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Present: Jim McKeon, Nelson Holmberg, Jerry Dunlap, Bill Mowatt, David Newton, Paxton Reunanen, Mike Hughes, David Heilbrunn. Quorum present. Excused: Rick Evans (technical difficulties with Zoom)
Chair Nelson called the meeting to order at 10:03 a.m. FINANCIAL UPDATE Jim McKeon reported that the ending fund balance from 2021-22 season was $1,530.31. Jim shared that Ron Daum (previous treasurer) had some concern regarding a possible $400 variance in the reconciliation. Jim and Ron will meet Tuesday, Nov. 15 to go over the books to seek reconciliation, and to meet with the bank to transfer the signature card. MINUTES Secretary Rick Evans had presented minutes, via email, from the October 16, 2022 Board meeting on the same day as the meeting. Jerry Dunlap moved to approve the minutes from the October 16 Board meeting. Second by David Newton. There was no discussion or corrections/changes to the minutes. Motion carried unanimously. OLD BUSINESS End of Season Banquet Debrief: Directors and members in attendance discussed the end of season banquet and by-and-large agreed it was a successful event. Discussion points included the thought that the room was probably big enough for our group but was not set up well by the staff to maximize seating for our guests. It was also noted that we may want to find a place with an actual banquet room to reduce ambient noise from other parts of the restaurant. On positive notes, people thought the food was good and the service was attentive, speedy and good. There was also discussion about the positive effect of having acquired all of our season champion perpetual trophies, and caught up the engravings on each of them, as well as having all of our Gold Cups, including new ones for the classes/division we have added. Rule change proposals process: Chair Nelson reported that he had a conversation with Competition Committee Chair Gerry Bordon about his preferred process for the potential/proposed rule changes for the 2022-23 season. Gerry told Nelson he believes – and prefers – that the process should be that members submit proposed rule changes to the board by a certain deadline. The board would then review those proposed changes and pass along proposals with merit to the Competition Committee for consideration among a slate of proposed rule changes. Gerry also shared with Nelson that the Competition Committee has prioritized adding a formalized testing process for motors. Committee members Mike Hughes and David Newton attended the Winter Meeting and confirmed that thought process. There are no expectations for major rule changes in 2022-23 at this point. Perpetual trophies & Gold Cups update: This was discussed during the End of Season Banquet debrief, but it was important to note that the expense of these trophies was a lot more than expected and that a plan to raise revenue for future trophy catch up, and capital expenditure budget for said project, should be addressed in the future. The priority for the board going into 2021-22 was to get the season championship and Gold Cup perpetual trophies updated, and that goal was achieved. NEW BUSINESS 2022-23 Chair’s Proposed Budget: Chair Nelson shared that he had prepared a proposed budget for the 2022-23 year and that it was being reviewed by Treasurer Jim and Secretary Rick. The budget includes the 2021-22 Ending Fund Balance of $1,530.31 as starting revenue and includes modest growth in revenue over the year – particularly in memberships/registrations, and in entry fees. Budgeted revenue for 2022-23 is less than the 2021-22 actual due to the fact that the DCR Coffee money ($1,000) was booked in the 2021-22 revenue. The proposed budget also includes $500 revenue for a possible 50/50 raffle to be offered at each race of the season. Expenses are mostly budgeted to hold steady or be reduced. The one exception is a capital improvement expenditure to purchase a new chase boat for the club prior to the beginning of the 2023 racing season. The budget, as proposed, includes an ending fund balance of $2,250. Nelson, Rick and Jim will finalize the proposed budget and present it to the board for ratification at the next meeting. 