January 24, 2016
Opening Matters
President Jeffers called the meeting to order at 2:07 PM EST.
Roll Call: Participants in the meeting, conducted via conference call, included Tom Earhart, Joe Parlanti, Steve Towle, John Logan Jr, Joe McConlogue, Kerch McConlogue, Tod Brown, Bill Bulpitt, Tom Hillmann, Eric Gibeaut, Judy Sharkey, Pam Jeffers, Barb Geschke, Robert Jaarsma, Curt Bowland, David Reina, Tom Calvert and Mike Schreiner.
Secretary’s Report: Minutes from the last meeting were emailed to everyone in advance. Tom Earhart made a motion to accept the minutes as emailed. The motion was seconded by Curt Bowland and was passed.
Treasurer’s Report was emailed to all participants in advance. Tom Earhart made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report. The motion was seconded by David Reina and was passed.
Membership Report was emailed to all participants in advance. Curt Bowland made a motion to accept the Membership Report. The motion was seconded by Eric Gibeaut and was passed. Membership Chairperson Joe McConlogue asked that the complimentary memberships we send out be reviewed and updated. That item will be put on the agenda for the United.
Website Report was emailed to all participants in advance. Tom Earhart made a motion to accept the report. The motion was seconded by Curt Bowland and was passed.
Forum Report: No report received.
Editor’s Report:If enough information is received, the February edition of the Rootes Review will be out mid February. Otherwise February and March will be a combined edition.
Publicity Report: Robert Jaarsma sent out United information to most of the addresses he had. The possibility of placing an ad for the United in Classic Motorsports magazine was discussed. While everyone likes to support that magazine all felt it was not cost effective.
Regalia Report: Eric reported that he owes Tod Brown an article on how to use the regalia web site http://www.fourth-gear-ltd.com/
Old Business:
Rootes Review article to thank Jennifer & Kenneth Arters. President Jeffers asked for the current status of this action. Tom Earhart reported that Fred Baum will be writing an article for the Rootes Review. It has been delayed due to Fred’s health and trying to contact the Arters for information. Tom said he will birddog this item.
Sunbeam Survivor Manual – is this project complete?
This project is still ongoing. Tom Earhart, Joe McConlogue and 10 – 15 volunteers have put much work into this effort. There were 136 tech tips in the original manual. The manual now has 273 and more coming. Tod Brown stated it is valuable work and he would like a description of the work being done for a newsletter article. Tod also suggested that he would like someone to create a tech tip of the month article for the Rootes Review. Kerch mentioned that if you sign up for the “RSS feed” of TE/AE.org you will be notified when a new tech tip has been added.
Future Uniteds
• 2016 South- United XXXIV in Atlanta – Bill Bulpitt gave a detailed update for the plans on the upcoming United. Rooms at the Hilton Atlanta NE will be $89 per night. Car show will be in Old Norcross Square. The Autocross will be at Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center and set up by the Jag Club. A tour of the Panoz Factory is also scheduled. The budget is still being finalized. The Registration form will be published once the budget is finalized. Joe Parlanti asked about a speaker and a discussion followed. Key points included limiting the speaker to 20 minutes and keeping the topic Rootes related rather than just Tiger related.
• 2017 Mid Atlantic – Will the Virginias Region host?John Logan Jr reported that Russ Eshelman is looking at possible location in the Virginia area.
• 2018 North – Recommendations were solicited.
• 2019 Midwest – SUNI VII – Recommendations were solicited.
It was recommended that President Jeffers request the membership to consider possible locations and hosts for future Uniteds in her monthly President’s letter.
Regional Representatives
All Regions are now represented:
New England – Rande Bellman
New Jersey – Tom Hillmann has replaced Jim Sauer
Tom Hillmann, Mike Schreiber and Curt Bowland all reported on events they hope to promote in their regions. Curt commented that the boundaries of his region are vague. He is only able to promote the greater Chicago area.
Rootes America
Project status update on the follow up letter to other Rootes clubs and contact with Tigers United about future of their website (See items 2 & 3 from the July 2015 BOD Meeting minutes?)Dave Reina reported that there was no response to the initial emails and nothing new has been done since the United.
