First Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, August 21, 1996
The fourth meeting of the First Board of Directors of the Blue Line Club was convened by Kent Schwickert at 4:04 p.m. on Wednesday, August 21, 1996, in the Warren Street Center conference room on the campus of Mankato State University.
Voting Board Members Present
5 of 7 Seats
- Kent Schwickert, Club President
- Henry Okleshen, Club Vice President
- Steve Duea
- Jim Turk
Voting Board Members Present
2 of 7 Seats
- Brad Reeves (Excused)
- Larry Morales (Excused)
Ex-officio Nonvoting Board Members Present
5 of 6 Seats
- Ron Hybertson (*Excused absence) - Conference Faculty Representative (NCC)
- Don Amiot - MSU Men's Athletics Director
- David Cowan, Club Secretary-Treasurer - Maverick Boosters Club Liaison
- Cheryl Regan - MSU Athletics Promotions
- Don Brose - MSU Men's Ice Hockey Coach
- Margaret Healy - MSU Student Affairs Vice President
Ex-officio Nonvoting Board Members Absent
1 of 6 Seats
- Margaret Healy - MSU Student Affairs Vice President
Others in Attendance
- Starr Kirklin - MSU Corporate & Foundation Relations
Agenda Approved
Without objection the agenda previously prepared and forwarded was adopted.
Agenda Approved
Henry Okleshen moved and Jim Bullard seconded that the Board's August 21, 1996 meeting agenda be approved as distributed. Motion carried.
Minutes of Previous Meeting Approved
Henry Okleshen moved and Jim Turk seconded that the Board's May 6, 1996 meeting minutes be approved. Motion carried.
Budget Overview - David Cowan, Secretary-Treasurer
Board members recalled that the Club's 1996-97 budget plan predicted $186,634 would be raised from membership dues collections and earned interest.
Within that amount $18,901 would be set aside as the Club's "operating budget," a sum which included $10,000 for momentos for Club corporate and individual members. After adjustments for sales tax costs, the overall plan should "net" Mankato State $160,099 by June 30, 1997, the uses of which would be determined by MSU.
The FY'97 income plan assumed 117 corporate members (102 charter; 15 new) and 113 individual members (93 charter; and 20 new) for a total of $178,500 not counting related
sales tax collections. Basically, the Board planned on 35 new members generating another $30,000 on top of what was produced in membership dues during 1995-96.
The larger FY'97 men's hockey revenue budget of $528,733 adopted separately by MSU did not include the extra $30,000 the Board had forecast but instead kept with a more conservative $148,500 figure (102 corporate members for $102,000; and only 93 individual members for $46,500) that would be expected from just the Blue Line Club's membership dues.
Parking Perks Continue for Blue Line Club Members
Apparently, concern has been expressed by the Mankato Area Chamber of Commerce or the Mankato Parking Corporation about whether the Club would want to continue the privileged ramp parking for its dues paying members. Board members were reminded that the Club's operating budget of $18,901 contained $2,776 for the Mankato Parking Corporation to ensure privileged parking for Club members. The estimate assumed a 50¢ rate, 16 home games, and one exhibition game. The BLC will continue the program.
Membership Renewals & New Member Prospects - Don Amiot
Men's Athletic Director Don Amiot reported that with a couple of months to go before the first ice hockey game, dues from 178 Blue Line Club members had already been received. Ten new members were part of that number (4 corporate @ $1,200 each; and 6 individual @ $600 each). To date $135,000 had been raised against the MSU hockey budget expectation of $148,500, a number which represents 90.9% of the goal. [There were 195 "Charter Members" last year in 1995-96.]
Board members pointed out that the official Club forecast of $178,500 was the number to really go after as it represented a "net" gain of 30 new members and $30,000. (If the larger goal were to be used, at this time the Club's achievement rate would be 75.6%, a fair number recognizing that there was still time to join the Club's membership ranks.)
Those present recalled that the Board agreed to a July 15th deadline for Blue Line Club membership renewals with a 50% deposit requirement. That deadline may have been unrealistic what with summer vacations and other distractions. The Men's Intercollegiate Athletics Director agreed to continue accepting Blue Line Club renewal orders from charter members until September 15. That new date would also be used for renewals from those who purchased season tickets last year. After that date such reserve seats would become available for new members into the club as well as new season ticket holders.
Steve Duea recommended that the Club President invite to a special breakfast or luncheon prospective members and those charter members who have yet to renew.
