Bemidji Curling Club Board Minutes - July 2006

Bemidji Curling Club
Board of Directors Meeting
July 11, 2006

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:09 p.m. by President Rob Aitken.

Present: Dave Chandler, Bob Fenson, Keith Hunt, Dave Lundberg, Mark LaFond and Mark Schmitt

Absent: Tom Mathews, Chase Schmitt and Randy Westhoff

Approve Prior Minutes: The minutes were approved as written. A motion to approve was made by Keith. The motion was seconded by Dave Lundberg. The motion carried.

Committee Reports

Finance: Dave Lundberg reported that revenue was up approximately $5000 from the previous year. Total expenses were up $6000 and bonspiel revenue was down from the previous year. Bob suggested that perhaps the figures were posted incorrectly. Dave said the finance committee has not finished reconciling the books. This will make things clearer. Rob said the finance committee met without having the year end statements in hand. The committee will offer suggestions on how to increase income and decrease expenses. We have yet to receive the $10,000 reimbursement from the City of Bemidji. Bob suggested the utility expenses will be lower this year because we will be putting in the ice later this year.

Dave presented a tentative budget compiled by the finance committee. Dave said that the bar operation is about a net break- even proposition. Dave said there is not a lot of room to cut the budget. The finance committee asked to table the budget for the upcoming year until more information can be gathered. A motion to approve the finance committee report was made by Keith. The motion was seconded by Dave Chandler. The motion carried.

Bar: A resolution to make Mary Simon, Chase Schmitt and Dave Lundberg signatories for the bar checking account and remove Charlie and Mark Schmitt as signatories was offered. The liquor must be paid for at the time of delivery therefore it makes sense for more than one person to be able to write a check for it. A motion to approve was made by Dave Chandler. The motion was seconded by Keith. The motion carried.

Juniors: Kent Bahr reported that Coca-Cola bottling of Bemidji has proposed to give the juniors $5000 this year if they may have exclusive rights for supplying soft drinks and vending machines. Subsequent years would be $1000. The money would be used to subsidize dues for juniors wishing to play in adult leagues. Keith made a motion to proceed with the offer from Coke, contingent upon a letter of understanding, written by Rob, stipulating that service must meet certain requirements. The motion was seconded by Dave Lundberg. The motion carried.

Kent said that the “Curling Rocks” junior bonspiel is scheduled at the same time as other major junior bonspiels. He suggested possibly moving it to November or December, thereby opening a weekend in March.

President’s Report: Rob said that we need to promote the community education curling program because we rely on it to keep membership up. Sliders are needed for the classes. We will need help with the last few classes so that the participants can curl with experienced curlers. The classes will take place the last two weeks of October and the first week of November. Rob will write a sponsorship program to encourage experienced curlers to take on new curlers in leagues.

The Chamber of Commerce is reviewing our request that they offer our merchandise on the “Visit Bemidji” website.

The website needs to be updated. It has been suggested that the minutes be posted online. The listing of the board of directors needs to be updated. League schedules will be posted online this year.

A meeting needs to be held with league chairs to make clear their duties and responsibilities. We need to take a look at possible new league times, especially considering the expected increase in membership. League chairpersons need to help with retention of members and the return of former members.

Rob presented a copy of the general manager’s contract for review by the board.

Rob offered a list of goals for the upcoming season. These include:

Fill every league
Increase membership to 300
Increase the number of women members
Maximize our website’s potential

General Manager’s Report: Bob presented a tentative membership dues schedule to the board for review. The sale of the ice scraper did not go through.

Old Business:

New Business: The dues structure discussion was tabled.

Dave Lundberg presented a proposed ice ad price structure. Keith suggested listing our ice ad sponsors on the website. Dave said he will start selling ice ads soon. Keith made a motion to approve the ice ad price structure. Mark Schmitt seconded the motion.

Adjournment: A motion to adjourn was made by Dave Chandler. The motion was seconded by Keith. The motion carried.

The next meeting will be on Monday, August 7th at 6:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mark LaFond