President’s Message

Once again, welcome to our returning and new players.

We had a good turnout at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) with around 70 members in attendance. The only change to the Board of Directors this year was the addition of Martha Martinez, who assumed Patti Cisneros position as Community Liaison. The Board continues to be transparent, thus the AGM and all monthly board meeting minutes are available for review on our club website. If you were unable to attend the meeting, I encourage you to review the minutes and the topics presented as they impact our club membership as a whole.

The three key points from the AGM are worth reiterating to ensure ALL members receive the same message.

1. Court Allocations & Player Level:

A. We have reallocated the courts this year based on the number of people who indicated their level of play in our survey. Players playing at the wrong skill level has been the number one complaint the board members hear daily. Be realistic about your skills and mobility levels as they relate to the skill guides posted. Be respectful that the board has worked hard to ensure that everyone has fair playing time with good quality play. In order to do that, skill level requirements have been posted, a rule that winners do not have to split has been implemented, and an option for unlimited group paddling has been adopted. Please NOTE: Group Paddling is allowed as long as there are 8 players playing, not 8 paddles up. These guidelines are posted at the courts.

B. If you feel that someone is not playing at the correct level, let them know, choose the group paddle option or put up with it. Reporting this to the board is not an option; we don’t want to be the pickleball police! With that said, we continue to encourage players to play at the level they play at, at their home court, to prevent any awkward conversations from other members.

C. If members continue to play wherever, creating “watered down” play for the rest of the players, we will move to one central paddle up rack for all levels and proceed with 4 on 4 off rotating players to the next available court. This system will allow players to paddle up with those they want to play with. This option was proposed at the AGM and with a showing of hands, not one member was in favor. Hopefully, we can avoid going to this system.

2. Court Hosts & Collectors and Training:

The Court Host is a new position based on comments from the summer survey. The Host’s role is to maintain the flow of the players on the courts in order to minimize the wait time. Please note that court allocations are a guide for player level, however ALL courts are flex courts and can be reassigned depending on the number of players playing at the various levels. The Court Host has the final say in the court allocation, please be respectful of our volunteers. The board has received a lot of positive feedback from the membership in regard to having host and collector positions.

Thank you to all of the Hosts and Collectors who have stepped forward thus far. We are a volunteer club and it is unfair to expect the same people to volunteer continuously.

Keeping in mind that the morning rush is between 7 and 11, we are now offering a 2 hour split shift for these positions. Please contact Linda Balon-Smith (Volunteer Coordinator) to sign up. The next host collector training session will be on Friday, January 31, 2025 at 10am at the courts.

3. Court Maintenance & Projects Under Investigation:

A. The courts are looking good but we still need volunteers to help with the maintenance. If you can help, contact Pauline Landry (Maintenance Coordinator).

B. The Board has been compiling quotes and reviewing the logistics of a few capital projects such as court shelter, new courts, court lighting and a covered and cemented area for all levels to sit together which is one of our main goals. As we know, all things here take time so please be patient. Project details are covered in the AGM meeting minutes. We will keep the members posted via Board meeting minutes.

Going into my second term as President, I appreciate the opportunity to be part of this Board and this club=. My involvement allows me to advocate to improve the club and contribute to the surrounding communities in which we reside. My hope, as always for the Guayabitos Pickleball Club, is that the general membership continues to promote a positive social, as well as a good fair play environment for everyone.

If your stay here is short or long term, please keep in mind that “Teamwork makes the dream work!”

Best regards and paddle on!

Teresa M. Joki, President

Guayabitos Pickleball Club Board