Minutes of Annual Business Meeting

Allante’ Atlanta Car Club

December 20, 2008

President’s Comments: President Norman Penfield called the meeting to order. He gave a brief year in review and then reported on the following:

 Incorporation Status:  Process is in works but we do have a problem with quorum for our business meetings. The officers have recommended the quorum should be based on number of attendees at the meeting since most attendees are the “movers and shakers” of the Club. 

 The incorporation process should be completed within 30 days and will serve to limit our personal liability as a Club since each member must have liability insurance on his car. Following incorporation, the Secretary/Treasurer will transfer funds and membership to the Corporation.  We will be a Not-for-Profit Club but not tax exempt. We will still have to file appropriate taxes.

 Secretary/Treasurer Report: Bernice & Harvard Kniffen are currently on Christmas vacation; Paula Vopelak presented the Secretary/Treasurer’s Report in Bernice’s absence.   As of December 1, 2008 we have 44 members with paid dues. ur current bank balance as of December 20, 2008 is $3,481.17 which includes the $1200 in our Treasury to be used as a Memorial to Ken Kogge, our Club Founder. 

 Norman asked for a motion to accept the report as presented. Russell Vopelak made the motion the report be accepted as presented; seconded by Doug Jackson with no discussion. Motion has been passed.

 Survey Report: Paula Vopelak reported that this year’s survey produced 14 surveys; more numbers then in previous years.  Paula reported that the surveys offered suggestions for a more diversified event schedule which she briefly reviewed. The largest number of recommendations was on the location for the monthly breakfast meeting. The members would like to see other locations for our breakfast meeting. Norman mentioned that the majority of our members are in the northwest section of the metro area. Paula, in reviewing the event schedule, mentioned that only four breakfast meetings would be held at the Piccadilly. Other breakfast meetings would be held elsewhere, including some within the Perimeter. That should satisfy members wanting other locations for monthly breakfasts. 

 Following the event schedule discussion, Paula mentioned that the FL Club most likely would want to join us for our Christmas Cruise to the Biltmore Estate. Did our Club have any objections to inviting them? Norman mentioned that was the decision of the Trip Queen as it would be extra work on her part, but there is no objection to including them within the planning. Paula stated she would clarify the requirements for joining us with Kathy in that the FL Club would be responsible for reservations, ticket purchases, etc., separate from our Club.

 Our Annual Winter Dinner will be held at the Aqua Blue restaurant in Roswell, GA. The menu has not been completed but cost per person should be approximately $35 - $40, with the Club picking up the tab for appetizers and desserts. 

 National Meet: After a brief discussion of the pros and cons of hosting a National Meet, Norman suggested the Club target a National Meet to be held in two years. He further suggested a committee be formed to develop the scope of the Meet (encompassing budget, appropriate location, judging standards, hotel reservations, social activities, required manpower, etc., and costs to Allante' owners (such as registration of car, event registration - dinner, tours, activities.). 

 Discussion followed with Dennis Guthrie suggesting the Club hold a fund raiser in the summer to enable the additional financial support a National Meet would require. Norman stated our previous Auction in 2007 netted the Club a good financial input and we could format a fund raiser similar to that.  Dennis also mentioned that Corporate Sponsors (i.e., Cadillac dealers) will need to be approached for financial and other support if a National Meet occurs.  Norman then asked that the following members join the Officers on the Scope Committee: Doug Jackson, Russell Vopelak, Michael Fain, Ken Gresham, Dennis Guthrie. Committee meeting to be scheduled.

 Club Newsletter: Norman reported that the Officers had wanted to expand the Newsletter input from that which is published now. A new editor is needed who has the desire and resources to expand the development. Norman asked Michael Fain if he was interested in the Editor position to which Michael said he was interested but would need to discuss with Norman. 

 The final agenda item: election of Officers. Norman asked for candidates for the three offices of the Club. Doug and Dennis both stated that the current officers had done such a fine job for us that they should stay on. The membership agreed wholeheartedly. Norman asked for discussion, none followed. Doug made the motion that the current officers (Norman Penfield, Paula Vopelak and Bernice Kniffen) be re-elected for the 2009 year; Russell Vopelak seconded the motion and the present membership passed the motion.

 There being no other items to be discussed, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted by

Paula Vopelak for Bernice Kniffen

Secretary/Treasurer