This award honors a Community Tennis Association for outstanding service rendered in growing and developing the sport of tennis in its community. The award recipient is selected from 17 nominees, one from each of the USTA sections, by panel of USTA Community Tennis Association Committee members. The award will be presented in early 2011 at the USTA Community Tennis Development Workshop. Dates will be provided soon

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Eligibility:

A USTA Community Tennis Association (CTA) is defined as: “Any incorporated, geographically defined, not-for-profit, volunteer-based tennis organization that supports or provides programs, which promote and develop the growth of tennis.” All CTAs nominated must be registered with the USTA and be a current USTA organization member.

Purpose:

Beginning in 2002, the United States Tennis Association presented the USTA Community Tennis Association (CTA) of the Year Award in recognition of outstanding service rendered in the community served and in the growth and development of the sport of tennis.

Application Categories:

Please address the following categories in your application and answer to the best of your ability. The award review team will use this data to make a final selection.

1.

CTA History: Can the CTA demonstrate evidence of community success over a period of at least three (3) years? Does the CTA service the needs of the entire community including all ages and ability levels? Describe the community served by the CTA. Are there other CTAs servicing the same community?

2.

Leadership: Does the CTA have a strong board of directors? Is the board made up of a diverse group of people who are interested in and committed to the CTA’s mission? Do these leaders have skills that will contribute to the management of the CTA? Attach an organizational chart, if available.

3.

Mission Statement: Does the CTA have a mission statement? Does the mission statement answer, why are we doing what we are doing?

4.

Strategic Plan: Does the CTA have a strategic plan that includes goals, timelines, and budgets? Does the plan guide the association towards its mission? Attach a copy of the CTA’s strategic plan, if available, if not please list goals.

5.

Organization Structure: Does the CTA have structure? Are roles and responsibilities of the board spelled out? Does the association have bylaws? Is the association incorporated as a non profit in its state? Does it have tax-exempt status with the IRS? Does the CTA carry insurance – Master Liability or Directors and Officers?

6.

Program offerings based on an assessment of community needs: Has the CTA taken a look at the characteristics of the community and how they relate to the goals of the CTA and the programs offered? What kinds of programs does the CTA offer and/or support? Does the CTA offer or support tennis programs for both youth and adult? How?

7.

Recruitment and Training of Volunteers: How does the CTA recruit, recognize and retain volunteers? Does the CTA have written job descriptions or project descriptions for volunteer positions? Does the CTA offer volunteer training and/or orientation programs?

8.

Relationships of Partnerships with other community organizations: Do you have partnerships with community organizations to improve programs or management of the CTA? Please list them. Are the roles and responsibilities of the CTA and the partner clearly defined?

9.

Fundraising Capabilities: How does the CTA raise resources? Does the CTA rely on one source of funding or is it diversified? Include a copy of the current year budget and most recent financial statement, if available.

10.

Marketing and Public Relations: How does the CTA get its message out to the community? Does the CTA have a plan to market programs? Does the CTA send out press releases? Does the CTA have a written marketing and public relations plan? If available, attach a copy of this plan.

11.

CTA Personnel: Who is responsible for the day-to-day operation and management of the CTA? Are these positions volunteer, or do you employ full-time or part-time staff? Please describe.

12.

Special Recognition(s): Has the CTA received any awards or special recognition? Please list award/recognition and year it was attained.

13.

A USTA Organization Membership: The CTA must be a current USTA Organization Member to be eligible for this award.

14.

A USTA CTA Registration: The CTA must be registered with the USTA to be eligible for this award. Please contact your Section office or check www.usta.com/cta for more information on registration.

Awards:

The winner of the USTA Community Tennis Association of the Year Award will be notified by telephone and mail prior to the 2011 Community Tennis Development Workshop. Two (2) individuals representing the winning CTA will receive an expense-paid trip to the workshop. For each individual, this includes one (1) roundtrip airfare, two (2) nights hotel accommodations and one (1) complimentary registration to the workshop. Additionally, the organization will receive a plaque from the United States Tennis Association.

Deadline:

Nominations must be completed online and received by Tuesday July 6, 2010. Please contact cta@usta.com if you have any questions.