A Board Meeting of the Raritan Yacht Club was called to order at 20:00 on September 11, 2007.

 

1.     Roll Call

 

 

N

D

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

Commodore Vicky Jo Neiner

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

VC Dennis Meichel

X

X

X

X

X

X

O

X

X

X

X

 

 

RC Allan Jacobs

X

X

X

X

X

O

X

X

X

O

X

 

 

PC William B. Adams

O

X

X

X

O

X

X

X

O

O

X

 

 

Jim Bauer

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

O

X

 

 

Barbara Booz

O

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

Steve Buzbee

X

X

X

X

O

X

O

X

X

O

X

 

 

Dennis Driscoll

X

X

X

X

O

X

X

O

X

X

X

 

 

PC Dave Frizell

X

X

O

X

X

O

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

Paul Jedziniak

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

Bob Kennedy

O

O

O

X

X

X

O

X

X

O

X

 

 

Ann Myer

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

Skippy Paul

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

O

X

X

 

 

Jerry Solas

-

-

-

-

-

-

X

X

X

X

X

 

 

Dave Steward

X

X

O

O

X

X

O

O

X

O

O

 

 

x = present, o = absent

 

2.     The August meeting minutes were approved.

 

3.     Jim Woller presented the Financial Report.  Excess Revenues over Expenses YTD at August 31, 2007 were $14,295, and the cash balance was $48,280, which was about $10,000 under budget.  Jim has asked Joann to pay only mandatory payments, such as, payroll taxes, galley, liquor, and one or two others.  The cash balance is always at its lowest point in September.

 

        A motion was passed to formally thank Morgan Marina for their contribution to the Junior program.  Suggestions included a framed burgee and a written resolution from the Board (to be written by Al).

 

        Jim distributed handouts on the Hospice Cup Regatta budget and protocol.  Contributions for trophies of $1,000 from the PHRF and of an equal amount from RYC were not included in the revenues listed.  On a general note, a request was made that event finance reports be institutionalized and go to Finance Committee members.

 

4.     Jerry Solas distributed a handout, “Raritan Yacht Club Billing Dispute Process Rules ….”  The purpose of the rules is to ensure that all members receive equal treatment, to standardize the time a member is removed from the posting list, and to address the disputes about bills from the mooring contractors.  The mooring contractors are contracted by the Club.  A recommendation was made to not post members for late mooring contractor bills.  Regarding the rules, a suggestion was made that the Flag, or a small committee appointed by the Flag, rather than the Board, serve as the final arbiters.  Jerry will distribute an electronic copy of the handout.

 

5.     Al Jacobs presented the Rear Commodore’s Report.

 

a.     Al alerted the Board to an issue about a person on a guest mooring.  The person lost an outboard motor from his dinghy, and a police report was filed.  The person had completed the standard form for people on guest moorings.  There has been no further action regarding the incident.

b.     Work continues on Great Beds.  The engine and woodwork on finished.  Awlgrip will be next, and a new rub rail and fender system will be installed.

c.     There are six new pilings in the budget for next year.

d.     The yard roller gate from National Fence was ordered and will be installed next week.  The new dink rack was completed, and the dinks need to be moved.

 

6.     Dennis Meichel presented the Vice Commodore’s Report.

 

a.     There have been several incidents of members verbally abusing galley and launch employees.  Dennis plans to prepare a separate article in TellTales about this, and the RYC credo will also be published.

 

7.     Vicky Jo Neiner presented the Commodore’s Report.

 

a.     The NJ Hospice Cup Regatta is scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  There will be a charity match race in J80s on Friday between “New York” and “New Jersey” and a Goslings Party and Oyster Roast on Saturday

b.     The Princeton University Sailing Team asked to use the Club whaler until they could get theirs certified.

 

8.     Committee Reports.

 

a.     Ron Gort spoke about the Galley.  The chef hurt his leg, but he will return this week.  A new menu is being prepared.

 

b.     Joann Breef-Marks reported that the Bar is stocked for the weekend.  The Bar is about $12,000 ahead in the budget because prices were raised 10% and the Bar is no longer paying 5% of the gross.  In addition, since the wine list was extended, more members are ordering wine by the bottle.

 

c.     Bob Kennedy presented the Nominating Committee Report.  Nominations include: Ann Myer for Rear Commodore and John Erdreich, Karen Guidi, Robert Searfoss, and Doug Stryker (one year) for the Board.  The slate should be posted and include Vicky’s name and terms of service.

 

d.     Dennis reported that the House and Grill room are complete except for a few things under the direction of the Decorating Committee.  Vicky requested that she be contacted for Decorating Committee meetings.  Regarding the Grill room, prices are needed for the trophy cabinet and a plan is needed for the pictures of the commodores.  A suggestion was made to make a composite picture and place it in the Surf room.  Because the request must go before the membership at the November meeting, the question of funding of the trophy cabinet needs to be resolved.  Dave Frizell will take this responsibility.  Steve Buzbee noted that a date for the start of the warranty period for the Grill room should be established.  It will probably be the date of final payment.

 

        A few improvements are planned for the house exterior.  Rich Caparato has not yet provided a list.  Also, the vent has not been completed.

 

        The choice of vendor for the Point of Sale system has been narrowed to Club Tech or Jonas.  The system would be totally integrated, which could greatly improve the Galley service.  The committee will make a recommendation shortly.  The expected cost is $25,000-$30,000.

 

e.     Several comments were made regarding the budgets.  The Board was reminded that next year’s capital and operating budgets need to be addressed.  Since all capital expenses must be approved by the membership, the capital budget should be ready for presentation at the November meeting and come before the Board in October.  The operating budget is adopted by the Board in December.  The trophy case could come from the Sinking Fund, but the Point of Sale system probably could not.  Each year, there is usually only about $30,000-$40,000 to spend on capital items, so items must be prioritized.  The Planning Committee should be thinking strategically and prepare a list, which the Board and Finance Committee must prioritize with regard to the budget.  The Planning Committee has given the Bar a low priority.  Before presenting it to the members, a firm plan for the Bar is necessary.

 

9.     Old Business.  None.

 

10.   New Business.

 

a.     The six pilings that will be replaced are used by the Princeton float.  A suggestion was made to ask the Princeton Sailing Team for a contribution for the cost of the pilings.  A contribution of half of the cost was considered.  Al will contact Eric Leitner for his thoughts, since he is the liaison to the Team.

b.     The Flag should decide whether to grant the request of the Princeton Sailing Team to use the RYC support boat until theirs is certified.

c.     A notice was received from a group of members who requested a Special Meeting on October 2, 2007.  The purpose of the meeting is a discussion of fees, including the Club minimum.  The By Laws appear to state that the membership may change the dues or initiation fee, but not the minimum, but By Law Chair, Jim Woller, should be contacted for clarification on the matter.

 

11.   The meeting was adjourned at 22:48.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Fred Hartner,

Secretary

 

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