WANDERERS GENERAL MEETING

July 28, 2007

 

 

ATTENDING:   Russ & Katie Greene, Melinda Mitchell, Carole Helstrom, Rob Poindexter, Jon & Carol McDonald-Gibson, Nancy Nemecek, Bryan Crawford, Thomas & Bonnie Cassidy, Michael & Jennifer Randazzo, Debbie Giamanco

 

Guests: Karen Archer, Lou & Virginia Dial (and grandson), Larry Weeden

 

MINUTES: Katie Greene moved that the minutes be accepted as posted to the website. Doc Cassidy seconded. The minutes were unanimously approved.

 

TREASURER'S REPORT: Rob reported that the ending balance last month was $768.60. He has taken in $130 in dues from new members.  There have been no expenditures this month, leaving the current balance at $898.60. Doc moved the treasurer's report be accepted as read. Carole H seconded. The report was unanimously accepted.

 

Guests introduced themselves and were welcomed to the meeting.

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Club Picnic - Carole and Melinda shared their exploration of sites for a club picnic. The date of the picnic was suggested for September 15th, at a location on Mission Bay.  It would start with a morning ride, ending at the picnic site...for "fun, food and games." The site will be secured and set up early on the 15th by Carole H. David has volunteered to bring his boat...be prepared to do a different kind of ride! Melinda made a motion that the Wanderers hold the picnic, and that the club pays for the food/supplies.  Katie seconded the motion...it passed unanimously.  Carole and Melinda will survey the group now that the picnic is a go, to start planning.  If you wish to work with the preparation committee, email Carole or Melinda.

 

Russ reported from the Board's Meeting on July 11, 2007. Addressing Doc's motion to eliminate the mandatory secret ballot, the Board posted the 60 day notification to vote on by-law changes. Doc pointed out that this change would also allow email balloting, as well as allow the vote counters to verify each ballot cast, assuring only one vote per member. No candidates would be involved in the counting of the ballots. A discussion and vote was held on each of the following by-law changes proposed.

 

     1.2.2 The sitting Executive Board will appoint a three (3) member "Ballot Committee," at least four (4) weeks prior to the scheduled vote. The Committee shall be made up of active member volunteers who: are not running for office, will accept, count, and verify all ballots for the Officer elections.  If more than three (3) members volunteer, the first three names drawn will be appointed.

 

This was read, opened up for discussion, no changes were suggested.  Carole H moved that 1.2.2 be accepted as written above, Nancy seconded.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

     1.3 The officers shall be elected annually and will be voted on by ballot at a regularly scheduled meeting.  The term of the officers shall be for 12 months from the date of election. Absentee ballots will be accepted only on forms approved by the Executive Board and should be

delivered to ANY MEMBER OF THE Ballot Committee via email, U.S. mail, or by hand AT LEAST one (1) day prior to the meeting at which the vote is to be taken, and provided the Ballot Committee can verify the authenticity of the absentee voter.

 

(Note: WORDS CAPITALIZED ARE ADDITONS/MODIFICATIONS TO ORIGINAL POSTING. These changes came from the members' discussion of 1.3, and this updated wording is what club members voted on at this meeting.) Rob made a motion to accept the modified version of 1.3 (as it is written above), Doc seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

     1.9 For purposes of paragraph 1.9 absentee votes will be allowed from absent members. Absentee votes will be accepted only on an absentee form approved by the Executive Board, provided that the completed form is received by the Secretary a minimum of one (1) day prior to the meeting at which the vote is to be taken, and provided the Secretary can verify the authenticity of the absentee voter.

 

Russ pointed out that 1.3 HAD BEEN ELIMINATED from 1.9 to separate election for officers voting from voting on general club issues. Doc moved that 1.9 be accepted as written above. Carol McD-G seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Final vote on the by-law changes will be held at the October 27, 2007 Wanderers meeting.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

At the Executive Board meeting on July 11th, Carole volunteered to read through all the club minutes she was given when she took office (dating back to April 2001).  She will compile a list of "Policies and Procedures" voted into place in the past. This list will be shared with members (process to be determined once review is completed) for discussion, renewal, revision, elimination, modification as felt needed by the members. Melinda, as Vice President will then keep this list current to pass on to future board members. "Past" language will be in the records, as well as changes made...so the history can be easily seen.

