 |
![[Company Logo Image]](images/ddalumni_logo.jpg){kind=logo} |
 |
|
 |
 |
||
 |
|
Navigational links:
-------------------------
-------------------------
-------------------------
Contact information
John Lynch
|
Ford Lincoln Mercury DD Alumni AssociationMinutes of Board of Directors MeetingHyatt Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch, Scottsdale, ArizonaOctober 19, 2008A meeting of the Board of
Directors of the Ford Lincoln Mercury DD Alumni Association was held at the
Hyatt Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Gainey Ranch, October
19, 2008 at 8:30 AM. The following individuals
were present: Board Members Gus Palmar,
President Al Meyer, Vice President Mike Collins, Sr., Secretary-Treasurer
John Bearce Bob Beine Tarik Daoud George Doetsch Irving Matthews Art Silva Brad Webb John Lynch, Executive
Secretary Past Presidents John Calcott Brack Greer Dick Ruhl Ralph Seekins Dave Sinclair John Sinclair Larry Stovesand Ed Witt Ford Executives Jamy Hall Scott Majercik Cindy Wight The purpose of the meeting
was to conduct the following business. The meeting was called to
order by President, Gus Palmar and he welcomed
everyone to the meeting. The minutes of the June 4, 2008 meeting were presented
for review and ratification. After discussion the minutes were unanimously
ratified, approved and accepted by all the members present. Old Business New Sponsors Executive Secretary Lynch
advised the Board that through the efforts of Dealer Development Director Jamy Hall we were able to secure jmSolutions
as a Corporate Sponsor and based on coordination between Los Angeles DD Regional Manager Joe Margraf
and himself they were able to secure DD’s West
Coast law firm Sheppard Mullin, LLP for 2008. The Board thanked everyone
for their assistance and support. Everyone was encouraged to welcome the new
sponsors and thank them for their sponsorship. Dropped Sponsorships Lynch further advised that three
sponsors had dropped sponsorship for 2008. Environmental firm, Tetra Tech EM,
Inc., dropped their sponsorship as the key employee who was the contact person for
sponsorship funds had left their employ and he was unable to convince his new
employer to provide sponsorship in 2008. Lynch advised he would maintain
contact with semi-annual newsletters and follow up phone calls. Both One View, Inc. and
Employee Relations, Inc. advised that they had not generated enough business to
continue to afford sponsorship in 2008. Lynch advised he would maintain contact
with semi-annual newsletters and follow up phone calls as well. The net effect of available
sponsorship funds for 2008 was an increase of $5,000. Lynch expressed concern over
the amount of sponsorship funds received given the increase in cost to conduct
these meetings at all resorts. There will definitely need to be an increase in
sponsorship funds by adding new sponsors in 2009. Bi-Annual Sponsorship As previously discussed in
2007, Shutts & Bowen, LLP Dealer Development’s
East Coast law firm agreed to be a sponsor of the Association every other year.
Sponsorship by the West Coast law firm Sheppard Mullin, LLP was secured for
2008. It is anticipated that Shutts & Bowen will
be sponsors again in 2009. Alumni Dealer Milestone Recognition Lynch advised that Alumni
Dealers achieving a significant milestone (10 years, 15 years, etc. as a Ford
franchise dealer in 2008) would be honored and receive an Alumni Dealer
Milestone Recognition Award on Tuesday morning during the Business Meeting. For
2008 there were 13 Award winners, six dealers were able to attend the meetings.
Awards will be mailed to those dealers not able to attend. 2010 Meeting Site – La Costa Resort At the June 4, 2008 Board
Meeting in Chicago the recommended 2010 Meeting site was reviewed and the Board
generally agreed with the recommendations to sign a contract with the La Costa Resort
& Spa pending the results of an investigation of some alternate dates or
the possibility of a 3 to 4 day cruise to curtail costs. Secretary Lynch
advised he would report back to the Board prior to the next meeting. In August Lynch advised the
Board via email the results of his investigation and asked for a vote by the
Directors regarding the La Costa contract. All Directors voted affirmatively to
sign the contract with the Resort. There were two abstentions. Dealer
Development Director Jamy Hall advised that she could
not commit that far out on sponsorship funds. The contract was signed August
31, 2008 to hold the 2010 meeting at La Costa from October 23-26, 2010. New Business September 2008 Financial Statement Secretary Lynch presented the
Association’s September 30, 2008 Financial Statement for review and discussion.
