Onondaga Ski Club
Board Meeting Minutes
June 2, 2009
Present: Tom Button, Mary Clay, Dave Devendorf, Christa Foster, Scott Foster, Jack Lancette, Marian LaPierre, Leo Naylor, Marv Patnode, Scott Severance, Allan Smith, Art Toll, John Tuttle, Bob Wiley, Marilyn Woyciesjes, Mary Ann Zeppetello
Excused: Mark Bidwell, Neville Sachs
Guests: Ken Robbins
President Marv Patnode noted that we have the required quorum and called the meeting to order at 7:10 pm at 4175 Chariot Lane, Liverpool.
Secretary’s Report: The May minutes were e-mailed to board members and posted on the OSC web site. Jack made a motion to accept the minutes, Scott seconded. Motion passed.
Communications: No communications.
Committee Reports
Membership
Bob Wiley reported that the current active membership is 618, 84 of those are out of state and 16 junior members. A total of 74 paper boomers were mailed.
Lodge
John’s monthly lodge usage report shows bed occupancy in May at 26 (90% of last year). At this point, four people are signed up for the July 4 weekend at the lodge.
Finance
John reported that the money market account stands at $21,256 and the Vanguard account at $34,950. Income exceeded expenses in May.
Marketing
Tom indicated that the marketing committee had no report. Dave mentioned that he had contact from Bonnie Krist of the North Country Ski Club. Apparently the club is close to folding and they are discussing the possibility of using the residual money to buy memberships in the OSC. Jack made the motion to offer to the North Country Ski Club that their members could join at $20 without being charged the usual initiation fee for the 2009-2010 year and a free night at the lodge will also be included. John seconded. Scott suggested there should be a minimum number for waving the initiation fee. Tom B. made motion to call the question, MaryAnn seconded. Motion passed. The initial motion (without a minimum number for waving the initiation fee) was brought to vote and also approved.
Trips
The only trip in the planning stages is a Mt. Tremblant bus trip for downhill and XC skiing. A date hasn’t been established yet. Leo is waiting for pricing from SnowSearch.
Unfinished Business
Finalizing the 2009-2010 budget. John pointed out that first we have to determine if the budget has to be balanced. If yes, then it has to be determined if it should be balanced solely from revenue or from a money transfer from the club’s capital reserves. Tom questioned if it would be in order to approve the budget with the assumption that the income from the lodge will be sufficient and wait to make a final decision until the report from a newly established committee comes back. Tom made the motion to adopt the budget as it is, without a lodging or dues increase, knowing that there is a deficit that will be addressed later. John seconded the motion. Discussion followed. John called the question, Tom seconded. Motion passed. Tom’s budget motion was called for vote and approved.
Committee to Study Lodge. Marv suggested that a committee be formed consisting of members from the lodge, finance, and marketing committees, to study the lodge and propose solutions regarding
1. lodge room rate structure;
2. how much of the club dues should subsidize the lodge;
3. should Vanguard fund be split between lodge capital and club cushion;
4. defining required regular lodge reporting to the board;
5. revision to bylaws as required.
Art Toll agreed to chair the committee and expects to present a final report by the end of November. An interim report will be submitted at the October board meeting. Tom Button, John Tuttle, Ken Robbins or Al Smith, and Dave Devendorf agreed to serve on the committee, and it was highly recommended that Dave or Diane Clark as the reservations chairs also be a part of the committee.
New Business
Marv has studied the club insurance policy and he and John Tuttle consulted with our agent. The bottom line is that we have a very general policy that doesn’t give us much protection at all. Marv and Ken also plan to meet with the agent in Vermont to review the lodge insurance policy. The legal disclaimer on our registration form will also be reviewed by legal counsel. Similar disclaimers should be signed by anyone participating in any club-sponsored event.
The club was contacted about an application for a gravel pit within a mile north of the lodge that is currently being reviewed by the Granville town board. Dave and Marian recommended that we stay neutral. All agreed.
There being no further business to discuss, Scott moved to adjourn, seconded by Dave. The meeting was adjourned at 8:52 pm. The July board meeting will be held in the DeWitt Library at Shoppingtown.
Respectfully submitted,
Christa Foster
Recording Secretary