American Contract Bridge League Unit 522 – Fresno, Inc.

A Non-profit Corporation Serving Fresno, Madera and Mariposa Counties

2415 East Clinton Avenue, Fresno, California 93703

 

January 4, 2009

 

DIRECTORS PRESENT: Richard Meffley, Jill Wood, Margaret Mahaffey, Paul Boyd, Mary Jo Davila, Kay Chrisman, Dora Gostanian, Bert Rettner, John Simpson, Laura DaCosta and Doris Frazer.

Members Present: Byron Steinert and Dave Shuster

 

Richard Meffley called the meeting to order at 4:50 p. m.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

The minutes of the November 30, 2008 meeting of the Board were read.   Bert Rettner made a motion seconded by Paul Boyd to approve the minutes as read. The Board unanimously approved the minutes.

The minutes of the December 7, 2008 Annual meeting of the Board and members were read.  Margaret Mahaffey made a motion, seconded by Bert Rettner to approve as corrected.  The Board unanimously approved the minutes.

 

TREASURES’S REPORT:  Paul Boyd reported the Net Income of $30,999.25 for 2008 was up 42% over last year.  Paul reported a redistribution of funds to various financial institutions to include a Fresno First Bank checking account in the amount of $69,708.10 earning interest at the rate of 3.29%, which provides liquidity for expenses needed for the move.  Once total expenses are determined, the remaining balance could be placed in a CD.  Additionally, $61,087 was placed in a CD earning at a rate of 4.l% at Wachovia.

 

ELECTION OF OFFICERS: 

Margaret Mahaffey nominated Richard Meffley as President.  Doris Frazer offered the second and the Board unanimously approved.

Margaret Mahaffey nominated John Simpson as Vice President.  Mary Jo offered the second and the Board unanimously approved.

Bert Rettner nominated Kay Chrisman as Secretary.  Paul Boyd offered the second and the Board unanimously approved.

Kay Chrisman nominated Paul Boyd as Treasurer.  Bert Rettner offered the second and the Board unanimously approved.

 

SITE SELECTION COMMITTEE:

Chairman, Byron Steinert, reported that during the most recent meeting with the architect, additional improvements in the kitchen and Club Owners closet area were needed plus additional electrical outlets in both playing rooms were needed to accommodate additional equipment we would be purchasing.  Every effort was made during this meeting to have the landlord pay any additional expense required for the improvements.  Ultimately, the landlord refused to pay and requested a check in the amount of $6,055 to cover the expense.  Prior to bringing this to the Board, Byron and his committee met with the Club owners and several Board members to get their opinion of the additional improvements.  All agreed that

Site Selection Committee, continued

the improvements were necessary and recommended the matter be given to the Board for approval.  After much discussion, Bert Rettner made a motion, seconded by Kay Chrisman that the Board approval the

payment of $6,055 to the landlord so the lease could be signed and work could begin.  The Board approved the request with Doris Frazer abstaining.

 

Byron asked for comments on the Letter of Termination of Lease that was approved last month but had not been sent to our existing landlord, Mr. Van Trung, owner of 2415 East Clinton Avenue because the new lease for the East Shaw facility has yet to be signed by the owners.  Byron stated that once the check for the additional improvements was delivered to the owners of the East Shaw facility, they would sign the lease and it would be time to terminate our existing lease for the Clinton facility.  Again, it was specified that the letter should be dated the same day the Unit Secretary is notified that the new lease has been executed by the Cambra Management, LLC.  Dates and amounts were discussed and it was agreed that the letter would be sent with only a couple of changes.

1.      Date to vacate the premises would be changed to May 31, 2009

2.      Payment of Buy-out funds would be made on February 1, 2009

3.      Respond-by-date would change to January 30, 2009

4.      An offer would be made for the landlord to show the property to prospective tenants upon appointment.  Appointments to be made by contacting the Unit Secretary.

The Board feels the letter is a good starting point for negotiating the buy-out of the lease and asked the new Vice President, John Simpson, to be the point man for the negotiations.

 

Byron presented a list of 22 items that the Site Committee recommended as new purchases for the new facility.  Byron stated that the Board previously approved the “WOW FACTOR” as the theme for the new facility and the list of new purchases would carry out that theme.  After much discussion, Jill Wood made a motion to approve the expense for all items with the exception of items 5, 10, 14, 15, 17 and 20.  John Simpson offered the second and the motion was unanimously approved.  Kay Chrisman made a motion to approve the expense for item 15, Ice Maker, and Mary Joe Davila provided the second.  The motion carried.  It was agreed that items 5, small side tables could be addressed when more information was provided and item 10, card tables, could be addressed at a later date after the move. 

 

A revised listing of the 17 items approved for purchase by the Board is attached to these minutes.  The Board stressed the need to shop for the best price and spend prudently.

 

EDUCATION AND RECRUITMENT:  Michael Molinari reported in an email stating that there are 13 students in the 2nd book of the series and the students are also playing bridge either Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning in a 49er game.

 

FUND RAISING COMMITTEE: 

·         Jill Wood advised the board the sale of Starbucks cards has netted $780, the  “Friendly Faces Board” has netted $1,040, Margaret Mahaffey sold her two Cross Stitch pictures and donated the $30 profit and John Schnell will donate all net profit from his potluck lunch and game on Saturday, January 24, 2009 to the Fund Raising committee.

·         Jill advised that as a result of her comments at the Annual Membership meeting regarding the need for donations from members, she has already received a very nice donation and commitments for two more donations.  These donations will cover the cost of the  “Contributors Board” she discussed briefly at the last Board meeting.  Kay Chrisman made a motion, seconded by Mary Jo Davila to approve the purchase of the Contributor’s Board. The motion was unanimously approved.

·         Jill presented three letters to the Board for approval.  (1) Letter to current and out going Board members asking for a contribution, (2) Letter to members explaining the Contributor’s Board and asking for a contribution that would place their name on the very attractive Contributor’s Board which will hang in the entry of the new facility and (3) Thank you letters that will be sent to contributors.  All letters were approved.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

1.      The Board agreed to hold over the Appointments until the next meeting.  Jill Wood suggested an addition to the appointment to include two District 21 Representatives.

2.      A Pro Am team game will be scheduled in Sunday in February.

 

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors will be at 11:00 am on February 1, 2009 on Super Bowl Sunday.

 

AS THERE WAS NO FURTHER BUSINESS TO DISCUSS, THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED AT 7:30 pm.