The Senate 

 

The Jacksonville Gator City Senate is a chapter of The National Bowling Association (TNBA) which boasts a membership of more than 23,000. Our local chapter serves Jacksonville Florida, the Metropolitan area of Duval and the surrounding area including St. Johns, Orange Park, Nassau and Baker counties. Our purpose is to promote the sport of bowling in an atmosphere of unity and equality, serve as a point-of-entry for young bowlers to receive encouragement, tutelage and guidance in learning and becoming successful in both the sport off bowling and competition; to promote the TNBA motto “Sportsmanship, Fellowship and Friendship”. Our senate is growing and from 2011 to 2020 has become one of the largest in the state of Florida with more than 240 members. The Gator City Senate is strong and poised for future success.

 

Our local chapter was established in the 1980’s; Thomas Watson served as the first senate president in it’s early years and other presidents included:  June Dowdell, Gert Harris, Sam Brown, James Robinson, (King) Victor Pringle, Gloria Smith and our current President Carolyn Lynn. Current senate officers include:  

 

President:  Carolyn D. Lynn

Vice President:  Haylan (Andre) Washington

Secretary:  Nichelle Meadows

Treasurer:  Bessie Belton

Sargent-at-Arms:  Daryl Meadows Sr.

Public Relations Director:  Mark S. Lynn

Tournament Director:  Haylan (Andre) Washington

Chaplin: Ricky Burney

 

 

TNBA "A Hard Road to Glory"

The National Bowling Association, Inc. is a non-profit corporation organized in August 1939, in Detroit, Michigan, for the express purpose of encouraging Blacks to develop their skills in the game of Ten Pins. It was originally known as the "National Negro Bowling Association"; because at the time of its birth, Blacks and other Non-Caucasians were not permitted to belong to ABC or WIBC; due to certain restrictive clauses in their constitutions. Since our membership included a large number of Asians, Hispanics, Native Americans and people of color other than Black; in 1944 our organization was renamed, "The National Bowling Association, Inc." We actively participated in the fight for "Equality in Bowling"; and in 1950, both ABC and WIBC removed the Non-Caucasian clauses from their constitutions. Since 1951, TNBA members have enjoyed the privilege of competing in all open sanctioned leagues and tournaments.

 

TNBA proudly stands behind its motto as a "Promoter of Sportsmanship, Fellowship and Friendship"

 

TNBA National Officers

President:  G. Dewann Clark

Vice President: Dr. Michael Boykins

Executive Secretary/Treasurer: Annette R. Samuel

 

 

Hello Senate Members,

This week we lost an incredibly special lady! Gloria Smith has gone home to be with our Lord.

 

Many of you knew her as a Mother, Grandmother, President of the Tournament Bowling Club, dedicated bowler and friend!

I have had the pleasure of knowing Gloria for the past 30 years. I remember my initial encounter was very pleasant and endearing as I was a novice bowler still learning the game. Our friendship continued to grow over the years. I had the pleasure of serving as Gloria’s Vice President during her tenure as President of the Jacksonville Gator City Senate and remember those years fondly. In all things inside and out of the bowling alley you could always count on Gloria for wisdom, help, friendship and love.

I am certain our bowling community will sincerely miss her as she touched the lives of so many of our members and their families. We all loved Gloria, but we must always remember that God loved her first. So, we say fair well to our friend, for now.  

The Gator City Senate will always love and remember you!

Yours Truly

 

Carolyn Lynn

President, Jacksonville Gator City Senate, TNBA

Memorial Service for Gloria Smith

 

Gloria Smith's going home service is tomorrow August 1, 2020 at 10:30am

 

Please forward this email to anyone you know who may want to attend the services tomorrow.  This information will be listed on the senate website - https://www.tnbagatorcitysenate.com/

 

The service is going to be held virtual and you will be able to view the services online through the memorial website created by the family for her via facebook.  

 

Please follow the instructions below in order to view the services tomorrow.

 

1. Click on  https://www.gsmemorialjax.org/

2.  Click on the Tab "Memorial Services"

3.  Click on "Join Services via Facebook"

 

In addition, In Lieu of sending flowers the family has created a scholarship in her honor to fund secondary education for the children in her family.  

 

Please donate to help fund the Gloria Smith Scholarship.  

