Michigan Blind Athletic Association

Board of Directors’ meeting minutes

February 10, 2010

 

Directors present:  John Boes, Mary Lou Brooks, Gerald Rickert, Frank Wolf, Tom Coyne, Sue Fluri, Scott Ford (by telephone), Tom Vance and Sherry Gordon

 

Boes called the meeting to order.  Noted at the beginning of the meeting—when January 2010 meeting minutes were discussed—was that we did not yet have a quorum. 

 

Treasurer’s report.  Hulsebus had distributed the treasurer’s report by e-mail.  No questions were raised at this time.

 

Fluri and Ford joined the meeting; therefore we now had a quorum.

 

Gordon presented a funding request for the Kalamazoo (Midwest Regional) goalball tournament.  This year’s tournament is expected to draw 15 men’s teams and 8 women’s teams.  Total funding request is $1661.  Motion was made, seconded and unanimously approved to fund this request.

 

Since we now had a quorum present, we went back to the approval of January’s minutes.  January 2010’s minutes were approved unanimously.  Treasurer’s report, as of January 31, 2010, was also approved unanimously.

 

Rickert presented a funding request for the Midwest bowling tournament, being held in St. Louis, the weekend of March 12.  Six bowlers will attend the tournament.  Total cost is approximately $1352; funding request to MBAA is $807.  The amount of $807 was approved unanimously.  Wolf reminded Rickert to be sure to get pictures of the bowlers to give to the Michigan Braille Transcribing Fund folks. 

 

Boes indicated that Hulsebus does have a list of those requirements from MBTF; Gordon will ask Hulsebus to distribute those requirements to MBAA Board members—for their information.  Hulsebus did share those requirements with Luke Patterson, goalball tournament director—since it is planned to pay for the facilities rental out of MBTF funds.  Since Rickert is requesting a cash advance for the Midwest Bowling tournament, MBTF funds will not be requested for this.  The thought is that the remainder of the MBTF funds which are available will be used toward SEC expenses.  Wolf noted that it would be good to utilize the MBTF money for more activities than just SEC.  We agreed that, at a minimum, the MBTF folks should be provided pictures and information regarding all the activities which MBAA sponsors—even if MBTF funds are not used for that specific event.

 

Ford indicated that earlier this week, he had requested the $200 cash advance from MBAA—through Hulsebus.  Apparently there is some question as to whether this $200 amount had been approved by the MBAA Board.  Coyne could not find reference in the January 2010 or December 2009 minutes to this funding request/approval.  Therefore the Board voted again today and approved the $200 cash advance from MBAA for postage costs, related to the SEC.

 

**Secretary’s note:  The following paragraph is in the approved December 2009 Board minutes: 

Ford requested a portion of the SEC budget which will be used for postage and mailing which needs to be done in January 2010.  Amount requested is $200.  This amount was approved unanimously by the Board. 

                       

Gordon noted that although this funding request for $200 has been approved by the Board, Hulsebus still needs to receive an actual request from Ford, as to when this money is needed, who the check should be made out to, where the check should be sent, etc.  Boes indicated he would follow up this discussion with an e-mail to Hulsebus—to clarify and to make sure Hulsebus had the information he needed. 

 

Coyne brought up the WMU Fund 24 account, indicating this issue has not yet been resolved.  At our January 2010 Board meeting Richard Long thought this issue had been resolved.  It has not yet been resolved.  Brooks indicated that in order for a Fund 24 account to be “active”—the balance in that account needs to be a positive balance and that account needs to show activity—in terms of money going in and money coming out.  Brooks indicated she will pursue setting up a meeting between Long, Paul Ponchillia, Jim Leja and Brooks, in order to discuss the Fund 24 account and where we are at with that account and the Department of Blindness and Low Vision Studies.  We very much need that account—not only for securing reasonably priced facility rentals; also so the SEC is able to receive the $2000 funds from the Low Incidence Outreach program.

