Onondaga Ski Club

Board Meeting Minutes

December 4, 2007

Present: Mark Bidwell, Tom Button, Christa Foster, Scott Foster, Kay Kotwas, Jack Lancette, Marian LaPierre, Leo Naylor, Marvin Patnode, Neville Sachs, Scott Severance, Allan Smith

Excused: Dick Butler, Jan Carr, Mary Clay, Lloyd Howse, John Sonne, John Whelan, Doug Zamelis

Guests: Arley Morey, Ken Robbins

President Tom Button called the meeting to order at 7:10 pm.

Secretary’s Report: Motion was made by Mark and seconded by Kay to accept the minutes of the November board meeting as submitted electronically.

Treasurer’s Report: The treasurer’s report has been received and filed. No questions or comments.

Committee Reports

-- Membership: As of December 4, total active membership is at 377, 184 members have not yet renewed. Jack sent out 205 letters end of November and has received 30 responses so far.

-- Communications: The January Boomer deadline is December 15.

-- Lodge: Still space available for New Year’s Eve at the lodge. Ken reported that there is a possible leak on the LP tank since it’s emptier than other years at this time. However, this could also be due to the week-long rental in August. Ken was up in November to add some finishing touches to the women’s dorm bathroom.

-- Trips: The Garnet Hill XC trip in January is full. Sign-up for the Mt. Tremblant bus trip, March 28-31, is slow. Approximately 15 to 20 signed up; the minimum required number is 28. No passport is needed for this bus trip. The Banff trip is full at 24.

-- XC Skiing: December 8, Camillus Unique Area, guided by Gary Woolschlager

December 15, Osceola XC Ski Center, guided by John Whelan

-- Social: Night on the Town will be December 14 at Daniela’s Best Western, Fairgrounds. Happy Hour December 27, Colorado Mining Co. Lou Wassel is coordinating the Greek Peak New Year’s Eve outing again. $35 for evening includes skiing, buffet, dancing.

-- Racing: Arley reported that the club will have five Nastar race teams this year. The racing program at Toggenburg is Wednesday evenings, at Labrador Tuesday evenings.

Liftopia.com website gives hot deal coupons. Mark suggested button on website for hot ski deals, such as P&C coupons for Lab or Greek Peak.

Old Business: Marv handed out a plan to secure OSC’s future at the November meeting. The purpose was to get board members and, through his articles in the newsletter, the general membership thinking about the club’s future and how to move forward. We are facing three basic challenges that are all interlocked. His first motion recommends establishing a standing marketing committee to develop an annual program that is more likely to attract new members. Tom will appoint a marketing committee before the next meeting.

The proposed plan includes recommended changes for the lodge: Mission 2 asks for changes of the lodge mission to align itself with a positive marketing program; rates should be reviewed and approved by the board on an annual basis with a target of breaking even or making a profit through room/lodge rental. Motion 3 proposes changes to the lodge policies to increase usage and improve its financial position. Motion 4 proposes appointment of a committee to make recommendations to the board regarding the future of the lodge in the event of failure of the new marketing efforts. Marv made the motion to appoint such a committee to investigate the three points outlined in Motion 4 and to report back to the board by the April board meeting. Scott S. seconded and the motion was carried. Doug was to review the lodge insurance policy regarding coverage of non-members and provide us with the name of legal counsel in Vermont to review Vermont law with regards to inviting guests to the lodge.

Arley asked for a motion to vote on the absentee ballot issue. Tom suggested tabling it until the January meeting.

New Business: No new business.

There being no further business to discuss, Mark moved to adjourn, Neville seconded, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:45 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Christa Foster

Recording Secretary