The instructions for donating are as follows:

1.  Click on  https://www.gsmemorialjax.org/

2.  Click the Tab "Donations"

3.  Click Donate Now

4.  This will take you to her Go Fund Me page.  You should see a picture of Gloria in her cowboy hat and a bouquet of red and white roses.  This will ensure you are on the correct page.

 

 

 

 Schedule of Meetings and Events

 

The Jacksonville Gator City Senate meets tri-monthly the fourth Sunday, at Batt Family Fun Center (Cassat Batt Bowl), 1838 Cassat Ave. Jacksonville, FL 32210 (904-389-2360), at 4:00pm unless otherwise notified (see annual election time below). Please make note of this and join us, your attendance is important for conducting senate business.

 

 July      17, 2021    Applications due for Annual election

July      31, 2021    Election- 3PM (see modified details for election)                      

August   8, 2021    Installation- 4pm

November 7, 2021                      

December TBA (Christmas Party)

 

The Gator City Senate Annual Election modified rules. The election will be for President, Treasurer and Sargent at arms. Due to the COVID 19 Pandemic, for the safety of our members the decision was made to change the voting format for this election. There will be no in-person meeting in July. The election polls will open at 3:00pm and remain open for walk in ballot drop off until 4:00pm, on July 31, 2021 at Cassat Batt Bowl. Be sure to bring your TNBA card and identification as they are required to vote. You must be a member of the TNBA Senate to run for office and vote. There will be no nominations from the floor for this election. All candidates must complete an application and submit via mail, post marked no later than July 17th, 2021. See the annual election tab (above and left) for more details and downloadable candidate application.

 

Election Rules

• You must be a member of the TNBA Gator City Senate to vote.
• Ballots will be available on the day of the election at the voting location.
• One vote per Senate member is allowed.
• You must be present to vote. You cannot submit a vote via another member or any other individual.
• Please, for safety and security reasons, no loitering near the ballot collection area. Please wear your mask.
• The election will be from 3:00pm - 4:00pm on July 31st at Cassatt Batt Bowl, anyone in line to vote at 4:00pm will be allowed to vote.
• The Election Committee will count the ballots, provide a credential report and announce the winners to be posted on the Senate Website the same day.
• In the instance of a tie, a run-off election will be held using the same format on August 7th, from 3:00pm to 4:00pm at Cassatt Batt Bowl. 
• Installation of officers shall be held at Cassatt Batt Bowl on August 8th at 4:00pm 

 

Official Candidate List:

 

Candidates qualified according to Senate rules. Treasurer and Sargent at Arms are running unopposed. A simple vote of confidence is requested but not required (see your ballot on the 31st).

 

President-

• Darryl Meadows Sr.- Current Senate Sargent at Arms
• Deborah Caldwell - League Secretary/Treasurer

Treasurer-

• Bessie Belton- Current Senate Treasurer, running unopposed 

Sargent at Arms-

• Ricky Burney- Current Senate Chaplin, running unopposed 

See you at the Election

 

November 18th Deadline for Hall of Fame applications.

 

Download applications from the website see "Hall of Fame Applications"

 

Deadline for Hall of Fame Applications is November 18th 2020, nominate a deserving senate member today, help to cement their legacy in Senate history!!!

 

Important Notice

The Sunshine Challenge 11:00am, Saturday Squad Application Process is Changing!

Interest in the 11:00am squad has grown over the years and to insure all that want to bowl that squad have an equal chance, a lottery system has been instituted.

* If you want to be a participant, simply turn in your complete application along with application fee to the Senate Secretary (Nikki Meadows) by 5:30pm on drawing dates (TBA).

* All applications turned in for Drawing 1 are eligible for both drawings, no need to reapply.

* 9 applications will be selected in December and 10 in January (dates TBA) for a total of 19 winners.

* Applications not selected will be returned to the team captain's so that alternate times can be requested through the normal application process (there will be plenty of time to send in your application to Johanna).

* Winning numbers will be posted on the website and sent to the senate via email. The winning team captains will be notified (no substitutions at the senate level will be accepted after drawing, barring extenuating circumstances).

* The winning applications will be sent in for processing.

* Each individual application will receive a lottery number, the entry envelope will be signed by the entrant and the secretary.

* A fifty fifty style drawing will be conducted on the drawing dates. Good luck to all!

