Dear WHGSA Friends and Family,
We extend our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support of the West Houston Girls Softball Association (WHGSA). Your dedication to our organization has been a driving force behind the success and positive impact we aspire to achieve.
As we move forward, we want to share with you the core of our mission. WHGSA is a non-profit organization powered by volunteers, sponsorship support, and the active participation of our community. Our mission is to provide every player with a fun, safe, and skills-based environment, fostering a hometown atmosphere that welcomes girls of all skill levels and athletic abilities.
We are dedicated to encouraging good sportsmanship, instilling character, building healthy friendships, and promoting a lifestyle of service, discipline, and positive attitudes. The belief that “Winners don’t always win, they just don’t give up” echoes our commitment to resilience, perseverance, and growth.
Acknowledging the challenges we’ve faced has been a crucial step in our journey. In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, our community endured immense hardships, leading to a significant drop in membership. Subsequent issues such as a lack of confidence in board members and perceived transparency gaps in how membership dues benefit our players further added to the complexity of our situation.
However, we want to assure you that we are at a pivotal crossroads, fully committed to charting a new course for WHGSA. As a NEW board, we have undertaken the responsibility of rebuilding with a fresh perspective and renewed vigor. It’s worth noting that many of our new board members bring extensive experience in running volunteer organizations, providing us with a valuable foundation to steer WHGSA in the right direction.
To address past challenges, we have taken bold steps to rebuild trust and transparency. A new website, Facebook page, and email addresses have been established to enhance communication and provide a platform for sharing important updates promptly. These changes mark the beginning of a revitalized WHGSA in 2024, and we are dedicated to fostering an environment of openness and collaboration.
Recognizing the importance of legal compliance, we have diligently updated our status, ensuring adherence to federal tax regulations. WHGSA is actively maintaining its 501(c)(3) charitable tax-exempt status, assuring our members that their contributions are used for the betterment of our players and the community at large. In a commitment to transparency, we are finalizing the 2023 Treasurer’s Report, which will be presented alongside the 2024 annual budget at the upcoming open board meeting. Any member can obtain copies of these documents upon request, underscoring our commitment to transparency and accountability.
While progress has been made, we acknowledge that challenges still lie ahead. With a reduced number of members, we recognize the need for your support. We appeal to our community to assist us by volunteering, spreading the word, and demonstrating patience as we navigate this rebuilding process together.
Our new board is a learning organization. Each member brings a wealth of experience in volunteer organization management, and we are dedicated to continuous improvement. We invite all members, past, present, and future, to attend our open board meetings and contribute to the shared vision of WHGSA.
In conclusion, your support has been, and continues to be, invaluable. Registration for the upcoming season is open, featuring a 20% sibling discount and a Referral Program: refer three new players and receive a 50% refund of your registration dues. Keep abreast of important updates by following us on social media and visiting our new website at whgsa.org.
Thank you for accompanying us on this transformative journey. Together, we are reshaping WHGSA into a stronger, more vibrant, and inclusive community.
Sincerely,
The Board of West Houston Girls Softball Association
President Benny Lara
Vice President Lisa Lara
Secretary/Treasurer Vilma Guzman