Season Tickets, Youth Season Tickets, Dasher Boards - Indications Positive
Amiot went on to report that season ticket sales were at 475, an excellent figure at this time (82.3%) when compared against the 577 sold last year. The money is greater this year as the season tickets are selling for $130 against last year's $100.
Youth season ticket sales are also in good shape. Twenty-four dasher board and Zamboni ad sales are in place against last year's twenty-two. Revenue related to the dasherboard & Zamboni part of the income plan alone totals $71,025 compared to $64,525 in FY'96.
News Release Authorized
The Secretary-Treasurer agreed to draft a news release on the status of the Club's membership rate and season ticket sales. He said he would ship the draft to Don Amiot for final disposition and approval. Kent Schwickert reminded everyone that he would be
out of town next week so the announcement would have to be made within the next few days. [On Saturday, August 24, 1996, The Free Press published a couple of articles about MSU hockey with one headlined "Blue Line Club at 91% renewal rate."]
Selection of Momentos for Club Members/Special Apparel Line Proposed
Board members then spent considerable time discussing what to purchase as momentos for 1996-97 Club members and whether or not to provide a comprehensive apparel line with the Blue Line Club logo.
Jim Turk moved and Jim Bullard seconded that the Blue Line Club Board approve the incorporation of an apparel line that would be offered on an exclusive basis to Blue Line Club members and their families. Motion carried unanimously.
Jim Bullard moved and Henry Okleshen seconded that the momento for 1996-97 be identified as a high quality purple sweatshirt embroidered with the Blue Line Club's logo.
A corporate member would receive two sweatshirts while an individual member would receive one. ( Additional sweatshirts could be purchased at a reduced cost, e.g., $35 each.) Motion carried.
Members agreed that the Club's three executive officers should seek proposals from at least two potential apparel suppliers including Club corporate members Promotion Works Inc. and MGA Graphics, Inc. [Promotion Works' Dale Wacholz and MGA Graphics' John Harrington met on Wednesday, September 4th, with the Club president, vice president, and the secretary-treasurer and made separate presentations. A recommendation is forthcoming from the Club's executives to the full Board of Directors.]
The Secretary-Treasurer agreed to notify the University of the Board's decisions and seek assurance that what was being acted upon would not violate any MSU purchasing policies or Minnesota statutes. [An exchange of E-mails occurred dated August 22 and 23 between David Cowan and MSU Purchasing Director William Milow and are included as part of these minutes. Basically, from the E-mails it appears that the Club would be in no violation of any policy or statute.]
"Generic" Hockey Clothing Sales in the Civic Center
As they did in the past, the University Bookstore would be favored to manage one or more booths at the Civic Center where MSU hockey related clothing and momentos could be sold to the general public. They would not, however, be authorized to distribute or sell apparel or items with the Blue Line Club logo. [MSU receives 9.5% off of all University Bookstore sales or $375,000, whichever is greater, more than $234,000 of which is committed to non-need based scholarships and talent grants - men and women athletes receive a share of those proceeds.]
Hockey Parents' 50/50 Drawing Activity
Don Brose explained the importance of " 50/50 drawing" as a small fund raising effort created and maintained by the parents of the hockey players. The funds have been used to purchase small team plaques which are presented at the end of the season banquet held for hockey team members and their parents.
Jim Bullard recommended that Brose talk to the parents and see if they would go in with the Mankato Youth Hockey Association and sell raffle tickets to a much broader Civic Center spectator audience. The Youth Hockey Association apparently has a raffle license and might be interested in co-sponsoring an effort on the part of MSU hockey player parents in generating interest among all of those attending a hockey game at the Mankato Civic Center.
It was clear that at this time the Blue Line Club was not interested in formally incorporating as an independent non-profit corporation, selecting a "gambling manager," keeping track of raffle-related financial records, and filing reports with the State of Minnesota.
Board members left open the possibility of providing Club funds to handle some of the costs of the award plaques and/or the MSU hockey players' annual banquet.
Regular Board Meetings Scheduled - Second Mondays of Each Month
Jim Turk moved and Steve Duea seconded that the second Monday of each month be set aside for a regular meeting of the Board of Directors. It was agreed to try to hold to a 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. timeframe as well. The Turk motion was then voted on. Motion passed unanimously.
Adjournment
Without objection the meeting then adjourned at 5:37 p.m.