Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club - Club Charter

Mission

Perpetuate the growth and advancement of pickleball in Ashland, Oregon.

Vision

Facilitate clear communications between affected players and organizations that influence the availability of pickleball in Ashland, Oregon.

Values

Promote good sportsmanship, quality of play and ready availability of quality pickleball venues in Ashland, Oregon.

Organization

The Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club is made up of individuals who have an interest in pickleball and want to see the sport flourish in Ashland, Oregon.   The Club is comprised of 100% volunteers and is open to any interested person.  The Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or religion.

The Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club does not collect or distribute funds for any purpose.  The Club can receive checks payable to other organizations, so long as the Club only acts as a courier of the checks.

Individual members and volunteers make up the Club structure and this includes the following recognized positions:

  •          Chairperson (Executive)

  •          Vice-chairperson (Executive)

  •          Membership & External Affairs (Executive)

  •          Documents and Records

  •          APF Funding Coordinator

  •          Fundraising Event Committee

  •          July 4th Parade Event Committee

  •          Pickleball Court Fair Use Committee

  •          Venue Selection Committee

  •          General Member

 An Executive or any General Member can be removed by a simple majority vote of the General Interested Members.

Activities

  1. The Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club meets, as needed, to discuss factors that influence pickleball played in Ashland, Oregon. 

  2. The Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club publishes a newsletter, as needed, to general members.

  3. The Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club works directly and indirectly with organizations that influence pickleball in Ashland, Oregon.  These organizations include, but are not limited to, Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission (APRC), Ashland Parks Foundation (APF), Ashland Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), and potential supporters/sponsors of Ashland pickleball activities, wherever they may be located. 

  4. The Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club is not affiliated with any group or business.  The Club does not endorse products or services.  The Club is not a political organization and maintains a neutral non-political position on issues including endorsements for political candidates or ballot measures.

  5. The Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club is registered with the State of Oregon, Secretary of State, Business Registry.  Cori Frank is the registered business contact for the Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club (AOPC).

  6. The Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club does not utilize a governing board.  Other than the Club’s recognized positions, there are no officers or directors.   Only the Executives (Chairperson, Vice-chairperson and Public Affairs Person) may publicly speak on behalf of the AOPC and its general members.  General interested members are those members who complete a survey, vote, are committee members, or who attend scheduled meetings.

  7. The Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club takes positions based on the majority of opinions obtained from interested general members (e.g. member survey results, open meeting discussions, or committee input).  

  8. The Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club takes actions based on the majority of opinions obtained from interested general members (e.g. general interested member votes or committee decisions). 

  9. If a majority of general interested member’s opinions cannot be obtained for any reason, then the Chairman makes the final decision for the Club with the concurrence of the other Executives. 

  10. Cori Frank maintains a Facebook page and membership roster including emails for the AOPC that is used to highlight important pickleball information.

 General Interested Member Opinions

The Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club uses a variety of measures to obtain general interested member opinions relative to positions and actions taken by the Club.   Positions and actions are developed after opportunities or issues are identified and brought to the attention of the AOPC Chairperson or another Executive.  Opportunities or issues may be identified and brought forward by any general member of the Club at any time.  One example of an opportunity is for the AOPC to host a senior’s tournament at Lithia Park.  One example of an issue is for the AOPC to respond in writing to APRC permanent closure of the Lithia Pickleball courts.

Surveys may be conducted to determine generally what the majority of general interested members’ opinions are about opportunities or issues like volunteering to host a pickleball information booth during a City of Ashland public event (public relations opportunity) or helping APRC staff conduct noise sampling around Lithia Park neighborhoods (helping understand an identified environmental issue). 

Votes are taken to determine specifically how the majority of general interested members’ opinions are about AOPC actions like Executives providing specific written and oral presentations at the APRC business meetings.  Votes would also be taken to remove an Executive or General Member. 

Surveys and votes may be obtained from general interested members using any or some of the following methods: email, Facebook, electronic (e.g. Survey Monkey), paper ballot, or voice votes at scheduled meetings.   Results of surveys and votes are made available to general members and may be shared with organizations that influence pickleball in Ashland, Oregon.

If a survey or vote is taken at a scheduled meeting, the results of that survey or vote will be published in the meeting minutes.  Any member who disagrees with the survey or vote results is free to either (1) respond in writing to the AOPC Executives or (2) attend the next general meeting to voice the disagreement.