WANDERERS GENERAL MEETING

April 28, 2007

Ranch House Restaurant

 

ATTENDING: Greg & Seanna Huber, JohnQ Lawrence, Carole Helstrom, Melinda Mitchell, Rebecca Holecek, , Gary Wright, Ken Storm, Dana & Dennis Miller, Russ Greene, Katie Sullivan, Rod & Rose Fleming, Jon & Carol McDonald, John Del Santo, Bill Edwards, Debbie Giamanco, Rob Poindexter, Tom McClure, David Peterson, Gwen Young, Barry Borden, Nancy Nemecek, Tom & Bonnie Cassidy, Tom Warren, Ron Growel, Bryan Crawford, Paula Williamson

 

Guests: Doc O’Conner, Tim Storm, Todd Burgess, Melanie Parker

 

Rod called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.

 

MINUTES:  John Del Santo moved that the minutes be accepted as posted to the web site; Melinda seconded. Minutes were accepted as posted.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT: Tom reports current balance is $512.55. $100 was reimbursed to Greg for campsite deposit. Melinda has taken new membership money today, so that will be added. Rose moved that treasurer’s report be accepted as reported, Carole seconded. Report was accepted as presented.

 

OLD BUSINESS:. John Q Lawrence and Bonnie Cassidy took all absentee ballots and voting ballots completed at the meeting and went to do the election count.  They returned with election results.  The newly elected Board of the San Diego Wanderers is:

 

President – Russ Greene - 33 votes (Greg Huber 21 votes)

Vice President – Melinda Mitchell - 31 votes (Rebecca Holecek 23 votes)

Secretary – Carole Helstrom - 33 votes (Seanna Huber 21 votes)

Treasurer – Dana Miller – unanimously elected

Member Representative – Katie Sullivan – unanimously elected

 

The club is grateful to JohnQ and Bonnie for their count and report.

 

Rod Fleming congratulated Russ and handed over the “reins” to the club’s newly elected President. Russ’s first act as club President was to introduce the members of the new board.

 

NEW BUSINESS:   Russ took over the meeting and began with information he wished to communicate to club members. He, and members present thanked the retired board for all work, time, efforts they put into the SDWanderers.

1.      The Board wants to represent the members, and bring what the members want to fruition. Russ has created an email address (sdwpres@gmail.com) to allow members to communicate with him directly, emphasizing that third party messages often get distorted in passing them on.  Russ distributed business cards with his info on it, and encourages members to contact any/all board members with desires, concerns, questions. The rest of the new board’s email addresses are listed on the club’s website.

 

2.      Russ has scheduled a meeting of the new board for May 9th. This board meeting will be closed to allow the new board to get to know each other, but minutes will be posted. Members are encouraged to read them and respond to how they feel and what they want.

 

3.      Russ presented what he felt were the main desires of club members based on past experiences and input already received:

-         riding, eating, eating, riding,

-         camaraderie, friendship,

-         focus on safe riding

 

4.      Issues to be considered:

-         Rules: do we need them all? More? Less?

-         Eliminate absentee ballots all together or modify it (one opinion expressed by John Del Santo was no to this idea). Russ pointed out that motions are not being made at this point, only assessing what  we need to consider)

-         Charity & Political affiliations/sponsors– do we want to get involved with either of these as a club? Only as individuals? Join other clubs as a club or as individuals when they host a charitable/political event?

-         Campaigning for positions? Guidelines?  None?

-         Revise Ride protocols? Ride Captains? Club sanctioned rides?

-         Updating membership applications

 

Nancy Nemecek requested a survey be developed to allow for this input, as well as any other areas members want to discuss.  Carole, as Secretary will work this up.

 

Russ stated that the previous board had recognized that moving renewal from April to January would eliminate the proximity of voting and renewal. All knew this was a good thing. New Board will recommend that for club approval at the May meeting.

 

Russ asked board appointed position people to let him know if they wanted to continue in their appointed positions. Results of that will also be announced at the May meeting.

 

Russ stated that he would like to keep club meetings to 30-45 minutes leaving more time to ride.

 

Greg Huber spoke about having the Board members lead at least two rides a year.  He asked that this be addressed today.  Russ assured him that it would be considered at the first meeting of the new board on May 9th.  Doc pointed out that becoming a ride captain was open to all, not difficult to do, and encouraged more people to become ride leaders. He also pointed out that anyone/everyone can plan a ride…and request their planned ride to be led by one of the club’s ride captains.

 

NEW RIDES: Please check the web site for up-coming rides.

1.      Doc  proposed 2 rides…one evening ride to the desert, and one Saturday daytime ride. Details TBA

2.      John Del Santo outlined the Boot Hill Memorial Ride which will be held on the last Saturday in July. Several Wanderers will be honored on that run.

3.      There is a poker run going from North Park to Temecula.

4.      Check the website for specifics and details on all rides.

 

SAFETY FIRST: Paula gave dates for three upcoming ERCs (5/27, 6/2, 8/12.)  Mt. Palomar’s facility has had complaints about the noise and can only use stock pipes on their bikes. Courses cost @$125. Free days are May 4-5-6. These will be 4 hour sessions. Paula will run the course at Irvine on the 5th (8-12, or 1-5). Anyone who is interested in participating should email Paula.  Paula also outlined full day offerings of classes for 6 students only .. Tuesdays will be level 1 students, Wednesdays will be level 2 students. Cost will be $120 per person.  Paula cautioned riders to check their tires.

 

Rod spoke about recent trip taken on back roads, emphasizing that riders can’t count on the conditions of the roads.  Pavement at bridges, cutouts, and embankments are particularly dangerous because sometimes the legal slope for transition is not followed. He emphasized CAUTION! (Honey Springs Rd. and Otay Lakes Rd.have some of this. There are high and low spots in the transition to concrete.

 

Rod also reminded all that springtime means more rides and we should all give our bikes a good check-over.  Bill E expanded on this, recommending checks after stops on a ride as well. Rose asked how many know how far they can go on reserve, and cautioned about relying on signs reading “Next service 60 miles”…when she and Rod got to one like this the gas station had been shut down!

 

 THIS AND THAT: John Q showed a new rain suit…a painter’s overall garment made by TYVEK.  It costs about $10…but on the web….as cheap as $1-2 each when buying in quantity.  They’re disposable!

 

John Del Santo let club members know that he is now an AMA field representative.

 

John Del Santo addressed a question to Russ regarding an "Open letter to the Wanderers Membership" that stated...if you don't want to ride with the group, ride alone....and asked if the board still felt this way.  Russ responded  that that letter did not come from the board, that it was written by him, and had his signature on it.  John, once again, asked if the board still felt that way.  Russ responded  that he would add this to the discussion agenda for the first meeting of the new board

 

Meeting was adjourned at 10:44AM.  So moved by Carole, and seconded by Russ.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Carole Helstrom

Secretary