SONS IN RETIREMENT

TWAIN HARTE BRANCH NO. 172

MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Meeting Date: January 2, 2006 Place: Papa's New Roost

Big Sir Dick Feaster opened the meeting at 8:00 AM. Secretary Dan Mohn reported that a quorum was present (see attached attendance report). The November 28, 2005 minutes were approved as presented. (Denhard/Smith).

TREASURER'S REPORT: Treasurer Earl Nelson reported a beginning cash balance of $5236.02 and an ending cash balance of $4678.26 for the month of December. The major expenses for the month were printing and supplies, $275.24, and State Board Pro Rata Assessment, 171.35. Treasurer Nelson reported that there was $1500 in receipts over expenses for 2005 putting the Branch in a good financial position for the start of 2006. Treasurer Nelson then reviewed the 2006 proposed budget and projected cash flow. In light of the Branch’s good financial condition, Big Sir Feaster recommended that the luncheon cost be kept at $12 even though the Golf Club will be raising the per plate cost by $0.50. The 2006 Budget and $12 Luncheon cost was approved (Wellwood/Denhard).

ATTENDANCE: Attendance Chairman Herb Spierling reported that, so far, 20 Sirs have called to say that they would not be attending the luncheon meeting Thursday.

MEMBERSHIP: Membership Chairman Lee Piercey reported that the membership stands at 150 active, 5 inactive and 1 approved applicant waiting for a space. New Sir Gary Jones will be inducted on Thursday. Sir Piercey will have a roster and an update slip at each table so that incorrect information can be noted and will be used to correct the 2006 Roster.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:

LUNCHEON: Sir Don Wooldridge reported that all is set for Thursday’s Luncheon.

PROGRAM: The program for Thursday will be a talk on the New Melones Dam Project by T. K. Keller. The February program will be on Nature Photography by Jim and Charlene Cunningham.

COMPUTER USERS GROUP: Sir Rich Froishness requested approval for a meeting on January 18, 2006 at the Snowshoe Brewery and is considering having a swap meet to help those Sirs that are interested in having a computer and/or equipment to get started. The computer and/or equipment would have to be working OK or the new user would become frustrated immediately. Approved (Mel Johnson/Denhard).

WEB PAGE: Sir Don Denhard reported that the Web Page is up to date and the Bulletin is now in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) and can be viewed with Adobe Acrobat Reader so that it can be easily read, down-loaded and printed from the site. The minutes will also be on the Web starting this month. Discussion ensued regarding sending or not sending the bulletin by mail to Sirs with the capability of reading it on line. The consensus was that we are not yet ready to change sending the bulletin by US Mail.

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP: Sir Ray Pfoutz reported that 15 Sirs attended the December meeting on digital camera basics. This was very well received so Sir Pfoutz will have a similar meeting in February on a date to be determined prior to the next BEC meeting.

GOLF CLUB: No Report.

BULLETIN: The deadline for the February bulletin is February 3, 2006.

PUBLICITY: Sir Gil Wesson reported that both The Union Democrat and the Sierra Mountain Times published a notice of the luncheon meeting.

TRAVEL: No Report.

RV: No Report

THEATER GROUP: Sir John Kinsfather reported that the Theater Group’s season would start in March.

HIKING: Sir Jerry Jenson requested approval for a Snowshoe hike at Dodge Ridge on February 15, 2006; actual date will be contingent upon the weather. Sir Jim Johnson will be Trail Master. Approved (Wellwood/Mel Johnson).

MOVIE GROUP: No Report

FELLOWSHIP: Sir Carl Nunes showed the new cards that he has made on his computer. The cards are very good and will be used during the coming year. Everyone was reminded to let Carl know if a Sir is ill or has passed away so he can take the appropriate action.

OLD BUSINESS:

Sir Ralph Bushnell, who has been working on organizing a Propane Users Group, is away for the winter and Little Sir Sweeney will keep the efforts moving in his absence. Little Sir Sweeney will have a signup sheet at each table at Thursday’s luncheon and will give the membership another briefing on the benefits that each Sir could potentially enjoy if they choose to join. A group of about 100 Sirs is needed to provide bargaining power for the best deal.

NEW BUSINESS:

Little Sir Sweeney discussed changing our policy and present our guest speakers a stainless steel coffee mug with the SIR logo in lieu of the traditional certificate. Sir John Kinsfather suggested that there are other items that could be considered as well and volunteered to research what is available and report back.

Little Sir Sweeney reported on the Area 27 SIR Officer Training held last month.

Little Sir Sweeney requested that the Branch purchase a wireless loud speaker to be placed in the back of the room to provide better sound at the luncheon meetings. Approved (Sweeney/Smith).

Big Sir Feaster is planning on attending the Sonora Branch 136 BEC and luncheon in either January or February.

Sir Jerry Lewis has been appointed to be the luncheon meeting Song Master.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:23 AM.

The next Executive Committee meeting will be 8:00 AM Monday, January 30, 2006, at Papa’s New Roost.

Dan Mohn, Secretary