SONS IN RETIREMENT
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: February 28, 2011 Place: Pine Tree Restaurant
Big Sir Henry Beltran opened the meeting at 9:00 AM and welcomed all Officers, Directors, and Committee Chairmen and called for self introductions. Secretary Dan Mohn reported that a quorum was present (See Attached Attendance Record). Big Sir Beltran called for corrections to and/or approval of the January 31, 2011 Minutes as amended on February 3, 2011 and electronically transmitted to all Officers and Directors. Approved (Morrow/Escallier).
TREASURER'S REPORT:
Treasurer Dennis Honeychurch reported a beginning cash balance of $5772.53 and an ending balance of $6387.05 for the month of February. The increase in the cash balance was due largely to voluntary membership contributions of $560.00. The main expenses for the month were: Printing & Supplies - $61.99; Guest Expense - $10.00; and Other - $44.06. Treasurer Honeychurch stated that all but five members have made a $20 voluntary contribution to the year 2011 operating expenses. The Treasurer’s Report was approved (Wright/Robinson).
ATTENDANCE:
Attendance Chairman Bill Anning reported that 12 Sirs had called that they would not be attending the luncheon. Sir Jim Schneider reported that 10 guests would be attending.
MEMBERSHIP:
Membership Chairman Larry Bertuccelli requested approval to accept a membership application from Kirk Wallace, sponsored by Sir Jim McCracken. Approved (Porter/Gill). The membership now stands at 153 active members and 1 inactive.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:
LUNCHEON: Sir Jim McCracken reported that all is set for Thursday’s luncheon serving Corned Beef and Cabbage, green salad, and ice cream.
PROGRAM: The speaker for Thursday’s Luncheon will be Jim Mele, Tuolumne County Sheriff, who will discuss his experiences with law enforcement and in Tuolumne County.
COMPUTER USERS GROUP: Sir Dick Chimenti, by email, requested approval for a meeting at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, March 16 at the China House Café in Twain Harte, to discuss the latest Apple Computers and I-pads. Approved (Honeychurch/Morrow).
WEB PAGE: No Report.
GOLF: Sir Harvey Uhl reported that the 1st tournament will be on April 12 at Spanos Park in Stockton.
BULLETIN: Sir Stu Heller, by email, requested that all items for publication be submitted by Monday, March 7.
PUBLICITY: Sir Gil Wesson reported that the luncheon meeting notice had been submitted to the Union Democrat but could not confirm that it had been published. Other Sirs confirmed that it had been published.
TRAVEL: Sir Earl Nelson reported that the Horse Race Trip to Golden Gate Fields has been sold out, but there is waiting list.
FISHING: Sir Herb Spierling, by email, requested approval for a Fish Hookers March outing on a date and a placed to be determined by the weather and the fish. Approved (Morrow/Porter).
RV: Sir Jim Nolan reported that 16 rigs will be going on the first trip of the year to the Sequoia RV Ranch in Three Rivers, CA. Sir Nolan inquired about obtaining and carrying a Certificate of Insurance to be able to show the RV park, if requested, that SIR Inc. was insured. Secretary Dan Mohn will email information to Sir Nolan regarding obtaining a Certificate of Insurance.
THEATER: Sir Dave Palmer reported that 64 Sirs and Spouses/Guests have signed up 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 March 17th 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 hike on March 23rd at the Glory Hole area on the north shore of New Melones Reservoir. The Group will car pool from the Junction Shopping Center at 8:00 AM. Approved (Morrow/Gill).
MOVIE: Sir Gil Wesson requested approval for two Movies and Dinners during March 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 (Robinson/Porter).
FELLOWSHIP: Sir Bill Bamford reported that he had sent one card and made one phone call.
MOUNTAIN BIKING: Sir Ralph Legg requested approval for an excursion in March on a date and to a place to be determined depending on the weather and trail conditions. Approved (Robinson/Honeychurch).
PROPANE GROUP: Sir Roy Gray reported that 4 additional people have signed up with J. S. West for the Propane Club. This leaves 8 vacancies. Sir Gray will make another announcement at Thursday’s luncheon meeting.
OLD BUSINESS:
Big Sir Henry Beltran sent a letter to Skip Hoy, the Exalted Ruler (ER) 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. No response has been received to date. Big Sir Beltran will talk with ER Skip Hoy on Thursday.
A letter requesting a waiver of Rules 72 and 74 was sent to SIR Inc. through our Area Governor on February 11, 2011. No response has been received to this letter.
NEW BUSINESS:
Officers and Directors Liability Insurance:
Pursuant to the provisions of California Corporations Code 5239 effective January 1, 2002, Branch 172 of the Sons in Retirement has received a determination made by the SIR State Insurance Committee which reveals that the cost of obtaining Officer and Director’s Liability Insurance exceeds 5% of the prior year Branch budget. This constitutes 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”. Therefore, it is moved, seconded and passed that Branch 172 cannot afford to purchase this type of liability insurance and the Branch elects to be covered by the provisions of Section 5239. (Honeychurch/Escallier).
Proposed Amendment to SIR Rules 72 and 74.
Rules 72 and 74 were amended in 2008 to prohibit membership caps and induct members as rapidly as possible. This, in theory, was to curtail membership drops in certain branch localities. The 2008 change, in fact, is very detrimental to branches in outlying areas with limited capacity facilities for holding luncheon meetings. Secretary Dan Mohn proposed that Branch 172 work up proposed amendments to Rules 72 and 74 that will allow branches to cap memberships in order to have their luncheon meetings in available local facilities. Sir Richard Robinson moved, seconded by Sir Dennis Honeychurch, that Branch 172 submit proposed amendments to Rules 72 and 74 that will allow a branch to cap its membership in order to be able to have its luncheon meeting in the locally available facility. Passed. Big Sir Henry Beltran appointed Sir Richard Robinson chairman, with Sirs Bill Anning and Bill Bamford members, of a committee that will draft amendments to Rules 72 and 74, which amendments, after BEC review, by electronic media, will be submitted to SIR Inc through the Area Governor.
All business having been concluded the meeting was adjourned at 9:55 AM.
The next Branch Executive Committee Meeting will be 8:00 AM, Monday, April 4, 2011 at the Pine Tree Restaurant, next to the Best Western Motel, at 19601 Hess Avenue, Sonora, 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, sponsored by the RV Club, at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown.
Dan Mohn, Secretary