VPA Plan and Play Retreat

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VPA PLAN & PLAY RETREAT
Wednesday, September 30
The Nest Sports – 4920 Canoe Pass Way, Tsawwassen

Planning Program: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Complimentary VPA Play: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm (for full planning-program participants)


WHO IS THIS FOR?

VPA volunteers and members who are ready to help increase and improve pickleball opportunities in Vancouver.

Join us for the full planning program or choose the individual conversations where you feel you can contribute most.

Our goal is not simply to generate ideas. We want to identify priorities, strengthen connections, and find people willing to help turn good ideas into action.

The schedule below reflects our anticipated planning topics and timing. Final session times may be adjusted based on registration interest so we can devote the most time to the conversations participants want to help advance.


SCHEDULE

9:00 – 9:30 AM
Welcome + VPA Big Picture
Where are we now, where are we going, and what will it take to get there?

A brief overview of VPA's current position, emerging opportunities and priorities for the next 1-3 years.

Topics may include:
• Where pickleball currently stands in Vancouver
• VPA's role and growing membership
• Current relationships with the Vancouver Park Board, community centres and partners
• Major opportunities ahead
• Why VPA needs more people involved in moving the work forward

Desired outcome: A shared understanding of the bigger picture before moving into focused discussions.


9:30 – 10:45 AM
Building More Places to Play
Neighbourhood Courts + Major Indoor Facility

This is one of VPA's largest priorities. Discussion will include:

Neighbourhood Court Development
• Opportunities to improve existing public pickleball locations
• VPA's neighbourhood UPP initiative
• Identifying priority locations
• Court upgrades, resurfacing, fencing, nets and amenities
• Building neighbourhood project teams and champions

Major Indoor Facility
• Vision for a significant year-round indoor pickleball and tennis facility
• Current UPP work and potential sites
• Partnership opportunities
• Fundraising, sponsorship and community support
• Skills and people needed to help move the project forward

Desired outcome: Identify priorities and people interested in joining project teams.


Growing VPA & Member Value
Why join VPA, and why stay?

One of the questions VPA hears most often is: "What do I get for my membership?"

We want to better understand what members value and how VPA can continue to grow and strengthen its member experience.

Discussion may include:
• What members value most
• Membership growth and retention
• Fall membership campaign
• Member communication and engagement
• Members-only or member-priority opportunities
• How we communicate VPA's advocacy work and accomplishments
• How members can support VPA's larger development goals

Desired outcome: Begin defining a clearer VPA member-value proposition and identify people interested in helping grow membership.


Events, Activities & Tournaments
What kind of VPA experiences do members want?

As VPA grows, we have an opportunity to create more ways for members to play, connect and participate.

Discussion may include:
• Member play opportunities
• Box leagues
• Social play
• Skills clinics
• Learn-to-play activities
• Volunteer appreciation events
• Community events
• Competitive opportunities
• VPA tournaments
• Inter-club or regional activities
• Special events and partnerships

We also need to consider what VPA can realistically deliver and who is willing to help organize these activities.

Desired outcome: Identify the highest-value event and activity opportunities for the coming year and begin building an Events/Activities team.


12:15 – 1:00 PM
Lunch + Informal Connection
Time to connect with other VPA volunteers and members, exchange ideas and continue conversations informally.


1:00 – 2:00 PM
Civic Election & Government Advocacy
How do we make pickleball a municipal priority?

The upcoming civic election creates an important opportunity for VPA. Discussion may include:
• What should VPA be asking candidates and elected officials to support?
• What are our clearest pickleball priorities?
• How should VPA engage candidates and elected officials?
• How do we communicate the need for more pickleball infrastructure?
• How do we build relationships that continue beyond the election?
• What role can VPA members play in advocacy?

Desired outcome: Develop the beginnings of a coordinated VPA advocacy strategy and identify people interested in helping with government relations.


2:00 – 2:45 PM
Volunteer Network
Supporting the people representing VPA throughout Vancouver

Court Ambassadors and Community Centre Liaisons are an important connection between VPA, players, facilities and neighbourhoods.

Discussion may include:
• What volunteers are seeing and hearing
• Common issues at courts and community centres
• What information volunteers need from VPA
• Communication between the Board and volunteers
• Training and resources
• Escalating issues appropriately
• Volunteer recruitment and recognition
• Building a stronger, connected volunteer network

Desired outcome: Identify practical improvements to volunteer communication and support.


2:45 – 3:00 PM
From Ideas to Action: Who Will Do What?
This may be the most important part of the day.

We will bring the conversations together and identify:
• What should happen next?
• Which priorities should VPA focus on?
• What can reasonably be accomplished in the next 90 days?
• What belongs in a 1-3 year VPA plan?
• Who is willing to lead something?
• Who will join a project or working group?
• What skills or connections do we still need to find?

The goal is to leave with fewer "VPA should..." and more "I can help with..."


3:00 – 5:00 PM
Plan With Us. Play On Us.

Participants who take part in the full 9:00 am – 3:00 pm planning program are invited to stay for complimentary VPA play from 3:00 – 5:00 pm. The play portion is intended to be social, mixed and another opportunity to connect with the people helping build what's next for pickleball in Vancouver.

VPA members who would like additional play during the day may also access The Nest's non-prime member rate, subject to court availability. Contact the Nest to book court time and mention the VPA Plan and Play Retreat non-prime play rate.