BMW CCA, Puget Sound Region
Board Meeting Minutes
December 2, 2004

The meeting was called to order by Membership Chair Rick Gulstrom at 7:03 PM at the Mercer Island Fire Station 91. Those in attendance were:

• Rick Gulstrom, Membership Chair
• David Lightfoot, Treasurer
• Martin Hovenkotter, Tour Coordinator
• Lance Richert, Concours Chair
• Alan James, Tech Events Coordinator
• Louis Hesselt-van-Dinter, Roster Manager
• Jim Millet, Zündfolge Advertising Manager
• Mike Ellis, SIG Coordinator
• Bill Spornitz, Driving Events Chair
• Walt Conley, Chief Driving Instructor
• de-Anna Martin, Banquet Chair
• Dane Martin, Member
• Ken Hill, Member
• Wes Hill, Member
• Jeff Schlemmer, Member
• Zena Bartusch, Member
• Dave Clary, Member
• Jane Otway, Member
• Lynne Eskil, Member
• Don Robesch, Member
• Carrie Bishop, Member
• Tom Olsson, Secretary

Opening Comments
Rick Gulstrom welcomed everyone.  Introductions were made as there were some new people in attendance.

President's Report
News from National
• National has noticed our membership is declining and is looking for ideas to reverse the trend.
• Election ballots will be in the next Roundel
• D&O Insurance - National has proposed that we get get insured through the National policy.  This would cover specific actions of Board members, as opposed to mistakes or omissions.  It's a $10,000,000 aggregate policy for approximately $1300 per year.  This is an excess policy, over and above our existing liability coverage.  There is some question on what the retention amount is exactly, Bill will follow up with Wynne to get an answer.  Marty presented a MOTION to purchase D&O insurance, as stated.  Lance SECONDED the motion.  The motion CARRIED with a unanimous vote.


Nominating Committee
David presented a MOTION to approve the slate of 2005 Board members as presented by the nominating committee.  Jim SECONDED the motion.  The motion CARRIED with a unanimous vote.

Treasurer's Report
David reports that the treasury is in good shape, as usual.  David submitted a financial statement, which is attached to these minutes by its mention.  The Chapter has $56,000 in cash, approximately $3000 in receivables, and no outstanding debts.  All of the 2005 Pacific Raceways dates have been prepaid.  David passed out a preliminary budget for the entire Chapter for 2005.  The financial outlook remains much the same as 2004.  David will work with Martin on the transition of Treasurer duties next month.  To that end, he would like to purchase a current copy of Quick Books.  David presented a MOTION to allow him to purchase software and supplies for the Treasurer position, not to exceed $500.  Lance SECONDED the motion.  The motion CARRIED upon unanimous vote.
 

Track Committee
Past Events -
• November 13th Advanced Skills Day at Bremerton was very successful.  Kudos to Chris Mason for a great event.  The membership seemed very excited by the new kind of driving event.

Upcoming Events -
• none

General Business -
• Tom passed out a preliminary budget for 2005.  Overhead is going up next year, especially track rental, which is up $6000.  As a result, he had to raise the fee for a PR school to $150.
• The Track Committee met on November 18th to plan for 2005.  They agreed to continue running the full track at BMP, altering the course to avoid the VHT in the rain.  The Committee will institute a "BMW Bucks" program for next year, offering members a $25 discount off their next driving event for volunteering to work corners.  Finally, Tom would like registration to go increasingly online.  He mentioned that Lucetta has concerns with this.  She could not attend this meeting, so the discussion was tabled.  Registration will remain the same until this discussion can be concluded.
• We are working on hosting a Street Survival School this year.  Tom could not secure a date at Bremerton, but the Foundation has a connection at Boeing, so we are pursuing a Boeing parking lot as a possible venue.
• Dates for 2005:  2/25-Instructor Clinic (BMP); 2/26-Instructor Clinic (PR); 3/12-Novice School (BMP); 3/19-Novice School (PR); 6/5-Driving School (PR); 7/10-Driving School (PR); 8/28-Driving School (PR); 11/19-Novice/Advance Skills Day (BMP)
 

Tours and Rally
Tours - no report
    
Rally - Jeff approached the Board for advice on the upcoming Spring Rally, which is planned for 4/30.  He would like to see participation increase and floated a few ideas. 

SIG Groups and Events - no report

Zündfolge
• The deadline for the Jan issue was Tuesday, Nov. 30th.  The deadline for February is Jan. 4th.
• Lucetta submitted a preliminary 2005 budget and a tentative publishing deadline schedule in absentia.

Roster and Membership
Local membership is going down a little bit each month this year.  Louis reports that there are only 300 active members out of a total of 3500.  He encouraged the Board to think of ways to increase this number.  Lynne reports that there are 75,306 members Nationally.