Minutes of the March 8th, 2008 Meeting
Attendance: John L. Sullivan, Julie Sullivan, Paul Gowdy, Agnes Gowdy, Jerry Stewart, Suzanne O’Haire, Michael Hogan, Maureen Hogan, Colleen Kish, Ben Schlicht, Pete Bungart, Mary Bungart, Larry Dembinski, Art Conniff, Kim Conniff
Pledge of Allegiance
Minutes of February meeting not read. Kathy Hunt not present.
Financial Report: Maureen Decker was not present although she emailed the report to Julie. John L. read the report for January 1st to March 6th 2008 and results of Fundraiser. Total income - $9,396.36, Expenses - $4,729.09, Overall Total - $4,667.27. Said things looking up, all known bills paid with exception of the loan which should be repaid in March. Julie passed out copies of the report (copies available if anyone else wants one).
Question arose regarding results of Super Bowl, that info was not included in the report. Pete Bungart filled us in. There was also mention of the way the winnings were split for each quarter this year. Previous years, all four quarter prize amounts were $800 each (total of $3,200). This year, first, second and third quarter prizes were $500 each and the fourth quarter was $1500. (total of $3,000). Pete said we make an extra $200 this way. Julie asked if anyone has heard negative feedback, not really but some mention. Was not decided which way we’ll go with next year.
Wee Shoppe: During the fundraiser, Kim and Art Conniff had operated the Wee Shop. Paul Gowdy and Art suggested selling the whole lot (except for jewelry) to the Hibernian’s for their fundraiser at half price. Art took inventory and presented John L.with a list. Total $2,433.00. Although this wasn’t able to be done in time. For now, the Wee Shoppe will stay open but no further purchases will be made. Art said there’s still plenty of novelty items for St. Patrick’s day. Items will be sold at listed price. Paid members will get a 20% discount on their purchases when they show their membership card. Dorothy Chase will operate the shop during the St. Patrick’s Day festivities. Dorothy wasn’t present but Colleen Kish vouched for her. A suggestion was made that the shop have it’s own budget and to keep the money separate.
Mention of generous donation of $2000 made by Tom and Jean Flannagan…Julie S. to send thank you card.
Two new members – Suzanne Misiuk (Bill Misiuk’s wife) and Anton Anderssen.
$1.00 One-Day Membership: When John L. last spoke to Jack Tierney, he was advised to continue with the One-Day Membership stating that if not, the club could be shut down. Darters and Tuesday dancers are paid up until the end of their term, but must still sign a guest book, which will be kept at the bar. A suggestion was made that someone from the club…member or officer should be present when the dancers practice on Tuesday nights or at least, have the instructor become a member. They don’t pay anything for the use of the hall. As of now, they have their own key.
Colleen Kish said that she has been dealing with John Mulcahey at the Health Department and was advised to send him an updated letter stating only members are served. The last letter was dated 2000. Colleen sent the letter and Mr. Mulcahey called to confirm that he received it.
Bar Prices: For St. Patrick’s all drink prices will be raised $1.00 and pop/water will be raised to $1.50. Regular prices: Domestic beer from $2 to $2.50, Imported Harp in bottle from $3.00 to $3.50, Guiness on tap stays at $5.00, Harp on tap stays at $4.00, Shots from $3.00 to $3.50. Pop $1.00 to $1.25. Art and Kim Conniff will make posters for the bar showing prices.
St. Patrick’s Festivities:
50/50 tickets were printed up. $5.00 each. Kathy Hunt mailed the tickets to members to sell. Some extra tickets are at the bar.
Mention was made that the Maid of Erin, the Court of St. Bridget (Rose Kennedy Division) and the Parade Grand Marshal usually stop by the club on Parade Day or St. Patrick’s Day. An officer greets them, introduces them….they do their thing. The girls are usually presented with corsages. Julie unaware of this…will make phone calls to get names and to find out when they expect to arrive. Mary Bungart will purchase the corsages. Undecided what to give the Grand Marshall. John can greet them on Parade Day….he won’t be available if they come on St. Patrick’s Day. Suzanne O’Haire offered to greet them.
Pete Bungart suggested dressing up the outside of the building…possibly displaying a banner and changing the regular light bulbs to green light bulbs.