Tom Ehrhart made the motion to discontinue pursuing the Rootes America initiative until the board decides to revisit it at some future date; but retain branding on the Web site and Club banners. Joe Parlanti seconded the motion. The motion was approved unanimously.
Rootes Archive Center Trust – http://www.rootesarchivecentre.org/
The club received a thank you letter for last year’s donation of $250. At each United the BOD will review and vote to make an annual donation.
Possible New Award:
Judy Sharkey had previously brought up the possibility of a new award for those who have not restored their cars. What is the status of this initiative? Judy said she still would like to keep this as an option. But it has gone beyond her original intent. She will put something together and get it to the BOD in the next few months.
Roster
Tom Ehrhartprovided the following update: Feb 29th is the deadline for members to request a paper copy of the roster in the January Rootes Review. So far seven have requested one. Tom Calvert commented that he had not seen the roster notice in the newsletter on page 7. Several others commented that they had not seen it either. Much discussion followed. In was discussed that the roster should include emails and be printable in booklet form. It was decided to desktop publish enough rosters for those requesting a paper copy and those for new members. If he can, Tom will put them in booklet form. A printable pdf version of the roster will be worked on so it is available on the members’ only web page.
Bylaws Update
Kerch McConlogue reported that the Articles of Incorporation should be separate from the bylaws. The Articles of Incorporation need to be updated. This should be completed by the United so the membership can vote to approve the update. Jim Morrison set up the bylaws. Tom Ehrhart will contact Jim for his advice.
Elections
President Jeffers thanked Kerch McConlogue for setting up the online voting for this year’s elections and noted voter participation was the best she could remember.
A discussion of potential nominees for the 2016 officer/BOD elections ensued.
President – Joe Parlanti (He would accept)
Vice-President – James Lindner (Joe Parlanti will ask Jim)
Secretary – (Joe Parlanti will ask Jackie Parlanti)
Treasurer – Barb Geschke (She would accept)
Board of Directors – terms ending this year
Joe Parlanti (Not eligible if elected president)
Dave Reina (He would accept)
Judy Sharkey (She would accept)
New Business:
Eric Gibeaut emailed to all a request from the Rootes Archive Trust Building Fund. They want to build a permanent building to house the Rootes Archives. They are looking for a one time pledge of $750. Eric made a motion for a onetime payment to the Rootes Archive Trust Building Fund in the amount of $750. John Logan Jr. seconded the motion and the board approved it unanimously. It was discussed that the BOD might consider the possibility of making an additional donation at some future time if funds permit.
Judy stated that only one (1) set of Lord Rootes Badges are left. Two (2) badges are given to each Lord Rootes recipient and more are needed. Judy stated that in the past 10 badges cost $1000. Joe Parlanti suggested shopping around. He will look at vendors the Clustered Spires club used in the past and get back to Judy. Tom Earhart made the motion to spend $1000 for at least 10 badges. Joe Parlanti seconded the motion and the board approved it unanimously.
Robert brought up the idea of creating a list of vendors and repair shops that cater to British cars where members have had good experiences. It was discussed that the vendors list on our web page needs updating. It may be possible to create a repair shop list of shops that are recommended by TE/AE members. Nothing was decided at this time. This item will stay on the agenda.
Barb Geschke requested the BOD’s opinion on the build-up of excess funds. Since excess funds are not a tax problem nothing will be done.
Robert Jaarsma brought up the idea of encouraging members, if they so chose, to donate in their estate, cars or car parts for the clubs benefit. It was brought up that our incorporation status would not allow any donations to be tax deductible by the donor. Nothing was decided at this time.
A motion to adjourn was made by David Reina at 4:20 EST. Tom Calvert seconded the motion. The motion to adjourn passed.
Submitted by Jim Lindner, Secretary
Minutes from this meeting are posted in the Board Forum here:
https://www.board.teae.org/forums/topic/2016-semi-annual-bod-meeting/
Date posted here does not necessarily match the date minutes were submitted.