Meeting of the Board of
Directors 4pm, April
16, 2005 Hyatt Regency, Dearborn
I.
Call to Order – President Finger 4:15pm
II.
Roll Call – Mike Strub
Present: Kelly Finger, Ann Bobrofsky, Michael Marotta,
Greg Guseff (4:40), Dr. Parks, Robert Lusch,
Mike Denany, Bill Summerell, Dany Rothfeld,
Steve Marzilli, Larry Sekulich, Joe LeBlanc, Mike Strub.
Missing: Steve
Friedman, Greg Guseff, Tracy Tabor
III.
Introduction of
Visitors – President Finger
A.
Tom Klunzinger,
Rita Jean Sledz, Marge Stroshine,
Ray Dillard, Steve Bieda, Mark Benvenuto, Al
Bobrofsky, Don Charters, Brian Malnar, Bill Ewald
IV. Invocation –
Joe LeBlanc
V.
Minutes of Jan
30, 2005 – Joe LeBlanc
A.
Mike Marotta
moved, Dr. Parks seconded a motion to
approve the minutes – motion passed.
VI. Additions to Agenda –
Board
VII.
Approve Agenda – Board
Dr.
Parks moved, Mike Marotta seconded a motion
to approve the agenda – motion passed.
A.
Scout Program – Mark Benvenuto
–
Mark, a certified
Boy Scout Merit Badge counselor, wants to have a one hour Coin Collecting Merit
Badge clinic for Boy Scouts. Mark needs
from MSNS: a room and small tables. He can run it for 10 scouts, but wants
help. He will ask for other counselors
from Boy Scouts, but can use the help of some volunteers. There is no need for coins to be provided,
the boys do this themselves; current requirements emphasize coins from
circulation. Mark feels it is wise to
usually start small with these clinics, and then work upward. This is for the November show, not the August
show. It would work under the YN
program. Mike Marotta moved, and Dr.
Parks seconded, this motion: “That we have a scout merit badge program
and that Mark Benvenuto coordinate it for the fall 2005 convention.” - motion passed.
B.
Education – Pat Heller
-
Pat wants to
promote the use of coins for education in the
-
There is a
correlative CSNS educational program that is beginning.
-
CSNS show – Pat
suggested that we have the main sponsors of the 1999 coin sales tax exemption
to ceremonially cut the ribbon – or alternatively that we invite the Governor
(though it is not likely we’d succeed) – with the purpose to inform the
legislature that this show is made possible by that exemption, and that it is
good for the Michigan economy. President
Finger recommended that Pat work with Mike Marotta, our publicity chair.
C.
Felix Schlag
Memorial – Steven Bieda / Al Bobrofsky
-
Felix Schlag, of
50th
ANNIVERSARY MEDAL – Steven Bieda
-
Steven has
offered to do a design. He suggests that
a design that would both be about the history of our club and be marketable would
honor Felix Schlag and would depict him as well as his nickel. For further discussion, see further on in
these minutes. Steven’s designs will be
available to us to view only if there is not a design competition.
D.
Taxes 2004 Status
– Joe LeBlanc
-
Jack Huggins prepared
our 990 form from last year. President
Finger wanted them reviewed, so he introduced accountant Tom Colson, who works
for
-
Tom Colson gave
his report. He is encouraged by the
financial statements and the return, and has mainly cosmetic suggestions. These are informational returns, regarding
the public record.
1)
Classification of expenses: awards
expenses should be a program expense rather than a function expense, due to
it’s correlation to our exempt status.
2)
Statement of functional expenses (expense statement dealing with program and
general management expenses) – there is an option to separate these kinds of
expenses; we should not be doing this separation, it should be a total on the
second page – in terms of giving the IRS only the information it asks for.
3)
Program service accomplishments has an optional area for showing program
expenses; delete it because it is optional.
4)
Program service accomplishments themselves – more detail would be good.
5)
Ballot sheet – technically incorrect fund balance – reported on return as FAS
117 erroneously; should move retained earnings line down to line that says
retained earnings.
6)
Part 5 lists officers, directors, trustees, key employees: IRS would like to know average hours that
board members devote to their positions – we should provide this as the IRS is
very specific in requiring it.
7)
Question in part 6 for general information about the society – did the organization
have unrelated business gross income of $1k or more? Our answer was no – but selling advertising
is such an income that might potentially be taxed in the future. Though there is no profit here due to the
cost of the publication, this could theoretically be changed in the
future.