Last time John spoke to Jack T. in regards to dancers performing both Sunday and Monday, he said everything was taken care of. John will contact Jack again to confirm.
Bar inventory taken care of by Colleen K.
Julie was asked about how we advertised our events. Webpage…hard copy newsletter, weekly emails with reminders/updates. Also emailed officers posters to have them print copies to take to their workplaces, clubs..etc. Julie had emailed Terrance McKinney from Detroit Irish couple of weeks ago asking him to put the info on their webpage. Never heard back from him. Paul Gowdy will call him.
Friday, March 14th- Rachael Taylor, regular Friday, regular time (something about Mass and having the pub open in early afternoon on that Friday – no one arranged for this)
Saturday, March 15th – Parade Warm-up Party: No entertainment, just hang around but Colleen said she spoke to Peggy Spilker and Rachael Taylor offered to play. Julie not aware of this, will contact Peggy S.
Sunday, March 16th – Parade Day: Suzanne O’Haire purchasing food. Pat Mack Jr. will be in the kitchen that day. Volunteers are set. Jim Buckingham and his band will be performing. Maureen Decker confirmed with Julie, via email, that the bus will leave the club at 12:00.
Monday, March 17th – St. Patrick’s Day: Father Joseph Gagnon will say Mass at 12:00. Dan and Mary Jo Mack will set up the altar. A collection plate will be passed around and the funds given to Father. Choir. Suzanne O’Haire purchasing food and will take care of kitchen. Volunteers are set. Colin Paige and Rachael Taylor performing. $5.00 admission at the door….free for paid members.
Annual Meeting: on Saturday, April 19th at 5:00. (Julie later that day emailed members who were present at the meeting to say that the date has been switched to Saturday, April 26th at 5:00 pm. Jack Tierney requested the latest date in April as possible….Julie and John wouldn’t be able to make the 19th either).
Meeting adjourned at 6:15 pm.
Minutes of the January 5th, 2008 Meeting
Minutes were read from the last meeting
Maureen gave financial report. Payables are short about $1000.
Utilities will be paid as a priority. Anonymous source made loan. Expenses for the year are $31,051.62.
Pete Bungart gave recap of Superbowl Sales. Volunteers are needed in all areas. Rented two big screen TVs. Food to be donated. Door prizes also.
Jack talked to Karl Zawalski from the Knights of Columbus regarding renting space for 26 days a year. Jack is waiting to hear on a figure. Jack also asked the potential buyer to put the offer in writing to us. Colleen asked if we could also “shop” alternative places to rent. Jack said this was not a problem. Karl from K of C said we could set up a regulation dart room. We would rent every other Friday. Need to market activities within the club. We need to make sure the money we make is ours.
Ben Schlict suggested trying to raise money. Requested membership drives. It was approved if a member brings someone in that hasn’t been in before both people get a free drink.
Ben requested a copy of the membership survey that was done last year.
United Irish Societies-Dennis Hayes pushing Dinner/Dance. Cost is $110 per person. It is on 01/12/08 for the 50th Anniversary of the parade. Voted on buying a ticket or two. Membership voted against it due to finances. Raffle tickets are $100/each, we will work on those. We pay to walk in the parade. UIS meeting at out hall 01/17. Tickets to be sold at the bar. Drawing is 02/24/2008. First prize is $7500.
Steve Eaken not here for inventory report.
Susie O’Haire and Sean McCarthy not here for cable report.
Mintues of the September 8th, 2007 Meeting
Jack Tierney called the meeting to order at 5:15, with the Pledge of Allegiance. Jack suspended the reading of the minutes until next meeting, when there will be two sets of minutes to read.
The Treasurer, Peggy C. stepped down from the office as she has too many personal things to take care of right now. Maureen Decker agreed to come back to the office until April. Maureen will work on finances only.
TREASURER'S REPORT
The bank balance is $2,842.36, this includes all bills to date, except the property taxes and they are approximately $1,600.00. Reports are on file for income/expense 01/01/07 through 09/07/07, and income/expense comparison, 01/01/06 through 09/07/07. Copies were given out to members for their review.
There is no information from Pat O'Hare.
