Tag: Volunteer Opportunities

  • 🌟 Why You Should Join Us at PickleCon 2025

    🌟 Why You Should Join Us at PickleCon 2025

    Pickleball fans, mark your calendars! PickleCon 2025 is returning August 7–10 at the Kansas City Convention Center—and we’d love to see a strong Bloomington Pickleball Club (BPC) presence at this year’s unforgettable event.

    Whether you’re a seasoned player, a social rec enthusiast, or just love being part of the pickleball energy, PickleCon offers something for everyone. This massive celebration of the sport features:

    80+ Courts for Open Play
    Pro Panels and coaching insights
    Vendor Village with top brands and demos
    Glow-in-the-Dark Kickoff Party
    Tournaments for all skill levels (separate registration)
    Puppy Yoga, giveaways, games, and much more!

    🎟️ Choose from a Player Pass (includes court access) or Spectator Pass (ideal for fans and families). You can attend for a single day or make it a full weekend experience.


    🌟 Highlights from Last Year

    In 2024, several of our BPC members attended PickleCon’s inaugural year—and they left energized, inspired, and with Selkirk gear in hand! 🎁

    👉 Read our recap from last year here.

    We even brought home demo paddles, made national connections, and participated in live Q&A sessions with pros and major brands.

    This year promises to be even bigger, and with a few complimentary passes donated by Triple Crown Sports, we’ll be organizing a group of BPC members to attend together.


    📸 See the Fun

    Thanks to Jessie Hill from Triple Crown Sports, we have a photo album from last year to give you a taste of the experience:
    📷 View the 2024 PickleCon Photo Gallery


    💬 Interested in Going?

    If you’re interested in joining the BPC crew at PickleCon, let us know! We’ll help coordinate carpooling, hotel options, and registration tips. Some members are even volunteering to earn free passes.
    🎟️ Volunteer info here: picklecon.com/volunteer-opportunities

    Have questions or want to represent BPC in Kansas City?
    📩 Email us at bloomingtonpickleballclub@gmail.com or message us on Slack.

    Let’s make 2025 another year to remember. See you at PickleCon! 💥🏓

  • 🌱 Spring Forward: New Committees, Fresh Courts & What’s Next for BPC

    🌱 Spring Forward: New Committees, Fresh Courts & What’s Next for BPC

    As the weather warms up and the days get longer, the Bloomington Pickleball Club is springing into a brand-new season—one that’s packed with fresh energy, exciting changes, and more ways to get involved than ever before.

    Whether you’re returning from winter hibernation or you’ve been hitting indoor ladders all year, we’ve got something for you this spring.

    🏓 Outdoor Play Is Back!

    Our outdoor ladder events are in full swing at RCA Park! CourtReserve is your go-to for staying in the loop—check in regularly to register for weekly ladders, special sessions, and social play.

    These events are open to players of all levels and are a great way to build skill, meet new people, and enjoy some friendly competition under the sun.

    🤝 Building Together: Our New Club Committees

    This spring, we launched a more structured (and sustainable!) approach to organizing club activities. Our new committees are already hard at work—and we’d love for you to be part of it.

    Here’s a quick look at what’s happening behind the scenes:

    • 🧱 Club Functionality – Policies, bylaws, board structure
    • 📣 Communications – Emails, updates, social media
    • 💰 Partnerships – Sponsorships, fundraising, community relationships
    • 🎉 Networking & Social – Community-building events and outreach
    • 🗓 Events – Ladders, side events, and everything in between

    Whether you're a spreadsheet lover, a social butterfly, or just eager to lend a hand—we’ve got a spot for you.

    🟡 Club Upgrades & Gear News

    Thanks to members using our Pickleball Central code CRBLOOM, we scored a $174 credit—which went straight into 100 fresh Franklin balls for club use. (Yes, you’re literally helping us keep the ball rolling!)

    We’ve also got six portable nets ready to go, stored and managed to make outdoor setups smoother. And if you’ve ever considered becoming a BPC sponsor, now’s the time—tiered banner options are coming soon to help businesses of all sizes support the club.

    🙌 How You Can Get Involved

    Want to run a side event? Help with a ladder night? Join a committee or lead a one-time effort? We’re here for it—and we’re here for you.

    One of the best things about BPC is our community spirit, and this year we’re leaning into that more than ever. Volunteering doesn’t have to be a huge time commitment—it’s about sharing what you can, when you can, and having a little fun while you’re at it.

