SONS IN RETIREMENT
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE
Meeting Date: May
4, 2009 Place: Papa's New Roost
Big Sir Ed Nissen opened the meeting at 8:00 AM. Big Sir Nissen welcomed Area Governor Norm Whitsed to the meeting and then called for self introductions of all present. Secretary Dan Mohn reported that a quorum was present (see attached attendance report). The Addendum dated April 16, 2009 to the minutes dated March 30, 2009 was approved. (Feaster/Legg). The minutes of the March 30, 2009 BEC meeting was then approved as electronically sent to all Officers and Directors. (Nelson/Vaca).
TREASURER'S REPORT:
Treasurer Rich Brandau reported a beginning balance of $5384.20 and an ending balance of $5208.16 for the month of April. The expenses for the month were printing, supplies and postage - $171; 2nd Quarter State Assessment - $258; Guest Expenses - $13; Misc. - $7. The Treasurer’s Report was approved. (Legg/Vaca).
ATTENDANCE:
Attendance Chairman Herb Spierling reported that 20 Sirs have called that they would not be attending the luncheon meeting. Sir Bill Bamford reported that 10 guests will be attending.
Sir Spierling reported that that the following Sirs were in noncompliance Rule 100.b, did not attend one-half of the luncheon meetings during the past 12 consecutive months: Bob Becker; Larry Bertuccelli; Rex Heinlein; and, Chuck Holcomb. Big Sir Nissen noted that Sir Larry Bertuccelli has been exempted from compliance with Rule 100.b because Sir Bertuccelli has a public service assignment that precludes him from attending luncheon meetings for the near term. Sir Bertuccelli remains an active Branch member, attends all BEC meetings and is chairman of the Fellowship Committee. Sir Bob Becker was present at the BEC meeting and was asked by Big Sir Nissen to make a statement. Sir Becker stated that he has been and continues to be very active in Branch activities, currently chairing the RV Club. He attends as many luncheon meetings as his travel schedule allows and will be attending Thursday’s meeting. Big Sir Nissen stated that attending Thursday’s luncheon meeting will put Sir Becker in compliance. Sir Spierling stated that he has previously discussed attendance with both Sirs Heinlein and Holcomb and has received unsatisfactory responses. Big Sir Nissen stated that he would contact and discuses attendance with Sirs Heinlein and Holcomb.
MEMBERSHIP:
Membership Chairman Ralph Legg requested confirmation that Sir Gary Pendleton has been moved to inactive status (with all SIR privileges) and approval to initiate Elzie Gerrels into the Branch at Thursday’s luncheon meeting. Approved (Feaster/Nelson). With this action the membership stands at 150 active and 5 inactive members.
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS:
LUNCHEON: Sir Henry Beltran reported that all is set for Thursday’s luncheon. Sir Beltran will request a setup for 130 plus the head table. The May luncheon will be a mixer, wherein your table partners for lunch will be the “luck of the draw”.
PROGRAM: Thursday’s program will presented by Todd Klienert of the Tuolumne County Film Commission. Next month’s program will be a presentation on Solo Ocean Sailing by Dr. Bob Crawford, DDS.
COMPUTER USERS GROUP: Sir Dick Chimenti requested approval for a meeting on May 21, 2009, 5:30 PM at the China House Café in Twain Harte. Approved (Bamford/Brandau).
WEB PAGE: No Report.
GOLF: No Report
BULLETIN: Sir Stu Heller requested that all bulletin items be submitted to him by May 11, 2009.
PUBLICITY: Sir Gil Wesson reported that both the Sierra Mountain Times and the Sonora Union Democrat published a notice of Thursday’s Luncheon Meeting.
TRAVEL: Sir Earl Nelson reported that 10 Sirs/guests will be on the Alaska trip. The Europe River Boat Trip still has space available. Sir Nelson reported that 6 Sirs/guests are interested in going to the ATT Baseball game. This is not enough for even a small bus. Sir Nelson stated that carpooling may be viable.
Sir Nelson stated that Travel interest has fallen off due to the economy and he would like to hear from the membership about what trips they would to consider for 2010.
RV: Sir Bob Becker reported that 16 rigs and one couple traveling by car were on the Pismo trip and all had a great time. The Trip in June will be to Casa de Fruta near Hollister.
THEATER: Sir Rich Brandau reported that 76 Sirs/guests will attend Around the World in 80 Days on May 20, 2009. Sixty five will attend the dinner at the Lazy Z Resort following the play.
HIKING GROUP: Sir Jerry Jensen requested approval for
a River Rafting Trip with Sunshine Rafting Adventures of Oakdale, on May 13,
2009, from Knights Ferry on the Stanislaus River to Orange Blossom Road near
Oakdale, carpooling from the Junction Shopping Center. Approved (Honeychurch/Nelson).
MOVIE: Sir Ray Pfoutz requested approval for a “Movie and Dinner” to view Angels and Demons on May 26, 2009 at the East Sonora Regal Entertainment Theater and dinner at Perko’s Cafe. Approved (Bamford/Feaster).
FELLOWSHIP: Sir Larry Bertuccelli stated that he had no reports of illness or distress for April.
OLD BUSINESS:
None
NEW BUSINESS:
Area Governor Norm Whitsed talked to the BEC about the SIR membership program and gave a supply of Sir “OK, so now you are Retired…What to do next…” pamphlets to the Branch. Sir Whitsed then talked about spinning off a new branch tentatively called The Sierra Branch. This branch could absorb the excess members of the Sonora Branch, some members from the Twain Harte Branch and new members from Tuolumne City, Jamestown, Columbia and the surrounding area. A cadre of experienced officers and directors from Branch 136 and Branch 172 would have to be willing to serve until the new branch was well established. Some startup money would have to be put up by the sponsoring branches. Sir Whitsed stated that recruiting this cadre is the largest stumbling block to starting a new branch.
Sir Stu Heller reported that the Vietnam Veterans Association of Tuolumne County is sponsoring a memorial at the new Veterans Administration Health Clinic in Sonora and told about its recognition program wherein individuals and organizations can show support for veterans and receive recognition in the form of a paving brick for $100. Sir Dick Feaster moved, seconded by Sir Richard Robinson, that Twain Harte SIR Branch 172 purchase a paving brick in the amount of $100. The message on the brick will honor all veterans and recognized SIR Branch 172. The motion passed.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 AM.
The
next Executive Committee Meeting will be 8:00 AM, Monday, June 1, 2009 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