2023 SCH Business Meeting

This years annual business meeting experienced delays and was slightly abbreviated because of an unannounced Democrat party fundraiser featuring President Biden and James Taylor in the near by theater district. In addition there was a substantial protest against the war in Gaza in the same neighborhood. On our walk to from the parking lot, we were greeted by chants of, “Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho, Genocide Joe, has to go”. Long story short it was a mess getting to the Tavern Club this year, it took Julie and myself 20 minutes to travel the final 3/10 of a mile.

The attendees were: G. Anthony, R.J. Lyman, Sinan Kunt, Mark O’Connor, Bob Thomas, Lili Winslow, Nick Burke, Trina Abbott, Chris Abbott, Nick de Sherbinin, Lane Mann, Hans Huber, Keith Boivin and Rob Standley.

1. President’s message (Greg A.)

a. Good growth in the membership since last year – 58 going to 68 dues-paying members, 4 potential new members

b. Club is financially sound

c. Hochie Hearsay relaunched (compliments on the Hearsay from several meeting attendees).

d. SCH website substantially updated

e. Working to grow club’s race membership and participation

i. Proposal for new Race Membership category to bring in more masters racing members (reduced membership cost, race participation required)

ii. Reached out to 20 college race programs to drum up rental interest

iii. UNH alpine team is back! January 8 – 18 (their rental is about 10%of our operating budget)

2. House committee (Krystian M. unable to attend)

a. Great participation in the Fall Work Weekend! Honeymoon Suite and 2nd floor bath fully painted, front storm door repaired, stove cleaned, …

b. House will need rewiring – Sinan Kunt said he might know a resource who would trade lodging for electrical labor – need to follow-up

3. Race report (Lili W.)

a. 2023 Hochgebirge challenge cup – about 30 racers, but only 1 SCH member

b. 2024 race will be 85th running

c. Date is January 20, 2024

i. Keith B. interested in assisting with race

d. Cannon usually wants >100 racers to hold the event – need to increase participation!

i. Promotion …? Mark O. has some Mt. Mansfield contacts; participants and spread the word

4. Treasurer’s message (Mark O.)

a. Treasurer transition from Lane M. to Mark O.

b. Balance sheet distributed to all members attending the annual meeting

c. 2023 saw lots of activity at the Hilton – even during the summer season

d. Peter Clark (property manager) is now providing pictures of the lodging sign-in sheets to Mark for billing (no longer have to wait for someone to collect the sheets & send to the treasurer)

e. Some concerns about members not paying bills in a timely manner – discussion of what, if anything, to do about this – treasurer said that generally all get’s paid up eventually

f. Exclusives – there is currently no cancellation penalty, and 2 exclusives in 2023 did not show up but also did not cancel on the reservation site – so no revenue as other members thought there was an exclusive that weekend

i. Proposal: charge 1-night’s lodging fee deposit for any exclusive reservation. If there is a cancellation, the deposit can be applied to a future exclusive reservation – general agreement from all members present

g. New insurance = lower cost (and Director’s insurance is again part of the policy)

i. Inspection resulted in only 2 requirements: chimney inspections, handrail at top of basement stairs

5. Meeting adjourned

Back L -R Hans Huber, Rob Standley, Bob Thomas Front L-R Chris Abbott, Lili Winslow, Trina Abbott