March 2005 Minutes

September 15, 2005
General Meeting Minutes

Video Presentation “We make the world a better place”

Tour of Boy's and Girl's Club

Invocation: Prayer led by Rebecca Franke

Ronald McDonald House Events:

Decorating will be November 30 at 5:30 PM
Shower will be December 10.

Provisionals:

Debbie Dunkin announced that we have 13 who attended the provisional information meeting at her home on September 12. We are looking forward to another great class.
Training for provisionals and any other members wishing to volunteer at VBMC will
September 28 at 5:30 PM in the South Tower, by the gift shop.

Minutes from August meeting as presented to the membership in the Rio Review were approved.

Attendance: Samantha Antonelli, Ginger Armstrong, Shea Bryson, Tina Buford, Linda Burke, Julie Graham, Bernadette Davila, Mia De la Garza, Debbie Dunkin, Rebecca Franke, Teri Funk, Lisa Guerrero, Melanie Haraway, Heather Helmer, Erinn Henrichs,
Lisa Hutchens, Susan Kutac, Marcy Martinez, Darcy McCabe, Kristine McLean, Courtney Nash, Susan Nowlin, Caroline Pitts, Michele Robinson, Parker Spees, Elissa Vann, Bonnie Villareal, Chris White, and new provisionals, Shannon Trollinger and Kimberly Newhouse.

Treasurer’s Report

Tina reviewed our account balances through August 31 and a profit and loss statement for this fiscal year June- August .
Tina verified with AJLI that we can take out the expenses for charity event from its revenue. We do not take out general operating expenses of the League, only expenses relating to the event itself.
$1,200 line item for accounts receivable was clarified. This was an invoice for rental payments from the Downtown Development District that had been paid, but the invoice had not been cleared on Quickbooks.
It was suggested that all members look hard at our bottom line this year, as our account balance continues to dwindle. Sponsorships for league expenses are encouraged.
It was suggested that we entertain a dues increase beginning with 2006-2007 dues. Our League does not reflect dues paid by other Leagues in cities comparable in size. Tina did a market analysis through the AJLI website to find this information. The dues increase would be to $100.00 for actives, provisionals would stay the same at $108.00, and sustainers would increase to $60.00. This would take care of the increase in head tax in dues to AJLI that was not previously passed on to the membership. Julie Graham suggested a change to the bylaws to reflect that League dues would be assessed in proportion to AJLI dues, so that any increases would become automatic. This will be discussed at the next board meeting.
Tina recommended that we keep our reserve money in the money market and golden anniversary cd accounts, and that the money in the golden anniversary cd should be earmarked as start-up funds for our to be determined future signature project.

Charity event:

Sponsor packets have been mailed. Extra packets were distributed to the membership. Those who signed up to solicit auction items were given a master list of Vendors and a list of who they signed up to approach.
Bernadette reminded everyone that donation items for the auction and the wall of wine are due by the 20th of October. Wine can be taken directly to Lisa Guerrero. Item receipts will be available.
There was a question about usage of poker tickets and dinner tickets for sponsors purchasing a table. This will be addressed next week at the charity event committee meeting and clarification will be given to the membership.
Poker is limited to only 150 attendees, and the after party 300 attendees. So, get your reservation in fast!
PR for this event will include Channel 4, Norma Hinojosa will arrange, a Lamar outdoor ad, Michelle Mann will arrange, The Harlingen Country Club newsletter is running an ad in their monthly newsletter, and Valley Morning Star has pledged $5,000. in in-kind advertising to include ads prior to the event, a thank you ad to our sponsors post event, and posters for distribution.
Cookbook committee is again going to offer incentives to sell our cookbook and increase
our account balance bottom line.
There will be a first, second, and third place incentive.
Only those who have sold a minimum of 12 books will be eligible.
First Place: free dues for year, plus two non-revenue passes on Southwest airlines.
Second Place: free dues for year, plus a day at the spa
Third Place: free dues for the year, plus a night on the town.

The cookbook committee is partnering with Teri Kane to offer our books as part of some gift baskets. Remember, we do have wholesale pricing, and gift wrap and delivery is available.

Two Leagues that are directly aiding those affected by Hurricane Katrina have requested aid. This information will be sent via email. A collection was taken to send to the AJLI Hurricane Relief fund to aid those Leagues directly affected by the hurricane.