SONS IN RETIREMENT
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Amended 02-03-11
Meeting Date: January 31, 2011 Place: Pine Tree Restaurant
Big Sir Henry Beltran opened the meeting at 8:00 AM and welcomed all Officers, Directors, Committee Chairmen, Past Big Sirs, and guests. Big Sir Beltran then called for self introductions. Secretary Dan Mohn reported that a quorum was present (see attached attendance report). Big Sir Beltran called for corrections to and/or approval of the 01-03-2011 Minutes as they were written and electronically transmitted to the Branch Officers and Directors. Secretary Dan Mohn submitted a correction: Under MEMBERSHIP, the minutes stated that Sirs Gary Pendleton and Bob Becker resigned because they were no longer interested in SIR. In fact, Sirs Pendleton and Becker remain very interested in SIR Branch 172, but resigned because their 2011 travel schedules would prohibit them from attending the minimum number of meetings to remain in good standing. Approved as corrected. (Porter/Morrow).
SPECIAL BRANCH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING:
The minutes of the Special BEC meeting of January 7, 2011 were electronically transmitted to all Branch Officers and Directors and to any member who requested to have a copy. The Special BEC Meeting was attended by 7 of 12 Officers and Directors. The BEC at its Special Meeting, after lengthy discussion, voted to remove the Branch membership cap, and induct 5 people from the waiting list into the Branch each month until the waiting list no longer existed. However, after the special meeting had been held, it was brought to light that insufficient notice had been given for the meeting. Therefore any action taken by the BEC at the meeting is in question.
Big Sir Henry Beltran stated that he had called a special meeting on January 7, 2011, for the sole purpose of dealing with SIR Rules 72 and 74, and the Branch’s membership cap. Big Sir Beltran then reviewed email communications with SIR Past President Buck Kendrick and SIR Vice President Jim Stedman on this subject. Past Big Sir Earl Nelson (2010) gave an in-depth review of his dealings with Past President Kendrick and Vice President Stedman regarding the Branch’s membership cap. Assistant Treasurer Dick Robinson, who was not able to attend the Special BEC Meeting, stated his position in opposition to lifting the membership cap. It must be pointed out that Sir Robinson is also the spokesman for and represents the position for many members of Branch 172 in this matter who did not attend the 01-31-2011 BEC meeting. Lengthy and spirited discussion ensued including statements by the Past Big Sirs present. During this discussion, it was brought forth that a letter requesting a waiver of Rule 74, in accordance with the provisions of Rule 74, had been sent through the Area Governor and the Regional Director in December 2008. The Branch Minutes of January 2009 stated that no written response had been received from SIRinc but an unofficial verbal response was that the Twain Harte and Sonora Branches of SIR should start a new branch to reduce branch sizes and to eliminate the Branch 172 waiting list. The new branch, Sierra No. 77 was started successfully. However, men on the Branch 172 waiting list, when canvassed, elected to wait for a place in Branch 172.
It was further stated during the discussion, that on May 3, 2009 the Area Governor sent an email letter to the Region Director restating Branch 172’s request for a waiver, citing statements made in the original letter and recommending that the waiver be granted. Branch 172 has yet to hear from SIRinc regarding the waiver. At the conclusion of the discussion Sir Harold Granados moved, seconded by Little Sir Jerry Morrow, that all action taken by the BEC at its January 7, 2011 Special Meeting be rescinded. The motion passed (11 to 1).
Sir Dick Robinson moved, seconded by Harold Granados, that the Big Sir, again, request a Branch exemption of Rule 74 in accordance with the provisions contained within the rule, noting the lack of SIRinc response to the Branch’s previous request. The motion passed (12-0).
Sir Robinson stressed that in the future, major changes in Branch policies and procedures should be reviewed with the membership-at-large before undertaking the changes. Big Sir Beltran stated that he plans to bring the question of the membership cap before the Branch members at Thursday’s luncheon meeting to get a count of members wishing to retain the cap.
TREASURER'S REPORT:
Treasurer Dennis Honeychurch reported a beginning balance of
$3618.84 and an ending balance of $6772.53 $5772.53 for the month of January. The increase
in the cash balance was due largely to voluntary membership contributions of
$2420.00. The main expenses for the month were: Printing & Supplies - $146.24;
Postage – $88.00; Guest Expense - $10.00; State Board Pro Rata Assessment -
$145.00; and Answering Service - $95.40. Treasurer Honeychurch noted that the
answering service is now being paid a year in advance, rather than monthly. The
Treasurer’s Report was approved (Porter/Escallier).
ATTENDANCE:
Attendance Chairman Bill Anning reported that 12 Sirs had called that they would not be attending the luncheon. Sir Jim Schneider reported that 7 guests would be attending.
MEMBERSHIP:
Membership Chairman Larry Bertuccelli requested approval to accept a membership application from Bill Boyd, sponsored by SHLM Carl Nunes. Approved (Porter/Escallier). Sir Bertuccelli reported that two applicants waiting to be installed have withdrawn their applications. Bob Edwards joined Sonora Branch 136, and Dave Goldemberg returned to full time employment. Also, it was sadly noted that Sir Steve Morrow had passed away. Four new members are scheduled to be inducted at Thursday’s Luncheon Meeting: Jerry Kopyn sponsored by Sir Larry Bertuccelli; Bill Parson sponsored by Sir Duane Melott; Andy Perras sponsored by Sir Cas Munoz; and Jim Svetich sponsored by Sir John Baldwin. Secretary Dan Mohn noted that with these four new members, the membership will exceed the 150 member cap. Sir Duane Porter moved, seconded by Sir Harold Granados, that the membership be allowed to return to 150 by attrition. Passed.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:
LUNCHEON: Sir Jim McCracken reported that all is set for Thursday’s luncheon serving Roast Pork, diced potatoes, green beans, salad, and desert.
