WANDERERS GENERAL MEETING
May 26, 2007
Ranch House Restaurant
ATTENDING: Russ Greene, Melinda & Steve Mitchell, Carole Helstrom, Katie Sullivan, Diane Keneally, Jon & Carol Mc-Donald-Gibson, Rob & Darlene Poindexter, Tom Warren, Bryan Crawford, Nancy Nemecek, Thomas Cassidy, Todd Burgess, Gary Wright, Ken Storm, Rod & Rose Fleming, Debbie Giamanco, Rob Poindexter, Gary Steinweg, Gwen Young , Gery Marcelino
 
Guests: Hazel Teague, Joann Wilson, Karen Archer, Michael Mueller, Doc O’Conner, Buster Prince

 

Russ called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. He acknowledged Katie’s work on the new email list, and Katie got applause from all!  All are on the new list now. The first survey (on ride preferences) has gone to club members. Katie will post results on the list once they are compiled.  Russ asked if any feedback was forthcoming on his Message from the President…nothing was brought up for discussion.
 
MINUTES: Steve Mitchell moved that the minutes be accepted as amended and posted to the web site. Nancy Nemecek seconded. Minutes were approved.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT: Dana’s report gave the current balance as $803.00. Russ reminded us that we are not tax-exempt, and that the monies sit in an account under Dana’s name and asked members to come up with ideas on what they want to do with the monies.  Rose Fleming moved that the Treasurer’s report be read in detail at each meeting.  Doc Cassidy moved to amend her motion to say that copies would be available at the meetings for those desiring one.  Carole moved to amend that the total report be posted on the email list.  Rob seconded the motion. Motion was voted on, and passed.



A discussion ensued regarding payment of meals for Board Meetings. Rod said he started this with a meeting under his presidency, and Russ followed suit at his first Board meeting. The floor was open to discussion. Jon McDonald expressed feelings that no compensation should be utilized as it could be interpreted as a reward…which is not called for in voluntary services.  He sees this as a decision having legal ramifications.  Doc reminded us that, as a non-profit organization, proceeds cannot be inured to any private individual.  Tom felt if the situation/event was open to all it would then be okay.  Nancy pointed out that our documentary procedures are vague…but if they don’t say you CAN do something, you CAN’T….unless the action is approved ahead of time…then it’s okay. Everyone agreed that meals for board meetings should not be funded by the club.  The club has been reimbursed for the two board meetings that had been paid out of club funds. Rod moved that the club pay for JohnQ Lawrence’s lunch at his training meeting with Katie. Carole seconded. Motion passed. Rob stated that the Board does have discretion to spend money using a reasonable man’s approach when it can’t wait for meeting approval.



OLD BUSINESS:. Russ reported that the camping trip has been cancelled because we lost the site, and suggested we have another one in the fall when we can get another spot.  Dana has suggested a club picnic for this year. We haven’t had one in three years, and it would be a chance for members to get together and have fun.  Dana, Carole, and Melinda will organize it for this spring/summer. Rose reminded the club that she has camping/paper good supplies that belong to the club. Russ will pick them up.



Russ reported that he did an extensive search into the requirements for ride captain, only to discover that it has been club practice but was never voted into the formal procedures of the club.  Doc moved that the ride captain certification program be maintained, but that it would not be mandatory for leading a ride. Melinda seconded. Carole moved that the motion be amended to include the notation of Ride Captain next to a certified member when the ride leader’s name is posted with the ride description. Nancy seconded. A vote was taken…it passed…no nays.  Rides still count toward mileage if the ride is posted.



The next item up for discussion was the voting procedure we just went through. The email process caused problems. The  by-laws call for a secret ballot, which using email prevents happening. Suggestions made that people come to meeting, vote, and hand it to secretary, or mail it to the secretary if they can’t make the meeting. Russ asked for other ideas. Perhaps votes should be mailed to the ballot committee set up at the time, was a suggestion made by Jon McDonald, as it would protect the secretary (especially if the secretary is a candidate.)   Any bylaw change would need a 60 day notice to all, and then it could be voted on at the meeting after that waiting period had passed. Standard for quarum is 2/3 of membership, but that was changed to the “majority of members present at the meeting where voting occurs” when bylaws originally were set up. Some ideas put out were: one vote one man; sending ballots to counters not secretary. Doc moved to amend our bylaws to eliminate the secret ballot. Rob amended his motion to add the voter’s signature at the bottom of the vote.  A lengthy discussion ensued. Doc called the question and the motion passed 13 for, 5 against.  The Board would set up a balloting committee and all related information would go to them. The issue now sits with the board to work it out with a 60 days timeframe to adopt or not.  Russ, as President, does not vote unless a tie-breaking vote is needed.



Russ addressed the idea raised at last month’s meeting to require Board members to lead two rides per year. No member should be forced to lead a ride, including the board members, It is not required for membership in the club, or leadership board positions.



NEW BUSINESS:  Russ welcomed Todd Burgess as a new member of the San Diego Wanderers.



Russ posted the agenda for this meeting, and told members that an agenda will be posted for each month’s meeting. Members should email Russ if they have something to put on the agenda. If anything on the agenda does not get discussed due to time constraints, that item will go onto the next month’s meeting agenda.



 Russ announced the Board Appointees: Webmaster – Katie Sullivan, Safety Officer-Paula Williamson, Newspaper/Librarian – John Del Santo, Ride Captain Coordinator - Doc Cassidy
 
 
NEW RIDES: Please check the web site for up-coming rides.



SAFETY FIRST: Paula was not present at today’s meeting.



 
THIS AND THAT: Jon McDonald showed a Bluetooth –Blue Ant which he got on ebay for $300 for the pair.  They are battery driven, rechargeable, and allow excellent communication when riding two-up.  Jon says it has a long range and would work bike-to-bike too, but he hasn’t tried it yet.



Meeting was adjourned at 11:13AM.  So moved by Doc and seconded by Melinda.  The after meeting ride, to be lead by Tom Warren is heading to Lake Cuyamaca.



Respectfully Submitted,
Carole Helstrom
Secretary