ONONDAGA SKI CLUB

BOARD MEETING

August 15, 2006

 

President Tom Button called meeting to order 7:15 pm.

 

Present: Doug Ahlsen, Terry Avery, Dick Butler, Tom Button, Jan Carr, Mary Clay, Jack Lancette, Jane McCarthy, Leo Naylor, Marv Patnode, John Sonne, Karen Whedon.

 

Excused: Christa Foster, Scott Foster, Kay Kotwas

 

Guest: Marian LaPierre, Arley Morey

 

Secretary’s Report: Minutes of the July 2006 meeting accepted as published on web site.

 

Treasurer’s Report: John Sonne presented the report. Dick Butler noted improvement fund of Lodge showed operating expenses and questioned whether it should be capital expenses. Marv said Lodge increasing in value as asset, appraised at 125K, now 148K at 100% valuation after kitchen improvements and insured for 223K replacement value. At some point down the road, we’d have to sell it unless we found a way to increase usage or came up with another income stream. John will meet with the accountant and straighten out difference. Report approved and filed.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

-- Trips: Leo gave John $870 Aspen refund check. Tremblant trip all set (March ’07). A $200 reduction in bus charge. Stowe trip scheduled for Feb.’07. Still working on Great Escapes dates and lodging. Rooms $295/night but reduction possible with greater sign-up. Checking for compatible dates for Elk Mtn (Penna.) Wednesday trips. Leo is trip chair for Tremblant. Diane Clark and Christa Foster are co-chairs for the Stowe trip.

 

-- Biking: Jan reported a maximum of 48 bikers at biking night. Marv and Sandy will host potluck August 30 after biking.

Tom Button set the Mad River Valley bike weekend between Covewood and Columbus day, 9/22-24. Short ride of 18 miles will start at Wakefield. Medium ride of 25 miles from Lodge. Long ride of 45 miles thru Sugarbush and/or Glen Ellen.

 Karen Whedon’s bike ride in Parish will be on Sunday, September 17.

 

-- Lodge Ad Hoc Committee: Terry, Marvin, Leo, John and Doug agreed not to tamper with rate structure at this time. Leo mentioned he’d like to introduce lodge to his motorcycle group, all responsible adults who would join club to use lodge. Terry proposed a survey of club members to determine why lodge is underutilized; only 151 users out of 552 members. A survey would hopefully answer that question. Dick Butler suggested lodge committee review survey questions before mailing. Karen asked how many questions in survey. Terry said 7. Arley made point that higher gas prices might be reason. Tom felt people adjusting to the higher prices. Jack recommended mailing survey back to club along with membership renewals. John cautioned not to make assumptions without data.

 

-- Kayaking: Terry’s Sacandaga Lake camping trip successful - 25 campers, 3 days kayaking, hiking, and cave searching. Contact John Whelan for Monday kayaking info.

 

-- Membership: Jack reported one new member, bringing total active membership to 552.

 

-- Newsletter: Marv gathering data regarding trips, etc. Deadline 15th of each month. Arley secured ad from realtor. $25/month for ad on home page. He’d like someone with marketing skills to volunteer to set this up.

 

Happy Hour: Mary Clay reported not a huge turnout for July at Traditions. Next Happy Hour October 18 at Colorado Mining, skipping August and September.

 

Lodge: Marvin Patnode reported the golf outing cancelled. Dick Butler talked to the insurance company to change $250 deductible to $1,000. We’ll receive a discount of 5% for monitor. Change was authorized and insurance company will re-write policy. Additional lodge usage will help.

 

Onondaga Cup Race: Arley proposed inviting Lab Junior Race team to participate this year to encourage younger people in the hopes they will become club members in the future. Also emphasized club not responsible for beer.

 

NEW BUSINESS

Dick Butler announced he would be stepping down from Lodge Committee as it was time to move on, having served 15 years in the capacity of lodge chairman. All received this announcement with much regret along with great praise and appreciation to Dick for his many years of devoted service to the Lodge and our club. Dick graciously agreed to be available to the board and members for assistance during the period of transition. Great job, Dick.

 

Marv submitted report on “How dues are spent.” He noted an average of $21.50 for dues income but operating costs actually $24.99 per member, resulting in $3.00 deficit per member. This extra $3 in cost has been and will be absorbed by drawing down club’s savings and/or investment fund. The deficit is caused by loss of annual ski sale income. The new electronic BOOMER is a significant savings and the board is exploring other suggestions to accomplish income/cost parity. Marv will redo this proposed financial article to the membership to clearly state that the costs associated with the Lodge include those for capital improvements.

 

Jan and Larry will run the annual Road Rally on the first Sunday in October, ending at Art Zimmer’s. Dinner will be catered.

 

Next board meeting will be the day after Labor Day, Tuesday, 9/5. General membership meeting September 12. Dick made motion to adjourn, Marv seconded. Meeting adjourned at 9:05pm.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Marian LaPierre (for Christa)