 

Chatlist Protocol Revisited - Katie, as webmaster, reported that she has created an ‘Announcement List'.  This list will serve as the official announcement list for all club and motorcycle focused information. All members in the club have been added to this list.  Only the Board will have access to posting here. If you have an item you feel should be posted on the Announcement list, please send it to Russ (sdwpres@gmail.com).  Katie then opened the floor to discussion of our chatlist…with such topics as: Should we continue it? How can we maintain the integrity of the list? What, and who, should handle any abuses on the list? What should go on the chatlist?  Member views were shared:  Doc felt the list should include not ONLY motorcycle related topics, but CLUB related topics as well.  Jon felt strongly that political issues (immigration, for example) should be excluded from the list. Deb G reminded all that individual questions should be sent to the individual who can best answer the question, and general consensus felt that anyone who felt there was abuse going on should privately contact whomever was going to deal with such issues. Bryan spoke of telephone etiquette as well.  The discussion focused on an initial warning to the person who was abusing the guidelines for the list, and that suspension should result if abuse continues. All felt that we have entrusted the web to Katie, and as webmaster it should be at her discretion to follow processes outlined.  Doc moved that continued abuse, as defined by the webmaster, may result in removal from the chatlist. Such action would be taken at the webmaster's discretion. Nancy seconded the motion. It passed unanimously. 

 

Katie pointed out that the website had been compromised on July 21, and apologized for not finding it until the morning after it occurred...she was busy that night...getting married!  The problem has been resolved, the password has been changed, and only three people have the password now.  It is functioning properly again.

 

Russ welcomed new members Mike & Jen Randazzo, and awarded a Wanderer's 3,000 mile ride pin to Debbie Giamanco. Members were reminded to keep their mileage count up to date (process for doing so is on the website) and to notify Russ when you have achieved the miles so he can award your pin.


Membership Renewal: Melinda and Russ reminded us that the membership deadline, and voting meeting date are too close to ensure that people have rejoined for the upcoming year, and paid their dues, and therefore qualify to vote in club elections. The Wanderers Membership Year should go from March 1-February 28th. Rob made a motion that if dues are not paid on time, 30 days is given as a grace period, but after 45 days past due that person is removed from the active member list.  Carole H seconded the motion.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

NEW RIDES:

10/21 Ride for Kids 2007 John Del Santo could not be at today's meeting, so Russ spoke of this ride, and handed out information about it. It's for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. The riders give rides to children who suffer from this malady, they really look for Trike participation, It is not a club sanctioned ride, but members are encouraged to support this good cause. John & Fran Del Santo are deeply involved in this event and can answer any questions you might have,

 

There is also a Bike Event coming up to raise money for Breast Cancer Research. Specifics were posted to the chat list.

 

New directions for club rides: A discussion focused on the desire for half, and full day rides, and pointed out that they don't have to all be long-distance rides. Many ideas were mentioned for theme rides (such as the Dam Ride led by Paul in the past.)  We can do a: Museum ride, Mission Ride, Dam, Park, Beaches etc.  We can ride and end at a picnic spot where we can bring, or have family members come and join us, for a picnic.  A progressive meal ride was suggested, as was a casino ride.  Doc has a book called 'San Diego Day Trips' he feels it would be good to look at.  Check the website for upcoming events based on today's discussion.

 

SAFETY FIRST: Ken had family obligations and couldn't make today's meeting, but sent a focus for Russ to share, and us to discuss. We all know to keep our wheels from crossing the yellow line road divider....but Ken emphasizes that hanging your head over the line is dangerous too!  On a blind curve, a vehicle coming around that curve over the middle line, can easily hit your head, (knees in the case of crotch-rocketers) as they can your bike.  The discussion led to the importance of the ride leader indicating single file on these tight twists and curves.

 

THIS & THAT:

Gratitude goes to Steve Mitchell for picking up John Q's focus on gadgets and websites that offer them.  We all miss John Q's devotion to the needs of all bikers.  Let's see what Steve can find!

 

Bonnie told us that she is working on getting a date for CPR/First Aid course. She needs to know the number of people expecting to attend. Their son-in-law will not charge a per head fee...but we will do something to show our gratitude.  Look for a sign up sheet for those interested.

 

Doc was asked about the Skills Practice Course. It is still useable? Ken Storm has volunteered to chair a group to repaint it, and Melinda says Home Depot will supply the paint. Doc will need approval once the church lot is repaved.  New members were informed of process for getting silver wings.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 11:04...so moved by Carole, seconded by Doc.  Let's ride!

 

Respectfully submitted,

Carole Helstrom

Secretary