We had the July meeting last night attended by Dave, Wayne, Carl, Stevie, Glenn, Paddy and Liam (invited as ROTW Ryder Cup Captain. Johnny and George could not attend. Of note is the fact that Paddy was drinking Sprite!
Membership:
We now have 88 paid members. The process for new membership is now fixed (the website is being changed to reflect this) as follows: A prospective member fills out the application signed by a member AND a committee member. He then drops it off with a check for $125. A round is arranged with at least one committee member and then the application is voted on at the next committee meeting. Once approved the check is cashed and we have a new member.
Finance:
Glenn present his report (copy will be on the web site). The society sponsored the strokeplay championship to the tune of $2263. We currently have $2069 in the bank with $1570 as outstanding obligations. As Shenandoah gave us $270 in gifts for the pro shop and free golf for 4, we also have $120 in prize vouchers and 4 rounds of golf at Shenandoah for the next event which will reduce our costs for prizes in that event. In addition we are owed $72 credit at Golfetc which we can also use for prizes next time.
Strokeplay Review:
The strokeplay was a great success with over half the membership playing. A vote of thanks to Gordo, Graham and the staff at Ned's. The food was excellent and appreciated.
Ryder Cup:
Liam and Wayne gave us an update on plans for the upcoming Ryder Cup to be held on 9/23 and 9/24 at Pleasant Valley. We are holding to 24 per team with a further review after the 9/3 tournament to see if we can raise the numbers to 28 per team. Wayne and Liam are in control of this event so please address your questions to your appropriate Captain. We are looking for sponsors to really make this a top quality event. If you or your company are interested please let me know. We will be selling hole sponsorships. We are also open to sponsors having their logo on the sleeve of the shirts.
Issue Resolution Committee:
We have had several comments by members regarding issues that they feel are important such as individuals playing slow and other matters. We have created a sub committee consisting of Carl and Glenn to address these matters. It is important that any issue that is of concern to a member be raised in the appropriate manner. The procedure is as follows:
1. There is a suggestion box on the web site.
2. If you have any issue fill out the form and email it. it will come directly AND confidentially to The Captain.
3. The Captain then presents the issue to the sub committee in total confidence. In other words, neither Carl or Glenn will know who is making the complaint or raising the issue.
4. Carl and Glenn will then meet privately with any member involved.
5. Carl and Glenn will make a report to the committee.
6. The full committee will then discuss and decide on any action, if any, that is necessary.
The membership on the sub committee will change every 3 months.
Use of Email List:
Currently 5 people have access and authorization to the email list: The Captain, Liam and Wayne for the duration of the Ryder Cup planning, Carl (details later) and Golfetc. It was decided that the list can be used for important issues, such as a member needing and looking for a job, but only through the Captain. if you have a pressing reason to need to contact the membership forward an email to the Captain detailing those reasons and he will decide on each case's merits. Basically we are here to help the membership and hence the decision.
September Tournament:
The August tournament will be held on 9/3 at South Riding. Labor Day weekend. The sign up link will be on the website any day and will go to Glenn who will be running the event in my absence through 8/31. BTW South Riding as of two days ago is now under the same management, Mike and his staff, as Pleasant Valley. The format and prizes will be decided over the next few weeks.
We will be starting 50/50 raffles at each tournament to increase funding for each event so beware!
Also, remember, the free drinks are for members that played that day, only.
October Away Trip:
The away trip will be held on October 14th and 15th in Irvington (Route 95 south to 17 south in Fredericksburg). It will be about a 3 hour drive. We will play 27 or 36 light permitting at Golden Eagle (#3 in Virginia), lunch provided, and then 18 the next morning at a great new track, King Carter, also right there. I am working on accommodation but, depending on numbers Graham has offered accommodation at his house 10 minutes away. The cost for the golf and lunch will be about $130 ALL IN. We will meet at Ned's at 7AM and drive down. I will have a sign up for this trip on the website shortly and really need responses as soon as possible. Stay tuned.
Charitable Donations:
We have donated about $1400 year to date. Carl is going to construct a thermometer type display to put on the wall at the pub showing cumulative donations and goals. In response to committee meeting minutes several months ago, several organizations have requested time before the committee to pitch their charities and they will be given time at the September meeting.
Sponsorship:
To attract large sponsorships we need to know the demographics of the group. With that in mind Carl is going to email each of us a short non invasive questionnaire and we need you to complete and return it as soon as possible. The idea is for Carl to be able to go to companies and tell them that they can reach 89 members with an average age of x, who live within 15 minutes of Herndon, like roller blading etc!
This is really important to our future so please respond.
Thanks everybody!
Dave Lewis, Captian
