SONS IN RETIREMENT

TWAIN HARTE BRANCH NO. 172

MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

          Meeting Date: August 3, 2009                                             Place: Papa's New Roost

Little Sir Earl Nelson opened the meeting at 8:00 AM and asked for self introductions of all present. Little Sir Nelson reported that Big Sir Ed Nissen was attending the SIR Inc Big Sir meeting in Vallejo.  Secretary Dan Mohn reported that a quorum was present (see attached attendance report). The minutes of the June 29, 2009 BEC meeting were approved as electronically sent to all Officers and Directors. (Legg/Brandau).  

TREASURER'S REPORT:

Treasurer Rich Brandau reported a beginning balance of $5178.25 and an ending balance of $4927.16 for the month of July. The expenses for the month were printing, supplies - $131; Postage – 105; Guest Expenses - $13, State Board Pro Rata Assessment - $148; Misc. - $40. The Treasurer’s Report was approved. ( Legg/Bamford).

ATTENDANCE:

Attendance Chairman Herb Spierling reported that attendance will not be taken at the RV Ladies Day Picnic in accordance with Branch Policy. Sir Spierling reported that a review and examination of the records after the July Luncheon Meeting showed that those Sirs reported to be in noncompliance with Rule 100.b, did not attend one half of the luncheon meetings during the last 12 months, were in compliance and no further action would be taken at this time.

MEMBERSHIP:

Membership Chairman Ralph Legg requested approval to accept membership applications from: Otto Giuliani; Danny Villa; Tom Firth III; Dave Goldenberg.  Approved (Honeychurch/Bamford).  . The membership stands at 150 active and 5 inactive.                          

Proposed “Sierra SIR” Branch: Sir Ralph Legg reported that 4 Branch 172 Sirs were interested in joining the proposed branch, but would like more information before making a commitment. Discussion ensued. The consensus was that when the proposed branch has its officers and directors in place and can speak for itself, more Branch 172 Sirs would be interested in becoming members.

STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:

LUNCHEON: In lieu of a luncheon, the Branch RV Club will be providing a Ladies Day Picnic at the Rail Town 1897 State Historical Park.

PROGRAM: There will be no formal program at the Ladies Day Picnic. Next month’s program will be a discussion by Cathie Peacock, Interfaith Executive Director, on how Interfaith is helping local residents in need.

COMPUTER USERS GROUP: No Report.

WEB PAGE: No Report.

GOLF: No Report

BULLETIN: Sir Stu Heller requested that all bulletin items be submitted to him by August 10.

PUBLICITY: No Report

TRAVEL: Sir Earl Nelson requested approval for trip by Vantage Travel titled Montreal, Quebec City, and Canadian Maritime for September 14 through September 28, 2010, at an estimated cost of $3605.00. The Form 53 for this trip is an addendum to these minutes. Approved (Robinson/Vaca). Sir Nelson reported that the trip titled Castles Along the Rhine and Danube River Cruise was canceled due to lack of interest. The Form 52 for this trip is an addendum to these minutes. Sir Nelson further reported that the trip titled Alaska’s Mighty Glaciers and Denali Park from May 23 through June 6, 2009 was a great success. The Form 52 for this trip is an addendum to these minutes.

RV: Sir Jim Nolan reported that the planning and preparations for the Ladies Day Picnic are going well, over 190 tickets have been sold to date, and at least 20 more are expected to be sold at the picnic. The next RV trip will be to Oregon, 24 to 26 people have signed on for this trip.

THEATER: Sir Rich Brandau reported that the next play is Damn Yankees on August 26, with dinner at the Peppery Gar and Brill to follow.

HIKING GROUP: Sir Jerry Jensen requested approval for a hike from Eagle Meadows to the Dardanelle Resort on August 13, 2009. Approved (Desrosiers/Bamford).  

MOVIE: Sir Ray Pfoutz requested approval for a movie during the month of August on a date to be determined to view a film to be determined at the East Sonora Regal Entertainment Theater. Approved (Bamford/Legg).

FELLOWSHIP: Sir Larry Bertuccelli confirmed that it is Branch Policy to send a card only to an ill Sir, or his spouse in the passing of the Sir, or to the Sir on the passing of his spouse.

OLD BUSINESS:

None.

NEW BUSINESS:

 Big Sir Ed Nissen requested that Secretary Dan Mohn prepare a brief history of the Branch Theater Group, from Branch Bulletins and Branch Minutes, which he did. Discussion ensued. Little Sir Earl Nelson requested Secretary Mohn to form this history into an article for the Branch Bulletin for the benefit of all Branch members.

Branch Sound System: The Branch has a Public Address System and no permanent place for storage. It currently is not needed as the Elks Lodge has a built in P.A. system. Past Big Sir Jim Johnson has used it on occasion and currently has it stored in a secure location. Little Sir Earl Nelson appointed PBS Jim Johnson Sound System Master to keep the P.A. System secure and to make it available for SIR use when required.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 AM.

The next Executive Committee Meeting will be 8:00 AM, Monday, August 31 at Papa’s New Roost with breakfast starting at 7:00 AM. The monthly luncheons are held on the first Thursday of each month at the Sonora Elks’ Lodge.

Dan Mohn, Secretary