This is my final report as treasurer; Dee Breton has assumed the role as of July 1st
Revenues in the first half were $3742: this was 17% less than budget. The major shortfall was Session Fees, which ran around $850 less than budgeted. This is the first instance in five years where the actual session fees were less than the budgeted amount. Despite having 104 members- something we couldn’t even comprehend two years ago- we found that 1 of every 3 sessions goes unused. Thanks to SUG, overcrowding is not a serious issue.
Expenses in the first half were $2352, almost $1650 less than budgeted. The major shortfalls in expenses were in Social Activities and Tournament Expenses- we just didn’t do anything in these areas. Another large shortfall was in Merchandise: we did plan to purchase duffel bags for members, but this expense will not occur until the beginning of the second half.
Click 1st Half Performance_2015 to get a detailed look.
My opinion is that the membership is fragmented and has access to multiple playing venues. Manchester and Hooksett have been popular playing venues for a few years, but are now joined by Merrimack, Nashua, Hudson and others. Pickleball is a more popular sport and Talent Hall is not the only game in town. Also, the club has evolved into a collection of ‘tribes’ who often play only with each other and have an aversion to mixing with other tribes.
Coaching, Skills Development, and Tournaments are issues that the club membership has previously voted on as highly desirable but that have not yet been addressed.
We can probably accept more members- as one third of our capacity is unused- but there is likely to be some pressure as popular slots fill up a week in advance while often requested slots go unused. Some creative thinking is needed to fill up the unused capacity.
Finances are in good shape, despite the less than budgeted performance- expenses are less than revenues.
Finally, again in my view, we need to identify club leaders in teaching and coaching, merchandising and promotion. Out of a hundred members, only a handful are willing to expend personal effort to support and lead the club. We need to identify and nurture that small group!
It’s been a rewarding five years as treasurer and a board member- it’s time for some new blood. I welcome Dee Breton in her new role and I sincerely hope that a few more members will put themselves forward to lead the group in future years.