PURPOSE OF MEETING:  The fifth and last meeting of the 2010-2011 school year was held to discuss the upcoming tennis clinic fundraiser, receive an update on the boys' tennis season and begin discussion on a long-term plan for the MTPA.

TIME OF MEETING:  Thursday, May 19, 2011 at 9:00am.

PLACE:  The home of Judy Matthijssen /8 Skinner Trail/Chester, NJ.

IN ATTENDANCE:  Meeta Shah, Maria Coradini, Lisa Keith, Judy Matthijssen, Lauren DeStefano, Susanne Bernt and Jan Myslinski

MISSION STATEMENT:  The Mendham Tennis Parents Association (MTPA) is organized to promote and support the West Morris Mendham High School (WMMHS) girl’s and boy’s tennis team and tennis related activities, to recognize tennis athletics and promote tennis standards at WMMHS, to advocate the health and safety of the tennis athletes through appropriate rules and regulations and to develop and maintain goodwill and good relations for the total tennis program as it affects both students and the community.

OFFICERS OF THE MTPA:

President:  Judy Matthijssen

Vice President:  Maureen Marx  

Secretary:  Lisa Keith

Girls’ Treasurer:  Maria Coradini

Boys’ Treasurer:  Meeta Shah

Website Coordinator:  Bob Coradini

Website Expiration Dates:

1)  Godaddy website host - expires May 29, 2015 (5yr max term)

2)  Godaddy domain name registration - expires May 29, 2020   (10yr term)

Report of Officers/Committees: 

1) President Judy Matthijssen and Secretary Lisa Keith reported that all is status quo.
2) Webmaster Bob Coradini will be updating the website. 
3) Girls' team Treasurer Maria Coradini advised that she has received payment from 11 attendees for the upcoming tennis clinic fundraiser; there are 19 attendees signed up to date. 
4) Boys' team treasurer Meeta Shah advised that the boys' account balance is @ $1271 and she is in process of collecting funds for the boys' banquet.

Boys’ Tennis: 

          The boys' Varsity team is doing very well and has a 14-5 record to date!  They are currently playing State team matches and had a 5-0 win this past Tuesday against Iselin Kennedy; they also won the state sectional semi-final today against West Morris Central 3-2.  They will play Millburn most likely on Tuesday, 5/24 (location tbd).  Come on out and support the boys!  In addition, both first singles and first doubles have qualified for the individual State tournament which begins on June 4 at Mercer County Park.  The JV team is also excelling on the courts with a winning record of 6-3.  Nice job!

          Mark your calendars for the annual boys' tennis team banquet that is scheduled for Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at 7:00pm at the Basking Ridge Country Club.

Girls' Tennis:  The girls’ teams are currently off-season. 

Tennis Fundraiser:

This upcoming fundraiser is a one-day tennis clinic for 4th-8th graders, which will be run by the players from the boys' and girls' tennis teams (team players should wear their uniforms to the fundraiser and be at the courts by 3pm the day of the event).  The date is Saturday, June 4, 2011 (4-6pm) at the MHS courts.  The rain date will be Sunday, June 5, 2011 (4-6pm).  The cost of the clinic will be $30 per child if registering prior to the event, or $35 to walk-on the day of the event.  The purpose of the fundraiser is to increase the interaction and support between the boys and girls teams and also have an event that involves community service.  The proceeds will be split between the boys' and girls' teams.  Lauren DeStefano reported on the progress of planning the event, and it is well in hand.  Dylan Fowler, representing the MHS boys and girls team players, briefed the MTPA;  Dylan has been handling many of the details from creating the flyer, organizing the student volunteers and planning the court activities for the day of the clinic. A flyer for the event is being posted in various locations around Mendham and Chester, including Randolph Tennis Club, Fox Chase Tennis Club and several other businesses; it has also been distributed via email to the district, although this distribution has not yet been successful in Chester Borough and Township.  Publication of the event will be in this week's Daily Record's "This Week", and will be in the Observer Tribune a couple of weeks before the fundraiser.  Several parents will be needed on site the day of the event to help out.  The list of volunteers handling specific tasks include:  1) Susanne Bernt and Janice Myslinski - cups/water/snacks  2)Nan Buchney and Maureen Marx - prizes  3) Judy Matthijssen-  advertising at PTO's and town recreation organizations  4) Peter Dumovic - newspaper advertising  5) Maria Coradini - will bring balls, three hoppers, two  ball tubes and a cart.  6) Meeta Shah - will bring balls, one hopper and a ball machine if needed.   Please help spread the word about this event.

New Business: 

Long Term Plan for the MTPA:  Several propositions were raised concerning a long term plan.

1) Peter Dumovic submitted a goal to bring the MHS tennis program "to the next level" of competitive play.  To such an end, significant funds would have to be raised in order to accomplish this task.  Specific examples include: a) purchase of a ball machine b) regular sessions with fitness/conditioning professionals  c) occasional sessions with a sports psychologist d) talks and clinics by current and former tennis pros e) talks and clinics by current college players and coaches.

2)  Susanne Bernt proposed the development of an indoor pre-season program that would develop the players' doubles game, since there are many doubles spots on both the jv and varsity teams.  This could be organized by the parents and could be run as "captains practices" as an off-season team preparation, and would help in familiarizing the players with each other and the strategies involved in doubles play. 

3)  Susanne also brought up the issue of court maintenance going forward.  Specifics include the fixing of cracks, court resurfacing and getting the windscreens in place for the start of the boys season. 

These proposals must be further reviewed, evaluated and discussed next year.  Additional ideas are also encouraged as part of this process.

Upcoming changes in officers:  Susanne Bernt will become the Vice President in September, and take over for Maureen Marx.  Maureen will then become President, and take over for Judy Matthijssen whose term is expiring.  As this is Judy's last meeting as President, we would like to thank Judy for all her hard work.  Nanette Buchney will assume the office of Secretary in September, taking over for Lisa Keith whose term is also expiring.  Thank you to all those who give their time and talent to help run the MTPA!

Next MTPA Meeting:  September, 2011.  Date, time and location to be determined.

Minutes Respectfully Submitted

- Lisa Keith, MTPA Secretary