VIDEO transcript – I will share related to the bylaws revisions. I am sending you a hard copy (draft) of the bylaws. You will see the black texts which mean the information remained the same when we ratified the bylaws in Austin, TX last year. In the red texts, you will find new proposed changes. I will explain clearly about the proposed changes in this video and help you understand the rationale of each change.

ARTICLE III

Current (This clause was ratified in Austin, TX)
Section 3.8 Director of National Tournament. The Director shall liaise between DPUSA and the local host for the annual national pickleball tournament.

Proposed

Section 3.8 Tournament Liaison: Tournament Liaison shall liaise between DPUSA and the local non-profit organization for the annual national pickleball tournament. The Tournament Liaison shall oversee the Director of the National Tournament Committee.

VIDEO transcript – We, the DPUSA Board, realized that the title was not appropriate. We
decided to change the title to “Tournament Liaison.” The responsibility of Tournament Liaison is
to communicate between DPUSA and local non-profit organization. Tournament Liaison will
seek for the location of the national tournament each year. For instance, we are having a
tournament in Maryland (East), last year at Austin (Midwest), and next year in California (West).
We will rotate with different regions in the U.S. annually. Also, Tournament Liaison will oversee
the Director of the National Tournament Committee.

Current
Section 3.10 Qualifications. All board members must be DPUSA members for at least one year
before the election.

Section 3.10 Qualifications: All board members must be DPUSA members for at least three years
in good standing before the election.

VIDEO transcript – Section 3.10 Qualifications for applying a board member position. The
current clause said “at least one year” member of DPUSA. We, the Board team, discussed and
agreed to change it to “at least three years in good standing” member of DPUSA to qualify to
serve on the board. We will have upcoming elections this fall. We will follow the current bylaws
with “one year” member of DPUSA to apply for the board member position. After the bylaws
ratified, it will go in effect starting 2026 and beyond.

ARTICLE VII

VIDEO transcript – This is a new proposed article added onto the bylaws about the National
Tournament.

Section 7.0: DPUSA is responsible for sanctioning and operating the annual
National Pickleball Tournament.
Section 7.1: DPUSA is responsible for selecting and approving the facility site for
the annual National Pickleball Tournament.

VIDEO transcript – We want to make sure the facility site to follow the criteria to meet our
national tournament requirements.

Section 7.2: DPUSA and the local non-profit organization shall enter into a
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining the roles and responsibilities of
volunteers.

VIDEO transcript – We want to make sure the non-profit organization provides volunteers to
meet the tournament’s operating needs.

APPENDIXES

Appendix A: Board’s Responsibilities and Duties

VIDEO transcript – We do have different board member duties under Appedix A, but we added
new board member, “Tournament Liaison” to this section.

TOURNAMENT LIAISON:

The Tournament Liaison will oversee the National Tournament Committee and the local non-profit organization.

VIDEO transcript – The Tournament Liaison will ensure the communication clearly between
three groups (DPUSA Board Team, the National Tournament Director, and local non-profit
organization) to implement the annual national tournament.

The Tournament Liaison will liaise between the DPUSA Board Team, the National
Tournament Director, and the local non-profit organization for the annual national pickleball
tournament.

VIDEO transcript – The Tournament Liaison will ensure the communication clearly between
three groups (DPUSA Board Team, the National Tournament Director, and local non-profit
organization) to implement the annual national tournament.

The Tournament Liaison will make a recommendation to the DPUSA Board regarding a site
for the future National Tournament.

VIDEO transcript – The Tournament Liaison will make a recommendation of a pickleball site to
the DPUSA Board team for the future National Tournament.

Appendix B: Standing Committees

4. National Tournament Committee: The primary role of the National Tournament Committee,
established by the DPUSA Board, is to plan, organize, and implement the National Deaf
Pickleball Tournament.
– DPUSA President shall be appointed the Tournament Director with approval by DPUSA
Board Team.
– The Tournament Director shall be appointed an Assistant Tournament Director with approval
by DPUSA Board Team.
– The composition of the National Tournament Committee shall be established by the
Tournament Director.
– As a representative of the Board, the Tournament Liaison shall serve on the committee.
– The Tournament Director shall be required to include an Assistant Tournament Director,
Secretary, Treasurer, Resource Development, and Social Media Specialist as part of the
committee.
– Per the Tournament Operation Manual (TOM), the Tournament Director shall fill the various
positions on the committee.
– During the National Deaf Pickleball Tournament, the Tournament Director shall be
responsible for the operation at the site.
– The Tournament Director may make recommendations to the DPUSA Board for any change
in the operation of the National Deaf Pickleball Tournament.
– The Tournament Director shall assist the Tournament Liaison in updating the TOM.

VIDEO transcript – This is a new proposed Appendix B: Standing Committee added onto the
bylaws about the National Tournament Committee.
We need your feedback no later than August 22, 2025. Please send your suggested changes to
dpusabylaws@gmail.com. Thanks!