Evergreen Soaring
Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Saturday 06 September, 2008

The meeting was called to order at 9:54 AM in the ES Clubhouse by president Michael Moore.  Present were voting members Fred Hermanspann, Merel O'Rourke, Gary Paulin, Paul Sjoberg, and Ron Bellamy.  Non-voting board member Howard Glover was also present.  Several other members were also present, among them Pierre Parent, Keith McLean, John Powers, Jeff Wolff, Dan King, and prospective member Steve Fribley. 


New Members:

•  Duane Barr applied informally, but in person, for membership.  He will submit paperwork and money later, at which time the Board will vote.  
• Roger Axelson submitted an application and a check.  Several of the officers had met him during his lessons.  Accepted by acclamation.  Welcome, Roger! 
• The question was raised as to whether or not Ken Jaquith had been voted in as a member.  He had indeed, at the August meeting. 
• Steve Fribley was later voted in by email.  Welcome, Steve! 

A fairly brief discussion followed (and was allowed) regarding the new insurance requirements for tow pilot training and qualification.  Mostly a restatement of what we know; what Costello has told us. 

Is Angus still a CFI (yes, we know he's a current CFI-G)?  Ron B. will contact and ask him.  At the moment, we have only one CFI for qualifying tow pilots: Ron B.  Howard G. is also looking at getting his CFI reinstated. 



OFFICERS' REPORTS:


President (Michael Moore)

Michael reviewed the Twin Astir lease proffered by Tony Wiederkehr.  Tony is asking $10/Hr. and Michael is wondering if he would accept $10/flight.  In all likelihood, that would multiply Tony's income and be much easier for the club to track. 

Micheal is checking with Costello on details of insuring the ship. 

There is still a short list of non-critical maintenance (cosmetic items) that Tony wants to address. 

Michael will distill the details of the lease, in cooperation with the other Board members holding copies, and will email that and insurance details when they come available. 


President Elect (Fred Hermanspann)

The club welcomed Fred back from his six weeks, or so, in Europe! 

Fred wondered why people aren't flying the Astir and the Apis?  Indeed, why aren't people flying club ships cross-country?  Why are only the owner-members doing that?  Several members present stated that assembly and disassembly are certainly an issue.  There is also uncertainty about what the current rules are concerning cross-country use of club ships.  Members must be signed off for both the ship and the flight but who is responsible for that?  Ron B. and Fred will review and report. 

Mike Reid will check on the availability of a hanger next to Out of the Blue--possible place to store assembled glass ships.  Late-breaking News!  Mike did check and the hanger in question is leased by others. 

Fred and Winfried F. are making a presentation at the SGC meeting Monday 08 Sept. at 7 PM at the Museum of Flight.  All are invited! 


Treasurer (Marty Gibbins, ) Marty was not present. 

There was much discussion of the need to replace the engine in 17Z. 

Gary P. moved that the Board authorize Pierre Parent to a Winter 2008/9 engine replacement for 17Z with Paul Nyenhuis.  The budget for the exchange is not to exceed $38,000 without returning to the Board for further authorization.  The motion was seconded and passed by acclamation without further discussion. 

For the record:  Pierre P. manages 17Z; Howard G. manages 30Y; and Michael M. manages 74D although Pierre has been standing in. 

Paul S. raised the issue of several of his check still being outstanding.  Where are they?  Why aren't they being processed?  The club, others reflected, has lost several members this year in large part because we are unable to reliably handle and process checks.  This is a critical and chronic issue.  Paul will contact Mary B-W. and Brian H. and pursue the issue of his own personal checks. 


Secretary (Merel O'Rourke)

Merel raised the issue of the change of address of the club.  Initially, several Board members had thought that a Constitutional amendment would be required to reflect the change.  On closer consideration, this may not be needed or even desired.  The wording of the Constitution is as follows: Article 1, Section 2: The headquarters shall be in the State of Washington at the residence of the Secretary of the corporation. 

The above may have tax consequences for some home owners and could be an issue for some apartment renters--but not probably in the case of a recreational, not-for-profit corporation.  After some discussion, the consensus was to leave it as is.  The mailing address will be worked into the By-Laws instead. 

Merel will also finish the design of a mailer to be sent out to the membership.  Estimated cost of the mailer will be $200-300.  The Board did not boggle at that figure.  Full steam ahead! 


Operations Director (Paul Sjoberg)

Need FOO's!  Technically, there is no operation unless there is FOO present and in charge.  Some discussion, mostly to amplify this point, ensued.  The FOO is the acting safety officer for the club and is the ranking member and officer on the field that day.  Some considerable responsibility, most of it not being shouldered, resides with the FOO.  Merel recommended that each of the voting Board members immediately sign up to FOO; that they each select a non-board member to train; and that we propagate FOO's in this manner--from the top down.  No formal action was taken on this. 

Paul S. is working with Dan T. to fill the coming schedule.  It was observed that we have been having two tow pilots respond on Saturdays and Sundays!  Not all the time but some.  More and more often!  This is great!  CFI-G's need to follow suit. 

Paul asked how much it would take to have one of the L-23's spectacularly-well painted?  Several members had asked the same question in the past and the consensus was that depending on the level of expertise used, the job would cost between $5,000 and $10,000.  Prep work is the critical, and the most expensive, issue.  Most painters can't take an aircraft apart--control surface, canopy, other bits need removing before the old finish can be removed in preparation for the new paint/finish to be laid down.  The consensus is that we would do a lot more "demo ride" business if we had a sexy, beautiful ship with which to do it. 

Pierre P. wondered if Ron Piercy in Moses Lake might do it all: the disassembly, prep and painting? 

Fred H. definitely wants to use the project as a team-building exercise and club party if possible. 

