Varsity Club Meeting October 25, 2012
Meeting called to order at 5:30 by Chair Donita Wolf.
Present: Donita Wolf - Chair, Peter Whiting – Treasurer, Janet Werner – Secretary, Hunter Slade, Bob Werner, Justin Schmitt, Chris Jenkins, Karla Horrell, Joe Rohlfer, Linda Willis, Amy Nunn, Kenny Gentry, Yvonne Floyd, Jerry Clewlow, Jim Dippel, and Don Powers.
USI Administrative Staff:
Paula Nurrenbern, Jon Mark Hall, and Mandi Fulton
Approval of Minutes:
Yvonne Floyd noted there were some revisions needed to the minutes. Bob Werner made a motion that the minutes be recorded as amended. The motion passed.
Jon Mark Hall stated that the Varsity Club paid a gratuity fee of $734.38 for the Cambridge Event. It was discussed that in the future the gratuity fee should be added into the budget. Jim Dippel made a motion for the gratuity to be added into our budget, and Don Powers seconded the motion.
It was a very nice event; Coach Watson, Coach Stein, and Donita Wolf made presentations at the event thanking the Varsity Club members for their dedication and support to USI Athletics.
Paula commended Justin Schmitt for bringing a potential guest, and she suggested that we all consider inviting new prospective members whenever we can. Thank you notes for the Cambridge Event were signed by board members thanking them for their generosity to the USI Varsity Club.
Foundation Update:
Paula Nurrenbern stated that the VC membership is $145,000, and we are 84% toward our goal. There will be a need to take money from our Promo Account if we don’t reach our goal through memberships.
There will be a follow-up letter sent out on November 5 asking former VC members back to the Varsity Club. When talking to new prospective members, it is important to share the scholarship equivalency to share the number of scholarships that USI gives to help people understand and help surpass our membership goals.
Fundraiser Discussion:
Paula Nurrenbern presented the VC Board with a potential list of new fundraisers. Due to some of our fundraisers being a little below last year’s figures, we need another fundraiser to keep from borrowing from our Promo Account.
Breakfast with Coaches – O’Charley’s
Westside: Paula will be meeting with Brian Siebers, Manager at O’Charleys to
see if we can partner on a fundraising event to be held at O’Charley’s
such as breakfast with USI coaches. Tickets will be sold and there will on only
one seating time. Paula will provide an update at the next board meeting.
Wine & Beer Tasting Fundraiser: We could investigate the possibility of having a fundraiser in the PAC, not a “formal” event, casual, light background music, appetizers, and have a theme for it.
Hacienda Give Back Days: There was a discussion to contact Hacienda about possibly using their charitable event to raise some money for USI Athletics.
Zip Line: Justin Schmitt suggested trying to get a zip line for the USI Spring Fest. He said that he would check into it and present more on this at the next meeting.
Bylaws Change for Annual Meeting:
Donita Wolf proposed a need to change the date for the Bylaws for Annual Meeting. The coaches aren’t able to give a good report in May because they are not allowed to say anything about the new players at this time. If the annual meeting could be held later in August, it would work out better for the coaches to be able to talk about their players and the upcoming season. It could also help with the VC membership attendance. Cambridge Golf Club has also volunteered to host the meeting in August.
Jerry Clewlow made a motion to change the USI Varsity Club Bylaws Section 2.06 for the Annual Meeting. Janet Werner seconded the motion, and the motion passed.
The Executive Committee will be the Bylaws Committee, and
they will schedule a meeting in the near future to discuss rewriting Section 2.06 Annual Meeting and Section 2.07 Notice of Annual Meeting.
WSWI Underwriting:
Mandi Fulton reported that a few years ago the VC donated
$2,000, and last year we donated $1,000 to announce the men’s and women’s basketball
games and baseball games. Bob Werner
made a motion to give $1000 to WSWI for the 12-13 year. Kenny Gentry seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Other Business:
UE/USI tailgate will be held at 6th and Locust from 5:00 to 7:00. Sodexo will supply the food. Mandi asked for volunteers to help set up. Joe Rohlfer, Peter Whiting, Bob Werner, and Janet Werner volunteered to help with the event.
Varsity Club Banner – Paula Nurrernbern reported that we need a new banner. Mandi Fulton said that she will check on prices for a tablecloth or banner. Hunter Slade said that he would get Paula and Mandi prices.
At the Cambridge Event,
Meeting Adjourned at 6:30p.m.
Reminder: Next Meeting, Thursday, November 15
Annual “Night with the Eagles” event for $500 and above donors will be held on Nov. 15 at 6:30p.m., following our board meeting. Board members are welcome. (RSVP to Mandi Fulton)
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Werner
Varsity Club Secretary