Club News : Rockcliffe Lawn Tennis Club : Ottawa, Ontario

RLTC News

Apr 5, 2010

2010 Club Opening

Dear Members,

On behalf of the Board of Directors I would like welcome you to another season at the Rockcliffe Lawn Tennis Club. The new Board has needed to address several transitional issues and we hope that you will be happy with the planned changes for the coming season.

Club Manager and clubhouse staff

After serving as club manager for 3 years Vera Cody decided to step down as club manager in February. The Board had unanimously agreed to changes to her contract and had planned on her return but in the event it was not possible to come to a mutual agreement. The Board thanks Vera for the contribution to the club during her tenure and wishes her all the very best for the future.

The Board took action in early March to find a new manager for the 2010 season by appointing a Staffing Committee comprised of Peter Gonda, Brian Marley-Clarke, Nadia Freeman and Beata Garel-Jones. Ads were placed in The Ottawa Citizen and Algonquin College jobs inventory. Responses were received from 11 applicants and the Committee interviewed 5 of the most promising candidates. We are delighted to report that Luisa Castro accepted an offer and signed the contract.

Luisa Castro worked for over 10 years in the consumer service area and has over six years of experience in Office Management and Administration. Luisa is proficient in all MS Office programs including QuickBooks accounting software. In past years Luisa was employed by Keller Engineering and the Embassy of Colombia as an administrative Assistant where she gained knowledge of administrative procedures, budget management and event coordination. Luisa also worked with her husband Christian Nadon in his catering company Oh! Petit Plats Français 2003, which gave her knowledge of contract administration and cash flow management.

The RLTC Board welcomes Luisa as the new Club Manager and we trust that this season will be as enjoyable and successful as in previous years.

All former employees who have worked for the club in this area have been re-employed for the 2010 season, so their faces will be familiar to all of us!

Courts and Grounds

Court Contractors of Mississauga will be back in early May and will complete their renovation of the four clay courts. Weather permitting the soft courts should be ready for play by May 10th. Mr. Teskey, the president of the firm, cautioned me when we spoke on April 5th, that although we experienced unseasonably warm temperature over the Easter weekend, major cities in Ontario have had snowfalls (and heavy rains), every year in the month of April for the last 26 years … so we will keep our fingers crossed that we will be able to open courts 1-4 on May 10th.

Courts Canada will continue to provide ongoing maintenance on both hard and soft courts. In addition, three nets (on court 5,6,7) required repair and were sent for refurbishment on March 27th. Also the three cranks on courts #5,6 and 7were either broken or badly in need of repair. Court #8 will also undergo repair to fill in the crack that extends from the fence, next to the clubhouse, through to the north side of the court. Hence, we can expect all four hard courts to be in shape for May 1st.

A sub- committee composed of Tim Murray, Sean Dennehy, and Nadia Freeman, has been formed to assist Brian Marley-Clarke in improving all aspects of preserving and expanding club facilities (as required), including storage and security.

The 2009/2010 budget.

This year the Board approved a budget for planning purposes for the 2009/2010 season. Based on conservative assumptions regarding membership and planned and known increases in expenses the Board agreed to an increase of 5% in the membership fees. The membership levy which was put in place last year will be discontinued with the exception of those members who became social members last year and they wish to return as playing members this season. The Board has made this decision in order to be fair to all members who will enjoy playing on our newly renovated clay courts. This renovation would not be possible without the levy.

The Task Force Committee established last year to provide a 5-year plan for operating and capital budgets recommended the establishment of a capital budget for the major renovations to the clay and hard courts. The Board has agreed to this recommendation. It was further agreed that going forward the initiation fees for new members will be put in this fund. At year-end the club will target a cash position of $35,000 and beyond that any surpluses from the operating budget will be transferred to the capital fund.

The budget for 2009/2010 will be posted to the web page in the next few days.

We should have great season. See you on the courts soon!

Beata Garel-Jones
President, RLTC

			RLTC News Apr 5, 2010 2010 Club Opening Dear Members, On behalf of the Board of Directors I would like welcome you to another season at the Rockcliffe Lawn Tennis Club. The new Board has needed to address several transitional issues and we hope that you will be happy with the planned changes for the coming season. Club Manager and clubhouse staff After serving as club manager for 3 years Vera Cody decided to step down as club manager in February. The Board had unanimously agreed to changes to her contract and had planned on her return but in the event it was not possible to come to a mutual agreement. The Board thanks Vera for the contribution to the club during her tenure and wishes her all the very best for the future. The Board took action in early March to find a new manager for the 2010 season by appointing a Staffing Committee comprised of Peter Gonda, Brian Marley-Clarke, Nadia Freeman and Beata Garel-Jones. Ads were placed in The Ottawa Citizen and Algonquin College jobs inventory. Responses were received from 11 applicants and the Committee interviewed 5 of the most promising candidates. We are delighted to report that Luisa Castro accepted an offer and signed the contract. Luisa Castro worked for over 10 years in the consumer service area and has over six years of experience in Office Management and Administration. Luisa is proficient in all MS Office programs including QuickBooks accounting software. In past years Luisa was employed by Keller Engineering and the Embassy of Colombia as an administrative Assistant where she gained knowledge of administrative procedures, budget management and event coordination. Luisa also worked with her husband Christian Nadon in his catering company Oh! Petit Plats Français 2003, which gave her knowledge of contract administration and cash flow management. The RLTC Board welcomes Luisa as the new Club Manager and we trust that this season will be as enjoyable and successful as in previous years. All former employees who have worked for the club in this area have been re-employed for the 2010 season, so their faces will be familiar to all of us! Courts and Grounds Court Contractors of Mississauga will be back in early May and will complete their renovation of the four clay courts. Weather permitting the soft courts should be ready for play by May 10th. Mr. Teskey, the president of the firm, cautioned me when we spoke on April 5th, that although we experienced unseasonably warm temperature over the Easter weekend, major cities in Ontario have had snowfalls (and heavy rains), every year in the month of April for the last 26 years … so we will keep our fingers crossed that we will be able to open courts 1-4 on May 10th. Courts Canada will continue to provide ongoing maintenance on both hard and soft courts. In addition, three nets (on court 5,6,7) required repair and were sent for refurbishment on March 27th. Also the three cranks on courts #5,6 and 7were either broken or badly in need of repair. Court #8 will also undergo repair to fill in the crack that extends from the fence, next to the clubhouse, through to the north side of the court. Hence, we can expect all four hard courts to be in shape for May 1st. A sub- committee composed of Tim Murray, Sean Dennehy, and Nadia Freeman, has been formed to assist Brian Marley-Clarke in improving all aspects of preserving and expanding club facilities (as required), including storage and security. The 2009/2010 budget. This year the Board approved a budget for planning purposes for the 2009/2010 season. Based on conservative assumptions regarding membership and planned and known increases in expenses the Board agreed to an increase of 5% in the membership fees. The membership levy which was put in place last year will be discontinued with the exception of those members who became social members last year and they wish to return as playing members this season. The Board has made this decision in order to be fair to all members who will enjoy playing on our newly renovated clay courts. This renovation would not be possible without the levy. The Task Force Committee established last year to provide a 5-year plan for operating and capital budgets recommended the establishment of a capital budget for the major renovations to the clay and hard courts. The Board has agreed to this recommendation. It was further agreed that going forward the initiation fees for new members will be put in this fund. At year-end the club will target a cash position of $35,000 and beyond that any surpluses from the operating budget will be transferred to the capital fund. The budget for 2009/2010 will be posted to the web page in the next few days. We should have great season. See you on the courts soon! Beata Garel-Jones President, RLTC

	September 3, 2010