Meeting called to order at 11:05 am

16 Association members present, including 6 Board members – President Patrick Havens, Vice President Steven Lederer, and Directors David Bezayiff, Kelly Bezayiff, Troy Emard and Staci Havens.

Minutes

President Havens had everyone read the minutes from the 2025 Annual Meeting. With no questions, or discussion, a motion was made, seconded, and approved to accept the minutes as presented.

President

President Havens talked about a new electronic registration system that USBC will be rolling out soon. It will be more comprehensive than the existing online registration, with the ability to sign up for specific leagues at specific centers, which should remove much of the sign-up work for the secretary at the beginning of league. It was asked how that will be set up since league applications aren’t due for 30 days after league starts. President Havens stated that it would likely be done by accessing the previous year’s league submissions, or the manager submitting a list of the expected leagues for the season.
There was also a brief discussion about getting a device to put in place at Napa Bowl strictly for league registration.
Lane certifications were brought up, with a tiered rating list coming out soon so that bowlers can see how well a center ranked.
It was also confirmed that the linage for the upcoming season would be going up $1 for all leagues.

Manager

Manager Kelley presented the membership numbers from the last 4 seasons, financial statements for the past 2 seasons, and a budget for the coming year.

There was a very slight decrease in memberships this year. Steven asked if there was a record of the demographics for that decrease, and was told no. President Havens did suggest that it might be with the youth bowlers who are not returning to bowl adult leagues after aging out of the youth programs. Director Emard mentioned the economy as a contributor to the drop. There was also discussion about running short-season leagues as well, as many new people are a bit leery about the commitment of a full-season league.

No outstanding issues/comments regarding the financial statements or the budget except an added cost for email blast software.

Committees

Troy Emard reported on this year’s convention. Rule changes to allow online/remote voting and allowing bowlers to switch hands were both voted down. Troy also talked about the success of the national tournaments over the last few years, which means that National will not have any need to raise dues for at least 5 years. He also brought up the possibility of posting flyers at various local businesses that would be willing to post them.

VP Lederer talked about the tournaments held last year. All comments seemed positive. One request was for brackets, so that will be looked into. Also mentioned that the Association needs to do a better job of posting results and celebrating the winners, so that will be worked on.

David and Kelly Bezayiff talked about the BVL tournament. They were unable to get anything scheduled with the center last season, but will try and get something set up right away for a November 8 tournament.

President Havens discussed the suggestion from USBC about promoting league/association happenings on social media platforms. The association has a Facebook presence and website, but other popular platforms to be explored are TikTok and Instagram.

Unfinished Business

none

New Business

Online registration testing – our association was to be participating in a new online registration process for the youth league. The system is not yet in full use through and is still in testing. We got dropped from testing as they hadn’t been able to add us until October last year, well after our start.

Election Results

President (2 year) – Patrick Havens
Directors (2 years) – David Bezayiff, Kelly Bezayiff, Staci Havens
National Delegates – Troy Emard, Patrick Havens
State Delegates – Troy Emard, Patrick Havens, Steven Lederer

With no further business to discuss, President Havens adjourned the meeting at 12:28 pm.

Click image to follow standings

Text Rob Forloine at 707.337.7759 for a spot.Or sign up on the Big&Slim presents string pin handicap doubles Facebook Page.

Sunday, June 28 at 11am.

Well talk about last season and get feedback if you wish to present it. We’ll also update everyone on the new season and the Tournaments we plan to run.

Finally as part of the business we’ll need to vote to approve Board Members and President.

Up for election this year:
President
3 Returning Directors plus openings

If anyone wishes to join the Board as a Director or a Volunteer please fill out a form and direct it to Lonnie.

Wrapping up the 2025-2026 Season, the Napa Sonoma USBC is holding a 1 day Doubles-Singles Tournament.

Sunday April 26th with 10:30 and 12:30 squad times join us for a fun time and perhaps win some money.

Register Online by 4/22 to save.
(Late Registration is an additional $10 per squad)

Find more info at TournamentBowl.com or at Napa Bowling Center inteself!

Entry Form | Rules

We are wrapping up last season and start next season with an All Association Meeting (all members welcome) Sunday August 3rd at 11am in Meeting Room 1 at Napa Bowling Center. We’ll be voting for Board Members and Officers and going over plans for the new season. If interested please reach out to Lonnie Kelly or a Board Member for an Application.

We’ll review the previous year, discuss the coming year, and will be holding an election for officers and directors. Your participation will be truly appreciated.

Love bowling? Want to help out as a USBC board member? Send me an email and I can send you an application.