8)
Part 6 other information lines 85 and on – refers to different organizations –
this is a 501(c)7 organization – our answers are no, should be n/a.
9)
Part 8 – statement has some grammatical errors.
-
Tom concluded by
suggesting that we work with the person who prepared the return to correct the
current return, to use as an example to prepare correct returns in the
future. Joe LeBlanc wanted Jack Huggins
and Tom Colson to work together on this.
Some felt that Jack Huggins may have reasons for some of these things,
as he has prepared the CSNS returns as well.
President Finger asked if Tom could be appointed to the finance
committee to work with Mr. Huggins.
Steve Marzilli made this motion, which was seconded by Greg Guseff: “That Tom Colson meet with Jack Huggins to discuss
and potentially make any necessary changes, and that they come up with an
agreed statement to file by the May 15 deadline.” – motion approved.
VIII.
Officer Reports
A.
President – President Finger
1.
Appointments to
fill open positions
a.
Larry Sekulich has accepted the final open board
position.
Mike Denany moved to approve, Dr. Parks seconded, and
motion was approved.
Larry noted that he has ribbons, badges,
and photos from Bob Sayre to donate to MSNS
B.
Vice President – Ann Bobrofsky
– Ann
thanked Joe for his work.
C.
Secretary-Treasurer – Joe LeBlanc
1.
Review Current
Financials
– we
have $77,000, $25k of which is in life membership funds.
a.
Regular
b.
Life – small
increase in total funds, 1 new life member whose money went here.
c.
CD $25K 1.75%
Matures, May 05 – this account holds the life membership funds
Bank
offers 11 month CD at 3.5% to replace the above. Joe would like to move the money here next. Ann Bobrofsky moved, and Mike Strub seconded,
a motion that Joe move the Life
membership funds to an 11 month CD at 3.5% when the current CD matures in May
– motion approved.
d.
CD $25K 2.5%
Matures, Sept. 05 – Regular Funds
This
is the operating funds account. We will
meet again before this item matures. Joe
believes we will have $10k - $20k more to open another CD for a 7-month
term. This will not affect the
arrangements for the upcoming CSNS show; the main expense will be the hotel
bill, due 2-3 weeks after said convention.
Steve Marzilli moved, and Dany Rothfeld seconded a motion that if there are funds available, at his
discretion, Joe shall move an amount of his choosing from the operating account
into a 7-month CD – motion approved.
2.
Membership Report
a.
Steve Harvey –
New Life Member. The board approved.
b.
Member Totals –
April: 389 regular, 22 honorary life,
467 life, 26 junior, 25 clubs – 929 total.
These drops are due to a by-law that we lose members if they have not paid
by April. These numbers include dealers
and assistants that are required to be members.
Joe is positive that we have deceased members on our rolls. Ray Dillard asked whether we could remind folks
to pay their dues, to prevent these losses. The response to him was that we already send
notices before Thanksgiving, and another afterward if dues remain unpaid.
3.
Budget Spring 05
–
Table
revenue will significantly exceed our budget (by about $10k), but we will owe
penalties due to under-sold room count total.
Don said we had a $5600 deficit at the start of the show. 58 rooms which were listed under AAA, senior
citizen, or internet rates will be credited to us, but we are still likely to
be short about $3k, or a little less, after that. The reason is simply because spring shows
have fewer out-state dealers, thus fewer hotel stayers.
4.
Budget CSNS –
We’re getting bourse applications – few expenditures
yet
5.
Budget MSNS 05 –
Nothing out of the ordinary or surprising to date
6.
Property Report
No changes – same number of cases in Bill’s
possession, etc.
IX. Committee Reports
A.
50th Anniversary
Committee – Tom Klunzinger
-
A meeting was
held this morning (April 16 at 9am); handwritten copies of the minutes were handed
to the board members. A commemorative Redbook
suggestion was discussed. For this, the
minimum order is 500. Steve Marzilli
moved, and Mike Marotta seconded, a motion that we get 500 2006 Redbooks, for a maximum expenditure of $5000, hopefully
to be received in time for the 2005 fall convention – motion approved.
-
Banquet – Ray
Dillard suggested that we could use our leverage to get sponsors for this. Dany Rothfeld
moved, and Bill Summerell seconded a motion that the committee pursue consideration of sponsors for the banquet –
motion approved.
