Our first meeting of the year, the AGM, was held at the German Canadian Cultural Centre on Wednesday with 34 Sherwood Park Gyro’s in attendance. President Ray Davis called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and welcomed all to the new year. His welcome included a thanks to the new executive for time spent developing the new program schedule. His leadoff joke stopped the waitress in her tracks and brought a tremendous laugh from those attending. Grace, toast to the Queen and a less then rousing rendition of Cheerio without our lead singer (Rikki was late) was followed by a great meal. The business meeting started with the 50/50 draw, $80 won by Peter Sachatsky and graciously shared with the sharks at his table.
Don Greig, the new Health & Welfare guru gave a quick report and indicated that anyone knowing of a Gyro’s health concern should contact him. Past President Lawrence Zalasky thanked his past executive for all the good work over the previous year and made a presentation to Bill Carter and Don Greig with a certificate recognizing their contributions to Gyro over the past couple of years as Director and Past President respectfully. Neither of them had been available to attend the awards banquet held previously.
Peter Sachatsky and Rick Craddock presented the proposed event schedule for the coming year including the 20 designated meeting events of the year. The schedule was unanimously approved. A discussion followed on a motion by Gordon Stewart to place more events in the summer months to accommodate more of the “snowbirds”. It was decided to monitor over the year and hear from everyone on their thoughts on that proposal. Gordon gave a report on the mystery golf tour and the success of that event held recently. He then made a motion to include that event in the new year as a non-identified event. The motion was seconded and a majority voted in favour of the event. There were five dissenting votes recorded.
Eric Braun provided a financial report that indicated expenditures met budget. Congratulations to Lawrence and his team for a well run year. The financial report was moved, seconded and approved. Eric followed up with the proposed budget for the new year. Based on a revenue of dues at $300 per member, an auction and fund raising of $9,200 for a revenue stream of $24,078 and an expected expenditure of $27,224 there will be an excess of disbursements over receipts of $3,146. The budget was moved, seconded, and approved by a majority vote.
New business discussed was the use of and continuation of the web site. The President asked for a decision on whether we should retain the web site, and that the decision should be based on if we each will use the site not on the notion that a lot of volunteer time has been put into the site to get it running. It was identified that there is a cost of approximately $150 per year to keep it up and running. There is also a need for a web master. Discussion involved how easy it is to get to the site once you have logged in for the first time. Indications that the bulletin was the most accessed document and that if it was only accessible from the web site it would encourage web site use. It was indicated that if the Bulletin editor sent out an e-mail with a link to the web site when the bulletin was available that it would be an ideal way to increase usage. Lots of positive comments including Keith Bradley indicating he visited the site that day and was quite impressed with what he saw. Members were happy to hear that the membership list was on the site and that there was also a picture of a lot of the Gyros (project in progress to get all members on site) included. A motion to retain the web site and an indication from voters that they would use the site was put forward, seconded, and unanimously approved.
Eric Braun will be looking for dues of $300 from all members and will be sending a notice out to all very soon.
Ray was looking for someone to take on the Sergeant at arms position and Rikki Doojes agreed to undertake it. Thanks Rikki. Guys watch your loonies and toonies Rikki is coming to get them.
Next meetings: Whist night Sept 24, mixed night, let Earl Korber or Greg Clarke know that you plan to attend. October 15 is Bocce night, let Augie Annicchiarico or Bernie Kropp know. Meeting adjourned.
Ray Davis
President