News

MARCH 2025 BOARD UPDATE

posted Mar 30, 2025, 5:55 PM

Welcome to what we are hoping will be a regular update to the NFLGC community. Here are the key highlights from our most recent Board of Directors meeting:

🏅 Exciting Program Opportunity

Future Stars® Gymnastics Camp
We’re exploring the possibility of hosting a 2-day summer camp led by Olympian Shallon Olsen, offering our competitive athletes a chance to learn from one of Canada’s best! If facility availability permits, we’ll aim for this summer during competitive summer shutdown —otherwise, we’ll plan for next year.

💰 Financial & Fundraising Update

• Bingo Application Approved – Shifts for 2025–2026 are scheduled and will be posted on Signup.com soon.
• Bingo Budget Amendment – We’ve requested to use surplus funds from past years to support recreational coaching salaries.
• Fundraising Still Critical – With a projected deficit, every dollar raised helps!
  ✅ Konzelman Wine Fundraiser raised $574
  ✅ Calendar Lottery – 100 tickets available; deadline March 31, 2025, draws start April 1 - order online
  ✅ MacMillan’s orders due April 4 - order online
  ✅ Big Red’s to launch soon - aiming to receive before May long weekend
  ✅ Ongoing: Mabel’s Labels, FlipGive, True Earth - check out Fundraising page for more info
• A tracking system will show families’ fundraising progress via Uplifter website.

🏗️ Facility Updates

• Roof Repairs – Gym will be inaccessible for a few weeks this summer. The Board is exploring a temporary relocation to another space in the building offered by the landlord. A decision will follow once timing is confirmed.
• Cameras Installed – Interior cameras are now in place to enhance safety. Only the President and Staff Liaison have access. A monitor will be installed in the lobby so parents can view gym areas not directly visible. Due to privacy and safety concerns, there will be no live-streaming to parents at this time.  The Board will consult with parents and staff before entertaining the option to live-stream in the future.  We are also investigating exterior cameras to improve safety and security.
• Safety Improvements – A window was installed in the door from the lobby to the gym to improve visibility and prevent injuries.

🧑‍🏫 HR & Program Development

• The Board approved the creation of a new Head Coach – Recreational Programs position to provide leadership and support to our growing recreational programs. Recruitment will begin shortly.
• NFLGC 2025–2026 Strategic Plan was approved and can be viewed here.

🪠 Operations & Admin

• Pit Decision – Options are being explored for a landing pit.  An in-ground pit is not feasible at this time due to lease constraints, but we are exploring other options.
• Storage Clean-Up – Volunteers are still needed to help organize the electrical room.
• General Members Meeting Minutes – Draft minutes from the January members’ meeting will be presented for approval at the AGM in September.

🗓️ Upcoming Board Meetings

• Monday, April 7 (Virtual)
• Thursday, May 8 (In-Person)
• Monday, June 9 (Virtual)
• Monday, Sept 8 (Virtual – 2024–2025 Audit Presentation)

Check out our Uplifter website.  We have a new Board of Directors section where we post meeting minutes and other documents. Our main website GymnasticsNiagaraFalls| LightningGymnastics has also gotten a bit of a facelift.

We are starting to recruit for volunteers to serve on the 2025-2026 Board of Directors and 2026 Lightning by the Falls organizing committee.

If you have questions or would like to get involved—whether through volunteering, fundraising, or helping out with special projects—please reach out! Your support makes a difference. 💙

— NFLGC Board of Directors