-
Al registered his
discontent with Tom’s leadership of this committee. Ray Dillard suggested that neither he nor Tom
should have been the chairs of this committee.
Tom referred to the Mischler report to indicate he is the chair. President Finger said the committee was an
ongoing committee, not dissolved at the end of a board or president’s
term. The question is, does the board have
faith that Tom can and will do his job as the committee chair? Steve Marzilli, Dr. Parks, Ray Dillard, and Tom
Klunzinger are the current committee.
Ray suggested Dr. Parks as the chair, but he declined. President Finger clarified that no
expenditures or receipts happen without board approval, and all must go through
Joe LeBlanc. Joe added that
correspondence to the membership should not occur except through Joe, as there
is no official contact list other than his – referring to the apparent fact
that Mr. Klunzinger retained a copy of the club mailing list against the wishes
of the board, which he had used for an unofficial mailing to some members. Bob Lusch also suggested that another than Tom
chair the committee. Tom defended
himself as not having done anything regarding monies without board approval,
and said if the board didn’t want him, he had much better things to do. Larry S. suggested that there might be more
problems than benefits retaining Tom as chair. Don Charters stated that his disapproval of
Tom’s committee plans and activities stemmed solely from his need for more
information, in a more timely fashion, in order to plan the convention rooms
and events properly. Mike Strub expressed
his appreciation for the creativity that Tom has brought, although he expects
that Tom would continue to abide by the requirement that no unapproved
expenditures be undertaken by the committee.
Ann Bobrofsky explained her reasons for discontent with Tom, and the
Mischler report. Bob Lusch said that a
definite decision must be made, and so he moved, and Mike Denany seconded, that President Finger appoint a new person
other than Tom to head the 50th anniversary committee (see below for
vote)
-
Non-voting
members were excused for executive session from 6:55pm. The board then learned that it cannot vote in
executive session. It decided on a
secret ballot, to be counted in open session.
If the vote is Yes, President Finger will remove Tom and appoint a new
chair. If it is No, President Finger
will re-affirm Tom’s chairmanship of this committee.
-
Executive session
was ended at 7:06pm, followed by a break, and then re-convened open session at 7:13pm.
-
The vote: 11
votes cast, 7 yes, 4 no. Therefore the motion
passed, and President Finger was thereby asked to appoint a new chairman, other
than Tom Klunzinger, of the 50th anniversary committee. President Finger is the temporary chair at
this time. He will decide whether Tom
should remain on the committee at a later date. Note that any
MSNS person would be eligible to chair.
-
The board was
asked whether they objected to, or wished to add to, any suggestions of the
committee. President Finger recommends
that Ray make contacts to the various groups to attend our 50th
anniversary committee. The board
approved.
1.
10 year Club
-
no discussion
2.
Exhibits
-
no discussion
3.
50th Anniversary
Medal –
-
President Finger
recommends that we proceed to work on deciding their plans for the medal.
-
Don asked whether
we should change the date of our convention in spring, 2006, as the newly
selected ANA convention date now conflicts with it. Steve Marzilli moved, and Mike Denany
seconded, that we hold our spring, 2006
show at the contracted date of April 7-9, despite the ANA conflict – motion
approved.
B.
Exhibit – Frank Passic
-
Frank Passic thanked
Dany Rothfeld and Dr. Parks for their work in judging the exhibits. Frank is training new judges. He will run the CSNS exhibits under MSNS
rules. Frank recommends that we buy our
gold (and silver) now while it is down in price, for prizes, as we’ll come way
under our $3500 budget if we do so. Any
left over will be useful for the fall convention. (No motion was needed, as he already has
budgetary authority.)
-
We remember that
MSNS members Bob Sayer and Mr. Anderson passed away over the last year. We will need a more complete list to read at
the breakfast tomorrow.
C.
Auctions – President Finger
-
President Finger
has already signed a contract for the Fall 2005 auction with Craig Whitford
-
We need to get
bids for our Auctioneer for 2006 and beyond.
D.
Past Presidents – Al Bobrofsky
-
Al noted that we
need to approve giving the George Hattie award to a certain intended recipient. Joe says he has already had it engraved, and it
is ready for whichever convention the intended recipient attends next.
E.
