Our by-laws identify us in the following way… “USA Racquetball is a non-profit corporation designed to foster and promote the development of recreational and competitive racquetball in the United States. The Corporation is organized and operated exclusively to foster national and international amateur sport competition… The Corporation offers institutions and individuals, which desire to join in membership for the advancement of racquetball, an opportunity to participate and contribute to that growth.”
The by-laws further go on to explain… “The formulation of policy, procedures, and operation for the Corporation shall be vested in a Board of Directors who shall be selected without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, or sex, except that because separate male and female programs are conducted, there must be both males and females on the Board.”
What are the qualifications for becoming a Board member? You bring something to the table…business experience, skills under a variety of definitions (communications, finance, marketing, non-profit, etc.). You have a passion for racquetball and want to proactively work to make it better. You respect and uphold confidentiality; and you wish to serve the membership of our organization. You want racquetball to thrive.
How much time is required? The Board of Directors meets twice a year at National Singles and the US Open. Numerous conference calls take place in-between, and Board members also serve on at least one and typically several committees to further racquetball initiatives. Most committees are headed by a Board member.
Who exactly are these Board members? Our current Board appears on the USAR website. At our annual meeting on May 25th, two members, Geoff Peters and Ed Remen, will depart and two, Peter McMillin and JoAnna Reyes, will begin three-year terms. Tom Curran begins his second three-year term. Additionally, via the Board’s unanimous vote, an appointed two-year position will be occupied by Jan Stelma, a club owner and state Board member from North Carolina.
Geoff and Ed have the Board’s, staff’s and membership’s gratitude for their service to USA Racquetball. Their time and expertise have left us better than they found us, and we’ll always appreciate what they’ve done. Peter, JoAnna, and Jan, we look forward to your energy and your willingness to give of yourselves for racquetball.
DEPARTING BOARD MEMBERS
Geoff Peters
Treasurer/Executive Committee Member
"Our sport is at an important crossroads, and we have a great opportunity to increase our visibility and participation - and grow racquetball for the future. The key initiatives of your Board are now focused on growth – working as an umbrella organization on behalf of all of the other racquetball entities (WSMRA, NMRA, IRT, WPRO, WOR, IRF, Police, Firefighters, MRF, etc.) and driving grassroots participation by Juniors, High Schools, Collegiate and Club players with expanded leagues, programming and instruction (like the new USAR Instructors Program).
Also important in the future will be the USA Racquetball Foundation, a separate 501-C-3 organization that has been developed to solicit capital donations for the future of our sport. This endowment is being set up to utilize investment income/interest only and will maintain our capital donations for the benefit of future generations. Similar endowment funds for schools, museums and other sports such as tennis are major funding catalysts for youth programs and development. You’ll be hearing more about the USA Racquetball Foundation in the coming months, and I hope that you will join me in considering a significant bequest to guarantee the future of our great sport."
Ed Remen
Board Member/USAR Hall of Fame
“It has been truly a pleasure and honor to serve on the Board of Directors for the past three years. I can assure everyone that all of the board members are true professionals and work diligently day and night to promote our great sport. It's been a privilege working with them all.
“I've been involved in racquetball for almost 40 years and am very confident with our leadership and positive direction of the USAR. I will continue to work for our great sport any way needed. Thanks for this great opportunity.”
INCOMING BOARD MEMBERS