Executive Committee Meeting Minutes
February 7 2005
The meeting was called to order by Commander Katharine Law at her home at 1904. A quorum was present.
Present:
Commander Katharine Law
Lt/C Tom Fota, ExO
Lt/C Michael Fontaine, SEO
Lt/C Nancy Renzi, AO
Lt/C Barbara A. Goddard, Secretary
Lt Richard Barck, Member at Large
P/C Bob Hubbard, Member at Large
Absent:
Lt/C Trish A Carlin, Treasurer
Lt John Isaksen, Member at Large
Lt
Karen Glaze, Member at Large
Minutes: The minutes of the 14 January 2005 meeting were deferred to the March meeting.
Announcements:
Commander Law announced that the calendar of events for the year is
posted on the website and urged people to note and save the salient dates.
Volunteers will be needed at the conclusion of the Boating course to
interview and recruit new members. The D/28 Spring Conference will be
held in Carlsbad on Saturday, 5 March, hosted by San Luis Rey, and she
urged members to attend.
OFFICERS’ REPORTS:
Commander Law reported that John Bertran had
been soliciting ads for The Ship’s Mail, and has informed
her that this is his last year to perform this function. If anyone knows
a likely volunteer for this post, please inform Katie. One of the problems
with the change-over in regimes has been that we have no permanent mail
box or telephone. She asked what people would think of the idea of securing
a “voice
message box” (to which several bridge members would have access)
and a P.O. Box, so that mail would not be passed along from the “old” responsible
party with deadlines being missed (or fees increased). Phone messages
are particularly important now that D/28 is withdrawing from the 800-SeaSkil
program. Both could be listed on our website. Dick Barck raised the
prospect of having multiple listings (to include, e.g., USPS)
if charges were reasonable. It was agreed by consensus that this would
be a good idea provided the expense was nominal. Katie will investigate.
ExO Tom Fota reported that, it being a new year, we could buy software available to non-profits at a greatly reduced price (for example, Norton AntiVirus for $10). Tom will send a notice to the members of what products are available and test the level of interest. Tom also noted that the price of projectors is dropping. The previous projector that was purchased, an InFocus LP250, was priced at $1616, and now costs $1325. A newer projector, the LP600 is brighter, lighter, and has a feature called LitePort, permitting it to display PowerPoint and other Microsoft Office documents, using special software and a USB drive instead of a laptop, and costs $1650.
Mike Fontaine noted that, with four courses overlapping, we need at last two more projectors which are easy to use. Since Southwestern Yacht Club cannot provide a safe place to store a projector, the sharing of such items is extremely difficult. This is particularly so since our courses are overlapping. Mike pointed out that Cruise Planning, Marine Electronics, Boat Smart, Seamanship, and AP will all be underway at the same time. Tom asked if he was thus authorized to order the projector and the ExCom agreed that he should do so ASAP, since at least one more projector was needed by the first week in March. Bob Hubbard asked if there would be an economic advantage in buying two, and Tom thought that might be the case. A discussion of how to pay for two projectors followed, since the purchase of only one was foreseen in the budget. It was suggested that the issue was basically a cash-flow problem as two more were needed to present the new Headquarters’ software, and the increased fees on the courses would in time recoup the investment. Several people noted that individual donations had helped pay for the last projector we purchased, and expressed the hope that such donations might be again forthcoming. A motion to purchase two new InFocus LP600 projectors was made, seconded and passed unanimously.
Lt Richard Barck has declined to serve another term as Vessel Safety Check Chair, and the committee discussed the excellent job he had done and the need to secure a new VSC chair as soon as possible to keep up the standard for the squadron. Dick has already done five (5) VSCs this year and Bob Hubbard has done two (2). Katie reported that she has discussed the position with a likely candidate, who is considering taking on the responsibility.
Dick Barck has agreed to assist P/C J. Brockway Clark with expanding on-the-water Coop Charting activities, and both are excited about their collaboration.
SEO Michael Fontaine reported that Dave Baer’s Piloting class was completed, and Mike Sampsel and Shelley Bakalis will be starting the AP course with the new electronic material on March 7th. There are still 25 people in the Boating class and Ken and Karen Glaze will put together an interview night following their exam. Ken Glaze will start Seamanship on March 9th for the passing students. Cruise Planning, being taught by the Bowlers, has four students. Ed Mraz will be teaching a BoatSmart class at Southwestern Yacht Club, for four Wednesday evenings, beginning on 9 March. Mike will send the announcements to Katie, who will distribute them.
AO Nancy Renzi has discussed our calendar with SWYC, which has some conflicts with several dates. Even if we cannot use the usual room, it was felt we could fit in the Staff Commodore’s room, particularly for a general members’ meeting which rarely exceeds 25 people. Bill Bridge has approached the US Coast Guard about the July event. We may need to find alternative sites for the September or November meetings. She has invited Ray Ashley, of the San Diego Maritime Museum to be our guest speaker for the March meeting and will send details for the Ship’s Mail and to Tom for the website. Chet White will teach an Operations Training session on 12 March at SWYC, and bridge members who have not previously taken OT are urged to attend.
Secretary Barbara Goddard is in the process of assembling the information for the Historian’s report, which Chet White will complete and file.
In the absence of Treasurer Trish Carlin, Katie Law noted that Trish is in the process of getting the squadron accounts turned over to the new signatories, with John Isaksen’s cooperation. Mike Fontaine remarked that we have stock on hand for the BoatSmart class and for Marine Electronics, so that there will be no immediate drain on our funds.
OLD BUSINESS:
There was no old business, but the commander
reminded people that our usual volunteers would be needed for two upcoming
events: the Fred Hall Boat Show (16-20 March) and the April “Day
at the Docks,” both of which will be promoted on the web signup
page. [Commander Law called a 5-minute coffee break. The meeting was
resumed at 2016.]
NEW BUSINESS:
Commander Law brought up the possibility of additional public service
by squadron members which could both serve to promote public awareness
of our role as a civic organization and create opportunities for more
member interaction. While our primary mission is boating safety, other
squadrons do and enjoy occasional non-boating related activities. ExCom
members discussed service such as answering telephones for public television,
organizing a blood drive, a beach clean-up, and several other ideas.
Perhaps a web poll of members would demonstrate where interests lie.
For the Good of the Order:
Brockway Clark had sent Katie a Union-Tribune obituary for
Edward Edwards, who was apparently quite an active member in the past.
None of the ExCom members present knew of him, suggesting he might have
been in the Helix Squadron. Katie will ask Tom Swift and Bill Bridge
if either has further information about him and take appropriate action.
The meeting was adjourned at 2033. The next meeting will be held at the commander’s house at 1900 on Monday, 7 March 2005.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara A. Goddard
Secretary