Georgia Tech Club of Baltimore
Working Meeting – March 14, 2002
Meeting Minutes
Attendees
Jule Marcantoni (JM)
Lee Marshall (LM)
Roy Meade (RM)
Dawn Mess (DM)
Frank Mess (FM)
Meeting called to order at 7:15 p.m.
Treasurer’s Reports:
T2.1 FM outlined issues encountered while investigating club bank account options
a. Commercial Bank Account: In order for Club to open commercial account, Club must file for incorporation with the State of Maryland requiring payment of $40 per year fee; commercial bank account requires payment of $10 per month fee
b. Non-Profit Organization Bank Account: Opening account as a non-profit organization, Club will be able to waive bank fees. Another advantage of applying for status as non-profit organization is the ability for members to write-off charitable donations made to Club philanthropies for tax purposes. A disadvantage being that the Georgia Tech Alumni Association (GTAA) may no longer claim the Club as a tax write-off and that the Club would no longer be covered under the GTAA legal umbrella.
c. Private Bank Account: FM indicated that another banking approach taken by sister clubs, such as the D.C. Club, is to operate club finances from private account held in Treasurer’s name. FM indicated that he is not comfortable with this approach and would prefer to pursue alternate approach.
d. FM indicated that he has contacted GTAA for advice on resolving banking issue and is awaiting response.
T2.2 FM to send e-mail to dues paying members, letting them know we’ll be holding on to check until banking issue resolved.
T2.3 FM indicated that DC Club offers lifetime membership program for sizable contribution in an effort to raise scholarship endowment fund to which GTAA matches up to certain level. Suggested that we keep in mind for future consideration.
Secretary’s Reports:
S2.1 LM distributed updated 2002-03 Member Roster to all present
S2.2 LM distributed copies of membership application forms to TC and FM and forwarded dues checks to FM.
S2.3 LM indicated that Announcement Letter had been sent out by GTAA, but that she had not yet received mailing. DM indicated that she received mailing just recently. LM to follow-up with Jane Stoner at GTAA to determine mailing list that Announcement Letter was sent to.
Committee Reports:
C2.1 Programs/Activities
a. JM investigated Midtown Yacht Club as possible venue for sports watching events, but upstairs has now become club
b. Other suggestions included “Stinger’s” on Bel Air Road (DM), Little Havana (FM), Bay Café (TC), Edgars (DM), Pickled Parrot (FM), Coliseum (JM); Gillian’s, cost of reserving room? (TC); cost of reserving room at ESPN Zone exorbitant (TC)
c. DM to check out potential sport watching event locations
C2.2 Recruiting/Scholarship
a. DM indicated AACC College Night very successful; spoke with at least 40 prospective students; 130-160 colleges and universities represented.
b. Recruiting information sent by GTAA included double-sided cards containing general information, co-op program information, etc. DM indicated that committee ran out of marketing literature before end of event. TC suggested that committee contact GTAA to request additional marketing literature and possibly more sophisticated marketing materials, if available
c. TC inquired whether AACC will contact GTAA or Club with information on future College Night events. DM indicated that committee provided AACC with contact information.
d. DJ in process of compiling and returning event statistics to Amy at AACC.
e. TC suggested getting in touch with potential students and inviting them to upcoming functions, but cautioned that recruiting guidelines must be researched and followed to avoid conflict with other associations such as the NCAA.
f. TC suggested that Club consider hosting “Accepted Student Day”/”Send-Off Picnic” for local students planning on attending Tech.
g. TC opened discussion regarding whether Club should depend on GTAA for information on local recruiting opportunities or take initiative to investigate potential opportunities. All agreed Club should actively investigate potential recruiting opportunities.
(1) DM to research other college fairs in Baltimore area
(2) JM suggested committee contact local colleges and high schools for any information they may have on upcoming college fairs
C2.3 Web-Site/Web Master:
a. TC indicated that two members have volunteered to create and maintain Club web-site, Dan Buan and Liz Esker.
b. TC indicated that GTAA template available for use by Club and distributed copy of Club information currently displayed on GTAA web-site; indicated that hot link to separate sight may be added and suggested that, in the future, Club could expand past GTAA template
C2.4 DM suggested recruiting RM’s brother, a photographer and GT alumnus, to take pictures at events for displaying on Club web-site
Old Business:
1.9.g. Suggestions for supplemental fund raising included: imposing surcharge for privilege of purchasing GT license plate from DMV; marketing Club merchandise (similar to line offered by D.C. Club).
