Apply to become a USTA Midwest Volunteer

These groups serve a two-year term and have deliverables and oversight that are tied to a regulatory purpose as set forth in either the USTA Midwest Bylaws or Rules and Regulations. Committees are composed of a volunteer chair and members, and a USTA Midwest staff member, and have clearly defined scope of authority and deliverables.  

Adult Competition Committee

The USTA Midwest Section Adult Competition Committee shall oversee the required regulations and procedures for the USTA adult league program and USTA adult tournaments. The committee shall collaborate with district leadership to monitor all district league play and regulations to ensure compliance with USTA Midwest and USTA National regulations. The committee will focus on increasing adult participation by making sure there is a clear and customer focused pathway to competition.

Adapted Tennis Committee 

In alignment with USTA national terminology, USTA Midwest is now using the term “adapted tennis” to encompass both adaptive and grassroots wheelchair tennis. Adapted tennis includes six pillars: wheelchair, para-standing, IDD (intellectual and developmental), BLV (blind and low vision), DHoH (deaf and hard of hearing), SER (social, emotional and recovery).  

The Adapted Tennis Committee shall promote and expand opportunities for adapted tennis by supporting sustainable programs, camps, tournaments and other play opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The committee shall work through its Adaptive and Wheelchair working groups to support providers, encourage new programming and events, and increase opportunities for participation while utilizing Serve Tennis.

Bylaws, Rules and Regulations Committee

The USTA Midwest Section Bylaws, Rules and Regulations Committee shall work in collaboration with the USTA Midwest Section Board, committees, staff and other association stakeholders to provide guidance and oversight of the USTA Midwest Section Governing Documents as defined in the USTA Midwest Section Bylaws. This includes assisting USTA Midwest leadership groups who are authorized from time to time to request proposed changes or amendments to the USTA Midwest Section Governing Documents. The role of the Bylaws, Rules and Regulations Committee in this regard is to ensure clarity and conformity with the Constitutions, Bylaws, Rules and Regulations of the USTA and USTA Midwest.​

Grievance Committee

The USTA Midwest Section Grievance Committee shall investigate and decide matters related to the bylaws and USTA Regulations; the bylaws, regulations, policies and procedures of USTA Midwest; and the standards of conduct, fair play and good sportsmanship.

Investment Committee 

The USTA Midwest Section Investment Committee shall review, analyze and provide guidance related to the ongoing investment results of the section in concert with the section’s outside financial advisor. The committee shall consult with the USTA Midwest Board of Directors on an investment strategy that supports USTA’s strategic initiative to grow tennis participation to 35 million players by 2035.  

Junior Competition Committee 

The USTA Midwest Junior Competition Committee shall grow participation in the youth competitive pathway by focusing on the entry-level progression through each ball color, education for key stakeholders including parents, coaches and providers, and addressing financial barriers. This committee shall address the sanctioning and scheduling of competitive events.

These groups typically consist of four to five members, with most serving terms of six months or less, depending on the assignment. Like committees, they are comprised of a volunteer chair and members, and a USTA Midwest staff member, and have a clearly defined scope of authority and deliverables. Task Force terms may be renewed depending on existing needs, transition to a working group, or conclude upon completion of its work.

Athlete Health and Safety Task Force 

In consultation with a leader from USTA, the Athlete Health and Safety Task Force will bring together a multidisciplinary group of professionals to create a sustainable framework for supporting athlete health and safety across the Midwest. The task force will identify key needs, provide expertise and education, and develop practical resources and best practices for athletes, families, coaches, providers, and tennis organizations. The task force will seek members with diverse expertise in areas related to sports medicine, wellness protocols, athletic training, Safe Play, working with competitive athletes, or experience in education and resource development.

College/Varsity Task Force

The College/Varsity Task Force shall determine who, what, when, where, why and how the USTA Midwest Section should engage with college tennis. The task force shall conduct research on the following areas: USTA Coaching, player participation growth, parent/player recruiting education, community engagement, advocacy, technology, court infrastructure and player development.  

