Houston Aeros Booster Club

Minutes for 11/18/03

 

A Board of Directors meeting of the Houston Aeros Booster Club was held on Tuesday, November 18th, 2003 at SRO Bar and Grill, Northwest Mall location. President Ivan Kusjanovic, Vice President Al Whitney, Secretary Erika Kusjanovic, Treasurer Kevin Kelly, Past President John Shaw, all five Directors (Helen Brown, Tom Huber, Dale Humphrey, Melanie Ogren, and Mark Strace), Membership Chair Fred Trask, Scrapbook Chair Jean Strace, and Webmaster Patrick Humphrey were present. Table Chair Barbara Pride, Editorial Chair Megan Ahlstrom, and Sergeant At Arms Joel Konkel were absent. A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order at 7:20 PM.

 

The minutes for the last Board of Directors meeting were modified. Under Reports, first paragraph, the second sentence was removed. The minutes were approved as corrected.

 

Reports

 

The Treasurer’s report showed a balance on hand of $ 6,890.63.

 

Unfinished Business

 

David Ryan, Esquire received all the incorporation papers back from the state along with the corporate seal. Signatures are required on the paperwork. The club has received a filing ID number, is still waiting to receive a state tax ID number, and can now apply for a federal tax ID number. Once the federal tax ID number is assigned, a new checking account under the Houston Hockey Booster Club name will be opened. The effective date of the incorporation is November 10, 2003.

 

The Bylaws committee will convene to amend the bylaws once they have a copy of the incorporation papers. The Bylaws committee members are Chair Melanie Ogren, Kevin Kelly, Al Whitney, Mark Strace, Julie Coulter, and Joel Konkel.

 

Mark Strace e-mailed the three nominees for Activities Chair. Mark asked for a status report of planned activities. Lexie Johnson requested to be removed from the nominee list. Julie Coulter has some ideas in the works, but no definite plans. Sharilyn Prideaux has not responded to the e-mail yet. The Board decided to contact the general membership (via e-mail, newsletter, and table) and request volunteers to plan and implement an activity for the club. No motion was proposed.

 

Ivan Kusjanovic has the application form for membership to the AHL Booster Club Council, but has not completed and sent it in. He will do that tomorrow.

 

The next “Feed the Team” event will be Saturday, December 6, 2003 at 11am. The event will be publicized by e-mail and on the web site.  Members should contact Helen Brown with food items they will bring.

 

Al Whitney will develop the club database. Two suggested items to track are years of membership and prior season member. Once developed, the secretary will maintain the database and will pull reports based upon requests.

 

New Business

 

The Houston Aeros would like the Booster Club's help in increasing the fan base. The Aeros are extending up to 10 free tickets for each Booster Club member to invite their friends to the Wednesday, December 17th game vs. the Norfolk Admirals. All tickets ordered must be used. Your friends' contact information is required for the offer. Orders must be returned to Mike Krompf by Wednesday, December 10, 2003.

Tuesday, March 2nd and Monday, March 15th are two possible dates for the end of the year Banquet. Melanie Ogren and Mark Strace will start contacting area hotels and Kids Unlimited.

 

Possible upcoming charities events are Secret Santa with assisted living nursing care facility and food drive for Houston Food Bank after the first of the year when donations are typically lower. The food drive may be tied into the Houston Aeros Charities Souper Bowl promotion.

 

Tom Huber made a motion to add a clarification to the September 2, 2003 minutes that Joe Lira of Kids Unlimited has sent an e-mail stating that the money raised for Kids Unlimited supported John Shaw’s report on the banquet as the final report. Additionally, the Board would like to clarify that the intent of the wording under point two of the Banquet and Auction portion of the September 2, 2003 minutes was not to question the work and reputation of John and Carol Shaw with regards to the banquet and apologizes for any perception or insinuation that there has been a negative relationship with Kids Unlimited. Al Whitney seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.

 

Tom Huber made a motion for a temporary amendment to the bylaws giving the standing committee chairs (Membership, Editorial, and Table) and the Webmaster the same voting privileges as elected board members. John Shaw seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved.

 

A discussion was held on attendance at Board meetings.  The Board reached a consensus that Board meetings should be advertised on the web site and at the Table, and general members should be encouraged to attend.

 

Tom Huber spoke on behalf of Table Chair Barbara Pride.  Many shifts are open to work the table.  Board members were asked to work a shift and/or come by the table during intermissions. Patrick will list open shifts on the web site.  The table sign up calendar will be at the “Feed the Team” event on December 6th.

 

The next general meeting will be the second week of December.  Time and place will be announced.

 

Meeting was adjourned at 9:30pm.