First Association Meeting of Northfield Pickleball Association Saturday, April 5, 2025: Northfield Public Library

Bill Seeberg convened the meeting at 1:33 PM

Members present: Bill Seeberg, Art Weeks, Lori Farmer, Ray Gainey, Greg Stai, Brenda Fletcher, Curt Gilbertson, Tory Borovsky, Bev Legler, Susan Larson, Paula Case, John Case, Josh Zimmerman, Bruce Hamilton 

Introductions:  Members in attendance introduced themselves.

History:  Bill Seeberg shared the meeting’s agenda and gave a brief history of where we are and how we got here. He recalled the forming of a steering committee about a year ago to discuss organizing. He showed the results of the survey that was conducted to gage interest in organizing. The survey’s 95 respondents showed that 83% endorsed moving forward with organization and that the things they most wanted an organization to promote were more and better facilities and more opportunities to learn and play the game.  An organization committee was then formed to study organizational types and make a recommendation for what kind of organization we should be. That committee interviewed 12 area communities of similar size to Northfield that had either formal or informal associations to see what they could learn. After much discussion their recommendation was that Northfield should form an unincorporated association and partner with Northfield Shares if fund raising needs arose. Next, volunteers were sought to serve on a board of directors and possible committees that might be established. 15 volunteers responded and they, plus the eight members of the steering committee, were invited to this meeting. Finally, a draft of the bylaws was written.  

Bylaws:  A draft of the bylaws was presented to the meeting participants. Bylaws were approved unanimously with the addition of the phrase “and the surrounding community” to Section B of Article I stating the purpose of the association.

Before the vote some discuss of term lengths took place. Some felt that terms should be longer and/or staggered to enhance the continuity of the board and the association. It was decided that the bylaws should pass as written but that an amendment to the bylaws might be in order sometime in the future as we have more time to consider this matter as the association matures. 

Election of Officers:

After a call for volunteers, a nominating process and some discussion the following slate of five officers was unanimously approved: 

President: Bill Seeberg 

Vice President: Tory Borovsky

Secretary/Treasurer: Josh Zimmerman

At Large: Lori Farmer and Theresa Kitzman

Committees/New Members: The immediate needs for committee work included one for facilities (fencing of existing courts, future Sechler Park courts, etc.) and another for learning and playing opportunities. Some discussion of how to introduce ourselves to the community and how to solicit new members was held.   

Next Step: Meeting of the Board: President Bill Seeberg will set the date, location and agenda for the first formal meeting of the board. Meeting adjourned at 2:45 pm.