September YTD income decreased versus 2007 predominately due to a reduction in
the amount of dues received ($1900) and interest income ($1550) due to a bank
rate change. He advised that dues follow up notices continue to be sent and he
anticipated that 2008 dues receipts would exceed 2007 by year end. He further
advised that he had transferred savings funds to a new higher interest bearing
account and had changed credit cards to improve cash float time to generate
higher interest on savings. All Sponsor funds have been received. Lynch noted that September
YTD expenses decreased based on lesser 2008 meeting expense expenditures to
date versus 2007. The Association was currently showing a profit of $101,761,
however 2008 Meeting Expense and 2009 & 2010 Meeting Deposits due by year
end was not reflected in the September 2008 YTD statement. December 2008 YTD Forecast Lynch presented a comparison
of the 2006 & 2007 actual December 31st Financial Statement
results versus the December 31, 2008 forecast for review and discussion. The December 2008 full year
forecast reflected a loss of ($1209). As previously advised, because the
Association is a not for profit organization, doing business on a cash basis,
any profit realized in a given year will be taxable. The Association’s
accountants have recommended that any excess cash be used to pay advanced
deposits thereby reducing the amount of profit realized at year end. The final December 31, 2008
Financial Statement will be presented at the next Board meeting scheduled for the
first quarter of 2009. 2008 Meeting Final Agenda The agenda for the annual meeting was reviewed and discussed. Secretary Lynch advised that the featured speakers times for the Monday Business session would have to be adjusted as one of the speakers had to cancel at the last minute. Therefore John Noone President of Ford Financial would speak before the coffee break as Economist Ellen Hughes-Cromwick had to cancel. The balance of the agenda should be able to be followed as presented. Ford Speakers Ford
DD Representative Cindy Wight reviewed the final list of Ford Speakers. She
advised that Ford & LM General Manager Randy Ortiz and Ford Credit
President for Global Marketing & Sales John Noone
would be speaking on Monday during the Business Session. Unfortunately Economist
Ellen Hughes-Cromwick had
to cancel her appearance this past week. Ortiz will incorporate discussion on
the economy in his presentation. FCSD President Darryl Hazel and Vice President
Sales & Marketing and Keynote Speaker Ken Czubay
will speak during the Business Session on Tuesday. Board Member Speaker Introductions Cindy
Wight distributed Bio’s on all the Ford Speakers. President Palmar
asked for volunteers to introduce each of the speakers at the annual meeting.
After discussion Board members agreed to introduce the speakers as follows: Director Speaker President Gus Palmar John
Noone Director Irving Matthews Randy
Ortiz Past
President Ralph Seekins Darryl Hazel Past President Dick Ruhl Ken
Czubay Secretary Lynch advised that Peter Horbury
of the appearance several weeks
earlier. He was able to secure the services of Motivational Speaker Rick Segal who will address the attendees
following the coffee break during Monday’s Business Session. Lynch agreed to introduce
Segal. Monday Night Dinner Secretary
Lynch reminded the Board that Monday night’s cocktail reception and dinner was
the 35th Anniversary Celebration Gala dinner and would begin in the
South Foyer/Garden. Whereas there would be no assigned seating for dinner Board
members were requested to spread out at different tables throughout the room so
they could continue to network with new members. Ambassador Program Secretary Lynch reminded the Board that once again they were being requested to be Ambassadors during the meeting to ensure that any new members of the Association and first time attendees were welcomed, embraced and encouraged to attend
the annual meetings in future years. Linda Lynch simultaneously was holding a
breakfast meeting with the Board Members spouses to deliver the same message
and to discuss and solicit ideas for future annual meetings. Name badges
identify Board members as Ambassadors and new Graduate and Undergraduates would
be identified as such. Committee Reports Awards Committee – As previously stated in these minutes the Dealer
Milestone Recognition Awards will be awarded on Tuesday morning during the
Business Session. The
winner of the Robert L. Rewey Award was selected at
the last Board meeting in June. This Award will be presented at the 35th
Anniversary Gala Dinner on Monday night, October 20th. Nominating Committee – Secretary Lynch advised that the term of five Board
Members was expiring and the Board needed to elect two new Officers (a new President
to replace outgoing President Gus Palmar and another
to replace Vice President Mickey Bowers) whose term was expiring. The Board was
advised that DD Graduates Leon Daggs, Hub City Ford,
Inc. Crestview, Florida and Malcolm Cunningham, Malcolm Cunningham Ford, Inc., Decatur,
Georgia had expressed interest in serving on the Board. Furthermore
Directors Art Silva, Gus Palmar and John Bearce whose term as Directors were
expiring expressed a desire to continue to serve for another three year term. Discussion
ensued. After further discussion Vice President and Director Al Meyer was
nominated to be President, Secretary-Treasurer and Director Mike Collins, Sr.
