ALBG Business Meeting November 16 th, 2007

Transcription

1 ALBG Business Meeting November 16 th, 2007 The monthly meeting of the Association of Licensed Battlefield Guides was called to order at 6:29 PM by President Rick Hohmann at the GAR Post Home on East Middle Street, Gettysburg. There were 32 members in attendance consisting of 31 licensed battlefield guides and 1 associate member. Secretary Hawthorne read the minutes of the September 21 st, 2007 business meeting. Guillermo Bosch moved, seconded by Stuart Dempsey to accept these minutes as read. This was approved by a voice vote. Treasurer Novotny presented the third quarter report (attached). There was a question as to where the $650 was coming from that the membership approved in September to be donated to the Adams County Historical Society to help purchase their scanner. President Hohmann directed that it come from the Library Committee fund and he will see that they are reimbursed when we develop the 2008 budget next month. Committee Reports: President's Remarks: President Hohmann updated the membership on a variety of topics. Many things are going on behind the scenes. Park Trek apparently will be pulling out of Gateway Gettysburg and a local business group will be taking over to do the advertising and promotion. We will continue to work with them and a variety of other locations around town to promote guide services. He would like to ask Bob Monahan to address the ALBG at the January Business meeting on what is happening with the Park Trek situation. Mr. Loring Shultz has purchased a property behind the Farnsworth house and has offered a portion of the site as a guide headquarters. The actual formation of a committee was deferred into the business portion of the meeting. It was mentioned that the ALBG will be insisting that Guide Supervisor Bell be absolutely fair and equitable when dealing with matters of policy. There have recently been reports of guides receiving letters for missing one or two reservations while others have not. We do not object to policies that are placed in writing and are equitably enforced. He will send a letter to the Superintendent asking that all such policies be placed in writing and mailed to all guides. Based on a question by Jim Cole as to what the Association is doing in regard to our vote of late summer Rick replied that he had promised the Superintendent last June as a good faith gesture that we would not pursue a political option. At this time he believes it best to ask Chair Jim Martin of the Government Relations committee to begin putting into action plans which had been placed on hold.

2 Fuss Statistics Committee: Chair John Fuss reported on statistics for visitation for the first ten months of the season. Visitation is down 58,448 for the 2007 season for a decline of 6.5%. Total LBG tours continue to be up slightly by a total of 410 or 1.9% The detailed report is attached. Visitors at Visitor Center 841,301-58, % Car Tours 14, % Bus Tours 6, % Van Tours 1, % Cemetery Walks % Total Tours. 21, % Guides Available 10, % January to October Car Tours per 100 Available Visitors % All in attendance were dismayed to hear that John had nothing to report from the Guide Board committee. Membership Committee: Chair Phil Lechak reported that there are now 154 LBGs of which 39 are nonmembers of the association. 115 guides have paid their 2008 dues. There are now 180 associate members of which 20 are complimentary. 160 individuals have paid their Membership rolls were purged of all members in arrears as of October 31. The total membership is currently 295. Total membership on the October report was 366. Twelve (12) guides and 58 Associates were dropped. It was reported that Hans Henzel, Dennis Simmons, and Blake Chambers will not be renewing their licenses in It was also reported that John Zervas was recently licensed based on the successful completion of his testing process. Reservation Testing System Ad hoc Committee: Guillermo Bosch reported that the committee was notified that the next phase of testing will take place November 20 th at 4:30 PM. The same representatives will meet with Aspen Olmstead of Blackbaud, Cheryl Kline, Clyde Bell amd Rich Simmons on that date. Uniform Revision Ad hoc Committee: Chair Mike Kanazawich reported that the committee had approved an alternative hat in the form of a black oilcloth Fedora selling for approximately $30.

3 There were no reports presented from the Seminar, Guide Board, Library, and Health & Wellbeing committees. Old Business: A tabled motion presented in September by member Ralph Siegel pertaining to the continuing problem of unlicensed guiding was untabled for the purpose of discussion on a motion made by Chris Rebmann and seconded by Don Walters. The consensus being that we need to form a committee to gather more quantifiable information on the problem before proceeding. Vice President Marhevka reported he had talked to Chief Patrol Ranger Tim Sorber who felt we should properly take our concerns to the Superintendent. At the present patrol rangers do nothing unless a particular tour is doing something unusual that calls attention to it. He commented that even if they were to cite someone for unlicensed guiding the fine is only $25. President Hohmann called for the formation of a committee charged with investigating the problem to see how prevalent it may be and to develop some possible ALBG responses to the problem. Tony Delacy was appointed to chair the committee. Joanne Lewis, Ralph Siegel and Kurt Anschuetz were also asked to serve on this committee. New Business: Don Walters moved, seconded by Ellen Pratt to form a committee to check out the facilities being suggested by Loring Shultz of the Farnsworth House as an alternative guide headquarters. This was approved on a voice vote after clarification and discussion. Jim Clouse, Jim Hueting, Tony Nicastro, Ed Suplee, Howie Frankenfield and Ted Gajewski were appointed to form this committee and asked to report back to the Executive Committee in December Mike Strong moved, seconded by Dale Brister to authorize the ALBG to co-sponsor an event held June 27, 2008 by the Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipal Authorities. This conference will bring about 300 of the state s top elected officials to Gettysburg. Following discussion serious opposition arose to appropriating money based on little advanced knowledge and Guillermo Bosch moved to table the motion. This was seconded by Jim Hueting and the motion was tabled based on a voice vote pending further investigation by President Hohmann. Election of Officers: As prescribed in our bylaws November is the date in which election of officers is to be held. Elections Committee member Chris Rebmann explained the election procedures and ballot and made a motion to place candidates into nomination,

4 accept additional nominations from the floor and to close nominations. It was also explained that there would be an additional vacancy on the Ethics Committee to be filled as well as a vacancy on the Executive Committee caused by Hans Henzel s retirement. Paul Bauserman moved, seconded by George Newton to close all nominations and proceed with the vote. The committee of Rebmann and Guillermo Bosch distributed collected and tabulated ballots and announced the following results: President : Rick Hohmann 29 votes (Lechak-2, Pratt-1) Vice President: Paul Marhevka 31 votes (Lewis-1) Treasurer: Deb Novotny 33 votes Secretary: Fred Hawthorne 33 votes Parliamentarian: Howie Frankenfield 33 votes Executive Council: Jim Hueting 33 votes Council Phil Lechak 32 votes Council Mike Strong 29 votes Council Ellen Pratt 22 votes Council filling Hans Henzel s term John Fitzpatrick 12 votes Sue Boardman 1 vote (write in) George Newton 1 vote (write in) Ethics Committee: (To join Rich Goedkoop ) Doug Boden 31 votes Paul Bauserman 20 votes 2008 Joanne Lewis 15 votes The meeting was adjourned at 7:52 PM followed by a continuing education program on the Farms of Gettysburg presented by Tim Smith. Respectfully submitted, Fred Hawthorne, Secretary

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