         

 

Senate Tournament- Postponement

 

The letter below was sent to the team captains on 3/16/2020, concerning postponement of our upcoming March 2020 tournament . Please work through them to exercise either of the two options contained in the letter. Individual requests will be referred back to the team captain to ensure smooth processing for all members of the squad.

 

Dear Team Captain,

We would like to provide you with an update on our 9th Annual Gator City Senate Tournament.  

 

Citing new federal guidelines discouraging large-scale public gatherings, the mayor of Jacksonville has issued an order banning establishments from having more than 50 people inside at once until further notice. Any establishment with a certificate of occupancy of more than 50 will now be limited to 50 people at one time. Starting at 5:00pm EST yesterday. Our Mayor has also banned the sale of alcohol between the hours of midnight and 8 a.m.

Taking in consideration of the new federal, local guideline and our priorities to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone who participates in the tournament. We have made the decision to postpone the tournament until June 5, 2020.  

 

Please read carefully the information below providing you with two options:

Option 1:  You can secure your current spot in the 9th Annual Gator City Senate Tournament June 5 – 7 ,  2020 by using the confirmation letter (based on paid entry fees) received for the March 20 – 22 ,2020 tournament date.

 

Option 2:  You can receive a full refund for any tournament entry fees collected by the TNBA Gator City tournament for the March 20 – 22, 2020 tournament dates. You will have the opportunity to submit your applications for the June 5 – 7, 2020 tournament. No spots are guaranteed for June 5 – 7 tournament dates using this option.

Please email hwashing65@gmail.com or call (904) 635 – 2708 the tournament director with your decision. 

 

Thank you as always for your support of our tournament!

 

Andre Washington

TNBA Gator City Senate Tournament Director

 

 

 

Interested in Going to Tournaments?

 

 The Gator City Senate is forming a tournament committee to review, recommend coordinate applications, hotel accommodations and hospitality rooms (larger turnout tournaments); for those interested, the committee will make recommendations for travel including the most economical flights or bus transportation.

 

 Join the “TNBA Gator Tournament Crew”   for information on getting into the tournament crew request list contact your senate President Carolyn Lynn. Teams will be formed and a preregistration payment made to the tournament director to lock in dates and times.

 

Qualifications:

 

·         Must be a TNBA member in good standing (verifiable)

·         Be dependable (your partner and team are depending on you!)

·         Be able to pay by the deadline given (penalties for non-payment may apply)

·         Teams will be accepted and placement requests will be considered

 

 

Contact: Carolyn Lynn at 904-534-2643

 

Time to Renew your Membership Card

Senate members your cards for 2019/2020 will expire August 31, 2020. To take continued advantage of all your TNBA benefits you need to renew your membership by September 1, 2020 (can be purchased anytime during the year),  Don’t throw that monster 300 game or 800 series and not be able to get your TNBA award. Remember your league must be TNBA certified to be eligible to receive your award. Contact your league secretary or a senate officer for details.

 

Want to become a Member?

Join us we would love to have you! Contact your league secretary or a senate officer. You can also email us and we’ll direct you on what to do. Membership fees are $21.00. It allows you to enter TNBA sanctioned tournaments such as ours coming in March 2019 and other senate, regional and national tournaments. Your honor scores win you awards that include rings and plaques ( http://www.tnbainc.org/general-awards ). You can participate in TNBA events and functions including representing Jacksonville at the National Convention held annually. Come be a part of the fun! 

 

Senate Tournament Colors

The Gator City Senate’s official colors are Kelly green and white, however, for tournaments our colors for team competition are black senate shirt, gold writing and khaki pants or skirt. Senate shirts and other gear can be purchased from APS Promotional Solutions (they know our requirements) at:

www.apstitch.com

7121 Beach Blvd.

Jacksonville, FL 32216

Tel 904 721 4977 or 866 276 1423

Fax 904-721 4959

email aps@apstitch.com

 

Senate Election

Elections will be held for Vice President and Secretary during the annual meeting on July 11, 2020; Carolyn Lynn- President, Bessie Belton- Treasurer and Daryl Meadows Sr.- Sargent at Arms, will be up for reelection. Installation will be held on August 9th at the Senate installation meeting.

 

The Gator City Senate had one championship team in the Sunshine Challenge winning the Men's Classic division!!! Great job on a tough win!!!!