CDW Session Descriptions

As we gather to kick off the 2026 Community Development Workshop, we will share a meal and you will hear some successes from a few CTAs across the state. We will also learn a it more about the NC Tennis Foundation and its mission.

This session is built for Community Tennis Association board members, committee chairs, and staff who lead work that gets done almost entirely by volunteers. In that environment, no one is required to stay — people show up because they feel valued, heard, and supported, or they quietly stop showing up. Human-centered leadership is what keeps them coming back.

The session reframes human-centered leadership in practical, non-corporate terms: leading the people in front of you, not just the positions they hold. Participants focus on three high-leverage behaviors — listening with presence, modeling thoughtful vulnerability, and recognizing contributions specifically — and then work through the tension every CTA board lives inside: governance versus operations. Rather than prescribing one leadership style, the session builds the judgment to flex between paired behaviors depending on the moment: psychological safety or intellectual honesty, tell-and-sell or ask-and-listen, effort or outcomes, consistency or agility.

Sports Tourism is at the forefront of many City and Town Councils, Parks and Recreation Departments and Event Venues. Come learn how your CTA could benefit from sports tourism dollars which leads to stronger advocacy for facilities

Get an inside look on the planning and execution of hosting a USTA NC League State Championship! We will explore key elements such as bid process, volunteer scheduling, community engagement, and economic impact. Attendees will gain real-world guidance, learn best practices from past events, and leave with a clear understanding of what it looks like to bring these premier championships to life in their city.

Description Coming

Artificial intelligence is everywhere at this point, but learning best practices can feel overwhelming. This session will introduce the fundamentals of AI and explore both the benefits and potential pitfalls of AI usage. No technical expertise is required.

"Tennis is for everyone" is an integral part of the USTA's mission and values.   This session will focus on allyship and actionable ways your organization can actively listen, learn, speak up against bias, advocate for equitable opportunities, and support people and communities who may experienced exclusion or discrimination. USTA has an opportunity to use tennis as a platform to ensure that players, coaches, officials, volunteers, and fans from diverse backgrounds have equitable access to the sport and experience a genuine sense of belonging. 

Using scenes from the 1992 iconic movie A League of Their Own starring Geena Davis, this workshop will address the different “characters” you might encounter as volunteers with your CTA, and how you can bring out the best in them to both serve your organization and make it a positive experience for them to volunteer.

Volunteers are important for CTA success and can extend the reach and effectiveness of your programs, but sometimes volunteers pose challenges that might make you want to throw in the towel. Let’s look at different types of volunteer personalities you might find, and how you can create a win-win solution.