    🔮 Looking Ahead

    We’re just getting started. As the season unfolds, you’ll see more play opportunities, better organization, and more chances to connect.

    If you're new to the club, welcome! And if you’ve been with us for a while—thanks for sticking with us. This is shaping up to be an incredible year for pickleball in Bloomington.

    📬 Stay in the Loop

    Don’t miss out! Be sure to:

    We’ll see you on the courts! 🏓🌤️

  • A Year in Review: Bloomington Pickleball Club’s Growth, Accomplishments, and Future Plans

    A Year in Review: Bloomington Pickleball Club’s Growth, Accomplishments, and Future Plans

    The Bloomington Pickleball Club (BPC) has had an incredible year of growth, community engagement, and strategic planning. As we close out the year, let’s take a look back at the key events, accomplishments, and decisions that have shaped the club’s success, as well as what lies ahead.


    Key Events and Milestones

    January – April 2024

    • Renewed the club’s general liability insurance policy.
    • Began the transition from Wild Apricot to CourtReserve for membership and event management.
    • Initiated discussions to revise the club’s bylaws to reflect the needs of its growing membership.

    May 2024

    • Signed an agreement with Bloomington Parks & Recreation and installed yard signs at RCA Park.
    • Secured sponsorships from Shine, Simtra, and gift cards from Pizza X, Soma, & Village Deli.
    • Launched ladder events at RCA Park.
    • Dave Martin, Chair of the Board, became AED and CPR certified.

    June 2024

    • Transitioned fully to CourtReserve for membership and event coordination.
    • Financial reserves increased to $10,300, supporting key initiatives like court improvements and the Doug Kenfield memorial bench.

    Summer 2024

    • Ladder events averaged 21 participants, with revenue close to surpassing the prior year’s total.
    • Addressed challenges with walk-up players attempting to join events without prior registration.

    September 2024

    • Added new board members: Susan Cooper, Jodee Smith, Matt Slatkin, Brent Litzer, and Bob Costello.
    • Ended the partnership with The Crimson Pickle and began running events independently through CourtReserve.
    • Membership grew to 100 Premium, 18 Student, and 90 Community (Free) members.

    November – December 2024

    • Established a Finance Committee chaired by Kyle Parker to enhance financial oversight.
    • Approved continued ladder events through winter at The Crimson Pickle with increased fees to ensure financial sustainability.
    • Dave Martin announced his intention to step down as Chair of the Board at the end of 2024.

    Key Accomplishments in 2024

    1. Membership Growth:
      • Membership increased across all tiers, reaching 100 premium members.
    2. Financial Health:
      • Despite challenges, the club maintained a strong financial position, with sponsorships and strategic event planning boosting revenue.
    3. Community Engagement:
      • Participated in local events like the 50+ Expo and Get Outdoors Day, strengthening ties with the community.
    4. Event Success:
      • Successfully organized ladder events, community gatherings, and social mixers to foster camaraderie and grow the sport.
    5. Partnerships:
      • Built strong relationships with Bloomington Parks & Recreation, Monroe County Parks & Rec, and local businesses like One World Enterprises.
    6. Infrastructure Improvements:
      • Advocated for better court conditions and installed a memorial bench honoring Doug Kenfield.

    Looking Ahead: Challenges and Future Plans

    As the Bloomington Pickleball Club gears up for 2025, several action items and opportunities lie ahead:

    1. Strategic Planning:
      • A strategic planning session is scheduled for January 22, 2025, at the Monroe County Public Library. Members are encouraged to share their input through a pre-meeting survey.
    2. Membership Structure:
      • The board is exploring new membership tiers and benefits, including family plans, automated renewals, and exclusive events.
    3. Financial Sustainability:
      • Efforts are underway to resolve financial losses from ladder events, with plans to introduce prepaid passes and adjust event fees.
    4. Volunteer Development:
      • Clear guidelines for volunteers will be developed to ensure smooth event operations.
    5. Facility Enhancements:
      • The club remains committed to improving court conditions and advocating for additional pickleball facilities in Bloomington.

    Thank You for an Amazing Year!

    The Bloomington Pickleball Club’s success wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of our members, volunteers, and partners. Thank you for making 2024 a year to remember!

    As we plan for the future, your involvement is more important than ever. Join us at the upcoming strategic planning session or share your ideas to help shape the next chapter of our journey.

    Let’s continue to grow the sport of pickleball and strengthen our community together in 2025!