Maureen stated that there is nothing wrong with the books, they were just done differently from the way she used to do them. Everything is consistant with prior years. Right now the club can't afford an outside person to audit the books. Maureen is the only signer on the account, we need to have one trustee and one other officer to be signers, and these will be Steve and Jack. We only need one person to sign checks. Michael O'Hare volunteered his wife, Elaine, if we need to have the books audited; this is Elaine's profession.
John L. handed in Julie's reciepts for payment. $200.00.
Jack will break down the old busniess into committees and those committees will handle what needs to be done.
NEW BUILDING
The Knights of Columbus wants us to buy shares in their building at $110,000 per time, until we have an equal share in the building. The building is on four acres on Ryan Road, next to Henry Ford. Two acres can't be used; you can't build over the parking lot because of the sewage pipes. The following were concerns/questions by the members and these were discussed at length.
- The building has not yet been appraised. The property may not be worth what they think.
- We did not explore renting for one year with an option to buy.
- They need a lot of cash now.
- There is a fear that we won't have a say in what happens i the hall, e.g. on St. Patrici's Day or all year round.
- What happens on Fridays, can we still have our entertainmnent?
- That are the liabilities if there is a huge mortgage.
- The building is 10 - 15 years old.
Jack loves the building and the setting but agrees with all of the points brought up. We won't have control. He does not want to buy in on a 10% deal, he thinks maybe we can get a better deal. He recommends that we do not accept this offer, that we look for a different place.
St. Leonard's on Nine Mile is for sale, we could look into that. Mary Ann said that there are a lot of places along Eleven Mile. Everyone agreed to keep looking.
CONSTITUTION
Copies are ready tonight for signatures. Paul will make copies for the membership. He asked how we wanted to distribute these. The Constitution will be put on the web. we can email copies to members. We can keep a supply at the club and members can pick them up. We will only mail copies if absolutely neccessary.
PICNIC
The picnic was a huge success. We couldn't get a keg, but we had enough beer. Bill Gagnon's friend lost a wine opener. Colleen handed in receipts of $375 to Maureen; this will be divided by three. Special thanks went out to the clean-up crew. It was suggested that we send out a letter to the park regarding the toilet situation asking if 'port-a-johns' could be installed. Julie will draft a letter.
HALF WAY TO ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARTY
The party is next Saturday, September 15th. It will start at 6:00 pm; no charge at the door; cash bar. Suzie will do the food; she needs a check. We will try to have Heinzman dancers about 7:30 or 8:00 pm. There is a conflict with the Muskegon Irish Festival. We need to push the raffle tickets. Raffle tickets were mailed out to the entire mailing list.
SUPERBOWL PARTY
It is too late for Jack's idea. We need to reorganize the party. Last year there was a small crowd and it was boring. People are staying home and watching the game on a good TV. We will table this until closer to time.
FOOTBALL SATURDAYS
The last time we did this we charged $20 which included everything. Jack will head a committee, but he needs others on the committee. We need flyers. The TV has restricted games; we would need a license to buy the Big 10 games. Do we need cable? Big 10 may only be on Direct TV. The committee will find out which games are on National TV and schedule around this.
HALLOWE'EN PARTY
Kathy suggested we get card readers. Jack will call and get this started. Odd Enough will be playing. We could use the Wee Shoppe to meet with the card reader.
INVENTORY
Steve reported that letters went out for anyone who have personal belongings in the club, to come and get them. The cut off date is Sunday, September 9th. After this date, anything that is in the club belongs to the club. There will be a strict policy for borrowing anything from the club to encourage bringing it back. The senior trustee needs to schedule a meeting.
There was a question on the floor regarding the stools that people donated money to pay for. "If the club folded would the person who donated the money be entitled to take the stoll with their name on it". The answer was "no", they were donations and therefore belong to the Club. If there was a general auction, they could bid on them to buy them back.
MASS
December 1st is available for the priest (Bill Gagnon's cousine); there may be other days available. Bill will get a couple of dates and report back. The Mass should be about 1:00 pm or early afternoon. There will be food after the Mass.
FRIDAY NIGHT
There will be a 50/50 drawing every Friday night. This will be recorded separate on the finance sheet. Maybe this money could be used to pay a cable bill or buy a new TV. This will be kept in a separate fund.
