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June 05, 2022
PPPA – WEEKLY EMAIL BLAST
In this week's blast:
ADVENTURES WITH ALAN TAKES HIS FIRST PICKLEBALL LESSON
Members of the PPPA gave KOAA weatherman, Alan Rose, a lesson on how to play pickleball. Watch the video on KOAA Adventures with Alan takes his first pickleball lesson. It is also available on YouTube.
AN UNTAPPED FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR PPPA
As you know, part of our PPPA nonprofit mission is to help develop new Pickleball court resources for our local community. Consistent with that mission, PPPA has been very successful over the last several years in partnering with our local City and County governments in delivering 31 new dedicated community Pickleball courts at Monument Valley, Venezia and Bear Creek parks. This is in large part due to the co-funding that our PPPA organization has provided to encourage and facilitate such partnerships for the advantage of our local players. For example, PPPA contributed $101,000 in cash and materials along with a $20,000 grant that PPPA received from the El Pomar Foundation toward the Bear Creek Regional Park Pickleball venue. Our cash contribution came from PPPA member dues, tournament proceeds, corporate sponsorships, and "passive fundraising" from our membership's participation in programs like King Soopers Community Rewards.
However, relatively few of our PPPA households have taken advantage of this King Soopers "free money" to PPPA. Please see the attached data from April of this year that shows less than 8% of our PPPA families are enrolled in this PPPA court funding resource--that alone could generate the equivalent of nearly ONE Pickleball court a year in revenue for new courts. The King Soopers link on the attachment will also show you how to set up your digital account with linkage back to our PPPA nonprofit organization.
We very much encourage your family to take advantage of this and the other passive fundraising opportunities that are listed on our website.
Your PPPA Board of Directors
NEW PICKLEBALL COURTS AT COLEMAN PARK PUBLIC FORUM
WHAT - We need as many of you and your pickleball friends and family as possible to attend a Community Forum on Thursday, June 16 @ 5:30-7:30pm where the public will have the opportunity to provide input and influence the design of the Coleman Community Park, an undeveloped 70-acre future park on the east side near the area of Barnes Rd & Tutt Blvd. This area will eventually become a multi-faceted outdoor recreational destination and sports-minded hub for eastern Colorado Springs. It’s expected that the park will be comparable to Memorial or John Venezia community parks, with sports fields and a playground. Invite your neighbors as well.
The event will include guided or self-guided creek tours; learning opportunities to highlight project goals, site opportunities and constraints; public input stations; vouchers for free food; and a survey opportunity where we will individually advocate for pickleball courts to be included in the park Master design plan.
WHEN - Thursday, June 16; 5:30-7:30 p.m.
WHERE - Coleman Community Park, located near Barnes Rd and Tutt Blvd adjacent to UCHealth Park, home of the Rocky Mountain Vibes, and Martin “Ed” Ragain Field, the Switchbacks former training field; parking will be available in the east side lot (enter from Barnes Road and Charlotte Parkway).
Visit ColoradoSprings.gov/ColemanPark for more information about the event, Master Plan, and to sign up for project updates.
PLEASE COME AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR NEW PICKLEBALL COURTS….
VOLUNTEER FOR BOARD APPOINTMENT
The Board has finalized the process to fill three vacant Board positions: President, Treasurer, and Special Projects Director. Since all election candidates withdrew, per PPPA Bylaws the current Board may fill vacancies with interested, qualified candidates without an election cycle. If you are interested in getting involved and supporting the mission of PPPA, please submit your resume to info@pikespeakpickleball.com by Sunday, June 5.
The information gathered for appointment will be similar to the information requested for nominations. The Board will select three Board members to serve as an ad hoc Appointment Committee to review the resumes of any volunteers and ensure they are members in good standing. The ad hoc Appointment Committee will conduct a brief interview with each volunteer and ask the same questions that the actual Nomination Committee asked of candidates in the canceled election. The interview may be in-person or by Zoom. All you need to submit is a resume by June 5. You do not need to submit answers to these questions, but they will be discussed during the interview:
- Describe your qualifications for this position in accordance with the job description.
