At the BOD Meeting in the Dublin Public Library on 5/8 the following members were present:
Tal Gregory
Mike Maynard
Mike Elkavitch
Tom Rittenhouse
Jim Sullivan
Topics of discussion included:
A. Banquet
Again this year we had an increase of attendance (59 incl. 3 guests), but only a minimal profit ($168). Papagallo's continues to have the advantage of familiarity, but service was poor (slow coffee/dessert/cocktail waitresses hard to find) and dinner costly.
We discussed solutions to this problem:
Finding new venue -- where food is less costly or prepared by members, local hall with liquor lic. and small use fee.
Generally thinking the event went well, people were happy, one thought perhaps do another pot luck style dinner in the fall instead of replacing banquet. No decision.
Another thought reduce cost by spending less (more donations) and raising entry fee to $30 - $40 -- Maybe tied to RSVP so $30 ahead of time $40 at the door.
Maybe get a deal from Stone River where we put in a chapter wide order and get a donation for banquet.
Speaker good, but shorter.
Prizes given out so best are saved till last to keep attention build interest.
Solicit donations from chapter members to further reduce cost.
B. Ideas for visibility
Eastern Expo -- tying booth/publicity opportunity. Larry and George went last year and found receptive audience for tying -- hard to know how to turn such an audience to our advantage as they are almost all non-residents, with exception of donation jar. Still heartwarming exercise.
Booth at Cheshire fair -- not for the whole event but maybe a day with fliers and casting demo? This is a good idea and could use a chairperson to get it off the ground.
Casting demos/info sessions at local shops(EMS/Summers/Sam's/Dick's) Again a good idea. I think this would be easy to do, and perhaps in the doldrums of August.
The idea of having signs, laminated and somewhat weatherproof, placed at various places such as Willard Pond, might increase the visibilty and membership of the chapter, Mike Elkavitch is to look into the signs.
C. Mike Maynard broached the idea of looking into the old Hancock Sportsman's "Fly Pond". Mike suggested the chapter might benefit from taking over stewardship of the pond and perhaps having our own fishing derby or other events there.
D. Elections - the following officers were elected without opposition;
President - Tal Gregory
Vice President - Larry Antonock
Treasurer - Jim Sullivan
Secretary - Mike Elkavitch
Submitted by Mike Elkavitch, Secretary, Monadnock TU.