2023 Race Schedule: Race Coordinator Jerry said he will begin reaching out to our race sites and scheduling our events for 2023. Lacey and Longview have opened the process to begin accepting applications and Jerry will work on that. He has identified the same weekends as the 2022 schedule for the 2023 races as well and there’s been no objection to that so he will move forward. Nelson mentioned that Rick had suggested the idea we consider adding two more races to the schedule for a season of 12 total races. Season points champions would be determined by the best 10 races of the year. Jerry said he would check into potentially adding races in October and report back to the board and membership on his findings. Nelson said he would post a poll on the website to see whether members would be interested and supportive of adding two races to the schedule. There was also significant conversation about potential new race sites. The question was asked about returning to Woodland, Wash., but the Horseshoe Lake is unfortunately very popular with anglers, swimmers and kayakers, which would make it impossible for the city to close the lake entirely in order for ERCU to get insurance for a race event. Jim McKeon said he will look into ski ponds in northern Washington as possibilities. It was also mentioned that Vance Creek County Park in Elma is another excellent race site opportunity that ERCU once used and is not currently using. It’s located in between the most northern and most southern members of the club, so it could make good logistical sense, too. Jerry said he would check into it. There were also suggestions of a potential event in Banks, Ore., where Rose City Model Yacht Club spends time testing in the winter and spring. End of Season Awards: Nelson shared that with the concern we have over the expense of this year’s end of season awards, and the fact that the Top-10 plates for each class were inadvertently not handed out with no one seeming to miss them, there would be a more in-depth review of our end of season awards program and what we actually purchase and give to members. This item was more of a heads-up that the board will be reviewing this and it will be an ongoing conversation that the board will keep members in the loop of. Club Equipment Update: Nelson shared that the club equipment will be inspected this winter, like it is every winter, and anything that might need to be replaced or repaired will be taken care of prior to the beginning of the 2023 racing season in April. Club Website Update: Nelson said the club website is due for another update in its appearance. After two years, the current design has become stale. He said he will gradually make changes to the appearance of the site over the coming month. OFFICERS REPORTS Inspector: Bill had nothing to report at today’s meeting, other than he’s ready to start inspecting boats for the 2023 season when owners are ready for their boats to be inspected. Statistician: David stated that the 2023 final stats have been completed and are posted to the website. He also reported that the all-time results and career standings have been updated through 2022 and are posted to the website. Race Coordinator: Jerry reiterated he’ll begin working on the 2023 racing schedule very soon. Secretary: Rick was excused from the meeting due to technical difficulties with Zoom that kept him from attending. Registrar/Treasurer: Jim said that a few registrations/membership renewals had come in already and have been recorded. Nelson said he will continue to push membership renewals/registrations in social media and direct email to members. Jim also reiterated he and Ron Daum will meet on November 15 to transfer the signature card for banking and go over details of transferring the duties. Jim also said his wife Patty is being incredibly helpful to him with this new job already. At Large: Paxton attended the early part of the meeting but was called into work early and had to leave the meeting before we got to officers reports. Chair: Nelson mentioned that in addition to finalizing a budget, the board will also be looking to establish spending limits and a procedure for appropriate spending with/without approvals. BENCH RACING Bench racing discussions followed as all members in the meeting updated each other on what’s going on in their shops and shared a few ideas of new tools, or where to find parts. ADJOURNMENT Chair Nelson adjourned the meeting at 10:58 a.m. NEXT MEETING The next Winter Meeting is set for Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023 at 10 a.m., via a virtual meeting tool (i.e. Zoom or Teams). It is possible that the board will meet to conduct business to finalize the budget, etc. Proper notice will be shared with the membership if such a board meeting is scheduled.
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 The rescheduled January Winter Meeting was held Sunday, Jan. 23 at 2 p.m., and the board of directors got a financial update, and made a couple of decisions on behalf of the membership.