- What will you do to improve/enhance this position’s contribution to PPPA?
- Have you ever previously served on the PPPA Board of Directors? If yes, what were the dates of your service and what position(s) did you hold?
The ad hoc Appointment Committee will make a recommendation by June 15, 2022, to the Board for appointments to vacant positions. The Board will vote on each recommended candidate brought forth by the ad hoc Appointment Committee. Those approved by a majority vote of the Board will assume their positions effective July 1, 2022.
COLORADO OPEN - PIKES PEAK OR BUST TOURNAMENT
PPPA has partnered with the USSP for this "NEW" Tournament in the Colorado Springs Community
Please see the attached flyer for details on how to sign up!
What: PPPA New Member Orientation
When: Thursday, June 16, 2022 - 4:30 PM
Where: Pavilion east of the Pickleball courts, Monument Valley Park
Purpose:
- To introduce new members to play at Monument Valley Park, and the Pickleball community
- To help new members gain an understanding of how the PPPA organization works and introduce new members to our governing board and Round Robin Coordinators.
- To inform new members of additional playing opportunities!
This is also an excellent opportunity to meet other new members - so please wear your name badge! (Replacement badges are $6, and can be ordered through: membership@pikespeakpickleball.com)
***All new members are welcome and encouraged to attend. ***
See you there!
Sharon Kumpf
Membership Director
membership@pikespeakpickleball.com
THE PPPA ONLINE STORE IS OPEN
Looking for gifts for yourself or pickleball loving family members or friends? Look no further! We have restocked our shelves and PPPA logo merchandise is now on sale with most sizes and colors of tee shirts, pullovers, hats and visors currently available in limited supplies online at the PPPA Store (pikespeakpickleball.com). Simply go to the website, click on the “Store” link, and follow the prompts to search for available colors, sizes, and styles.
Payment can be made through PayPal or with your own credit card. Your purchase will be mailed to you for an additional charge, or you may choose to pick up your item(s). Pick up instructions will appear on your confirmation if you choose this option. Supplies are limited so log on and shop today!
Erica Roberts, Merchandise Manager
PICKLEBALL CENTRAL'S REWARDS PROGRAM
Save 5% and 5% comes back to PPPA in an annual Pickleball Central gift card!
Interested in saving 5% on pickleball gear, clothing and training aids? PPPA is now enrolled in Pickleball Central’s Club Rewards program. Here are the details for you and PPPA to benefit from:
When purchasing any items from www.PickleballCentral.com, enter CRPikes and you will receive an automatic 5% DISCOUNT and PPPA will earn 5% of every purchase that uses the code in an end-of-the-year gift card to purchase anything that PPPA needs – balls, extra paddles, nets, whatever we need! (The code is not case sensitive.)
Here's more about the ClubRewards program.
BUY ON AMAZONSMILE TO BENEFIT THE PPPA
Do you shop online on Amazon.com? Do your friends and family shop online on Amazon.com? Switch to AmazonSmile and PPPA will receive a small percent of every transaction! It adds up!
(AmazonSmile is operated by Amazon as their way to give back to charitable organizations)
PPPA is now enrolled in the AmazonSmile program. AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same shopping features as on Amazon.com.
Go to smile.amazon.com and select Pikes Peak Pickleball Association from the list as your designated charity. Once you select PPPA, 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchase will be donated to PPPA. Spread the word to family and friends for them to designate PPPA as their charitable organization on AmazonSmile too!
In order for PPPA to receive funds from your purchases, you must always go through smile.amazon.com when preparing to shop online.
KING SOOPERS COMMUNITY REWARD PROGRAM BENEFITS PPPA
Did you know that you can earn $$$ for PPPA with every dollar you spend when you shop at King Soopers or City Market? Friends and Family can help PPPA earn money too!
See this flyer for information and how you can sign up.