Dear Tennis Family,
Thank you for a great 2010 season. A 25 year member stated, “This was the best tennis season yet!"
Six years ago I joined Steve Cornell on the Tennis Section Leadership team. Two years ago Steve asked me to become the Tennis Governor. We agreed to work together. We agreed our mission would be: “Tons of Fun for Everyone”, our goal: “Turn the club from a functioning tennis facility into a tennis community, and to three strategies: “get great leadership, great programming and great technology”.
Leadership:
We enlisted a leadership team that represents all demographics of the Club; new and corporate members, local residents and weekenders, different tennis capabilities and a broad age range so all voices could be heard. We engaged Gretchen Farmer, Kathy Kehoe, Michelle Nathoo, Sal Sorce, C.J. Muse and Ashley Goodale, Harold Tittman, Joanne Kelly and Jim Graham. This group became a unified team over two years and made all decisions unanimously.
We agreed we needed a Pro who was not only great at teaching but understood how to develop a community. We found Patric Westoo who has received the highest survey scores for a Pro to date. Patric led an outstanding team including our manager Jay Przygocki, technology and promotion leader Yvonne Ashe and all the supporting staff. This team has the highest staff satisfaction levels ever. Congratulations team! The good news is they will be back next year so you can look forward to another outstanding season!
Programming:
We believed if we engaged juniors the whole family would get involved and create a great community. We developed great programming for our juniors and teens. Our Junior Camps and Clinics this year had their highest rating ever. Our Teens Team went to the state finals in their first year. We complimented this with great social, educational and competitive programming for all levels, ages, and genders. Members scored our programs exceptionally in this year’s survey. This truly was our “best programming year yet!"
Technology:
We have connected our community by improving the tennis section website, which now contains details of all programming, and allows members to sign up for events, clinics and lessons. The new website also allows members to choose what programming emails they wish to receive, and includes Game Finder functionality so members can email others of like abilities and get a game online at any time.
Survey:
We have been collecting survey data on member satisfaction regarding leadership, programming and technology since 2006. Each year we have responded to the data by making improvements. Below is a progress report of how the section has improved. We score on a seven point scale:
1-3 is very dissatisfied 4-5 mildly satisfied 6-7 is very satisfied
Every 0.5 change is considered a significant improvement
|
2006 |
2010 |
Change |
| Overall Satisfaction |
4.6 |
6.3 |
+1.7 |
| Pro |
4.9 |
6.5 |
+1.6 |
| Manager |
N/A |
6.6 |
|
| Staff |
5.1 |
6.5 |
+1.4 |
| Junior Program |
4.1 |
6.3 |
+2.1 |
| Junior Clinic |
4.2 |
5.8 |
+1.6 |
| Social Events |
3.6 |
6.3 |
+2.7 |
| Tournaments |
4.1 |
5.7 |
+1.6 |
| Technology |
4.3 |
6.2 |
+1.9 |
| Facilities |
4.8 |
5.6 |
+0.8 |
Due to the improvements we made in leadership, programming and technology, we have moved from low/mildly satisfied to a very satisfied Tennis community.
Leadership Transition:
In July, I discussed leaving my role with the Tennis Leadership team. As a global management consultant I travel 60-70% of the time and I am now living in Newport, RI in the summers. We unanimously nominated Phil Farmer to replace me as Governor. At the Club’s annual meeting Phil was confirmed. We deeply appreciate Brad Dutcher, the new Club President, and the Board of Governors for making this happen.
Phil has consulted with the Tennis team on key issues over the last two years. Phil is actively involved in the Tennis Section and is a past Washington Club President. He is respected for his leadership skills throughout the community. All of the Tennis leadership Team, Pro and staff have agreed to stay to work with Phil to continue to improve our Tennis community. Phil has reviewed the Tennis finances with the Club Treasurer and Brad Dutcher, and the Tennis Section finances have received a clean bill of health.
Two years ago when I became Tennis Governor, in addition to the goal of making our Club a vibrant tennis community, I set two personal goals:
1. Learn how to lead a non-profit volunteer team
2. Learn about local politics
Leading this team has been a highlight for me. People with very different backgrounds and interests came together with one mission and as a team have been exceptionally successful. I have learned a lot about local politics. Both goals were exceptionally fulfilled.
I am very appreciative to the Board of Governors and the Tennis Section for the privilege to serve.
Sincerely,
David Dougherty
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