Pleasant Hill Branch 146
Minutes of the Branch Executive Committee Meeting
February 11, 2009
Pleasant Hill Branch 146
Minutes of the Branch Executive Committee Meeting
February 11, 2009
I. Call to Order
Big Sir Stu Somerville called the meeting to order at 10:00 am
Stu extended a welcome to guest Dean Steichen, Area 2 Governor.
He introduced Jack Hockel-Director
II. Members in Attendance
Officers and Directors:
Somerville, Hallett, Gates, Binder, de Golia, Fuchs, Mitchell, Rettew and Hockel.
Committee Chairmen:
Wilson, Obera, DeVoe, Nunn, Bobinecz, Baily, Spellman, Hertweck, Costanza, Yolland, Mitchell, Hanford, and Stedman.
III. Big Sir’s Report.
Somerville reported that he had met with Kirsten Knauer, Food and Beverage Manager for CourseCo, Inc. CourseCo takes over the operation on February 23rd and Stu was confident that they were serious about making it all work well.
He mentioned that a Luncheon Survey was being placed at each seat at today’s luncheon.
IV. Secretary’s Report
Gates stated that the Minutes of the last BEC Meeting on, January 8, 2009, had been distributed to BEC. He called for comments and corrections. The Minutes were approved without change.
V. Treasurer’s Report
De Golia presented the Treasurer’s report as of January 2009. At month end, the bank balance was $1509.83. After accounting for Set-Asides of $313, the amount available for general expenses was $1196.83. He reported a gain of $519 for the January luncheon. BEC accepted the report.
He and Fuchs presented the 2008 Branch 146 Audit Report. There were no material deficiencies discovered in the receipts and disbursements of the general and custodial accounts. In addition, they made the following recommendations:
They also recommended that the Branch develop an Audit Guideline. Bobinecz offered to provide a guideline he has used.
The BEC commended the Audit Committee accepted the Audit Report and recommendations. Somerville said he would respond to the Report and its recommendations.
VI. Little Sir’s Report
Hallett reported that today’s speaker is Joseph Campbell-Director of the Contra Costa Water District.
The March luncheon speaker will be Lawrence Lawson. He was an instructor for 21 years in the Criminology Department at the City College and also an instructor for 25 years at the San Francisco Police Academy.
VII. Luncheon Report
The lunch count for the February luncheon is 208 with a guarantee to Sunrise of 193. Included are four guests, two speakers.
VIII. Membership Report
Hertweck reported that there will be two inductions, David Steinberg sponsored by Fuchs and Richard Hildebrand sponsored by Bob Johnson. There was one resignation (Martin) and one death (Stan Jackson). Branch 146 membership will stay 261, including four HLM’S after accounting or one additional resignation (Fitzgerald) and one Transfer (Lipscomb). There is one man on the Applicant List and two new Applications have been received.
The 2009 Member Directory is being placed at each seat today.
IX. Dance Committee
Rettew reported that 90 people have signed-up for the March Dinner Dance so far. We need 100 to break even.
X. New Member Relations
Gates reported that other Branches are creating similar Committees based upon the Branch 146 model. However, they are taking the concept further. Branch 8 looks to have about 3 people on theirs. He believes we should track these activities to look for ways to improve the Branch 146 effort. He will be looking for one or more volunteers to help in this effort.
He also opined that we need a process to handle “Out of the Blue” applicants who do no have a sponsoring member from Our Branch. Though this is an unlikely occurrence, it is becoming more likely as SIR State and Area organizations ramp up advertising efforts. It was proposed that all such applicants be directed to the Membership Chairman who would then assign the case to a volunteer “Sponsor/Host” who would meet with/interview the individual, determine if he knows any current member of our Branch, develop a “Bio”, explain some of the rules, especially luncheon rules and responsibility to pay, activities, and so forth. The Sponsor/Host would then assist the individual with the process of completing the application, introducing him at a luncheon and taking over the other responsibilities incumbent on a Sponsor. Those involved agreed to this process.
Somerville stated that a SIR Recruiting Brochure is being prepared and that we have been asked to pay a portion of the cost. It was moved, seconded that $50 be allocated for this expense. Motion passed.
XI Travel
Spellman requested approval for two events:
The trips were approved. Form 53’s for each are on file.
Hanford requested approval for two events:
Both events were approved. Form 53’s for each are on file.
XII. Song Sirs
Nunn suggested that the Garden Club, Songs Sirs and the Computer Club members should make an annual contribution of $250 to the Presbyterian Church where they meet. The BEC agreed that these activities should be self-supporting.
XIII. Unfinished Business
None
XIV. New Business
Directors and Officers Liability Coverage (D&O). SIR State Insurance Committee has obtained a quote of $2500 for D&O coverage for 2009. However, California Corporations Code Section 5239 provides protection for members of a BEC if certain conditions are met. Specifically, if the cost of obtaining the liability insurance will exceed 5% of the nonprofit organizations’ prior year budget and the organization documents the cost then the directors and officers of the organization are protected from personal liability by Section 5239.
Pursuant to the provisions of California Corporations Code Section 5239, effective January 1, 2002, Branch 146 has attached a determination made by the SIR State Insurance Committee which reveals that the cost of obtaining O&D Liability Insurance exceeds 5% of the prior year budget. This constitutes a good faith effort to obtain such insurance and we therefore defer to the Section 5239 which states “there shall be no personal liability to a third party for monetary damages on the part of a volunteer director or volunteer executive officer of a nonprofit corporation subject to this part, caused by the director’s or officer’s negligent act or omission in the performance of that person’s duties as a director or officer”.
It was moved and seconded that Branch 146 cannot afford to purchase this type of liability insurance and the Branch elects to be covered by the provisions of Section 5239. Motion passed.
Leadership Action Plan (LAP).The SIR State Board of Directors, at its January meeting, approved the LAP for voluntary implementation. At present, this is totally a State initiative, with nothing specific coming from Region 6. The first phase is a request for Branch to complete a one-time Self-Assessment Report. It has been requested that this report be filed by March 31, 2009.
XV. Special Report by the Honorees Committee
Following the open portion of the BEC Meeting, Yolland and Nunn gave a report from their Committee and made the following recommendations:
Moved/Seconded and Passed by the BEC.
XVI. Adjournment.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:29 am.
Pete Gates
Secretary
Final: February 19, 2009