Onondaga Ski Club

Board Meeting Minutes

November 6, 2007

Present: Dick Butler, Tom Button, Mary Clay, Christa Foster, Scott Foster, Lloyd Howse, Jack Lancette, Marian LaPierre, Leo Naylor, Marvin Patnode, Neville Sachs, Allan Smith, John Sonne, John Whelan, Doug Zamelis

Excused: Mark Bidwell, Kay Kotwas, Scott Severance

Absent: Jan Carr

Guests: Arley Morey

President Tom Button called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

Secretary’s Report: Motion was made by Jack and seconded by Scott to accept the Secretary’s Report as electronically submitted to board members and posted on the OSC web site.

Treasurer’s Report: The treasurer’s report has been received and filed. John Sonne indicated that the advertising revenue, the 50/50 raffle, and the lodge income aren’t keeping up with what was anticipated in this year’s budget. Lodge expenses are high; most of what’s been budgeted has been spent on recent renovations.

Committee Reports

-- Membership: Currently a total of 544 members of which 285 have renewed from 2007. In the past month Jack processed 145 additional sign-ups of which 22 are new members. To encourage family membership, the lodge committee recommended that a free night’s lodging in the dorm be also given to new junior members.

-- Communications: November 15 deadline for Boomer articles or change. Arley pointed out that our contract for web connection from Network Solutions is expiring in 2009. He will shop for a bargain price before it expires. Server rental in Colorado is about to expire and will be renewed.

-- Lodge: Allan reported that the work weekend October 20-21 was very successful. Marv was a guest; others invited weren’t able to make it. Much was accomplished, such as the ladies dorm bathroom finished, the back door replaced, insulation under men’s dorm repaired, the back stairway painted, the lodge thoroughly cleaned, and more. The spring work weekend is tentatively scheduled for April 26-27.

-- Trips: Mt. Tremblant sign-up is going slow, currently about 10. Leo wants to open it up to other clubs and will make such an announcement at the general meeting to generate more interest by OSC members. Banff is full with 24 participants. Garnet Hill is full with 20 people.

-- Social: Fall fling at the Fireside November 17. Contact Norm to sign up.

Happy hour at Colorado Mining November 28.

Old Business: Marv made a motion to approve the absentee ballot procedures as submitted to board members by Arley via e-mail, Dick seconded. Further discussion followed about the procedures, minor changes were suggested, and Arley pointed out that the required election quorum may need to be changed to include absentee ballots in the number of eligible voters. There was discussion about the implementation of absentee ballot usage. A by-law change is required and the membership must be notified of the change before it can come to a vote. Notification can be electronically in the next Boomer or at the November meeting, repeated at the December meeting, and it can be brought to vote at the January meeting.

New Business: Marv handed out a document he had prepared titled “Securing OSC’s Future.” Included were studies that were done over the last three years. He called it a road map to success that should raise awareness, create dialogue, etc. The information should be used to come up with an overall business plan as we move ahead. Board members were asked to familiarize themselves with the information so that discussion on an action plan can start at the next meeting. Three key issues need to be discussed by the board at future meetings:
(1) change of by-laws to create a standing marketing committee,
(2) coming up with a person to chair the new committee,
(3) deciding OSC’s mission and where OSC wants to be 5 years from now.

Finally, board members are to review Marv’s proposed business plan and send comments /recommendations back to Marv before the next board meeting.

Doug Zamelis offered to go over the lodge insurance policies to determine if non-members are covered if, to increase lodge usage, the decision is made that guests of members can attend. Doug will also provide OSC with the name of a legal counsel in Vermont to review the Vermont law as it regards our inviting guests to the lodge. OSC will then hire the Vermont Counsel to determine how OSC can invite guests to the lodge without it being considered a hotel.

John brought up the assistant treasurer proposal that was brought to the board via e-mail: to identify a couple of qualified people who will work with the treasurer before they decide to be candidates.

There being no further business, Tom asked for a motion to adjourn. Scott moved to adjourn, Mary seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Christa Foster

Recording Secretary