St Louis Rebels Board Meeting Agenda

March 9, 2009 - Stratford                                 

 

CALL TO ORDER

Meeting called to order 7:03pm by Dave Weiss.

 

Board Members Present: Dave Weiss, Stephanie Weiss, Kelley Morris, Linda Guetterman, Ross Behrens, Ruth Gilbert, Penny Davis, Brad Sweeney, Rick Gendron, Lisa Gendron, Heather Douglas, Robin Mazo

 

Board Members Absent:  Katie Slater, Ginger Johnson, Linda Schmidt

 

Opening Comments & Announcements: NONE

 

Review/Amend/Approve Minutes from previous Board Meeting:

Suggestion made to add “Action statement box” to minutes or create board web page to relay this information.  No vote taken.   

 

Motion to approve the minutes from the February 9, 2009 board meeting as amended made by Penny, seconded by Brad.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

OTHER BUSINESS

 

Old Business

·       Free entry rules

A.     First time visitor.

Motion to allow first time visitors one free entry at board member discretion made by Heather, seconded by Penny.  Motion carried unanimously.

B.     100 mile rule for out of town visitors. 

Motion to repeal the 100 mile rule made by Penny, seconded by Kelly.  Motion carried unanimously.

C.     Dave:  Recommendation to allow free membership/admission to Allen

Kircher as the Rebel’s attorney, for as long as he continues this responsibility.  Motion made by Dave, seconded by Kelly.  Motion carried unanimously.  Stephanie will issue free admission card to Allen.

 

·       Constant Contact

To allow flexibility in upgrades for the Out & About Newsletter, motion made by Penny to remove the limit on the annual cost of Constant Contact, seconded by Kelly. Motion carried unanimously.

 

·       Pro-Rated Membership

Stephanie distributed two versions of pro-rated scheduling for annual membership renewal.  Suggestion for color-coded membership cards, new color each year, with renewal due by first of the month.  Motion to use Prorated Membership Version B with color-coded cards made by Penny, seconded by Brad.  Motion carried unanimously.

 

Stephanie will calculate roll-over fee effective April 1, 2009.  Color-coded cards effective July 1, 2009 with current membership expiration monthly.

Motion by Lisa to repeal free entry when renewing on Friday evening, seconded by Heather.  Two opposed, motion passed.

 

Procedure for accounting of membership fees into register vs using membership envelope tabled for further discussion. 

 

·       Progress on multi-signer credit card pending nonprofit status approval.

 

·       Weekly/monthly financial statement from Kelly

Register needs key for non-Rebels Juniors $2, classified as anyone under the age of 21 as defined in the club bylaws.  Juniors funds at $624, with $400 for Chicago.  Board requesting information on income and expenditures for juniors.

 

·       Voting on member-only perks based on previous board discussion of options:

The following member benefits will be allowed:

*Birthday-free entrance on the first Friday of birthday month, coincides with cake and decorations on that Friday.

* Randomly distribute drink tickets of specific value to members showing Rebels card.

* Hold random raffle drawings and progressive give-aways for card-carrying members.

*Continue $10 discount on MMISL tickets by specified deadline as currently listed.

 

Motion to approve these benefits as identified above made by Kelly, seconded by Lisa.  Motion passed unanimously.

 

Other suggestions included ladies-free night, free entrance for ladies on Mother’s day weekend, free rose or candy on certain days, 5th Friday of month members free.  These suggestions did not pass vote count.

 

·       Update on instructor's meeting and new syllabus

Brad:  advanced basic syllabus is ready, discussion regarding holding three lessons in Gazebo Room, difficulty due to size of classes and limited space.  Suggestion made to try three classes in April.  Advanced basic and Intermediate/advanced, $3 fee.  Explain the different options for classes at the register.  Revisit this idea in May.

 

New Business

Dave:  No flyers have been printed, information is available on website.

 

Discussion of need to reduce costs of flyers: carry basic information only, half-page vs full page, b&w vs color paper, reduce the number printed for front table vs putting one on each table.  Consensus of board to continue flyers promoting workshops, Sat night dances, etc.  Some confusion about workshop weekends being combined with West Meets East dances.

 

April 18 is booked, flyers available, consensus of board to put flyer on website.

 

 

Discussion:  Ross voiced concern about changes in election of board, elected vs appointed positions with no term limits.  Penny noted this allows president and executive board the ability to restructure as needed.  Rick added that the board has always had openings until recently. Updated ByLaws will be voted on at next meeting, pending legal suggestions from Allen.

 

Amount of salsa music played will be at DJ’s discretion.

 

Penny:  certificates needed for passes, Rebels members will be encouraged to volunteer 1-2 hours of their time unreimbursed, identified board member responsibilities.  Sponsorship:  major issue, formal letter needed requesting sponsorship.  Everyone needs to investigate potential sponsors.  Sponsors may be listed in program or have a large banner for advertising. 

 

Being hosted by Rebels, Brad & Kelly responsible for wine and beer.

 

Discussion on how this affects club and finances, club member benefit vs encouraging individuals to not take lessons.  With instructor’s consent, paying participant can video at the end of the lesson, club cannot be held liable for members burning copies.  No taping will be allowed during lessons or workshops. 

 

Due to previous agreements, the GGW video will be distributed for the cost of materials.

 

From LindaS, the club already owns a reconditioned laptop donated by Mike Bicklein.  The purpose of laptop would be for paperless on-line registration and pre-sales for workshops, membership applications, etc. with individual log-in, using PayPal rather than needing credit card imprint.  Motion to purchase new laptop not carried.  Discussion tabled pending further research.

 

Concerns about lost items or unapproved copies being made were voiced.  Motion made by Penny to retain club videos for display or promotional purposes and to dissolve video library for rentals, seconded by Rick.  Motion carried unanimously. 

 

NON AGENDA ITEMS

None

REPORTS & COMMITTEES  - If time allows

See above.

ADJOURN

Motion to adjourn made by Rick, seconded by Dave.  Meeting adjourned at 9:40pm.  Next scheduled board meeting will be Monday, April, 13, 2009, 7pm at Stratford.

Respectfully submitted;

Linda Guetterman

Secretary, St. Louis Rebels