Mich-Matist – Mike Marotta
-
Because Mike has
increased the advertising charges, we will come closer to breaking even on our
expenses this year.
-
Mike looks
forward to the opportunity to pay taxes on our revenue!
-
Mike also suggested
that the board enter the modern era by raising the author rate to 10c/word for
submitted articles.
-
The Mich-Matist
is 36 pages when big, 32 when small.
-
Mike addressed
some complaints about print quality.
-
There was a discussion
about which forms should appear in the Mich-Matist, and at what frequency.
X.
Old Business
A.
Phone Line – Joe LeBlanc
– MSNS
now has its own phone number at Joe’s business:
734 453-0504 – this is printed also in the Mich-Matist
B.
ANA Future
Convention – Tom Klunzinger
-
Tom did not
return after executive session, but had given President Finger a letter about
this. It stated that Tom has delivered a
letter to the ANA, but we have not heard back from them. Don offered his understanding that the ANA
won’t come back to Cobo Hall because of security concerns and other problems;
also, the Hyatt is too small, so another viable venue would need to be offered
to them in order to bring the ANA back.
XI. New Business
A.
Membership Drive –
Mike Marotta
-
We need a more
active and vital club. This will help
with ad revenue as well. So we need to
set a path for building membership over the next 3-5 years.
-
Don noted that
all MSNS convention chairs and workers are supposed to be MSNS members, but
they are not.
-
Ann noted that
the membership shrank due to Tom’s desire to reduce postage and printing
expenses in the past.
B.
Code of Ethics – Mike Marotta
-
Steve Bieda said
this is not enforceable; it is a statement of what we would like to see people
do.
-
Steve Marzilli
moved, and Greg seconded, that we accept the Code of Ethics. The vote was a tie, so it is tabled until our
next meeting. The board request re-editing to remove the expulsion provision, and
it may re-vote on it at the next meeting.
C.
50 year members – Joe LeBlanc
-
Joe asked
whether, since we’ve had 25 and 40 year pins for those members who have been in
our organization for these terms, should we not soon get some 50 year
pins? Joe proposed to look into this for
discussion at the next meeting. President
Finger tabled the issue, as it goes under the anniversary committee, for the first
issues of these pins will be under them.
XII.
Committee Appointments
President
Finger made the following appointments to committees:
A.
Search for
Convention Understudy – President
Finger
-
Brian Malnar is approved to be Don Charter’s understudy. Don supports
this move.
B.
Publicity
Chairman – President
Finger
-
Mike Marotta, Dr. Parks, Greg Guseff
C.
Membership Committee – President Finger
-
Larry Sekulich, Joe LeBlanc, Mike Denany, Mike Marotta
D.
Convention Manual
Committee – President Finger
-
JOINT with the
Convention Committee
-
Al Bobrofsky, President Finger, Rob Lusch, Brian
Malnar, Don Charters
E.
Financial Review
Committee – President Finger
-
Ann Bobrofsky, Tom Colson, Joe LeBlanc
F.
Legal Counsel – President Finger
-
Steve Bieda
G.
Convention
Committee – President Finger
-
See D.
H.
Executive
Committee – President
Finger
-
President Finger, Ann Bobrofsky, Joe LeBlanc, Rob Lusch
Auction Committee –
President Finger
-
Bill Summerell, Steve Friedman, Joe LeBlanc
I.
Exhibits
Committee
-
Frank Passic, Dr. Parks, Mike Denany, Dany Rothfeld
J.
Anniversary
Committee
-
Dr. Parks, Ray Dillard, Steve Marzilli, Al Bobrofsky –
temporary chair is President Finger – Tom Klunzinger is still there if he
chooses, it is up to him
K.
Show Case
Chairman
-
Bill Summerell, Brian Malnar
L.
Mich-Matist
Website Committee
-
Dr. Parks, Mike Marotta, Tracy Tabor, Mike Strub, Bill
Summerell
-
Mike Marotta
pointed out that Tracy is only interested in being a contractor.
XIII.
Board Member
Comments
– there
were no additional comments
XIV.
General
Membership Comments
-
Ray Dillard asked
about why Tom Colson reviewed Jack Huggins work; after all, we paid Huggins but
we didn’t follow through on his recommendations. President Finger replied that it is because
we need to be auditable, not because Jack had done anything less than well.
XV.
Adjourn
-
The board adjourned
at 8:25pm