An EVPC New Year Message
EVPC Members,
I would like to start by wishing all of you a Happy, Healthy, and Safe New Year. I’m still trying to grasp how fast this last year has gone by. What a year for our Club it has been!
It is quite amazing to me just how much our Club has changed since our formation just 9 years ago. This year's new member growth is a perfect example. There has been 262 new paying members that have joined our Club since Jan.1, 2023! This brings our current membership to 861 individuals!!. These are truly amazing numbers and represent the popularity of this sport, how fast it is growing, and the trust and support you have for the Emerald Valley Pickleball Club. Thank you for your continued support!!
Throughout this past year I've been struck by the overwhelming positivity coming out of our membership as a whole. I have heard a lot of encouraging words, but more than that, I have been impressed with the general support of our new members and for the amazing number of volunteers who have stepped up to welcome and support these new members. The free “Learn to Play Clinics” are continuing to grow and it is exciting to see so many new faces step up to help with instructing these clinics.
When asked for assistance, our membership has responded. Whether it be a request for volunteers at events, showing up for public input meetings, or donating funds to meet a financial matching opportunity, our membership has “shown up” with enthusiasm. Knowing you share our passion for pickleball is a huge inspiration to our Board of Directors. This helps keep our fire burning as we plan, fundraise and focus on the new Regional Pickleball Complex at Lane Community College. This facility will have such a huge impact on our pickleball community as well as the larger community.
I would also like for you to know how fantastic your EVPC Board of Directors have been. Besides directing and coordinating your rapidly growing Club, they have very professionally dealt with Director’s departures, committee reorganization, as well as the ongoing challenge of working with our local City entities. On a more personal note, I am so appreciative of how they have supported me, and filled in for me, as I recover my health. Good job and “Thank You” EVPC Board of Directors.
This coming year our Board of Directors and our Club are going to be faced with significant challenges. I expect that next year, our membership will reach over 1,000 members. Special events, activities, tournaments, fundraisers, and socials all will take a team effort. Our Board of nine members will need your help with coordinating these types of activities. We will continue to look for your support as we continue to grow and excitedly plan for the new Pickleball Complex.
Blessings and Health,
Roger Schaljo
EVPC President