Chair Nelson Holmberg called the meeting to order at 2:02 p.m. with a quorum of board members (Holmberg, Rick Evans, Jim McKeon, Ron Daum and Jerry Dunlap) present, and proxies from David Newton and Bill Mowatt (both excused for health reasons) accounted for. Members John Earnest, Ray Finney and Kelly Gruol also joined the meeting. In the Finance Report, Treasurer Ron Daum reported that the club's bank balance is $1,823.14 with all race site fees paid, including insurance. He also reported that just eight returning members have not yet renewed their memberships and registrations. Minutes from the November 21, 2021 Winter Meeting were approved and will be posted to the website. The board deliberated the format for the ERCU Gold Cup, and after feedback from members that was equally split - 11 in favor of a one day event with changes and 11 in favor of a two-day event - the board decided to make the 2021 Gold Cup a two-day event. As the board is the Contest Director for the ERCU Gold Cup, it will work to finalize a more specific format will be determined soon. All board members agreed it is in the best interest of the club to try and develop a format that accomplishes the needs and desires of those who support a one-day event without eliminating the opportunity to make a final for those who participate on Sunday only. There was also discussion about club equipment and we're set for buoys, weights, etc., in the trailer. Our computer set up was also discussed. Ron Daum will see to it that the PC laptop that was donated to the club last summer will be cleaned up and a new battery will be acquired for it. The Excel scoring document was also discussed and it needs some repairs to macros to bring it back to its optimal performance level. Ron Daum and Ray Finney will work on that, while also beginning a longer-term conversation about potentially building a new scoring system for future years. With concern about Covid and the omicron variant, there's a possibility the Hydroplane & Raceboat Museum may not host the Roger Newton RC Model Boat Show this February. David Newton is working with the Museum on this, and we should know more this week as to whether there will be a show. Stay tuned for more information. McKeon reported that inspections will begin as soon as members are ready to provide their boats for inspection. Those that will need to be inspected are new boats and boats that have undergone significant change/repair over the winter. The inspection forms are available on the website (click here), and will be emailed out to members. Season stats are up-to-date and have been posted on the website. We're also working to get the career stats posted on the website and will have that done soon. The 2022 ERCU Racing Schedule is nearly final, with just a few minor details yet to be worked out. Once that's done the club will send out notice of the schedule being finalized. The members on the call all shared updates from what's happening in their shops this winter and it seems as though there will be some very interesting new and updated boats on the water in 2022. The modern class champions for both 1/10 and 1/7 scale admitted they're feeling the targets on their back for the coming season based on what's happening around shops this winter. There being no further business or good of the order, the meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m. ERCU Board of Directors Meeting
November 21, 2021 via Zoom Meeting called to order at 10:05 am by chairman Nelson Holmberg. Attendees: Rick Evans, David Newton, Jerry Dunlap, Bill Mowatt, Nelson Holmberg, Jim McKeon Guests: David Heilbrunn, Gary Dawn, Robert Edwards, John Earnest Financial Report: Ron Daum.
Minutes: Moved by Ron seconded by Jim that the minutes of the October 31, 2021 be adopted as presented. All in favor. OLD BUSINESS Gold Cup Options: 1. The ERCU Gold Cup has significant historical values 2. Discussions regarding the format included some of the following for consideration:
Review end of season awards:
Rule Change Voting: 1. Voting to date has been excellent with 19 votes cast so far.
New Business 1. Trophies:
2. Budget:
Meeting adjourned at 11:20 am Here is the 2020 End of year Treasurers Report. I would like you guys to see where and how we spend our money. This summary spares you the gory details of the ledger but I have broken down that spreadsheet into understandable categories that I am presenting here. The category titles should be self-explanatory although I will be more than happy to provide examples and definition should you be interested. As you can see, we spent a lot on getting our equipment in shape. We also spent a fair amount on awards, half of which we didn’t use because of Covid. Overall, we did alright for an abnormal season in large measure to Rick’s activism in getting corralling sponsorships. Ron Daum ERCU Registrar/Treasurer  BOARD MEMBERS: Nelson Holmberg (chair), Rick Evans (secretary), Ron Daum (registrar/treasurer), Robbie Roberts (inspector), Len Taylor (statistician), Jerry Dunlap (race coordinator), Bill Mowatt (at large)
