San Diego Table Tennis Association (SDTTA)
USA Table Tennis Member Club

USA Table Tennis (USATT) and affiliated clubs are committed to maintaining safe and healthy environments for all of our members to train and compete in. Taking and passing the SafeSport tutorial course is now a mandatory safety requirement for all USATT Committee Members, Tournament Directors, Referees, Umpires, Officials, Club Owners, Coaches and anyone else that works with minors.

All coaches working within USATT Affiliated Clubs must pass a background check and the USOC’s online SafeSport tutorial. Coaches not in compliance may not work or participate in Affiliated Club activities until such time as the background check and SafeSport training are complete. Failure to comply will result in immediate termination of the Club’s Affiliation including the associated member insurance program.

Simply put, every person who is in a position of actual, perceived, or implied authority over table tennis athletes at a member club and/or is in a position that requires frequent contact with table tennis athletes at a member club must become compliant.  

While child physical and sexual abuse is one type of misconduct, it is important to remember that this policy covers many inappropriate behaviors that do not involve children at all. This policy applies regardless of the ages of the individuals involved in the alleged activity.

Here, we identify six primary types of misconduct:

• Sexual Misconduct, including Child Sexual Abuse
• Emotional Misconduct
• Physical Misconduct
• Bullying
• Harassment
• Hazing

All forms of misconduct are intolerable and in direct conflict with USATT ideals.

Becoming SafeSport compliant is easy, can be cost free, and is described in the following documents from the USATT.org website:

• Safesport Information
• SafeSport Policies and Procedures
• SafeSport Background Check
• SafeSport Compliance Update
• SafeSport Tutorial Procedures 

 

Looking for somewhere to play while the club is closed?

Here are a few suggestions:

December 12, 2017
Meeting called to order at 7.05 p.m.

Members present: Behnam Kazemi, Steve McGrew, Dennis Seisun, Perry Schwartzberg plus three new board members: Bob Koch, Jaxon Faris, and Phil Van de Wiele.

New members voted in by board. Approved unanimously.

Discussed positions to be filled and adjusted. Agreed upon:

• Steve McGrew: Chairperson
• Jaxon Faris:  Vice-Chairperson
• Dennis Suisen:  Treasurer
• Phil Van De Wiele:  Executive Director
• Perry Schwartzberg:  Secretary
• Bob Koch Member:  Relations
• Benham Kazemi:  Public Relations

All voted in 7-0 approved by board.

SDTTA member June Lim brings up ideas to better the club including:

Changing the Thursday Tournament to a different day or perhaps adding another day for a different Tournament. Board agrees that Thursday night Tournament is a staple but also that another day, most likely on the weekend, would be looked into. According to the survey taken during the vote submitted by Phil Van de Wiele, Saturday would be the best day for another Tournament.

Showing up late for the Thursday tournament also is discussed as a problem for Jaxon who runs the event and also as inconsiderate to the participants who have to wait for contestants to play against.

Bob Koch would like the club to purchase balls for the membership. Also something that the board is willing to consider.

Benham inquires to Steve if we have talked to Craig Crum about running the May tournament along with Gao Jun. Steve replies that he has not and that we need to be looking into other options for a tournament director.

Benham inquires about the issue with our storage for the tables which is up in February. Currently have 5 new tables in storage. Soon only 3 and the thought is to use better storage in our room at Balboa and perhaps bring those three tables into this room. Bob thinks it can be done.

Bob suggests selling the tables we currently have that are not in good shape for $300 ea. to make room for the new ones.

Dennis motions to sell tables at $300, Bob seconds the motion. Vote 7-0 in favor.

Board discusses subsidized coaching which was one of the desired programs according to the survey mentioned previously. The board would like to do so on a limited basis, perhaps on a fixed day of the month. More talk of this program in the new year.

Membership fee is approved to stay at $50/mo., free for Juniors under 17 years old.

Bob suggests upping the prize money for the May tournament. Suggestion to be considered at the next meeting.

Perry suggested that the first time free is somewhat problematic. Others agree but no action is taken.

Phil suggests that the Web Calendar needs ‘help’, and that he should be able to handle it.

Bob suggests that the introduction pamphlet needs updated – hours, days, etc. Perhaps put it on a larger legal size paper.

Board discusses:

1. Renewal of the phone for Jaxon who mentions that he mostly uses his own phone on Thursday night for the Tournament.
2. Video instruction for new members on club etiquette, equipment usage, etc.
3. Thoughts on a ‘member spotlight’ interview for the website is discussed.
4. At the big tournament, we would look more professional if we had the umpire stands and towel stands. Most agreed that this was a good idea.

Last issues included buying a robot and also a white board for the club as the robots currently used are not working properly. The robot would be used for those who are looking to play but can’t as of yet find a game. A robot committee would need to be formed to help with the set up, set down, and general usage.

All agreed and vote was 7-0 for.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:30 pm.

Submitted by

Perry Schwartzberg

SDTTA Board Secretary

Hi all,

This is an FYI: In December, we will be closed from the 18th thru the 26th while the floor is being resurfaced.

Steve McGrew
SDTTA Board

We had a great turn out at the San Diego Senior Games that lasted most of the day on Sunday. We had 4 categories:

• Open singles
• Doubles
• Mixed doubles
• Novice

Players were  provided with t-shirts, drinks and snacks courtesy of the Senior Games. Thanks to  Jaxon, Yutaro, the staff and our board members, Steve and Behnam, who helped run a smooth  tournament.