Onondaga Ski Club

Board Meeting Minutes

June 3, 2008

Present: Mark Bidwell, Tom Button, Mary Clay, Christa Foster, Scott Foster, Kay Kotwas, Jack Lancette, Marian LaPierre, Leo Naylor, Marvin Patnode, Neville Sachs, John Sonne, John Tuttle, Marilyn Woyciesjes

Excused: David Devendorf, Lloyd Howse, Allan Smith

Guest: Ken Robbins

President Marvin Patnode called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm.

Secretary’s Report: The May board minutes were submitted to members electronically and posted on the OSC web site. Scott made a motion to accept the minutes, Jack seconded. Motion passed.

President’s Report: Marv reported that he had asked Bob Dewey to accept the board position that became vacant when Scott was elected 2^nd vice president and asked that the board approve the appointment. Marian made a motion, and Leo seconded, that Bob should be appointed to a one-year position to finish out Scott’s term. After discussion motion was carried. Bob is currently assisting Jack and will eventually take over the e-mail notification of club news and activities. It was suggested that board member responsibilities and expectations of them should be made clear to new members at the beginning of their term.

Communications: Incoming mail was distributed.

Committee Reports

Finance: The treasurer’s report was received and filed. John indicated that at this time of year there is always a low point in cash flow. He reminded us that reimbursement forms are now required for any reimbursement requests or deposits to make transactions more efficient.

Membership: As of June 3, total active membership is 562, up from 556 in May. Of the 562, 28 are junior and 63 out-of-state members. Jack pointed out that since January he has processed 66 new adult and 15 junior applications. Marv’s goal is a membership of 700.

Lodge: Ken reported that four windows have arrived and will be installed this summer. This is the final action to fulfill fire code requirements. John S. suggested that due to the high cost of gasoline there should be a reimbursement for travel expenses, if a trip is necessary for mandated repairs outside regularly scheduled work weekends,. There was a discussion and Mark suggested approving such expenses on a case by case basis. Tom moved to reimburse Ken up to $150 to install the new windows this summer. John T. seconded the motion. All in favor.

Marketing: Tom contacted committee members to schedule a meeting for Thursday, June 5. He indicated that all club members are welcome to attend marketing committee meetings.

Trips: Leo had scheduled another trip committee meeting for May 27, placing it on the web site’s calendar, however, no one attended. John S. suggested that Leo take a different approach and ask some members beforehand if they are planning to organize a trip. Marian LaPierre offered to join the trip committee and to work with Leo. Marv will write an article for the Boomer, web site, and e-mail to encourage member participation and trip preferences.

Old Business: Marv indicated that the installation of a vice president will be tabled until after Bob Dewey has taken over Jack’s electronic communications job. Jack has agreed to accept the VP position.

New Business: Marv did an Internet search regarding various Vermont laws with which we may not be in compliance in the operation of our lodge. Two issues came up for discussion, the 1970 Vermont land use law and the Vermont sales tax law. The 1970 land use law was put in effect for the preservation of existing farmland. Since ours was an existing building at the time the law went into effect rather than new construction, we might be grandfathered in. However, legal counsel should be sought to determine whether or not we are in violation.

According to Vermont’s tax law definition, ski lodges fall in the “hotel” category and our insurance company and the fire code people are treating it as such also. Any establishment renting out rooms must pay sales tax if renting for more than 15 days a year. After much discussion, Mark suggested that before contacting legal council in order to clarify our position with regard to these laws, other ski club presidents should be contacted to find out how they are handling this situation. Tom offered to contact the NJ Ski Council for a list of ski clubs that own lodges in Vermont. Marv will then contact the presidents of those clubs to talk about these issues, starting with Short Hills.

Marv encouraged the board to work on developing a business plan. Neville asked to table it until the July meeting when financial information as well as lodge attendance numbers can be viewed via a PowerPoint presentation so that we know what we are talking about. John T. offered to contact Dave for monthly data and will then keep a spreadsheet.

There being no further business to discuss, Tom moved to adjourn, seconded by John T. The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Christa Foster

Recording Secretary