Onondaga Ski Club

Board Meeting Minutes

December 2, 2008

 

 

Present:  Mark Bidwell, Mary Clay, Dave Devendorf, Christa Foster, Scott Foster, Kay Kotwas, Leo Naylor, Marvin Patnode, Neville Sachs, John Sonne, John Tuttle, Marilyn Woyciesjes

 

Excused: Tom Button, Lloyd Howse, Jack Lancette, Marian LaPierre, Allan Smith, Bob Wiley

 

Absent: Bob Dewey

 

Guests: Ken Robbins

 

 

President Marv Patnode called the meeting to order at 7:15 pm.

 

Secretary’s Report:  The November minutes were e-mailed to board members and also posted on the OSC web site. Scott made a motion to accept the minutes, John T. seconded. Motion passed.

 

Communications: Mail was distributed; no special comments.

 

Committee Reports

 

Finance: The financial report was received and filed. John reported that dues income is up, lodge income to date is almost double that of last year. Vanguard investments are at approx. $32,000. Marv pointed out that income is up $3,400 over last year, expenses are about approx. $1,900.

 

Membership: No report, Jack was unable to attend. Invoices were sent out last week to members who haven’t renewed.

 

Lodge: John Tuttle’s lodge occupancy report indicates that the October usage was at 49-bed occupancy, more than double the occupancy of October 2007. We’re almost to 5% cumulative occupancy. Scott questioned the family dates printed in the Boomer, particularly the “any age” mention for winter weekends. Ken Robbins will double check this and correct as necessary. Arley did a great job of updating the lodge photos on the web site.

 

Ken had called CV Oil to find out if the contracted oil cost could be reduced since there was a substantial drop in oil prices. However, since CV Oil is stuck with their early summer purchase price, they are unable to lower our contracted price.

 

Marketing: Dave distributed an initial draft of a marketing plan. Board members were asked to review the plan and send comments to the board member e-mail list. John T. feels the mission statement, still to be decided on, should be tied in with the marketing plan. The plan will evolve as the board defines the club’s Mission and Vision. Dave will work with Tom to enact some of the items by January 2009 and report back to the board. 

 

Mark proposed to add a standard bottom message to all OSC e-mail messages to remind members about ongoing events – see New Business below.

 

Trips: Leo is still considering arranging day trips to Elk and Swain ski areas.

Christa indicated that the Stowe bus trip needs at least seven more people before bus costs are covered and asked the board for advice. She will contact Ski Hawks and Finger Lakes clubs to offer the trip to their members. John S. proposed that if there should be a deficit for bus expenses, the club will cover it. Mary made a motion to that effect, Mark seconded. Approved.

 

Old Business

New Meeting Site: This issue was tabled once more until the January meeting and Marv offered his house again for the meeting on January 6.

 

Mission Statement:  Marv referred to the material he had e-mailed to board members, consisting of the draft Mark wrote as well as the introductory paragraphs on the OSC web site and the article in the Syracuse NewTimes. John T. suggested keeping our mission statement short and concise. After a lengthy discussion about different options, the following was drafted:

                                                                                                                                                   

Onondaga Ski Club’s mission is to organize and facilitate year-round outdoor activities and social gatherings for an adult membership based in Central New York.

 

Board members were asked to play with this and send additional suggestions to the board member e-mail list.

 

New Business

The possibility of a standard bottom message for OSC e-mail messages listing dues reminders, ongoing events, bringing a friend to the general meeting, etc., was discussed again. Mark also suggested establishing an online message board for members to look for ride sharing to ski areas, etc. The mechanics of how to institute these marketing tools will be discussed with Bob and Arley.

 

There being no further business to discuss, Mark moved to adjourn, seconded by Neville. The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Christa Foster

Recording Secretary