was nominated to be a Vice President, Director Irving Matthews was nominated to
be a Vice President and Director Brad Webb was nominated to be
Secretary-Treasurer. In addition Leon Daggs, Hub City
Ford, Inc. A
motion was made and seconded to recommend the aforementioned slate of officers
and directors for ratification by the membership at their annual meeting on
Tuesday, October 21st. The
Board thanked President Gus Palmar for his service
and loyalty to the Board and his performance as President in 2008. Mr. Palmar will remain on the Board as a Director pending
ratification by the membership. The Board also thanked and expressed their
appreciation to Directors Beine and Bowers for their
years of service to the Board. Membership Committee – Secretary Lynch thanked the Board and Ford Executives
for their efforts in soliciting dealer attendance for the meeting. At last
count however there were only 50 dealers who had signed up to attend the 2008
meeting approximately 50% of the
number in attendance in 2007. Of continuing
concern is the decrease in membership and payment of membership dues which was
previously discussed when reviewing the financial statements during this
meeting. Discussion
ensued regarding the issue. It was generally agreed that it appears the best
way to
solicit renewal memberships was by personal contact. A unique mailing to pique dealers interest was recommended. At the end of the
discussion a new committee to solve the membership problem was formed. Director
Irving Matthews would chair the Committee with
Directors Daoud and Webb and Past President Brack Greer as committee members. Sponsorship Committee – As previously stated in these minutes DD Director Jamy Hall was instrumental in securing sponsorship from jmSolutions. Secretary Lynch advised that during
preliminary discussions they inquired about hosting one of the Board’s meetings
at their headquarters in Sponsorship
Activity - Several Board members also requested that Secretary Lynch contact potential sponsors since the last Board
Meeting. Director Bob Beine
recommended BG Services, Director Tarik Daoud recommended R. L. Polk and President Gus Palmar
recommended Mudd
Advertising as a Sponsor who might provide services ie.produce
future newsletters and help acquire and/or retain Association members in lieu
of actual cash sponsorship. DD Manager Scott Majercik
recommended Paul Gillrie & Associates. Lynch
advised that each potential sponsor was contacted several times, each initially
by phone and then with a package which included a letter, sponsor levels, a
copy of the latest newsletter and agenda booklet. Several follow up calls were
placed with no response except from Paul Gillirie who
wanted the opportunity to address attendees at the annual meeting. (Because the
2008 Agenda was already set this might be a consideration for 2009). Each of
the Directors who recommended a Sponsor advised that they would make contact
again to generate interest. (It was generally agreed that once a Director or
Committee recommended a sponsor that they owned the responsibility to see it
through to its conclusion.) Future
Sponsorship Funds DD
Director Jamy Hall was asked about the availability
of Ford’s Sponsorship funds for the 2009 meeting. She advised that the plan was
to allocate $125.0 in the 2009 budget, however she emphasized that this was
subject to change based on approval of the budget. Sponsors Presentation Requests Secretary
Lynch advised that he had been approached by various sponsors requesting time
on the agenda again this year. He advised them that there would be no
opportunity, but anticipates this is to continue to be an issue in the future. The
Board agreed to review this subject again at the next Board Meeting. Future Goals President Gus Palmar solicited comments from Board members on what they
believed the future goals of the DD Alumni should be. Discussion ensued concerning
the possibility of a reduction in sponsorship funds in the future and what to
do if this occurred. After discussion the consensus was as follows: ·
Form a Strategy
& Contingency Committee. Members would 1.
Serve for 3 years 2.
Develop
Contingency Plans in the event of reduced Sponsor funding 3.
Develop a
Strategy regarding future meeting locations and agendas The
following Board members volunteered to be Committee members- Art
Silva, Brack Greer, Brad Webb, John Bearce. ·
Develop unique
methods to increase membership and annual meeting attendance. ·
Endeavor to
recognize and embrace Sponsors more frequently during annual meetings. Other Business Secretary Lynch expressed concern
about the cost of the 2009 meeting. Because the meeting was going to be held at
Disney World in The Ford Executives were
excused from the Board Meeting. Management Bonus Executive Secretary John
Lynch was excused from the meeting so the Board could discuss his compensation.
After discussion the Board approved a year end bonus in the amount of $7,500. The Board also awarded a
bonus of $5,000 to Mr. Lynch’s spouse, Linda. Next Board Meeting The next meeting of the Board
of Director will be held in February 2009 at a time, place and date to be
determined in the state of There being no further
business to discuss the meeting was adjourned by President Gus Palmar at 10:20AM. Respectfully
submitted John J. Lynch, Executive Secretary
|