WEE SHOPPE
Two owners of other gift shops contacted Jack about running the Wee Shoppe. They thougth we wanted someone to rent the premises. We want our own people to run and restock the shop so that we get the profits. Kathy has a person who is interested; she and Jack will follow up on this.
Mary Ochab had a card for everyone to sign, for Kay Brown-Askar's husbankd who passed away. Kay used to run the Wee Shoppe.
NEW BUSINESS
UIS
We need delegates and we need to update the form. There will be a 50th Anniversary dinner dance on January 12th 2008. Roger suggested that we should be involved and should spotlight Mary Ochab as the first "Queen of the Parade". We are current with the UIS dues of $100; in fact we paid twice last year. Joe Ochab suggested that, until we are financially stable, we should write a letter to the UIS asking them to waive the $100. Jack pointed out that it in not the $100 that is a problem, but all the other things througout the year that add up.
CABLE TV
Can we afford it: Someone said that at the moment it is $39 a month for 12 months. The problem is that we would be charged as a business not a residence. It used to be that they charged on the number of members in the club. Jack will investigate.
PUB QUIZ
Bill Gagnon asked if we wanted a Pub Quiz. Yes, Jack told him to pick a date and time.
FUNDRAISERS
Paul had a flyer from the AOH hall, there is a benefit tonight, $10 at the door, put on by the Heinzman Dancers for the AOH hall. The Heinzman dancers used our hall for a long time for nothing; maybe we should ask them to do the same type of thing for us.
Roger suggested that we go to the different organizations asking them to put their events on in our hall. Roger and Jack will work on a "Horse and Pony Show".
John L. talked about oru tax free status. If we advertised an event with 5% (or portion) of the net proceeds going to charity, or a culture club, and we keep the money.
Ben suggested a community garage sale, with the proceeds going to the hall. We could hold this for the spring and do a rummage/white sale.
He also suggested handing out business cards at the St. Patrick's Day Parage. We can not hand out a drink ticket because of the licensing laws.
Bill Byrne suggested an all day event, 1 - 7 or 8 pm with a donation at the door. The problem with this is that we are always tapping the entertainers for their time.
Sharon suggested doing something for the paraded, like a float design contest, for this we need the theme of the parade.
Michael O'Hare has a float that he uses for the Royal Oak Parade, and he offered this for the Deroit Parade. It is a big shamrock.
DARTS
Steve reported that we have two teams fro the Friendly Sons: we will probably have two more. He will have the game schedule on the 21st.
Whiteways will be set up for the darter's parking. The FS teams get free beer. Last year it was FS and the Pony Keg teams. Other bars in the league do this for their own teams. We need to keep control of this. A lot of time the teams give their beer to the players on the opposite team. Guests are not supposed to buy drinks; the captains must sign in for their team. The darting website is www.dodl.org
The meeting adjourned at 6:50 pm.
Minutes of the June 2nd, 2007 Meeting
The meeting began at 4:45, opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Jack Tierney announced proxy letters are not being accepted for votes today or in the future.
Financial Audit is being held by an independent party for the last year.
Kathy Hunt read minutes from last meeting. Peggy accepted, Maureen Decker 2nded.
Pat O'Haire from UIS will be doing audit. Recap of finances and current position of club. Full financial report will be given at the next meeting. Peggy read Financial report.
Peggy reported membership list has been emailed to officers and trustees. All taxes and licenses are paid to date. Peggy suggested getting a post office box $66 for 6 months. Paul Gowdy made motion to accept minutes.
Jack met with Peggy & Colleen re: membership procedure, new report for the bar, and confirmed any night with 3 or more dart teams or any crowd we will be getting security automatically. Visitors will be signing in.
Officers had conference call:
Jack talked to entertainers, they will take less money. Peggy Spilker to talk to Dan McCarville.
Jack appreciated the turn out today and went on to the subject of the move. Mary Bungart requested more information on progress to be comfortable with it. Jack said it would be rent with lease option to buy. Repairs on current building would exceed 100K, Jack found someone to rent part of the new building. Agnes Gowdy commented on being very upset about the re-vote to be held today after serving on the Ad-Hoc committee for 1 1/2 years. Maureen Decker commented: no one wanted to be an officer, lots of renovations would need to be made to stay in current locations and who would do them. Also Maureen added if you vote to stay you should be willing to work.
