TRGC Executive Meeting Minutes, November 1, 2023
In attendance: Karen Neilan, President, Val Haagensen, Vice-President, Pamela Atkins, Recording Secretary, Joan Treadow, Asst Treasurer, Jill Johnson – Hospitality Chair, Elaine Lombardi, Treasurer.
Absent- Laurie Markowicz – Corresponding Secretary
Karen Neilan – President
Meeting was brought to order at 10:13 a.m.
- July 12th 2023 Executive Committee meeting minutes were approved without corrections or amendments.
- Honoring Susan Bellefleur with a brick at the Lawrence & Memorial Hospital Healing Garden. Karen has completed the application and confirmed the following brick inscription: In Memory of RN, Susan Bellefleur, Thames River GC. All members agreed. Karen asked for a motion to approve this donation. Motion was approved. Karen asked Elaine to make a $100 check payable to Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, putting “brick walk” on the memo line. Karen will submit to the check and application.
- Karen discussed the Bylaws, Polices & Procedures Ad Hoc committee and its purpose. She would like to dissolve the committee now that the task of reviewing the bylaws and implementing the policies and procedures is complete. She will ask for a motion to dissolve at the next membership meeting.
- Standing Committee monthly reports:
- The horticulture committee and environmental committee would like to have ample time to present various demonstrations. They will alternate every other month. Karen will send out the monthly meeting agenda and request committee chairs to submit their report before the meeting. Their report would be emailed to the secretary and president. Karen will start this procedure in January.
- Penny Pines Project – $182.61 has been collected to date. Karen has set a goal of $500 to be collected by June. Guest day we collected $33. Karen instructed Elaine to create a line item to identify the funds.
- Presidents’ Day- Karen enjoyed the meeting and was honored to represent our Club.
- Audit – Joe has not connected with Elaine yet. She will call him next week.
- Member Plus One Day – Karen received a text message from one of the hospitality team members which included the following comments: 1. Get a better grip on number of guests. 2. Open up guest number once members know if they are bringing a guest being mindful of the room’s capacity 3. Cut short lunch eating time. 4. Would have liked the speaker to make the arrangements. 5. Form a committee and have one person in charge and assign tasks. The hospitality committee should not be in charge of food, flowers, and room set up. Pam explained that the hospitality committee was informed via email they did not have to do flowers. The hospitality committee is responsible for making the food and decorations. Val explained that our members do not respond. Val called every member to see if they were coming. The library was in charge of the set up. Karen went twice to speak with a representative, they had the blueprint. This meeting was only about 15 people more than a usual meeting. Five hostesses should have been able to handle this. The drawing was very successful. However, Karen stated it was unorganized and chaotic when announcing the winning tickets.
- FGCCT Awards Annual Luncheon: (8) eight chairpersons received awards. Karen will acknowledge these chairpersons and their committee members at the November monthly membership meeting.
- Website- Login was changed to Rose. Pam will post the pictures that are taken at our events to the website. Karen will include a teaser photo and link in her emails to the membership to encourage our members to view the website. The paper speaker evaluation forms have been discontinued. Speaker evaluation forms are now available on our website to encourage member usage.
Val Haagensen-Vice President
- Val presented three new membership applications. Individual motions were made and seconded to accept the following applications: Janice DelPaine. Janet Matilda and Vivian Manzione. All three motions passed.
Elaine Lombardi -Treasurer
- Treasurer report was distributed and explained, attached.
Pam Atkins – Recording Secretary – No report
Laurie Markowicz – Corresponding Secretary – report given by Karen. We received thank you letters from East Lyme Giving Garden and Friends of Harkness Memorial State Park.
Pam Atkins – Program Chair, will give a short report at the November meeting about the changes on giving feedback for speakers.
Hospitality- Jill Johnson no report
Unfinished Business –
Honor A Life Member – The Executive Board agreed to honor Sandy Kelly and Christine Crawford. Karen made a motion to honor Sandy Kelly and Christine Crawford for Life Membership. First and seconded Val/Elaine. Motion passed. The honorees will be recognized at the Holiday Party in December. Karen will submit the applications and narrative to the FGCCT.
A special recognition to honor Vonice Carr at the June luncheon was discussed.
New Business- Jill discussed the CT Nurses Honor Guard. They will come to memorial services to pay tribute to a deceased nurse.
Upcoming Events
- TRGC Holiday Luncheon- Friday, December 8, 2023 at the Lighthouse Inn. Elaine has printed and distributed the invitation. She will update the invitation to include the website address and change the verbiage from dinner to luncheon. Karen will update the membership via email.
- Set 4 You, Saturday, March 23, 2023 – Lighthouse Inn
- TRGC Annual Meeting 70th Anniversary- Thursday, June 20, 2024, Enders Island
Meeting adjourned 12:30
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela Atkins, Recording Secretary