Brian Hood may also have a painter lined up. 

Pierre suggested that we hold a club contest for the paint scheme.  We have some wonderfully creative members! 

Gary P. will contact the several people mentioned above and have details and rough estimates to report in October. 

KEPH closes for gliders at the end of October.  Both of our ships, the 1-34 and the L-23, must come back on or before then.  Mark N. is in charge of bringing the DG-1000 back to KAWO and may do so this coming weekend (Sunday 14 Sept).  If the weather looks promising he will let the members know and perhaps we can get both ships trailered and returned then. 

Fred H. wants a Ranger Creek expedition in Sept./Oct, from which to work Mt. Rainer waive.  Steve Fribley volunteered to fly in with one of his power students to check out the improvements to the field.  He will report back to Fred and the Board. 


Chief Flight Instructor (Ron Bellamy)

Ron reported that a tow pilot had cut in front of him when he was flying with a power student in the pattern. Ron and the student had extended down wind for another plane making a straight in approach when the tow plane made a short base and final. It was very inappropriate and an example of a number of times that our tow planes have abused the use of the mid-field cross wind leg on busy days. There was no reason for such a hurry since only one glider was left to be towed up. 

Actions of this sort will likely cause hard feelings among the power traffic and give the glider community a bad reputation on the field. It is rude and not a safe practice.  Howard will cover this with the tow pilots.


Equipment Manager (Gary Paulin)

Sale of the SGS 1-36 has slipped into October.  Gary will monitor the situation--it can't slip again. 

The white board in the clubhouse is up to date!  Please check it before you fly. 

Insurance settlement on the L-13, 029 is pending.  Gary has asked Marty G. to call the insurer and get the process done. 

Some discussion of the budget.  Just general points.  We have money. 

Gary will be away from the state December through April.  He will arrange for coverage of his responsibilities and submit them to the Board for approval. 



NON-VOTING BOARD MEMBERS' REPORTS:


Chief Tow Pilot (Howard Glover)

Howard sent out an email asking for input regarding Tow-Pilot Requirements for the club (31 emails sent; 12 responses).  

What the respondents liked was that applicants should:

• already have the FAR-required tail-dragger time;
• be solo or certificated glider pilot;
• generally meet the FAR requirements to tow;
• meet Costello Insurance's requirements for insurance.

The respondents also wanted existing tow pilots grandfathered in, as is. 

Some discussion followed.  The consensus seemed to be that these were reasonable requirements.  Howard will get them in front of the remaining tow pilots (and other non-respondents) and then report back in October with a formal motion. 

All of the WSSA tow pilots flew both the Cub and the Pawnee--the Cub first in order to be qualified.  So all are qualified to fly all three ES tow planes.  Howard will send out an email saying: "One Pawnee is like another--fly whichever." 

Qualifying former ES tow pilots in the Cub is still an issue but a lesser one. 


Scheduler (Dan Teifke)  Not present.


GlidePath Editor (Gary Thayer)  Not present. 


Webmaster (Noel Wade/John Gilbert)  Not present. 




COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Glider Committee (Gary Paulin, Chair)  No report. 

Airport Committee (Mike Reid, Chair)  No report. 

Constitution and By-Laws Committee (Merel O'Rourke, Chair)  No report. 

New Membership (Glenn Chouinard, Chair)  Not present. 



OLD BUSINESS:

The Board approved the minutes from the August Board meeting, Fred abstaining from the vote. 

Discussion concerning Keith Turner's exclusive and for-pay instruction ensued.  Quickly broadened into general discussion of instruction. 

The Board was expecting to finish the New Member Forms.  Glenn C. was not able to attend and so the issue will slide to October. 

Mark Nyberg updated the bank's address of record for the club.  He will confirm to the Board the address he changed it to after double checking. 

The Board authorized funds for a new electronic data logger some several months ago.  As it turned out, Dan Teifke purchased one and has been using it, building familiarity and putting together a manual for the club.  Mark N. is very familiar with the unit and described it extensively in Dan's absence.  The Board voted by acclamation to purchase the unit from Dan.  We also may have some barographs that desperately need selling ... !  Gary P. will look into that. 

Pending Action Items from the July Board Meeting:

• Noel W. will correct the Web site to reflect the By-Laws in that Special Members pay no initiation fee. 

Pending Action Items from the August Board Meeting:

• Someone will create a place on the club Web site for posting the recent Safety Review Board Report. 

  

NEW BUSINESS:

Mike Delaney handed Merel a letter from the Washington State Secretary of State's office.  ES has been administratively dissolved.  This happens from time to time, usually for failure to make pro-forma filings of things like office lists etc.  Merel will contact the Secretary of State and get us reinstated. 


   
NEWS:

Mark Nyberg had news regarding the National Committee on Clubs and how they view the way the SSA has been managing soaring clubs. 

The SGC wants Bob Wander to come out West in February.  Do we want a Best Practices for CFI-G's workshop?  Mark will arrange. 

It is time to begin making arrangements for the Annual Meeting.  Fred H. will contact Ronan M. to see about repeating last year's excellent meeting.  Michael M. will coordinate with the SGC to avoid collisions of meetings. 

Merel noted that the new web cam at Concrete is in place and working very well.  Chuck Anderson had posted the URL on the KAWO Soaring group.  Try it out!  It is at http://68.25.32.61:8000/  


SETTING OF THE NEXT BOARD MEETING:

The October Board meeting will take place at 9:30 AM, Saturday 04 October, in the ES clubhouse. 

Michael gaveled the meeting closed at 12:50 PM. 

Respectfully submitted,

Merel R O'Rourke, ES Secretary
merelo@merelo.cnc.net
503-320-7059