Pleasant Hill Branch 146
Minutes of the Branch Executive Committee Meeting
March 12, 2009

I. Call to Order and Opening Remarks

Big Sir Stu Somerville called the meeting to order at 9:30 am
In his opening remarks he said that later in the meeting we would be discussing the subject of recruiting new members.
He mentioned that a review of the Emergency Evacuation Plan is planned.
Lastly, he said that the 2009 Branch Self-Assessment Report has been completed, reviewed by the BEC and will be sent to the State SIR by the end of the month.
There were no guests in attendance.

II. Members in Attendance

Officers and Directors:
Somerville, Hallett, Gates, Binder, Burk, Darius, de Golia, Hockel, Mitchell, Rettew and Schroder.
Committee Chairmen and others:
Obera, DeVoe, Nunn, Bobinecz, Baily, Spellman, Hertweck, Costanza, Yolland, Mitchell, Hanford, Stedman, Ahlf, Lyman, Richter, Calloway, Jackson, Hauschildt and Kohl.

III. Secretary’s Report

Gates stated that the Minutes of the last BEC Meeting on, February 12, 2009, had been distributed to BEC. Somerville called for comments and corrections. The Minutes were approved without change.

IV. Treasurer’s Report

De Golia presented the Treasurer’s report as of February, 2009. At month end, the bank balance was $1827.11. After accounting for Set-Asides of $91.60, the amount available for general expenses was $1735.51. This is an increase of $317.28 over the January balance. He reported a gain of $234 for the February luncheon.
BEC accepted the report.

A question was raised about mailing costs for the Sircall and whether we should further encourage members to get it off our website rather than in the mail. Ahlf stated that we are now at the Bulk Postal Rate minimum of 200 pieces. He mentioned that the last mailing was only 199 pieces and we were forced to pay the First Class rate of 44 cents rather than the 13 cent bulk rate.
The BEC decided that no action was needed except to ensure we have at least 200 pieces going out.

V. Little Sir’s Report

Hallett reported that today’s speaker is 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.
The April luncheon speaker will be Charles Osolin from the National Ignition Facility at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. His presentation will include the progress recently made at the Laser Laboratory and an outline of current laser projects.

VI. Committee Reports Needing Approval

Travel
Spellman requested approval for the Monterey Mashers golf event scheduled for March 25 through March 28, 2009. It was approved by the BEC. The Form 53 is on file.
Later, Richter reported that the Romantic Rhine and Moselle Rivers cruise, previously approved by the BEC, has been cancelled due to lack of response. An amended Form 53 is on file.

Computer Classes
Baily reported that he and McCarley are offering classes on Microsoft Vista starting in April. There will be two sets of the same 4 session classes. They plan to charge $10 per person for Branch 146 members (and spouses) and $20 for others. This would entitle students to attend all 8 classes if so desired. He also said that he would like to put the proceeds into a Set-Aside for future needs of the activity, up to a maximum of $1500. After some discussion, the following motions were passed by the BEC:
1. The proposed Vista computer classes are approved and may charge $10 for Branch 146 members and spouses and $20 for others, for these and other approved classes.
2. The computer class revenues are to be placed in a Set-Aside account for future needs of the activity, up to $1500. Any revenues in excess of the $1500 will be credited to the General Fund

Membership
Hertweck reported that there are three men to be inducted this meeting: Calvin Tucker, Daniel Cochrane and Nick Abdo. A motion was passed to induct these men.
These inductions will replace positions of members who have resigned: Bruce Gilbert, Al Milano and Jack Mathews. Harry Alderson has gone to Inactive Status.
Net for March will be an increase of two members to 265, including 4 HLM’s. There are no men on our Applicant List but several new applications are expected.

Luncheon
Lyman reported that he is expecting 219 members to attend the luncheon and that he guaranteed 202 to CourseCo.
It was noted that in the contract with CourseCo, they will only give us 7 days notice on the luncheon menu. That will not meet the Sircall publishing schedule. It was agreed that the menu will be posted on our website and also sent out via e-mail as soon as it is received.
It was decided to set aside a table for “New Members, Sponsors and Guests” at the April luncheon on a trial basis. This is for the voluntary use of these men. Gates will make an announcement during the luncheon.

Dinner Dance
Rettew thanked Nunn for his assistance in planning and organizing this successful event. There were 116 people signed-up. Two people cancelled and their dinners were given to very grateful band members.

VII. New Business

Member Donations
Somerville outlined two options for increasing revenue and thereby increasing our bank balance to a more desirable level.
1. Keep our current $1 donation for each luncheon and request an additional $10 per year donation.
2. Eliminate the $1 donation and replace it with a $20 per year donation, starting with the June meeting. The donation would run from June to June and new inductees would be asked for a prorated amount. Likewise, departures could be refunded a prorated amount. Members could contribute more if they wished.
In either case, the money would be a donation, totally voluntary.
Regional Director Stedman reported that other Branches are using systems similar to the second option and are having good luck with it.
The following motion was passed by the BEC:
Eliminate the $1 lunch donation starting in June and replace it with a voluntary donation request of $20 per year.
Note: Branch Regulation 27, Luncheon cost will include a $1.00 donation for newsletter/administrative costs. It will have to be revised or rescinded.

Recruitment Committee
There is sharp focus, at all levels of SIR, on membership and the need for continuing to bring in new members. It has been suggested that Branch 146, like other Branches, create a Recruitment Committee. Its focus would be on attracting new members. They could network with other Branches, screen ideas and bring them to the attention of the BEC.
It was further suggested that the role of such a committee could be expanded to bring focus on retention issues as well as recruitment and possibly include activities such as the New Member Relations Committee.
Calloway volunteered to Chair the new committee. Darius and Schroder volunteered to serve on the committee. It was suggested that they meet with DeVoe (Activities Coordinator) and Gates (New Member Relations).
It has also been suggested that Branch 146 develop and print business card sized Recruitment Cards based upon the Branch 8 model. This issue was referred to the new Recruitment Committee.

Activities
DeVoe reported that forms were to be placed on each table for “Sign-ups for New Activity Opportunities.” A copy of this form is on file.

VII. Adjournment
There being no further business, Somerville called for a motion to adjourn. Motion passed, meeting was adjourned at 10:42 am.

Pete Gates,
Secretary

Final: 3-17-09