PROGRAM: The speaker for Thursday’s Luncheon will be Donald Segerstrom, Jr., Tuolumne County District Attorney, who will discuss law and justice in Tuolumne County.
COMPUTER USERS GROUP: No Report.
WEB PAGE: No Report.
GOLF: Sir Harvey Uhl submitted the 2011 Golf Schedule for approval:
Date Place
April 12 The Reserve at Spanos Park, Stockton
May 10 Greenhorn Creek Golf Resort, Angels Camp
June 07 Pheasant Run Golf Course, Chowchilla
July 12 Creekside Golf Course, Modesto
August 10 Mace Meadows Golf Course, Pioneer
September 13 Dryden Park Golf Course, Modesto
October 11 Dry Creek Ranch Golf Course, Galt
Approved (Porter/Granados)
BULLETIN: Sir Stu Heller requested that all items for the March bulletin be submitted to him by Monday, February 7.
PUBLICITY: No Report
TRAVEL: Sir Earl Nelson reported that the Horse Race Trip to Golden Gate Fields has been sold out, and that 12 Sirs and spouses/guests are going on the May 2011 trip to Tuscany, Italy. The trip to Hawaii for September is now open for signups.
FISHING: No Report. Sir Herb Spierling, Chairman, is recovering from surgery.
RV: Sir Jim Nolan, Wagon Master for 2011 requested approval for the 2011 RV Schedule:
Dates Event/Destination Location
April 4 – 11 Sequoia RV Ranch Three Rivers , CA
June 12 – 17 Santa Cruz RV Resort Santa Cruz, CA
August 4 SIR Ladies Day Picnic Railtown 1897 SHP, James Town, CA
August 21 – 26 Carson Valley RV Resort Minden, NV
September Calistoga Fairgrounds Calistoga, CA
December RV Christmas Picnic The Peppery Gar and Brill,
Sonora, CA
Approved (Honeychurch/Morrow)
THEATER: Sir Richard Brandau reported that tickets are still available for Hairspray on March 9th at the East Sonora Theater, with dinner following the play.
PINOCHLE: Sir Roland Patton reported that the scheduled Pinochle game will be at the Elks Lodge on February 17 at noon, and that the Sierra and Sonora Branches as well as Elks Lodge members have been invited to join in the play.
HIKING GROUP: Sir Jerry Jensen requested approval for a snowshoe hike on February 9th to Strawberry Peak starting off Hwy 108 near Herring Creek Road, and carpooling from the Twain Harte Market parking lot at 9:00 AM. (Hawke/Escallier).
MOVIE: Sir Gil Wesson requested approval for two Movies and Dinners during February at the Regal Cinemas Stadium 10 Theater, Sonora. One movie will be for Sirs only, and the second will be for Sirs and Wives/Guests. The actual date will be determined when the theater schedule becomes available. Approved (Honeychurch/Robinson).
FELLOWSHIP: Sir Bill Bamford reported that he had sent seven appropriate cards in January and will send a card to Sir Steve Morrow’s family.
MOUNTAIN BIKING: Sir Ralph Legg requested approval for a ride in February on a date and to a place to be determined depending on the weather and trail conditions. Approved (Honeychurch/Morrow).
PROPANE GROUP: Sir Roy Gray reported that JS West currently agrees to allow 110 Sirs in the propane group. Ninety eight Sirs are now in the group allowing room for 12 more to join. Sir Gray will announce at Thursday’s Luncheon that 12 Sirs not currently in the propane group may join on a first come first in basis. Sir Gray further reported that Camps Propane has agreed to take Sirs over the 110 number into a new Sir Camps Propane Group at a special group price per gallon.
OLD BUSINESS:
Big Sir Henry Beltran sent a letter to Skip Hoy, the Exalted Ruler of the Sonora Elks Lodge, informing him that the glassware and flatware set out by the Elks Lodge for the Christmas Party had smudges and lipstick stains, and that insufficient tables had been set up. Big Sir Beltran requested to know who, exactly, is responsible for setting up the Lodge on special occasions that a SIR representative could talk with and what will be done to avoid these problems in the future.
NEW BUSINESS:
Big Sir Henry Beltran stated that the Branch audit has been
completed and directed Secretary Dan Mohn to transmit the Audit to the Area
Governor in accordance with Rule 257. The only recommendation from the audit
team is to set up a tighter Branch petty cash and property control system.
Treasurer Dennis Honeychurch reported that he has he will take action to set up a control system to
track cash and equipment from one custodian to the next.
The Fish Hookers, the three Tuolumne County Sir Branches fishing club sent a letter requesting funding for its 2011 activities. Sir Duane Porter moved, seconded by Sir Dennis Honeychurch, that this request for funding be considered. Failed (0 – 12). Branch 172 has a policy that each activity group be financially self sustaining.
All business having been concluded, the meeting was adjourned at 10:05 AM.
The next Executive Committee Meeting will be 8:00 AM, Monday, February 28, 2011, at The Pine Tree Restaurant, next to the Best Western Motel, at 19601 Hess Avenue, with breakfast starting at 7:00 AM. The monthly luncheons are held on the first Thursday of each month at the Sonora Elks’ Lodge with the exception of August, which is the Ladies Day Picnic at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown, sponsored by the RV Club.
Dan Mohn, Secretary