BRANDEIS MEN’S GROUP STEERING COMMITTEE MINUTES
Wednesday September 25, 2019
MEMBERS PRESENT
(11 )
- Lou Bernstein, Randy Barnes, Bernie Schneier, Mell Miller, Sheldon Ellison, Howard Green, Bernie Schiffer, Myron Forst, Arnie Geffner, Stan Weinberg, and Phil Greenwald.
ABSENCES
(8)
- Marvin Alperin, Tony Borwick, Bernd Givon, John Harris, Irv Kierman, Jeff Penso, Gerry Sallus, and Jerry Weinstein.
GUEST (0):
None.
CALL TO ORDER
: The meeting was called to order at 9:13am by new President Lou Bernstein. The minutes of the August 28, 2019 Steering Committee meeting were approved as written. Lou then nominated Bernie Schiffer to be the new LABMG Vice-President. Lou also reinforced the need for current members to seek out friends and acquaintances who might be interested in joining the BMG, and to invite all prospective members to the monthly breakfasts. The idea of having a fund raiser was briefly raised.
TREASURER’S REPORT
: Bernie Schneier reported 81 paid BMG members, with approximately 40 members, guests, and BNC members attending the September breakfast meeting. The Treasurer also reminded that as of July 1
st
, all BMG members need to pay their 2019 - 2020 club dues of $30, and individual Steering Committee members need to make an additional annual contribution of $100.
The annual dues to the national organization are $60, and payable to Brandeis University (N.B. - see address at bottom).
MEMBERSHIP:
New member Harold Fetterman joined after attending the September breakfast meeting. Current Membership Chairman Randy Barnes reported that he is having difficulty maintaining membership responsibilities due to a need to be closer to his ailing mother in Florida. Member Sheldon Ellis volunteered to assist with membership duties.
FILLING VACANCIES ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE
: Bernie Schiffer offered the motion to declare Irv Kierman an
ex officio
Steering Committee member. Irv is a founding member of the LABMG, and has been ill.
NEWSLETTER:
It was suggested to send the monthly newsletter more often. Recently, the newsletter only has been sent a few days before the monthly breakfast meeting, but some members felt that this was not frequent or timely enough for updating important events. Randy Barnes said he would coordinate with member Allen Kwawer to possibly facilitate a more frequent distribution, even if this meant sending the same information twice.
SPEAKERS
: Chairman Bernie Schiffer reported that the speaker for October's breakfast had not been finalized but will possibly be a Director from the Autry Museum of the American West. A future guest speaker will be Beverly Hills Theatre 40 Artistic Director, David Hunt Stafford.
SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS
: Chairman Marv Alperin reported that a new Bridge Group is being formed. Interested members wanting to join should contact Myron Forst ((1-310-925-8996)and be prepared to state a preferred time of the day/week/month for this group to meet.
Members wishing to establish a Chess Group should contact Howard Green (1-310-429-7721) and he can provide more information.
Dues for belonging to each SIG is $10 annually.
TRIPS:
Chairman Myron Forst reported that the next scheduled trip is 9:30am, October 17th, to the Endicott Car Museum in Sylmar. Cost of the docent-led tour is $20, with proceeds being assigned to BMG functions. Myron
seeks tours/trips that minimize walking, and he encourages members to carpool as much as practically possible.
Myron is organizing a trip to the Los Angeles Holocaust Museum in November, and he hopes to have a future trip to the California Temple of Latter Day Saints (Mormon).
SUNSHINE COMMITTEE:
Chairman Sheldon Ellis is sending ”Get Well” and condolence cards to grieving members and their spouses. It was recommended that he forward a "Get Well" card to the wife of long-time member, Gerry Sallus. BMG members should contact Sheldon whenever learning of the illness or death of another member.
TELEPHONE COMMITTEE:
Chairman Stan Weinberg reported that he relies on 9 volunteer callers to canvass BMG members prior to each monthly breakfast. The results of the calls are then provided to the caterer so that enough food is available for the breakfast. It was noted that many BMG members do not answer their phones, emails, or text messages, and it is not always easy to follow-up when this the case. The result is that enough food is not always available for attendees and their guests.
CARPOOL COMMITTEE:
Sheldon Ellis was appointed Chairman of the Carpool Committee, and tasked with organizing a group to coordinate carpooling whenever there are significant events. This information will be placed into the monthly newsletter.
TIME CHANGE FOR MONTHLY BREAKFAST MEETINGS:
It was decided to change the start time for the monthly breakfast from 8:30am to 9:30am. This change is an experiment and will take effect at the October breakfast. It will be evaluated and discussed at the October Steering Committee meeting. No problems are anticipated with renting the room or with the caterer.
FUND RAISER:
President Lou Bernstein presented the idea of renewing the annual Awards Dinner, and requested comment on whether it should be a lunch meeting or dinner meeting. Treasurer Bernie Schneier explained that this event had not been held for two years, but had always been catered with an open bar. Member Myron Forst offered to investigate possible venues, and was told to look for a location that provided meal and parking for about $50 a person.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Member Phil Greenwald suggested contacting the Autry Museum of the American West, and asking for a guest speaker. Speaker Chairman Bernie Schiffer said that he would do so.
END OF MEETING
: The meeting was adjourned at 11:13am.
