Crestline Soaring Society.
Semi-Annual General Meeting November 7, 2009
Minutes
In attendance:
Board Members: Alan Crouse, Megret Olewiler, Mike Blakely, Dianne McKenzie, Mike Zeller.
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 pm.
Site Coordinator Dianne McKenzie moved for approval of the minutes from the Spring May 9, 2009 meeting and the motion was seconded by Mike Blakely, voted on and carried
President Alan Crouse asked for officer reports. Treasurer Mike Blakely reported finances for the club are doing well, income for the club is keeping up with expenses. 220 members have paid their dues, 20 of these are associate members. The club has in savings and checking accounts about $54,000 and about $8700 of that is in the savings account.
Dianne McKenzie brought up the question of the date for the Christmas Toy Drive. Kathy Rhodes later moved that cash donations be collected by December 14 and toy donations and presentation to the fire department on December 19, 2009, Dusty Rhodes seconding and the motion carried unanimously.
Dianne also reported that the Forest Service mentioned some damaged railroad ties along the road to Marshall (probably from hunters) and some tattered carpeting on the ties at launch, and they offered to help but Dianne assured them that after hunting season and the Santa Ana winds CSS would make the necessary repairs.
Alan Crouse conducted a follow-up on some suggestions from earlier in the year about changes to the wording in the site rules. One suggestion that came to a vote was that “Acrobatics” be changed to “Aerobatics.” The suggestion was moved for and seconded by Kathy and Dusty Rhodes and passed unanimously.
Another suggestion that a helmet requirement by reinserted into the Site Rules was motioned for by Megret Olewiler , seconded by Mike Zeller and carried unanimously.
Regarding other suggestions that never came to a vote:
There was no motion to raise the AGL restriction of aerobatics from 500 to 1000 ft.
There was no motion to restrict the Hang Glider approach in any way to the East of the LZ.
There was no motion to place a statement in the Site Rules that a pilot in the air stay 5 miles away from a fire.
After some discussion there was a move to allow dogs only in the parking lot, or on the patio if on a leash and supervised constantly by the owner, and nowhere else in the LZ. The owner will be responsible for any damage the dog may cause. Raylene Williams moved for a vote which was seconded by Mike Blakely and the motion carried.
The topic of nominations needed to fill upcoming Board vacancies brought a suggestion by Dusty Rhodes that there be posted a message on the CSS Web Page that anyone interested can contact a club officer. Dennis Duvall expressed interest in becoming a Board member.
The floor was then opened for any more comments. Dan DeWeese suggested that Alan Crouse be reimbursed by the club for his extensive work on the valuable weather predicting models he has refined and continues to run on his own equipment. Alan modestly declined the offer, so it was further suggested that it might be possible to allow for voluntary contributions to be made over the web site.
Dennis Duvall asked for clarification of some of the rules governing Novice pilots. Specifically discussed were certain restricted times of day known for rowdy conditions, limits as to wind strength and the use of the Crestline launch site. Rob McKenzie explained the rules and their well established importance as well as the importance of Instructor’s discretional supervision of beginning pilots. Dennis also asked if the one time buy in and yearly fee for glider storage in one of the containers might be lowered, possibly bringing in more revenue due to increased participation. It was pointed out that the fees are already substantially lower than other flying sites or alternatives.
Alan Crouse thanked the Board and club members for their contributions to the club.
Rob McKenzie asked about the 5 year Lease Contract for the LZ, saying it was approximately the time the contract would be renewed, and the cost might possibly be increased, but it was not known at the time of the meeting if this is the year that occurs.
Dianne McKenzie asked what the total yearly expenses are for the club and Mike Blakely estimated them at $25,000.
Dusty Rhodes motioned to adjourn the meeting, it was seconded and passed.
The meeting was closed at 6:24 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mike Zeller, Secretary.
