SONS IN RETIREMENT
TWAIN HARTE BRANCH NO. 172
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

          Meeting Date: August 29, 2008                                                Place: Papa's New Roost

Big Sir Don Denhard opened the meeting at 8:00 AM. Secretary Dan Mohn reported that a quorum was present (see attached attendance report).  The minutes of the August 4, 2008 BEC were approved as electronically transmitted to each member of the BEC (Nissen/Robinson).

TREASURER'S REPORT:

 Treasurer Rich Brandau reported a beginning balance of $3932.84 and an ending balance of $3830.01 for the month of August. The only expense for the month was printing and supplies - $95.57. The Treasurer’s Report was approved. (Nissen/Spierling).

ATTENDANCE:

Attendance Chairman Herb Spierling reported that 9 Sirs have called that they would not be attending the luncheon meeting.

 MEMBERSHIP:

Membership Chairman Ralph Legg reported that the membership stands at 150 active, 3 inactive and 18 on hold.

           STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:

LUNCHEON: Sir Henry Beltran reported that all is set for Thursday’s luncheon.

           

PROGRAM:  Little Sir Ed Nissen reported that September’s program will be presented by Bob Leslie who will discuss the noninvasive proton procedure for his successful treatment of prostate cancer. October’s program will be a discussion by a Sierra Repertory Theater representative.

COMPUTER USERS GROUP: No Report.

WEB PAGE: No Report

DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP: No Report

GOLF: Sir Gil Wesson reported that the next play will be at Modesto.

BULLETIN: The September bulletin will be produced by Little Sir Ed Nissen in Sir Heller’s absence.

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

TRAVEL: Sir Earl Nelson, Branch Travel Chairman, requested approval for an Alaskan cruise titled Alaska’s Mighty Glaciers and Denali Park to be furnished by Vantage Travel from May 23 through June 6, 2009, and presented SIR Form 53, completed, which form by this reference is attached to and made a part of these minutes. The original Form 53 will be kept on file by the Branch Secretary. Approved (Honeychurch/Feaster).

RV: Sir Harvey Uhl reported that last month’s Ladies Day Picnic was great success and enjoyed by more than 200 Sirs, spouses and guests. The Branch really appreciates the effort that the RV Group extends to the Branch to make the Picnic a highlight of the year.

THEATER: The next play is All Shook Up on November 19 at the East Sonora Repertory Theater. Dinner at Birdie’s Mountain Springs will follow the play. The host and hostess for the play are Sir Joe and Barbara Smith. The play for December will be The Christmas Foundling at the Fallon House Theater.

The question of splitting the Theater Group into two smaller groups was opened. Group Chairman Ralph Bushnell stated the case for keeping it in one group since there are two restaurants that can accommodate 70 or more people for dinner after the play. Sir Dick Feaster stated the case for splitting the group into two smaller groups. Following extensive discussion, it was the consensus of the BEC to continue to have only one theater group.

Sir Bushnell reported that he is working on the 2009 schedule and requested approval to reserve blocks of tickets for either 6 or 7 plays. Approved, pending Sir Bushnell reporting back to the BEC with the names and dates of the performances (Nissen/Bamford).

HIKING GROUP: Sir Jerry Jensen in absentia requested approval for a hike to Powell Lake, starting at the Gianelli Trailhead, on Tuesday, September 23, 2008. Carpool from the Twain Harte Market Parking Lot at 8:30 AM. Approved (Honeychurch/Bamford).

MOVIE:  In the absence of the group chairman, the BEC approved a movie for the month of September at the East Sonora Regal Entertainment Theater, at date to be determined. Approved (Bamford/Beltran).

FELLOWSHIP:  Nothing to report.

OLD BUSINESS:

Big Sir Don Denhard reported that the Twain Harte Golf Club Management has stated that if the Branch returned to the Clubhouse for our monthly luncheons the cost would be $15 per person, which includes food, gratuity and dining room setup. This compares to the $9.50 plus a flat setup fee that we are now paying at the Sonora Elks Lodge. Discussion ensued. Major concerns, in addition to the cost, are: tight table placement; limited seating caps membership at 150; the inexperience of the Golf Club staff and its ability to stay in business for the next year. It was the consensus of the BEC that the membership should be polled at Thursday’s Luncheon before making the decision of staying at the Sonora Elks Lodge or returning to the Twain Harte Golf Club House.

Christmas Party: Sir Henry Beltran reported that he has started planning for the party, to be at the Sonora Elks Lodge on the evening of December 16, 2008. Summerville High School will be contacted to see if its singing group, Jazz at 8, can perform for us that night.

NEW BUSINESS:

 Big Sir Don Denhard reported that October’s luncheon will be a “mixer” at which each Sir’s table assignment will be the luck of the draw.

Big Sir Denhard requested that Treasurer Richard Brandau and Bulletin Editor Pro Tem, Little Sir Nissen, coordinate to include a reminder slip in the October bulletin that the $20 donation for 2009 will now be accepted.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 AM.

The next Executive Committee Meeting will be 8:00 AM, Monday, September 29 at Papa’s New Roost with breakfast starting at 7:00 AM.

Dan Mohn, Secretary