarked for the development of squash in Rochester. At the beginning of this fiscal year, that amount was approximately $26,000. We have maintained an investment account that has been in place for several years that has allowed this account to grow to over $32,000. The RSRA is not an investment company. These funds were originally intended to promote/grow squash in our community. In the past few years, we have seen court capacity decrease: Kodak Park is no longer accessible to outsiders. The University Club closed. Midtown went from four courts to two. The Jewish Community Center no longer participates in community squash activities. It is the feeling of our current board, that it’s time to start spending the money that was endowed to us in ways that will promote our sport. A 10-year drawdown plan has been drafted and voted upon that will include exhibition matches, clinics, and prize money for the Pro Events that we sponsor.

Membership:
A challenge. Ten years ago, we had over 250 members in clubs that included Midtown, Harro East, Kodak Park, Genesee Valley Club, University Club, Med Center, and University of Rochester. A challenge for the next board is to partner with each of these organizations to develop new, expanded squash programs, and to find one new facility that will offer squash courts to its members.

The Pro Event:
Thanks to the organizational brilliance of Eric Hernady, and a number of other highly effective board members, we successfully completed our 5th Pro Event. The first three were Challenger events. The last two were Satellite events. That meant more Professional Squash Association points for international ranking, and more prize money than has ever been offered in Rochester before. Go back and look at our vision statement. We positioned ourselves to be the premier city in Upstate New York for squash competition. Clearly we’re on that path.

Value of the RSRA Membership:
Squash, for many of us, has been a lifetime sport, either past or future. There is a necessity to support the national organization that embodies all of the rules, membership, tournaments, and protocols of this sport that we love. The membership cost is only $35 above and beyond our local dues. Walk on the wild side! Help support the sport that has built life-long friendships, provided the best physical fitness available, and provides contacts to a high-demographic profile of people. You can’t meet people like squash players running on a treadmill or lifting weights!

Next Year’s Officers:
Here are the elected officers for FY 2007:
➢ President: Tim Broshears
➢ Vice President: Mark Raeside
➢ Secretary: Morgan Smith
➢ Treasurer: Andy Butler

What About You?
Can you make a difference? Do you have a business or organizational skill that can make a footprint on our future? Our current board members are not all top-level players. They’re business and professional people very much like you. Take a chance. Be a board member for a year. Make an investment in the sport that made an investment in you! E-mail me at rgerace@rochester.rr.com

Our Financial Records:
They’re in good shape. We are fortunate to have an attorney/CPA on our board this year. We have better controls and governance than we have ever had before. Our Balance Sheet, and Income and Expense Analysis are posted on our website for everyone to see. My very special thanks to Andy Butler, attorney and accountant from Chamberlain D-Amanda for his guidance, brilliance, and sound recommendations.

The Future:
That will be in the hands of Tim Broshears, the President-elect, and the other officers, and the Board members. For these past two years, they have individually and collectively been excellent. Board meeting attendance has been high. Participation has been strong, and there is a strong current momentum.

For my past two year, it has been an honor to serve as president. Please support the incoming RSRA officers and board. Thank you.

Game ball.
Match.

Bob Gerace