MINUTES

LOCATION: Hacienda del la Flores
RECORDER: Kent Hodgkinson
DISTRIBUTION: Members

David Parker chaired the meeting following a published agenda. Other board members attending were Saied Nazeri, Kent Hodgkinson, Tim Wedlake and Susan Captain. Roll call yielded 36 members in attendance. Following introductions, Dave gave a review of the recent Board of Directors Meeting (Jan. 14, 2009), including commitments on regular communications from the Board to the general membership, scheduling of general and Board meetings and a reiteration of the vision and mission of the Association. Dave called on members to review there commitments to the objectives of the Association relative to their individual needs and objectives.

From the floor, Tony Inzerillo asked for involvement by the membership in the activities of existing committees, sharing the load of the tasks and better informing membership. He suggested the position of Education Czar be created to facilitate that function of the Association. The issue was tabled for consideration at the next board meeting. Kent Hodgkinson responded for the Communications Committee, whose charge is the facilitation of such issues to the general membership and to foster collaboration both within and without the Association.

Dave then continued with the published agenda (attached).

ITEM

1. Board of Directors Meeting Report – communications, website, organization chart and meeting schedules. The resignation of two Board Members and the need for candidates to fill those roles.
• Outreach to potential members
• Enhanced communications on behalf of the club executive and membership on matters of interest and concern
• Membership matters such as dues and financial commitments taken by the association,
• Membership dues: Members who had not paid their annual dues were encouraged to do so. General membership comments indicated outstanding dues should not be tolerated.
2. Community Affairs Committee – Dave reiterated the chairpersons and asked each chair to set up a charter including objectives and committee members, reporting to the Board of Directors on a quarterly basis. A motion to adopt was made by Dave and the attending members voted to adopt the motion.
3. Nominations and election of new Directors to serve on the Board of Directors – no candidates were put forward at the meeting. The item will be brought forward again.
4. Presentation of Association Organization Chart – the Communications Committee has not yet completed this task. It is anticipated to be completed for the next General Meeting April 26, 2009.
5. Field Trip presentation for the next General Meeting – see Communications Committee Report (below)
6. Treasurers Report – Tim Wedlake stated there are funds in the amount of $4500 in the treasury. The Treasurer further reported the high delinquency of outstanding membership dues and the efforts to telephone all mailing list members to determine their continued interest in the Association and their membership status. Tim stated again the fiscal year of July 1 to June 30 and those dues are due July 1 of each year. Proration of any annual dues is limited to new memberships and is on a case by case basis. Members were encouraged to ensure their status was current.
7. Communications Committee Report – Kent Hodgkinson reviewed the committee’s recent meeting and accomplishments on their charter. He introduced Bill Scanlin who presented the Association Web Site in detail. Web site functionality, content capability and security of membership information were discussed with the members. Members were encouraged to sign in at the web address www.lamorindawinegrowers.com. The rollout of the new web marks a marks an exciting milestone for the Association and was very well received. Members can now upload content and access meeting minutes and agenda’s.
• Next General Meeting April 26, 2009 – a presentation concerning a field trip to Amador County and the CG DiArie Winery was made by Kent Hodgkinson. Review of agenda and costs as well as a background on the proprietors was given. The day will be filled with education and wine. A handout of the field trip was made and a posting to the web site of detailed trip information as well as a separate email to the membership mailing list was made to encourage subscription of the trip. General Membership comments were very positive for the proposal and for future road trips in lieu of local venue for general meetings.
8. Guest Speaker – no guest speaker was secured. This will be a high priority of the Communications Committee and the Board of Directors.
9. Tract Leaders –
• Susan Captain –
• Leslie Ward – Leslie talked about efforts in the promotion and marketing of the Association wines to various local events, including the upcoming Lafayette Wine and Art Festival. Some challenges to investigate and overcome include the ‘licensing’ of non licensed vintners and attendant liability for the town and the Association. Costs for sponsoring tables are significant as well as providing wine for the event – is it to be borne exclusively by those in the Association who are ‘commercial’. Can wine be sold directly or through some alternative process? Susan Captain and Leslie were to investigate and report back to the Board and General Membership. Bill Marsaweh offered help in identifying specific and achievable marketing opportunities for the wines produced within the Association. Cataloguing of existing acres and varietals was offered as a first step. Volunteers were asked for and two were accepted – Bruce Hansen and Paul Reising.
10. Upcoming Meetings – According to the adopted schedule of meetings (posted to the Website), Bill Scanlin volunteered to host the Third Quarter General Meeting (July) Concannon Winery was offered as a venue for a next field trip Fourth Quarter General Meeting.
11. New Business and Closing Comments – Bruce Hansen presented CalShakes of Orinda as a possible venue for the wines of LWMGA, to be poured at Shakespeare Festival performances in the spring/summer of 2009. He also indicated a request from CalShakes for wines to be auctioned at a silent auction March 14, 2009. People interested should contact Bruce directly. Discussions on a formal process for producers to donate wines should be agenized for future meetings as donations represent good publicity for the producer and the Association.

Brief discussion of the Co-op project and the status of efforts with the Town of Moraga General. The Laison Committee was asked to provide further information in a future report to the Board and General Membership.

Motion to Adjourn –Seconded
Adjourn

Kent Hodgkinson
Secretary LMWGA
February 25, 2009