ZOOM MEETING LINK: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6689469049?pwd=YzJ6R2ozUVJiSS8ybkx6TENRWjVsUT09 Meeting ID: 846 418 9312 Passcode: ERCU2021 by Phone: (253) 215-8782 11 a.m. (15 min.) CALL TO ORDER
11:15 a.m. (5 minutes) OLD BUSINESS
11:20 a.m. (30 minutes) NEW BUSINESS
11:50 a.m. (10 minutes) OFFICERS REPORTS
Noon p.m. (20 minutes) MEMBER ROUNDTABLE
12:20 p.m. GOOD OF THE ORDER 12:30 p.m. ADJOURN NEXT MEETING TBA, October 2021  Meeting called to order at 11:04 a.m. by Chair Nelson Holmberg
Present: Nelson Holmberg, Jerry Dunlap, Bill Mowatt, Ron Daum, Rick Evans Excused: Robbie Roberts, Len Taylor Members present: Brad Lewis, Brian Buaas, David Newton, Beau Rarig, Jim McKeon, Ben Keller, Chuck Murray, John Earnest. FINANCIAL REPORT Registrar/Treasurer Ron Daum gave financial report
MINUTES
OLD BUSINESS Longview Safety Upgrades
NEW BUSINESS
OFFICER REPORTS
MEMBER ROUNDTABLE
ADJOURNMENT Chair Nelson adjourned the meeting at 12:35 p.m. NEXT MEETING Sunday, Feb. 21, 2021, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., via Zoom Meeting Called to order at 11:02 a.m. by Chairman Nelson Holmberg
Present: Rick Evans, Len Taylor, Nelson Holmberg, Jerry Dunlap, Ron Daum. Guests: David Newton, Brad Lewis, John Earnest, Brandon Sano FINANCIAL REPORT Ron Daum presented the financial report
MINUTES
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
REPORTS
ADJOURNMENT
NEXT MEETING
 Location: via Zoom (click here | Meeting ID: 846 418 9312 | Passcode: ERCU2021)
by Phone: (253) 215-8782 Date: Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021 Time: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 2021 BOARD MEMBERS: Nelson Holmberg (chair), Rick Evans (secretary), Ron Daum (registrar/treasurer), Robbie Roberts (inspector), Len Taylor (statistician/communication), Jerry Dunlap (race coordinator), Bill Mowatt (at large) 11 a.m. (15 min.) CALL TO ORDER
11:15 a.m. (5 minutes) OLD BUSINESS
11:20 a.m. (30 minutes) NEW BUSINESS
11:50 a.m. (10 minutes) OFFICERS REPORTS
Noon p.m. (20 minutes) MEMBER ROUNDTABLE
12:20 p.m. GOOD OF THE ORDER 12:30 p.m. ADJOURN Next Meeting Sunday, Feb. 21, 2020, 11 a.m., via Zoom Meeting called to order at 5:33 p.m., Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, with board members Nelson Holmberg, Len Taylor, Ron Daum, Jerry Dunlap, Rick Evans and Bill Mowatt in attendance. Guests in attendance were Ben Keller and Jim Clark.
Financial Report: Registrar/Treasurer Ron Daum reported the club has $1,866.40 in the checking account. He also reported that the club still has credit for races that we paid park rental fees for in 2020 that were canceled due to Covid. Approval of Minutes: There were no outstanding minutes that needed approval. OLD BUSINESS Bylaws Update (Rick) There are several housekeeping issues that need addressing, as well as addressing the Rules and Procedures, Meetings, and Appeals. A draft of suggested changes will be submitted for approval at the next meeting prior to sending it to the membership for approval. NEW BUSINESS 2021 Election Results & Board Appointments Nelson announced the final results of the 2020-21 ERCU Board Elections, which saw Robbie Roberts re-elected to the board with Ron Daum being elected to serve a full two-year term after completing the unexpired term of a former board member in 2020. Bill Mowatt was also elected to the board for the first time. He replaces Kerry Kjos who did not run for re-election. Nelson recognized Kerry for his service to the board and the club. With that, the board proceeded with appointments:
Finalizing 2020 Season Awards Nelson asked board members to review his email as presented regarding award winners, and the board affirmed consensus agreeing to finalize the season award winners. Winners would be announced during a Zoom Awards event on December 5, 2020 and would also be recognized in person, with the physical awards, during an extended lunch break at the first race of 2021 season. 2021 Registration Boats registered in 2020 will be carried over as legal registrations to 2021 with no charge. Membership fees of $25 will still need to be paid for 2021 by all members. Boats not registered in 2020 will be required to pay the regular $5 fee for registration of a boat. Motor Rule Rick presented a proposal for a new motor rule in the ERCU Rulebook for the board to consider. With there being only one motor option available among the ERCU approved motors A presentation was made to adopt the NAMBA P-Limited rules based on can size rather than KV rating. Articles from Propwash April 2018 by Darin Jordan, as well as Brian Buaas April 2019 were reviewed. It was decided to put our to the members for comment and bring back to the December Meeting the proposed rule change regarding motors for a vote. OFFICERS REPORTS Given this was the first meeting of the 2021 board of directors, there were no reports to be made by any of the officers. GOOD OF THE ORDER No comments ADJOURNMENT Having completed the business of the club on this date, the meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m. |
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