The meeting was
called to order by President Bernie Sanders at
Attendance: Hal Ringeisen, Kim Kernohan, Frank Allen, Mary Lundy, Debbie Gabrielle, Peg Robertson, Vito Lombardo, Bernie Sanders, Frances Huston, Nelson Johnson, Ray Barbone, Patricia Sheehan, Priscilla Johnson, Laurel Bradshaw, Marilyn Holland, Steve Rankin, Devany Groves, Allison Dennis, David Branham, Rick Chapman, Glenn Aspinwall, Kathy Bennick and Cheryl Fogel.
Approval of Minutes: The
minutes from the
Treasurer’s Report: Hal distributed a balance sheet and a profit and loss statement dated December 2004 (copies can be found in the secretary’s files). He also distributed individual Profit and Loss Statements to the Liaisons for each sport. He reminded the Liaisons that the GPBC general fund absorbs some expenses (i.e. credit card fees, loss or theft). He stressed, again, that suspense revenues and expenses need to be classified. The Liaison from each sport is responsible for categorizing all expenses and revenues entered on the Transaction Record that is turned into him each month. He pointed out that the GPBC and its Divisions have contributed over $173,000 to Nease athletics this year.
Hal stated that he needs to issue 1099 forms to those coaches who were paid for services by the Divisions of the GPBC. He requested those coaches’ addresses and social security numbers, and reminded the Liaisons from those sports that they need to distinguish between the reimbursement of expenses to those coaches and the payment for services rendered. He indicated that if the coaches involved have any questions, they should contact him.
Hal stated that the Building Fund has been closed, as all monies remaining have been disbursed.
Bernie said that he will mail all Liaisons a copy of the membership breakdown for their sport, indicating how much has been contributed and by whom. He indicated that this is not for public knowledge, and coaches should not have this information prior to a team being selected.
Mary Lundy pointed out that the biggest expense on the Profit and Loss Statement is uniforms. She questioned whether systems are in place to assure that uniforms are returned at the end of each season, and if they are being cleaned and stored properly to prevent unnecessary replacement costs. Glenn indicated that there is a commercial washer and dryer at the school, and that there are cages for storing equipment and uniforms. He said that he would show Mary the facilities for equipment storage if she can arrange a time to meet with him.
Report of the Athletic
Director: Glenn distributed a list
of schedule changes, conference tournament dates and district playoff dates
(copies can be found in the secretary’s files). He stated that this year Nease
is involved in a conference that includes ten schools from
Nease is hosting a conference Wrestling tournament on January 29th. The feasibility of selling concessions at the tournament was considered. A parent has volunteered to purchase products for this concession stand, and Wrestling would keep the profits from sales. The logistics of finding enough volunteers to work the concession stand, coordinating with Basketball, and organizing this in less than a week were discussed. Bernie offered to meet with Glenn and a representative from Wrestling, to see if this can be arranged.
Glenn addressed the recent newspaper article suggesting that Nease Baseball is in violation of FHSAA regulations concerning practice schedules. He said that Coach Mullins has followed FHSAA rules, and that the FHSAA has indicated that they will be sending a letter with questions concerning the incident. Nease’s answers to those questions will determine their course of action. Hal suggested that after hearing from the FHSAA, Glenn should contact the reporter who wrote the article to make sure that corrections to the record are made public. Glenn also informed the Board that there is an Athletic Council comprised of Athletic Directors and Principals that can address grievances, and handle them more professionally than this has been handled.
Glenn stated that he and Coach Mullins have been able to change the location and time of the Varsity Baseball game on March 8th so that it doesn’t conflict with the Football banquet scheduled for that evening. Kim Kernohan thanked him for his help in this matter.
Glenn also distributed copies of the year to date Fund Summary for the Athletic Department. He indicated that he has a summary for each individual sport’s account to give to the Liaisons. The balances of these individual accounts are not reflected in the Fund Summary distributed. He added that he cannot issue a check for the balance in an individual sport’s account. An invoice must be presented to receive funds from these accounts. Priscilla asked for a clarification of the Awards/Office Supplies category in the Fund Summary. Glenn indicated that this is for certificates and letters presented to athletes. He also answered a question concerning post season play by indicating that expenses for meals ($21/day), transportation and lodging are paid by the Athletic Department if a team goes beyond the Districts in the playoffs.
Membership: Mary reported that the GPBC close to $100,000 has been raised, and the numbers keep growing, because there are still teams forming. These numbers have more than exceeded expectations. Bernie will schedule a meeting with Mary to develop a plan for next year’s membership drive. Anyone interested in participating is welcome to attend, and a proposal will be presented at the next Board meeting. Glenn said that other schools are starting to model their booster organizations after the GPBC.
Concessions: There was some discussion of the problems with concessions this year and how to solve those problems. Vito Lombardo told the Board that the PVAA utilizes a company that handles the entire concessions operation for 75% of the revenues. This company purchases the product and supplies, and provides the workers to staff the concessions stands. Bernie said he would share this information with all sports, and let them decide if they want to pursue this option.
Ray Barbone said that there has been some theft from the Baseball concession stand. He suggested that the combination on the lock box be changed.
Other Business: Bernie told the Board that he has investigated the cost of a liability insurance policy to cover the GPBC and the individual sports. This type of umbrella policy would cost approximately $600 per year, and would be more cost effective than each sport obtaining a separate policy. Hal asked if Board members could also be bonded. Bernie will investigate and report back to the Board.
It was reported that there is no Wrestling Liaison, as the volunteer who was serving in this position resigned. A replacement for this position needs to be found, and the checkbook needs to be turned over to the new Liaison.
Problems with the baseball field were discussed. The existing fence is only four feet high instead of eight feet, posing a safety issue. When the new fence is erected, it needs to be positioned differently so that the field will be regulation sized. Nelson indicated that work on this project needs to be started so that it is complete prior to the season starting. Glenn was concerned that beginning the project now will disrupt practice and perhaps even some games. Coach Mullins, Bernie, Glenn and Nelson will meet to discuss possible solutions to this problem. It was also mentioned that Softball and Baseball need to work together to determine what needs to be done to prepare the fields for the upcoming season.
Bernie volunteered to be the Chairperson for the Auction, but will need help with decorations, etc. He will begin to schedule planning meetings, and is trying to find a location and set a date. He said that all sports need to participate, and wants all to have input concerning how monies raised through the Auction are spent. Ray pointed out that the Board needs to establish what balance should remain in the general fund, and the Auction should fund this.
Bernie informed the Board that, at the request of his employer, he will not be President of the GPBC next year. He did express some interest in chairing the Membership Committee.
Kim announced that Nease is hosting the Canadian high school team that is in town for the Global Bowl, held in conjunction with the Super Bowl next week. She still needs housing for about eight players, and asked interested families to contact her. There are several Nease players participating in this event. Four Nease players also participated in the Shrine Bowl, which was held last weekend.
Bernie is preparing a slide show to present to the School Board, informing them of the accomplishments of the GPBC. He feels this would be a good PR piece for the organization. Mary Lundy and Bill Fehling will preview this prior to the presentation, since this has been a sensitive issue recently.
The next meeting of the GPBC Board will be
The meeting was adjourned at