Brainerd Lakes Curling Association Board of Directors Meeting

January 16, 2008

6:00 p.m.

Board Members present: David Kapitzke, Mike Hoff, Kim Deiss, Mark Ostgarden, Janet Axtell and Dave Lekatz (via phone)

Committee Members present: John Raboin

Approval of Board Meeting Minutes: The minutes were approved. A typing error noted; in the Financial Update it should read the budget draft for the year 2008-09 instead of 2008-08.

Financial Update: David Kapitzke

Balance of $13,633.13 as of January 16, 2008

Kim needs last year’s fiscal statement for applying for a grant. David will furnish. BLCA’s fiscal year is June 1 to May 31.

Lanny Scearcy has agreed to fill out the club’s tax return.

Outstanding bills are ice time, opening bonspiel dinner and National club dues.

Board Member Changes

Ron Everson submitted his resignation as President of BLCA as of 1/16/08.  Ron did apologize that he is not able to complete his commitment. He wishes to support the league when possible and wishes the league success.

Since the board mtg. was scheduled the same evening as resignation, Kim Deiss and John Raboin discussed possible candidates. Tom Jones was asked if he would consider accepting this position. Tom will consider accepting this position and will contact Kim or John by January 17, 2008 with his answer. The board felt it would be best if someone serving on the Board of Directors to move into the president’s position.  None of the board members present were willing to consider accepting the position.  Next option if Tom does not except would be to contact Jack Christofferson.

Kim will set up an electronic vote to elect a president to fill the vacancy.

League discussion:

Ice condition: Maurice has assigned one person, Ron Noble, to prep the ice in hopes that conditions improve on a consistent basis. On the league night when the ice condition was good, Ron had spent 2 1/2 hours prepping the ice. He shaved crossways 2x, flooded, allowed freeze time and shaved again.  Concerns were raised that if hockey was scheduled then the ice conditions would suffer due to lack of prep time. It was proposed that if this was to be the case, the start time of the curling schedule should be delayed to allow time to prep the ice properly.

Kevin Matson and a person in Alexandria have volunteered to help with training the Hallett staff if we should need their assistance.

Board members were unsure who is scheduled as the “Marshall” for each of the remaining league nights.  Jan Axtell will e-mail the requested schedule to board members.

Rock purchase or borrow discussion – used rocks next steps

There was discussion about purchasing new rocks, used rocks or participating in the Hibbing loaner rock program.

The 64 new rocks which we are using presently cost $38,000. ($481.25 each)  They are on a 2 year lease program with 5 year payment plan.

Cost and condition of used rocks vary and someone needs to research what is available if we should go this direction.

The Hibbing loaner program charges one dollar per rock, rocks are to be picked up and returned to Hibbing each year or when they need them for special bonspiels, no ownership, and we are responsible for damage.

John Raboin will meet with Paul Vendetti, Hibbing’s club president, and will report back to us the details of the loaner program and the possibility of purchasing the rocks.

July 30, 2008 is the deadline to notify USCA if we plan to keep and pay for the new rocks that we are presently using. (USCA’s option to purchase rock program requires the club to notify them whether the club plans to purchase the rocks four months prior to the second anniversary of receiving the shipment of the new rocks.)

Fund Raising

Brat sales at Cub Foods and Super one – John Raboin

Wine Tasting at Prairie Bay – Kim Deiss

Hallett Charitable Trust – Kim needs fiscal year end report to complete forms

Crow Wing Power – Kim needs the BLCA budget figures to complete forms

May Day Festival

Raffle at County Fair

Fund raising monies will go towards rock funding. Extra monies will go towards the building fund.

USCA Meeting (should read MCA meeting)

The upcoming MCA meeting is in Eveleth MN. Someone from BLCA should attend representing our club.

Next Meeting:

Date and Time:  Tuesday March 18, 2008 @ 6:00 p.m.

Place: John Raboin’s office

Minutes respectfully submitted by Janet Axtell