CAPITAL CURLING CLUB BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING

August 25, 2004

Members Present:  Mike Borr, Greg Hiemenz, Larry Brekke, Roxanne Howes, Roger Peet, Tom Pomonis, Mike Ell

Financial Report: Mike Borr presented an amended annual financial report for the period of

July 1, 2003 through June 30, 2004.  The amended report includes two small interest payments totaling about $6, and corrects a $1 error in the previously approved report.  There was a motion by Tom Pomonis, seconded by Larry Brekke, to accept the amended financial report.  The motion carried unanimously.

Mike provided a form from Kirkwood Bank and Trust for changing signatory authority on the club’s bank accounts.  The form includes a resolution which must be passed by the board and included in the minutes (see attachment).  Tom Pomonis made a motion,  seconded by Larry Brekke, to approve the resolution provided by Kirkwood Bank and Trust granting signatory authority to Roxanne Howes, Mike Borr, and Wally Owen.  The motion passed unanimously.

League Committee Report: As with previous years, all leagues will be limited to nine teams.  All existing leagues have at least eight confirmed teams.  League captains are talking with skips to fill/confirm the last spot in each league.

The board discussed the possibility of forming a new league on Friday nights.  Larry Brekke presented results of a survey conducted to gauge interest in a new league.  Most respondents agreed that there is not adequate room for new curlers to join a league, or for existing curlers to join multiple leagues.  At the same time, most respondents indicated that they were not interested in curling on Fridays.  Larry will talk to skips to see if they are interested in forming new teams for a Friday league or moving existing teams to Friday. If enough teams are found, a new league will be formed.

Current league fees are:

There was a motion by Roxy Howes, seconded by Tom Pomonis, to maintain the current fee schedule except to raise the fee for an extra league to $60.  The rationale was that a curler should be charged as much for an extra league as we charge a new member, especially since we’re having trouble finding room for new curlers.  However, some board members feared that this would be seen as penalizing veteran club members.  After further discussion, the motion failed.

Subsequently, Mike Borr made a motion, seconded by Tom Pomonis, to maintain the current fee schedule for another year.  The motion passed unanimously.

Newsletter: All copy should be delivered to Roger Peet by September 7.  The newsletter will be distributed in late September.

Advertising: Tom Pomonis met with Odney Advertising concerning club marketing.  Odney will provide ideas and price quotes for event posters and brochures.  Odney does not want to use in-kind services (e.g., free advertising) as partial payment for their services.  Tom will get a price quote from Odney for consideration at the next board meeting.

Artwork for on-ice advertising needs to be delivered to Image Printing by September 10 to be ready in mid-October when the ice goes in.  Mike Ell made a motion, seconded by Roxy Howes, to charge $200 plus production cost for on-ice advertising, with a limit of four ads per sheet.  The motion passed unanimously.

The board spent considerable time discussing what types of advertising should be solicited or accepted by the club.  There was general agreement that there should be no on-ice advertising for alcohol or tobacco products, particularly in light of the Junior Nationals being held at the club this year.  Roger Peet made a motion, seconded by Roxy Howes, stipulating that the club will not accept advertising for alcohol or tobacco products.  After additional discussion, the motion failed unanimously.  Roxy Howes made a motion, seconded by Mike Borr, that advertising shall promote establishments, not products.  For example, advertising could be accepted from a bar and grill as long as specific alcohol products were not mentioned.  After discussion, that motion also failed unanimously.  The board concluded that it was not possible at this time to come up with a workable  mandatory policy regarding appropriate advertising. Board members did agree, however, not to solicit alcohol or tobacco advertising.

House and Ice: Mike Ell reported that he received an estimate of $2,400 from Office Systems for a closed circuit video system.  The estimate does not include wiring or monitors.  After discussions with board members and Bismarck Parks and Recreation, it was decided not to pursue a matching grant for installation of a video system.  The board discussed whether this should be a club priority, and if so, how it should be funded.  Mike agreed to gather additional information and cost estimates.

The club’s matching grant application for new chairs in the upstairs clubroom was received favorably by the Park Board, and we believe it will be approved.

Mike Borr reported that the agreement with Jet Ice for de-ionized water expires in November.  The board needs to decide at the next meeting whether to continue with Jet Ice or go with Culligan. 

Junior Nationals Update: Tom Pomonis reported that we are looking for on-ice advertisers.  A band has been hired for entertainment one night, and Tom is looking into hiring another one.  The Ramkota will be the host hotel.  Dan Buresh will be in charge of merchandise.  Volunteers from the club will be needed for officiating, but the USCA will designate a head official.

NDCA Dues Committee: The NDCA has formed a committee to coordinate membership issues, and to discuss and hopefully resolve the problem of clubs under-reporting their membership to save money on NDCA and USCA dues.  Mike Borr motioned, seconded by Tom Pomonis, to appoint Jon Mielke as the CCC representative to the committee.  The motion passed unanimously.

Summerspiel Update: Mike Borr reported that the club netted $3,599, plus $1000 still to come from the VFW. 

BAGA Food Stand: The bratwurst stand at the BAGA art fair netted $1,529.

Ice Contract: The contract with the Bismarck Parks and Recreation Department has been signed.  The club will pay $27,500 per year for use of the facility.

Fall Membership Picnic: The picnic is tentatively scheduled for October 16.  Details will be printed in the newsletter.

Other Business: The Early Bird bonspiel will be held October 29-31.  Interested curlers should contact Mike Borr to register.

Dave Jensen reported that the timing device that the board previously agreed to purchase was now available.  There was a motion by tom Pomonis, seconded by Roger Peet, to approve purchase of the timing device for $425.  The motion passed unanimously. 

Motion to adjourn was made by Greg Hiemenz, and seconded by Mike Ell.  The motion passed unanimously, and the meeting was adjourned.

Next Meeting: October 6, 2004.