Oct. 2013 Executive Committee Meeting Minutes

President Henry Davis called the meeting to order at 12:07 p.m, Oct. 16, 2013 at The News’ second-floor meeting room, One News Plaza.

Committee reports

Treasurer Kim Leiser provided a Finance Committee report.

It is the end of the Guild’s fiscal year and she is in the process of finalizing the past year’s budget and preparing the next year’s. She said the budget will have more detail in some areas thanks to improved settings in Quickbooks. For instance, payroll will all be under one setting and will not be split up. “I think it will be a more detailed budget.”

Vice President Mark Sommer reported on grievances.

The Guild met with management regarding moving up starting times in classified and eliminating the Saturday shift. Sommer said the Guild had some ideas on mitigating some of those steps and hopes to hear back something positive. Tammy Turnbull and Mark will be meeting with members in classified as concerns are mounting from members.

Vice President Sandy Tan reported on mobilization .

Tan said there are five Guild baseball caps left if anyone still wants one.

She said she would be getting information out soon to all members regarding elections and appointments for officer positions and other executive committee positions; the current terms run through December.

The committee discussed ways to stress how important it is that committee members attend meetings on a regular basis. It was noted that the bylaws would have to be changed in order to establish a guideline that required members to attend a certain amount of meetings.

Davis discussed the Nov 8-9-10 multi-district council being hosted by the Guild in Buffalo. A flyer has been distributed encouraging committee members and others try to make the Saturday program, which includes various speakers. Themes include: what can we do as a Guild to reach out to others, what can we do to revitalize our guild and the larger movement . TNG President Bernie Lunzer will be speaking. There are social events Friday and Saturday night. There will be more information comign in the next couple of weeks.

Tammy Turnbull discussed the planning of the Holiday Party.

She said that one of the considerations is in having the band play – it would be ideal to find a venue where people can have a conversation without having to talk over the band. The Century Club – which is across the street from the Hyatt on Franklin — has two rooms, both of which would be open and manned with bars. The cost would be very close to what we paid at Pearl St. Grill in recent years, and would include appetizers, a buffet dinner, dessert, beverages and the cash bars. The Guild would have its own private area upstairs. Tammy is looking at the space next week; if anyone is interested in taking a look Tuesday or Wednesday after work they are welcome to join here. There is pay parking across the street from the venue; and it is a convenient location, Turnbull said.

The committee discussed the date and Friday was a top choice, with Dec. 6 or Dec. 13 favored since they were early and out of the way of other holiday committments.

Davis said that in year’s past, tickets cost $10 for members, $15 for guests. He said the Guild intends to make the event free for our members this year. This was supported by the committee as a way to get more people to attend and it would not come at a great cost to the Guild.

Past years the event cost in the neighborhood of $2,000; Davis and Turnbull said we’d be looking at a ballpark cost of $5,000.

It was noted that former member Tricia Clark did an excellent job keeping costs down.

It was said that last year’s event included 90 people.

Leiser noted that “we can afford it” as she concurred with others who were in support for the idea.

M/S/C Davis/McShea to adjourn at 12:34 p.m.
Attendance: President Henry Davis, Vice President/Grievances Mark Sommer, Vice President/Mobilization Sandy Tan, Treasurer Kim Leiser, Secretary Keith McShea, office manager Tammy Turnbull, ABC chief steward Felice McMillion, classified delegate Beverly Gniewecki, classified chief steward Renee Mikler, editorial delegates Aaron Besecker, David Robinson and Phil Fairbanks and editorial delegate/clerks chief steward Susan Kelley.
Excused: District manager chief steward Dick Fay, editorial delegates Denise Jewell Gee and Mike Harrington.

Absent: District manager delegate Bob Snyder, president Pat Gormley, district manager delegate Brian Long, editorial delegate and nightside chief steward Mike Pesarchick.