15 January 2008 Planning Meeting Minutes

SKI BUDDIES Planning Meeting Minutes: 15 January 2008
Address: Ski Buddies; P.O. BOX 20003; Seattle, WA 98102

Attendees

Mark Pollock, Chris Turcotte, Bud Wright, Steve Wegener, Vincent Chau, Stuart Stoddard, Tom Rowan, Cathy Jessup, & Greg Snider met at Bud’s place for our latest planning meeting of the 2007-2008 winter sport season. Thanks for hosting us, Bud.

Agenda
• Potlucks
• Website & Membership
• Newsletter
• Treasurer Report
• 2007-08 Planned Trips
• Next Planning Meeting

Potlucks:
? The potluck at the Washington State Garden Club on Sunday, 1/13 was VERY well-attended with ~ 40 people. Lee did a great job as MC again; thanks Lee.
? Last potluck, 2/10/08, will be at the same location on Beacon Hill
Website:
? 210 have made website accounts, and 40 have never actually logged in.
? Member question about getting instant notification out – since the email system can delay notification up to 24 hours? We decided it was better to only get club email once a day. The email frequency is good but it’s not clear that you need to click on the “teaser” text link in the email to view the full posting. You can adjust it through your profile on the account. Stuart is willing to work on that over the summer.
? PDF of membership list is now posted and looks great. First time posting took a bit longer than expected.
? Trip leaders should exercise caution of posting their email addresses in public areas of the website since Spam-BOTS can find them and use them. Preferred technique for your protection is to an use alias; Stuart can assist as needed.
? Chris will send a PDF of 2006 Treasurers summary report to Stuart; should be quick to post.

Newsletter:
? Now that we’re in an all-electronic format the rest of the season, Carl can do a monthly summary of all the updates in PDF – and members will receive the website notification when posted. This month the summary should include a reminder that it’s electronic nomination and ballot time – and to watch for email.
? Trip reports & pictures can be sent to Ray and be posted to the website.

Treasurer Report
? Chris has completed the treasurer’s report and he has the action to generate it in PDF and work with Stuart to post it on the website soon.
? Currently there is ~ $40,000 in the account, with lots of payments coming due – including Whistler. It sounds like we can continue doing the Crystal trip in the future; we tend to get about half new members – so a great idea. We’ll continue to subsidize – at some level.
? To install all the club officers as back-up signatories on the WaMu bank account, they have to meet downtown with Chris and the manager to sign the cards. Tuesday lunchtime works best for everyone but Greg, so Chris, Mark & Cathy will meet Tuesday during the next couple weeks.

2008 Annual Banquet
? Bud reports it’s going to be Sunday, March 23rd (Easter night), 6pm – thinks it’ll be at the Elysian on Capitol Hill. Bud & Lisa are waiting to get confirmation, and will let Cliff know – so folks can get this important event on their calendar.

Elections
? All existing officers are willing to run again. It sounds like most of the volunteers are willing to repeat their existing roles.
? Do the election 100% electronically. Greg send note to Stuart and he’ll send it out to membership – and it will be returned to me to tally.
? $25 REI gift card encouragement again this year. Chris takes action to get it but not needed until the annual banquet when election winners announced.
? Prior to balloting, there must be an opportunity for nominations. Greg will send out a posting to forum on website in the next week. Review nominations at the next mtg, and then election until the banquet.

Open Forum
? Major interest from Jim McMillan in Idaho – they want to do a Schweitzer trip again next year. Will run a bus again – and it’s been ~ 4 years. Tom Rowan & Jim are willing to co-coordinate, and it can be a combined downhill & cross-country trip.

2007-08 Planned Trips/Trip Ideas
? All non-members who want to go on trips need to sign a liability waiver and pay a non-member fee of $10 per trip. Next year you must be a member to go on trips.
? All members are reminded that they need to sign the liability waiver on-line at the website.

January
? 1/12-20: Aspen Gay SkiWeek (Shilpen Patel): Happening now!
? 1/19-26 Austria (Gil) -- 10 people have signed up and paid.

February
? 2/3-10: Gay Ski Week, Whistler (Lee Johnson) – Lee’s last year on this favorite. Shilpen will take over from Lee for 2008-9 gay ski week next season at same time.
? 2/15-18: Methow Valley (Cathy Jessup) -- Presidents Day Weekend, “A Bend in the River Lodge”; 24 going: Full and a wait list.
? 2/21-24: Steven’s Pass Lodge 25th annual trip (Ray Blocknia, Chris Turcotte): full up and paid. Folks welcome to come up for day – Ray will send out website notification.

March:
? 2/29-3/2: Mt. Hood Meadows (Jan Bennett & Scott Feest) - stay in Hood River, OR. Downhill & cross-country. Lots of folks signed up.
? 3/6-10: Red Mountain (Bud Wright) – stay at new hotel on the mountain. G&L Ski Week there that week, but no details. Arranged for 20 folks - but Red is working with us (tickets, hotel, meals, etc.). No deadline. If you want to fly to Spokane, they’ll send a shuttle to pick folks up there.
? 3/15-16: Mission Ridge (Jeff Roberts) – Everyone pay their own way; get a good deal through hotels in Wenatchee.
? 3/28-30: Scottish Lakes (Lisa & Elaine) – 36 spaces are full.

April:
? 4/5-6: Mt. Bachelor (Shane Balleweg), has 1 house reserved; ~ $275. Bud willing to help him since he knows the details.

Next Planning Meeting
The next planning meeting is scheduled for 7:00pm Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at Vince & Stuarts: 429 Federal Avenue, Seattle, WA. If you get lost, call (206) 910-2019.

Greg takes the action to send out a reminder email via YahooGroups around February 6 - reminding folks it’s meeting time again. See you all then - when we start looking at trip proposals!

2007-8 Ski Buddies Officers and Volunteers:
? President: Mark Pollock
? Vice President: Cathy Jessup
? Secretary: Greg Snider
? Treasurer: Chris Turcotte
? Membership: Vincent Chau
? Newsletter: Carl Wilson
? Publicity: Fred Grant
? Web Master: Stuart Stoddard
? Potluck Coordinator: Tom Rowan
? Trip Leader Coordinator: open
? Banquet Coordinator: Lisa Sokanoff & Bud Wright
? Pride Coordinator: Gil Price