(1) TC indicated that member of D.C. Club runs merchandising company and can help Baltimore Club set up merchandise line.
(2) RM suggested and all agreed that the club sponsor a logo contest with winner receiving free logo shirt.
M2 Tech Tags
(1) TC opened discussion regarding fee to be charged for privilege of purchasing GT license plate from DMV; suggested one price for members, different price for non-members
(2) FM recommended $35 for members (including $25 DMV fee) and $50 for non-members; no exception taken
Logo Contest/Merchandising
(1) TC indicated that local alumnus, Maurice Furchgott operates merchandising company and offered services to Club.
(2) DM opened discussion of logo guidelines; additional cost for additional colors and embroidery (TC); logo should work well in color or black & white, the less colors the better (RM); logo should represent GT and Baltimore (JM)
(3) All agreed Executive Committee and Board of Directors to judge contest; winner receives free logo shirt
(4) TC opened discussion regarding contest timeline; FM suggested and all agreed to having merchandise line in place by first event/football game; logo contest entries to be submitted by first week of July
(5) TC suggested getting contest publicity out via e-mail; LM to compose notice outlining purpose and guidelines and forward to Executive Committee/Board of Directors for review and comment; RM to forward sample logos from sister clubs; LM to forward approved e-mail announcement to Jane Stoner at GTAA for main list distribution
1.11 TC opened discussion regarding meeting locations for both executive and social meetings.
a. It was agreed by all that meetings and sport watching events should be held at central locations that provide ample free parking.
b. Suggestions included: Bay Cafe in Canton, Bill Bateman’s in Towson, Columbia, Reisterstown or Severna Park.
M2 Refer to Committee Reports, above, for discussion of sport watching event locations
New Business:
2.1 TC opened discussion of regularly scheduled working meeting intervals
a. TC recommended once per month or at least once every two months
b. FM seconded once per month for now and suggested the second Thursday of the month; no exception taken
2.2 TC opened discussion regarding 2002-03 Events Calendar
a. TC opened discussion of dinner social events, reminding that a minimum number of attendees is required for certain GTAA sponsored speakers
(1) TC suggested that to keep interest in Club going, another social event should be planned before too long
(2) DM indicated that D.C. Club hosting May event with Paul Hewitt as speaker, suggested working out joint event; TC suggested advertising for DC event, but getting our own speaker to maintain or own identity; TC suggested looking into getting Paul Hewitt to speak in Baltimore on same trip, possibly Thursday, May 9th
(3) TC suggested and all agreed on 6 month interval for dinner social meetings to be held each May and November
(4) TC opened discussion of second choice for May dinner speaker; suggestions included: Major General Harrison (FM), Amy Stalzer (summer meeting addressing recruiting) (DM), Donald O’Shea (FM), David Finkelstien (Cosmology) (RM), David Herold (DM), Steve Danyluck (FM), Gary Schafer (JM), Michael Coleman (FM), Dr. Clough (TC), Wes Durham (LM), Club member Maurice Furchgott (FM); FM suggested tapping Club member employed by Ravens for speaker
(5) TC to contact GTAA regarding speaker availability
(6) TC seconded combining with D.C. Club and hosting FASET representative Amy Stalzer to speak regarding local recruiting
b. TC recommended hosting early August picnic for new students and their families
c. TC recommended hosting group outing to GT/Maryland baseball game, Sunday, April 14th (1 p.m. game)
(1) TC suggested possibility of inviting recruits contacted at AACC College Fair
(2) LM to contact DC group to find out if they have plans to attend game as group and if so, what is their planned meeting spot
(3) LM to contact Maryland Athletic Association for more information on tickets
d. TC indicated that DC Club has proposal for good deal on GT/Maryland football game to be held in College Park this year
(1) Per TC, regular ticket price $29 each; groups of 20-99, $20/ticket; groups of 100-199, $15/ticket; groups of 200 or more, $11/ticket
(2) D.C. Club charges $20/ticket with extra $9 going to scholarship fund; TC suggested we advertise same price, no exception taken
Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Next Meeting: Thursday, April 11, 2002, 7 p.m. (get there early for Happy Hour specials)
Little Havana, Key Hwy., Baltimore
These minutes were written by Lee Marshall. Please notify author of any omissions or corrections within fourteen (14) days of receipt, otherwise these minutes will stand as written and become part of the Club’s record.
cc: Attendees
Dan Buan
Brian Esker
Liz Esker
Duane Jones
Raphael Olazagasti
David Rowse
Jane Stoner