We will be wrapping up last season and preparing to start the new season I’ve scheduled a General Membership Meeting to vote for Directors and Officers, plus updates on Napa Bowl’s conversion to String Pins.

The Meeting is Saturday August 12 at 10:30am.

Also Lonnie will be running the League Officer’s Meeting directly afterwards for the new season.

YOUTH LEAGUES

Bantams & Combined Youth Bowlers
Sign Up / Team Formation Saturday September 3rd starting at 10:15
League Bowling starts Saturday September 10th at 10:15

Minutes of Annual Meeting – August 15, 2021, @ Napa Bowl

Meeting called to order at 6:02 pm

15 Association members present, including 5 Board members – President Patrick Havens, Vice President Steven Lederer, and Directors Becci Huffman, Renee Robles, and Staci Taylor.

The meeting began with the Pledge of Allegiance, led by President Havens.

Minutes – President Havens read the minutes from the 2019 Annual Meeting. There being no discussion, Vice President Lederer motioned to accept the minutes as presented. The motion was seconded and approved.

President – President Havens discussed the newer rules in effect – weight holes and chemical use on balls. Weight holes are no longer allowed on balls, and must be plugged. The pro shop is plugging weight holes for $15. Also, no chemicals can be used during play, with the exception of isopropyl alcohol being currently allowed by USBC because of covid.

Richard Kokal stated that thumb holes must be plugged if not in use. President Havens confirmed that, and said that all gripping holes must be filled with thumb/fingers, and those not using a thumb hole must mark on the ball where the center of the palm would be.

Pat Zuffinetti asked who is policing these new rules. President Havens said that the league officers were the ones responsible for knowing the new rules, and enforcing them. Richard Kokal stated that thumb holes must also be plugged if not used.

President Havens talked about the changes with the officers from the last meeting, explaining that Steven Lederer stepped down as President and Patrick Havens replacing him as President, with Steven taking the role of Vice President.

President Havens also discussed the upcoming season, with masks required when entering Napa Bowl, but not needed while on the lanes. Richard Kokal asked if the center would be using lane spacing. President Havens said that they would not.

Dave Ellingson asked about what averages would leagues be using. President Havens explained that each league would need to decide that on their own.

Vice President Lederer asked if 2019-2020 season averages were reported. Manager Kelley said that they were. Nita Calhoun asked about membership pricing. President Havens said the price ($23) is the same.

Renee Robles asked about linage changes. Patrick Havens answered that the pricing would be the same.

Manager – Manager Kelley presented the membership numbers from the last 3 seasons, and the financial statements for the past 2 seasons.

Pat Zuffinetti asked what USBC considered the breaking point for the membership numbers. Manager Kelley did not have that information as USBC has not made that public, but did explain that USBC has some cash reserves in case numbers do not rebound immediately.

Vice President Lederer said that we should encourage prior bowlers to return to bowling. Manager Kelley added that there has been an influx of new bowlers buying equipment in Rohnert Park, and hoping that the same might be happening in Napa. These bowlers should be encouraged to join leagues as well. Becci Huffman asked if that was indeed the case in Napa, and President Havens explained that Napa Bowl has been full most days. Pat

Zuffinetti asked what effort was being made to promote leagues. President Havens stated that there were flyers posted around the bowling center, and that there were scrolling messages on the monitors.

Committees

None.

Unfinished Business

None.

New Business

President Havens announced the proposed by-laws amendment to allow virtual board meetings and voting.

Don Ramsay asked about whether local awards could be allowed yearly instead of lifetime. President Havens said that we could look at what the costs would be and make a decision on that at the end of the upcoming season.

Vice President Lederer added that USBC isn’t just about awards – it’s about having a national governing body that gives us rules and tournaments, among other things.

Don Ramsay then asked where the $8 local fees is being spent. President Havens explained that the money goes to youth memberships, awards, and the manager’s salary.

Election/Nomination Committee – due to not being able to hold a meeting in 2020, all officer and director spots were up for election. Vice-President and all directors that were renewed in 2020 would have a 1-year term, expiring in 2022. President and all other directors would have a 2-year term, expiring in 2023.

Proposal #1 – amend the bylaws to allow the board to vote via mail, email, or teleconference in emergency or urgent situations.

Election Results – Angela Robles was assigned Sergeant-at-Arms for the collection and counting of the votes.

President (2 years) – Patrick Havens Vice President (1 year) – Steven Lederer

Directors (2 years) – Joshua Fjelman, Paul Fjellman, Staci Taylor, Tracy Wyckoff Directors (1 year) – Rhoda Campbell, Becci Huffman, Jose Mendoza, Renee Robles

Proposal #1 – passed.

With no further business to discuss, President Havens adjourned the meeting at 7:02 pm.