Ancient Harmonious Society of Woodshedders

Minutes of the Board of Directors Meeting, July 2, 2002

Galleria Room, Hilton Hotel, Portland, Oregon

President Toban Dvoretzky called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. and led the board in singing “Down Mobile.”

The following board members and nominees were present: Toban Dvoretzky, president; Fred Hinesley, secretary; Ed Hartley, manager/treasurer; Glenn Schilberg, Ken Wheeler, John Plazek, Russ Seely, and Casey Parker. Also participating by telephone were Steve Shannon and Rodney Sparks.

President Dvoretzky noted that this was the first meeting in which participants had taken part by telephonic communication. Making use of the telephone to allow the participation of members who were unable to attend, he said, would always assure a quorum.

Ground Rules and Nature of the Meeting

President Dvoretzky, observing that meetings go better when well-established rules are followed, announced that Roberts’ Rules of Order would govern the meeting. He quoted these as saying that the agenda must be strictly followed and that anyone wishing to speak must first be recognized to speak by the chair of the meeting. “After recognition to speak,” he said, “all remarks must pertain closely to the agenda item being discussed, per the discretion of the chair. It is the chair’s job to not allow comments and discussion to lapse into mini-decision-making on every item of minutia. This is an improper function of the board, and I appreciate your help in keeping the discussion on topic.

“The hashing out of detail work is most efficiently undertaken by appointed committees between meetings. If, during that process, votes are necessary, they can be performed by electronic ballot, by e-mail. Board meetings themselves must be reserved primarily for determining long-range policy. Happily, this board has dispensed with its significant old business in this fashion already.

“Additionally, as it is inappropriate and improper for a lame-duck board to saddle an incoming board with decisions that the new board must live with or change, no new business will be undertaken tonight. These are the ground rules for this meeting, and the audience will appreciate the board’s adherence to them.”

Approval of Nashville and Riverside Board Minutes

Regarding the minutes, President Dvoretzky stated, “(A)s both have been previously circulated, with comments solicited and appropriate alterations made, the chair declares them approved by general consent. Many thanks to Fred for the Nashville minutes and to Ed for the Riverside minutes.”

Approval of Membership and Financial Reports

Ed Hartley reported that the following AHSOW members had passed away since the Nashville meeting:

Ross Christie 97 ON Philip Davenport 88 VA Glen Hollis 92 NC

Rod Hupach 93 NC Charlie Kellerman 93 MO Don Kothe 89 MD

Slatz Manning C FL Gene McNish 83 IL Dick Merriam 88 MD

Eldred Mueller 84 IL Hal Purdy C NJ Woody Slagle 96 FL

Hank Spingola C IL Burt Staffen 01 WA

In addition, it was noted that Jim Evans 91 PA had also passed away.

A moment of silence was held in memory of the departed members.

Because no one had questions about the membership and financial reports and since they had been previously circulated to all members for review, President Dvoretzky declared these approved by general consent.

Ed Hartley noted that there were now 1461 members of AHSOW. He added that it was important for even-year members to pay their dues to avoid billing in the future. The number of year-to-date members was low, he said, because no dues had yet been collected.

Ed further noted that, at the suggestion of President Dvoretzky, the Vanguard Money Market Fund had been turned over into cash and that account then totaled about $24,000.

President Dvoretzky declared the financial and membership reports approved.

Honors and Awards

President Dvoretzky presented award plaques commemorating their years of service to AHSOW to members of the board Ed Hartley, John Plazek, and Fred Hinesley.

Ed Hartley’s plaque was inscribed:

“Award of indescribable appreciation bestowed unto Ed Hartley for your dedication and support of AHSOW and its ideals over many years of exemplary service and performance. Your influence will serve as a model for generations to come.”

Following the presentation, the board members gave Ed a standing ovation and woodshedded his favorite song, “Down in the Old Cherry Orchard.”

John Plazek’s plaque was inscribed:

“In recognition of John Plazek for your many years of service to AHSOW and to the preservation and encouragement of harmonizing by ear in a quartet. ‘Ears’ to ya.”

The board members woodshedded John’s favorite song, “Vacant Chair,” to honor John.

Fred Hinesley’s plaque was inscribed:

“Award of sincerest appreciation bestowed upon W. Fred Hinesley, Jr. for stepping in amidst tragedy, serving in eminently dependable fashion, and exemplifying the best as a true Southern gentleman.”

He was also inducted into the AHSOW Hall of Fame. The board members woodshedded his favorite song, “Girl of My Dreams.”

Russ Seely, whose birthday is July 2, was also recognized.

Slate of Nominees

President Dvoretzky thanked the Nominating Committee members for their work and noted that more than 30 highly qualified candidates were considered for the new positions. Each of the candidates was contacted and “there was extensive discussion of their understanding of the jobs, as well of their availability and willingness to go the extra mile.” Many of these individuals, he said, had already gotten a running start on their new duties.

The nominees were: Treasurer, Rodney Sparks of Texas

Information Manager, Glenn Schilberg of Pennsylvania

Corporate Secretary, Russ Seely of Michigan

Manager of Publicity and Promotion, Earle Holt of California

Director of Commerce, Dick Richards of Missouri

Manager of Member Service, Tom Wiener of Virginia

Logistics Vice President, East, Ken Wheeler of Ohio

Logistics Vice President, West, Casey Parker of California

Bulletin Editor, Fred Hinesley of Georgia

President Dvoretzky stated that the new positions would be explained to the members and that the election would occur on Saturday morning at the membership meeting.

Reminder of Next Two Meetings

President Dvoretzky reminded the group of the DEC meeting on Friday at 8:45 a.m., which was optional for board members, but which all DEC members were expected to attend.

The membership meeting, he noted, would be on Saturday at 9:00 a.m.

Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned with the group’s singing Ken Wheeler’s favorite song, “When Mother Played the Organ.”

Respectfully submitted,

Fred Hinesley,

Secretary