Sons in Retirement Branch 146 Walnut Creek Area Devoted to the promotion of Independence and the Dignity of Retirement

Minutes of the Branch Executive Committee Meeting
September 10, 2009

I. Call to Order, Opening Remarks and Introduction of Guests

Big Sir Stu Somerville called the meeting to order at 10:00 am.
There were no specific opening remarks.
Hal Rogers, a Branch 146 Charter Member, was introduced.

II. Members in Attendance

Officers and Directors:
Somerville, Gates, Binder, Burk, Darius, Fuchs, de Golia, and Rettew
Committee Chairmen and others:
Nunn, Hertweck, Ahlf, Lyman, Calloway, Obera, Marchione, Barry, Richter, Baily, Roberts, Meehan, Spellman, Kaprielian and Wilson.

III. Secretary’s Report

Gates stated that the Minutes of the last BEC Meeting on, August 13, 2009, had been distributed to BEC on August 20th. He called for comments and corrections. The Minutes were approved without change.
Gates also commented, as Little Sir-Elect, that he is looking for volunteers to serve with him on the Program Committee for 2010. He is looking for men who have some related experience and/or contacts. Jim Burk was the first volunteer. Gates also said that the Committee would continue to solicit suggestions for speakers or topics from all of our members.

IV. Treasurer’s Report

De Golia reported that July Revenues were $4997 and Expenses were $4891.81 resulting in a net gain of $105.19. Cash available in the bank is $6096.28.There was a gain of $107 for the luncheon.
Voluntary contributions stand at about 88% of membership, up from about 81% last meeting. 31 members still have not contributed.
The number of people paying cash for the luncheon has been increasing. There were 15 in August. We need to continue efforts to get people to pay by check.
The BEC accepted the Report.

V. Little Sir’s Report

Today’s speaker will be Jerry Feitelberg. His topic is “Baseball and Steroids”

Our October speaker will be Carol Louisell, Program Manager-Caring Hands Volunteer Caregivers Program-John Muir Health. The vision of the Caring Hands Volunteer Caregivers Program is to promote independence and enhance the quality of life of the aging population.

VI. Committee Reports Needing Approval

Activities Coordinator
Marchione requested approval for three new activities which are in various stages of start-up. They are:

• Couples Golf. This is due to get started in October with 13 couples. There is room for a few more, but not many. Terry will head this activity himself.
• A Photography Group is coming along. Ahlf is the Coordinator.
• A Couples BBQ group is also being formed with Terry also taking the lead.

The BEC approved these activities.

Member Recruitment and Retention Committee
Callaway reported that the Member Surveys and pencils are going to be placed at each table today.
He said our membership is down by 6 for the year. He also requested all present to make an effort to welcome the new guests we have today.

Luncheon
Lyman reported that he is expecting 204 people (including 4 guests and the speaker) at the luncheon. He guaranteed 182 to CourseCo.

Membership
Hertweck requested approval for induction of three new members: Kenneth Burger (Sponsor, Orlo Jones), Lynn Miller (Sponsor, John Aaro) and Bruce Johnsonbaugh (Sponsor, Stu Somerville).
The BEC approved these inductions.
He requested that the BEC accept the resignations of Wes Hauschildt and Fred Donnelly. Approval was granted.
In addition, Les Birdsall requested a transfer to Branch #81 and Denzil Harrison has passed away.
After these changes, our total active membership count will decrease by one to 259, including 4 HLM’s.
There is one man on our Applicant List.

Dinner Dance
Rettew reported that an announcement will be made at today’s luncheon about the October Dinner Party. There are 34 couples signed up so far. He needs a minimum of 50 couples by October 1st. If there is less, they would either have to cancel or accept the fact that the party would lose money because the band cost was figured into the cost based on the larger number of people.
After a long discussion, the following actions were decoded upon:
Put a notice on the Website, announce at the luncheon, consider opening to other Area 2 Branches.
It was also determined that there were a large number of people who plan to go but have not yet paid which will help close the gap.

Website
Baily said that he plans to rework the first page of the site to have more information of current interest such as the Dinner Party.

Travel
Spellman reported that Cruise to the Caribbean on the MS Silver Cloud was selling fast.
Joe Barry of the Garden Club reported that the “Science and Spirits” trip to the San Francisco Academy of Sciences was also filling up.

VII. Unfinished Business

With the level of voluntary donations at about 88% it was decided to form a small committee to review the list of those who have not contributed and decide which men should be contacted and who should make the contact. Somerville said he would call the group together.

VIII. New Business
Darius reminded all that there is an e-mail account, sircall@hotmail.com, which was set up to receive all electronic inputs to the SirCall. Lately, with several people sharing the editorial task, articles have been set to various personal e-mail accounts resulting in confusion and missed articles. All articles must go the above account or risk being omitted. This account address is shown as a part of the official SirCall address on the back of the newsletter.

IX. Adjournment

There being no further business, Somerville called for a motion to adjourn. Motion passed, meeting was adjourned at 10:45 am.

Pete Gates,
Secretary

Final: September 17, 2009