Secretary reports

By Scott Dressler, Secretary Minutes of the Board Meeting March 3^rd, 2008

The meeting was called to order at 7:30pm, Commodore Jim Barker presiding. All board members present.

Old business -

Treasure’s report:
Charlie Guarino reported gross revenues for February 2008, to be $50,941., expenses of $37,607., thereby, resulting in a monthly gain of $13,334., he further reported that we had three members resign, Beau Brittain, David Griffin, and Jim Martin.

Docks and Grounds report:
Karl Nelson appointed Commodore Barker to be incharge of enforcement of the derelict vessel policy this year. Barker stated that approximately 20 owners will be receiving letters, who will have to demonstrate that their vessel is operable forward and reverse. Inaddition, the owners will have to demonstrate that their vessel can be steered, and all owners are required to have a current registration on file with the dockmaster. He further reported the work being done by the acme crews, concrete work next to the clubhouse and around the club, as well as electrical work.

Planning report:
Decker reported that there are two rooms left for the Fort Meyers dingy run at Matanzas. And the Easter event will include a dingy run to John Lloyd Park, a strawberry festival at the club, followed by an Easter bonnet party.

Social report:
Charles kresge reported that the waterway cleanup is set for March 8^th. This will be considered an acme event. Vice Commodore’s report: Kevin o’riordan reported that he delivered the cellular telephone to the membership director that was approved by the board. New business: treasure’s report: guarino stated that the boards action last month to bring all bills to be paid before the board is creating a problem because many of the bills are paid on club members personal accounts, which would delay reimbursement. The treasurer made a motion to rescind last months motion requiring the bills to be paid at the board or general meetings. This was followed by a great deal of discussion by Dressler who made the motion the previous month because he felt that the payment of bills had to be more transparent to the membership, inaddition to the inability to verify the accuracy of the expenditures. He cited an example that the dockmaster was signing off on the bills for docks and grounds that were not seen by nelson, who wanted this change. Inaddition, dressler reinterated that checks for the reoccurring expenses in the club such as fp&l, water, and phone are being written needlessly when they could be drafted by the utility which was approved the previous month. Nelson stated that he and kresge are the persons most affected by the change and it is not working for them, but believes that some changes need to be made. Kresge stated that as of the board meeting the club owes him personally $845.00 that he spent on his credit card in excess of the amount permitted to be used in petty cash for the running of the bar and the kitchen. He stated that the old system worked well. He was against paying bills by electronic transfer. Dressler expressed his opposition to the board members that were comingling large number of club expenses on their personal credit cards. He further asked the treasurer why the club does not have sufficient accounts with vendors or a club debit card to be exclusively used by social and docks and grounds for club expenses. Dressler stated that it was up to the treasurer to set up the necessary accounts so that club members do not have to use their personal credit cards for club business. Dressler felt that because of the large number of expenses the club needs to be run like a business. Guarino made a motion to rescind last months motion that required the bills be brought before the board or the membership inorder to be paid because he felt the old system worked well. The motion was made and carried with the exception of Dressler. Guarino made a second motion to rescind last months approval to pay reoccurring expenses by electronic funds transfer. He felt and that it would be more time consuming. The motion was carried and approved, with the exception of dressler, o’riordan, and nelson. Dressler expressed a concern as to why the review of club expenses would be different. Guarino further stated that had no problem with kresge putting club expenses on his personal credit card provided that he had receipts.

Planning report:
Decker stated he gave a rough draft of the long and short term plan to nelson. Secretary’s report: dressler thanked o’riordan and kresge for appointing him to be incharge of this years womens tournment and dad’s dolphin days tournment. And set an organizational meet for March 12^th. For anyone who wished to participate in running the events.

Docks and grounds report:
Nelson stated the need to send letters to members who do not have current registrations on file with the dockmaster. The club rules mandate a current registration with the sanction of revoking the persons membership. The member is subject with being cited with violation of state law and the board giving the member 30 days to comply with club rule does not supercede state law. The short term plan includes a firehood on the pit, concrete stairs on the bathrooms at the pilothouse, and continuation of dock repair which are in the works and already in the budget. The fense repair on the west side of the club will be put on the long term plan and could cost approximately ten thousand dollars. The fuel tank is already in the budget and ongoing.

Membership report:
Bob Inglima reported that we will have four people to be reintroduced for membership at the general meeting and four people to be introduced for the first time for membership. He concluded by thanking the membership for the cellular phone to be used for club business. O’riordan expressed a concern about losing members and inglima stated that we have 456 current members and we could consider repealing the rule that went into effect last year limiting members in sponsoring one member a year. Nelson stated that we have 12-15 empty slips that we need to fill to generate revenue. The board then had discussion concerning the need to remind new members that they have an obligation to attend 6 meetings their first year to keep their membership current. The Commodore expressed the need to watch the membership numbers closely and to determine if there is a trend in lower membership numbers which may require making a change in the current sponsorship rule.

The Commodore’s report:
Barker asked nelson to update us on the status with the fuel tank replacement. Nelson reported that he spoke to the contractor; hauber inc.who admitted that he had done somethings wrong in applying for the permits and was starting over because the permit was not approved as a result of applications for electrical permits were not submitted. The airport must first approve the work before they are submitted to the county.

A motion was made to adjourn that was seconded and carried.