Team Pathway Task Force

The Team Pathway Task Force will conduct a SWOT analysis of the section’s current team products, including Team Challenge, Junior Team Tennis, Tennis On Campus and League Tennis. The task force will explore how middle and high school tennis connect to these programs; how elementary, middle and high school tennis can connect to college tennis, including varsity and Tennis On Campus; how programs such as Swing, Hit & Ace and NJTL connect within the pathway; and whether adult Tennis 101 and social play serve as feeder programs. The task force will then develop a strategy and recommend next steps to align these products into a cohesive player pathway.

Access, Opportunity and Inclusion Task Force

The Access, Opportunity and Inclusion Task Force will identify barriers and develop key steps to expand access, create greater opportunities, and foster a welcoming and inclusive tennis community. These efforts will consider diversity across a range of identities, backgrounds, experiences and circumstances, including ways to expand the involvement of women and other underrepresented groups. The areas of focus for this task force will include supporting the recruitment and development of coaches, increasing participation, broadening representation among volunteers and staff, and evaluating programs to ensure they are responsive to the needs and experiences of people throughout the tennis community.

These groups provide USTA Midwest staff with a pool of experts in a given area to provide advice needed to make informed decisions. Consulting groups are led by a USTA Midwest staff member, and the duration of service may vary. 

Coaching Consulting Group

The Coaching Consulting Group will assist with building and showcasing the value of the coaching profession, promoting educational engagement, collaborating with USTA Coaching Community Education Centers to increase regional impact, and supporting and speaking at USTA Coaching events.

Clubs Consulting Group

The Clubs Consulting Group is a volunteer group of facility leaders who provide insight, feedback and recommendations to help the USTA Midwest better understand and support the needs of tennis clubs/facilities across the section. The group serves as a voice for the facility community, helping to identify challenges, opportunities and emerging trends while strengthening communication and collaboration between the section and local tennis facilities. 

Parks Consulting Group

The Parks Consulting Group is a collaborative forum of park and recreation professionals who provide insight, guidance and recommendations to strengthen tennis in public parks while supporting the broader missions of the parks and recreation agencies. The group identifies emerging needs, shares innovative ideas and best practices, and helps develop resources, partnerships and initiatives that increase community engagement and accessibility as well as the sustainable growth of tennis. 

Schools Consulting Group

The Schools Consulting Group will assist with identifying schools interested in bringing tennis to physical education classes, providing contacts for physical education teachers and principals, supporting in-service training, identifying school partners and connecting schools to the USTA pathway.

Responsibilities include:

• Encourage active participation and engagement from all committee members

• Collaborate with the staff liaison to establish goals and develop and communicate the meeting schedule in advance (Most meetings should take place during business hours, i.e. lunch break)

• Work with the staff liaison to set and share the agenda prior to each meeting

• Lead committee meetings, facilitate discussion and encourage active participation

• Take notes during committee meetings or designate another committee member to do so; AI tools may be utilized

• Ensure meeting notes and other relevant materials are provided to the staff liaison for uploading to shared committee drive

• Prepare a quarterly update for the Board of Directors in collaboration with the staff liaison

In-person meetings:

Chairs are invited to attend the following in-person meetings:

• Midwest Section Annual Meetings 2027 and 2028 (late January)

• USTA National meeting 2027 and 2028 (mid-March)

Responsibilities include:

• Stay informed of committee responsibilities, goals and activities

• Participate actively in committee meetings and other committee activities (Most meetings should take place during business hours, i.e. lunch break)

• Complete assigned tasks and contributions in a timely manner

• Review and respond to committee communications and materials

• Share relevant perspectives, expertise and ideas to support the committee’s goals

In-person meeting:

Committee members are invited to attend the following in-person meeting:

• Midwest Section Annual Meeting 2028 (late January)

Responsibilities include:

• Collaborate with the chair to establish goals and set the meeting schedule in advance (Most meetings should take place during business hours, i.e. lunch break)

• Manage the shared committee drive, ensuring members have appropriate access and materials are uploaded in a timely manner

• Send meeting invitations, reminders and agendas, and serve as the host for Google Meet sessions

• Ensure meeting notes and other relevant materials are collected from the chair and uploaded to the shared committee drive

• Prepare a quarterly update for the Board of Directors in collaboration with the committee chair

In-person meetings:

Liaisons are invited to attend the following in-person meetings:

• Midwest Section Annual Meetings 2027 and 2028 (late January)