Mary Bungart, Marie Gagnon and Paul Gowdy counted votes for re-vote on move of the club. 40 votes were counted. 3 had no choice, 27 for the move, 10 against the move.
Art was absent for the building report.
Paul will pass out updated by-laws, 11 out of 17 were approved.
Picnic will be August 26th 2007 at Dodge Park. Tents will be loaned to the club (since cancelled as not allowed in the park). Cost of picnic to be split amoung groups. Paul Gowdy will chair.
Benjamin Schlicht approved for membership with no objections.
Pete Bungart to write business plan for club. John Berlin will assist him. Jack will join also. Title search needs to be done on this property.
Meeting adjourned at 6:45 pm.
Kathleen Hunt
Minutes of the April 28th meeting
Newly elected officers:
President - Jack Tierney
Vice President - John L. Sullivan
Treasure - Peggy Ciaramitaro
Recording Secretary - Kathy Hunt
Corresponding Secretary - Julia Sullivan
Sergeant at Arms - Bruce Shelby
Trustee (3 years) - Suzanne O'Haire
Trustee (2 years) - Steve Eaken
Trustee (1 year) - Pat Mack Sr.
The new committee members can be contacted via phone or email by clicking on
Issue of Selling Building and Relocating Club to be Revisited.
At the General Membership meeting on January 7th, 2007, members took an important step in seeing the Friendly Sons into the future. By a vote of 31 to 7 out of 42 in attendance, the members approved the recommendation of the Ad Hoc Committee to seek a suitable location for the club somewhere north within Macomb County and to sell the building and land. At the last annual meeting on April 28th, 2007 some members expressed a desire to reopen for debate and to vote again on the issue of whether the club should sell the building and grounds and relocate the club. So another debate and vote is scheduled for the next club meeting on Saturday, June 2nd 2007 at 4:45 pm. This is probably the most important decision the club has made in its history. Be a part of club history. If you have interest in this matter.... and all club members should..... come to the next meeting and voice your opinion and make your vote count!!
Membership Dues
Membership renewal dues have increased to $35 a year.
Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Membership Approves Ad Hoc Committee Recommendation to Relocate Club to North Macomb County
At the General Membership Meeting on Sunday, January 7, 2007, the members took an important step in seeing the Friendly Sons into the future. By a vote of 31 to 7 out of 42 in attendance, the members approved the recommendation of the Ad Hoc Committee to seek a suitable location for the club somewhere North within Macomb County and to sell the building and land on 8 Mile Road.
The Ad Hoc Committee discussed results of the recent membership survey, which showed that many have an interest in the club and its acivities, but are unhappy with the club's location.
The vote to approve relocating the club came after vigorous debate and comment from many interested members. Members' comments expressed sincere appreciation of the history and importance of the club, and a desire to see it continue.
The decision to move the club from its current location was not easily made. Everyone knows of the club's rich history as a place where Irish immigrants and their children and grandchildren met for social and cultural activities, going back several generations. But the reality of the poor condition of the building and grounds, as well as concerns about the surrounding neighborhood, caused the Ad Hoc Committee to have to deal with some difficult choices. If the club were to stay at the current location, extensive and costly repairs would be required. Membership attendance and participation in events have been in decline, in part due to the location of the club.
The Ad Hoc Committee's decision was to recommend to the membership that a new location for the club be found somewhere in North Macomb County. Some discussion centered on how far North, but that is yet to be decided. A couple locations are being looked into now. Members with suggestions or who may know of a possible site are encouraged to forward that information to Jack Tierney. The club may lease a site temporarily, or possibly obtain a lease with option to purchase. A possible buyer for the current building has expressed interest in purchasing the property at a price well above its appraised value. Club officers are continuing negotiations with this potential buyer.
The Ad Hoc Committee was dissolved after it made its recommendation to the general membership. This was a group that put in many hours of hard work to reach its decision. The Club is very grateful to the Ad Hoc Committee and its individual members for their service and devotion to the cause of carrying the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick into the future.