Minutes of SFR SCCA Board of Directors Meeting

December 20, 2008
Location: Mike Smith's office

Called to order at 9:00 a.m. Present: Sherry Grantz, Mike Smith, Ed Railton, Peter Nosler, Viet-Tam Luu, Joe Riley, David Allen, Bryan Nemy. Absent: Morris Hamm Also present: Fred Peterson.

• Thunderhill Report – Mike Smith
The 25-hour race was a success; lots of big teams showed up as the event continues to gain prestige. Thunderhill was very foggy all week; fog stopped the race which was extended as a result.

• Region Administrators Report – Sherry Grantz
Work is under way on budgets, supplemental regulations. We've seen a “mild” level of interest in the drivers' school: a bit of interest in early November, and very few inquiries since; seems less than usual. Kevin Rogers is diligently working on organizing the school, looking into the possibility of selling some track time during the school. $25 late fee January 17; no withdrawal penalty until last week before school. Encourage people to sign up early.

• Recruiting Report – Sherry Grantz
Samantha Corbin met with Mike and Sherry to discuss her goals for 2009. Receipt of letter from Samantha to the BOD summarizing 2008 recruiting accomplishments.

The board reviewed plans put forward by Samantha for developing worker and driver mentor programs. Fred noted that mentoring happens naturally in some worker groups, Blake that some of his students from previous schools have kept in touch. The BOD should put forward driver mentor candidates to Samantha by February 1.

• Liaison Check In
The board members reviewed Specialty Board Liaison assignments, as well as liaison suggestion and ratings compiled by Samantha. Mike noted that board liaisons should keep in touch with their specialties at each event. Joe suggested that board liaisons contact their chiefs about their specialties' membership liaisons. Peter added that board liaisons need to ensure chiefs are on-board with the need to recruit new folks into their respective specialties.

Board liaisons should touch base with their respective chiefs by January 20, before the Chiefs meeting on January 24.

Peter and Mike discussed the tech specialty: we need to resolve new tech chief; Tam and Peter to help set up tech training.

David suggested that for the drivers' school, we should assign drivers to instructors with drivers' plans in mind.

• Secretary's Report – Morris Hamm
Since Morris was not present, the secretary's report was deferred to the next meeting.
Minutes of SFR SCCA Board of Directors Meeting The treasurer's report was deferred until the budget discussion.

• Updates

• Solo Site
Executive Session: the Alameda City Council have approved a plan to lease out the site; details are still pending. The SFR-SCCA Solo Steering Committee will draft a letter to Jim Neighbor/AAP detailing specific demands and requirements.

• SSM and MCE
Things are going smoothly; it looks like SSM field will be much bigger next year.

• Banquet Review
The banquet went well overall. Positive feedback about not having a band or DJ. Emceeing could have worked better with regards to transitioning from one speaker to the next. The slides worked well and “historic” photos were very well received.

There are plenty of 60th anniversary wine glasses left over; Bryan will take them to the Solo awards banquet.

The board noted a few improvements to consider for next year. Joe suggested we do trophy photos off to the side to keep things moving. We should also review worker/driver award sequence. Slides of photos from this year weren't shown due to a technical problem; we should have more photos of workers next year.

• Worker Award
The 2008 worker gift will be a backpack with the SFR logo.

• Drivers School
Peter is working on an instructor “expectations” document. Joe suggested we put together instructional video/document package for students on how to drive various tracks; Tam volunteered to gather videos and documents.
The board expressed interest in there being a sliding/car control exercise (with special equipment) instead of the braking exercise activity we've usually had.
• RDC
Fred Peterson is the new president of RDC. David Allen remains the vice-president.
The RDC awarded three scholarships for the 2009 school.
The club continues to run a mentor program and driver development program.

• 2009 Schedule
The board reviewed the regional race schedule for 2009. World Speed will run at Laguna Seca April 4-5, but not in Group 2 for 2009. We are considering allowing Competition Motorsports to run Porsche racer training in Group 3 at some Laguna/Sears events. Also for consideration is restricted regional at the Double National event.

The board set down a schedule for the “festival” races; festival groups will be SMT/SSM, SRF, ITE, FF/CF, ITA/ITB/ITC/ITR/ITS. We need to find someone in the Group 3 to own organizing the festival race. Festival races get $1000 out of development money for each event; we should find additional donations from vendors etc. for prizes. Also, we need articles and ads in The Wheel to promote the events. Fred added that the RDC will have checkered flags for highest placing RDC drivers, and possibly other prizes.

• New Items

• 2009 Budget
The board reviewed changes in dues and fees from the national organization.
Sherry presented the financial report through November. The report was accepted upon motion by Ed Railton, seconded by Joe Riley.
The board reviewed the draft budget for 2009. Entry fees were discussed and decided. A number of cost savings measures were discussed. Ambulance service will be reduced to a single ambulance for the school and Double National; this can be done while maintaining safety, without greatly jeopardizing track time. Reduction in event trophy costs were discussed. Equipment and crew truck maintenance will be sourced to local shops instead of dealers to reduce costs. At the Annual Meeting, lunch catering will be eliminated, as will breakfast service at the Directors' Meeting that day. Additional cost saving measures were discussed.
Sherry will revise the budget as discussed. Review of San Francisco Region funds placement was deferred to the next meeting.

• 2009 Region Supplemental Regulations
The proposed 2009 San Francisco Region supplemental rules (“supps”) were reviewed & revised. The new fuel testing rule was discussed, as was the 90 dBA muffler rule for SRF. Upon a motion by Joe Riley, seconded by Viet-Tam Luu, the supps as revised were accepted.

• 2009 Goals – Mike Smith
The board reviewed Mike's 2009 SFR Goals memorandum. Peter added a goal for 2009 to support vintage better.

• Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 4:17 p.m.