 

Wolf reported that Betty McKain who was director of grants and contracts at WMU, has agreed to join our MBAA Board.  Wolf has invited her to one of our MBAA Board meetings—to meet everyone.  Her term will not actually begin until our September 2010 meeting.  Wolf suggested we vote on Betty as a Board member whenever we felt we should do so.  A motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously for Betty McKain to become an MBAA Board member, beginning September 2010 and serving for a 3 year term.  Congratulations, Betty and welcome to the MBAA Board!!  Gordon will make sure McKain receives our monthly Board minutes beginning immediately.

          

Wolf shared that he has been in contact with Mark Daniels, a personal trainer at West Hills Athletic Club.  Wolf thought it a good idea to expand our Board membership to include other folks outside of WMU.  Wolf will continue his conversation with Mark.  If Mark decides he is not interested, Wolf will look into approaching a different personal trainer to possibly be on our MBAA Board.  Another thought might be a Lions’ Club member or a business person from downtown.  We need to go out and “drum up” some interest.  Our by-laws indicate that as far as the number of Board members…we should have not less than 9 and no more than 15 Board members.  Twelve members, on average, seemed to be a good number to aim for.

 

Annual report.  Articles have been received from Ford (SEC) and from Gordon (goalball and tandem biking).  Wolf commented that the treasurer should put some notes or comments in this report regarding financial documents.  This would explain things like the SEC invoice that was accidentally paid twice.  Noted also was that for bowling, goalball and for the SEC—reports should include how many participants and volunteers were involved in activities.  Rickert indicated he would get his bowling report to Vance by this Friday.    

 

Wolf referenced a discussion we had at our September 2009 meeting, regarding dates for our MBAA fiscal year.  He feels the current fiscal year—that being July 1 through June 30—is good.  Wolf explained that by utilizing the fiscal year we currently have, we receive the money in the same fiscal year that we use that money; that is a good way to show expenditures on our books.  These fiscal year dates also allow our treasurer to get together all the financial records by the first of August so these financial reports may be included in our grant requests.

 

Ford indicated the SEC primary mailing has gone out to potential athletes; the announcement is also posted to the LIO and to the professionals of visually impaired list serves.  There have already been 8 applications, with a deadline date of February 19.  SEC dates this year are May 9-15. 

 

Rickert reported on the state bowling tournament which will be held in Kalamazoo, April 30 thru May 2.  Announcements for the tournament will be going out next week.  There have already been 15 rooms reserved at the hotel and the announcements have not even been mailed yet.  A good turn out is expected! 

 

Coyne asked about the USABA’s Hall of Fame nomination of Sue Ponchillia.  Gordon reported that for the current 4 year time frame, nominations have already been submitted and recipients have been chosen.  The next round of awards will not be given until 2011; we can certainly nominate Sue for the next round of awards…which is definitely our plan. 

 

Coyne recommended that since this is Boes’ last meeting, he made a motion that the MBAA Board commends Boes for his many, many years of fantastic service to MBAA.  Thanks so much, John, for your many years of hard work!  Boes received a big round of applause and many cookies and chocolate as a part of his celebration!  Boes indicated he plans to help out at SEC. 

 

Boes asked Brooks if she has MBAA binders.  Brooks indicated she did have the binders.  Boes wanted to make sure someone had them.  Boes also indicated that whomever the Board decides will be the next Chair—he has a whole file of items, related to the history of MBAA that he will pass along to that person.  In the meantime, Vance is our Acting Chair! 

 

Gordon announced that a thank you note from MPVI had been received.  Back in January 2010, we had approved a donation to them of $400. 

 

Hal Wolf from the Ann Arbor Track Club will again be the head of that group; therefore, Ford indicated we will probably be getting more financial donations from that group. 

 

Meeting was adjourned.  Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 10 at 4:00 pm at the Michigan Commission for the Blind Training Center.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sherry Gordon, MBAA Secretary