RACQUETBALL: 212 Board Elections

March - April 2001
Vol. 12, No. 2 | Contents

USRA BOARD ELECTIONS

If you’re a USRA member in good standing, your hard-copy issue of RACQUETBALL will contain a postcard ballot for your use in casting a vote for the USRA Board of Directors. Only USRA members may take part, and there is no online voting. Questions? Call 719-635-5396, or find more information online at www.usra.org > Index > “Board Elections.”

There are four (4) candidates for three (3) vacancies on the USRA Board of Directors. Candidate information is published below. For your ballot to be valid, the following is required:

• Ballot must bear a legible signature, plus the mailing label from the March/April 2001 issue, attached where indicated.
• Voter must be a current USRA member in good standing.
• Only one ballot per member may be cast (either with a national singles entry or the postcard ballot delivered via RACQUETBALL, not both).
• Any number of candidates, up to the maximum of three (3) may be chosen.
• Ballot must be received by Wednesday, MAY 9.


Garry Carter Napa, Calif. Racquetball, more than ever before, needs dedicated insightful directors willing to make the hard decisions to bring about change, facilitate progress, and revitalize our sport. We must find ways to maintain our courts, attract new players, and use our current resources to better service our members. I am action and results oriented and think I can make a positive difference. When California racquetball needed a boost, I implemented a web site to promote racquetball and provide information via the Internet, I became Rules Commissioner to help standardize the interpretation and enforcement of the rules, and now I’m heading a review process to insure that every member is duly represented by the state association. I am also leading an effort to maintain and improve skill level competition by standardizing skill level ratings and certification at both the national and state level. You can use your vote to show support for these undertakings. Please help to bring about positive change by casting your vote for me. Your support and vote are important to the future of racquetball. For more details on my qualifications, platform and efforts to improve skill level competition, please email me at Crater1@aol.com. Thank you and many winning returns.	John Ferguson Portland, Ore. My special interest is Junior Racquetball, thanks to my daughters. I served as President of the Oregon Junior Racquetball Association for two years when Oregon was host for the Junior Nationals and the High School Nationals. I have also been the OJRA Treasurer and fundraiser for the past four years. One of our innovations was the use of the TMS software to run tournaments. It has decreased time spent doing draws and increased tournament efficiency. I am particularly interested in developing it for broader use in racquetball. I am a member of the Multnomah Athletic Club in Portland, which has over 19,000 members and offers many programs. I am especially proud of being the founder and coach (along with Racquetball Pro Hank Marcus) of the MAC Junior Racquetball Team. MAC also has about 200 adults who play weekly in individual and team competition. When I headed this program, I created the computerized scoring system used by our adult Intramurals League. I have enjoyed the camaraderie and challenges of racquetball and would love to help bring it to more families to enjoy. Keep in touch with me through email at ferguson85@ home.com	Jack Hughes Burlingame, Calif. I am involved in racquetball as a player, member of the Board of Directors at the state and national association level and in the retail business as the owner of a pro shop. I plan, schedule and supervise the racquetball activities at Royal Athletic Club, including leagues, clinics, private lessons, sanctioned tournaments and other events. I am also involved in promoting the game as the regional coordinator for Ektelon for northern California. I am one of the co-founders of the California Amateur Racquetball Association [CARA], have served on its Board of Directors since 1984 as Vice-president, President and currently as Treasurer. I have served on the USRA Board of Directors for a term of three years and would appreciate the opportunity to continue to serve on the board. I serve as chairman of the Hall of Fame committee and Scholarship committee and sit on the Membership committee. I have supported and will continue to support the upgrading and extension of the women’s programs. I also vigorously support the women’s and men’s masters associations. Email: racquetballplus @home.com	Jan Stelma New Bern, N.C. I’m very excited about the opportunity to run for the USRA Board of Directors. For the past ten years I have been a member of the North Carolina Racquetball Association [NCRA], two and half of those years as its President. During my tenure, we went from a deficit budget to a cash flow position of over $6,000.00. The NCRA Board is a working board, with creativity and a desire to help our state grow in membership, tournaments and players. I hope to carry these same desires with me if elected to the USRA Board. Women’s issues are a high priority for me, as well as the concerns of the intermediate player. Also, as a club owner, I can share in multi-perspectives on different issues. I will always remember that the Board works for the general membership, and be willing to listen and address issues presented. We all know that racquetball is a wonderful sport, for a lot of reasons. It is important that we pass this passion on to others! Please vote for a “worker bee” and help me to help you! Email: courtsplus @intrasource.net