Issue 18 A Periodic Bulletin of Ski Club Hochgebirge August 15, 2023

Welcome

I hope you enjoy this issue #18. The third issue published in 2023.

No History, No Skiers Braggadocio just Important Club News so pay attention please!

Greg Anthony

We are always looking for content, member news, ski history, ski racing, photos so please: submit.

President’s Message

Summer Greetings Hochgebirger’s,

It's hard to believe that more than half the summer has passed and we are approaching the fall.

For Julie and myself it's hardly been a relaxing time as six weeks ago we moved into our new home. And all the hassles associated with such i.e. 200 boxes to unpack, pictures to be hung, five different sets of houseguests, landscaping what was a former dirt pit and trying to corral our contractor into finishing off the punch list. My other passion besides skiing is sailing and sailboat racing. This has also taken a backseat as we have only been out on the race course a few times and have been pleasure sailing even less.

I'm sorry to say that I have neglected my duties as the club president. However that does not mean that the rest of the executive committee has been standing still.

Here are some of the changes afoot:

1) You are all aware that my hair has been on fire about SCH finances. There had been declining revenue from member attrition combined with fewer new members being nominated, as well as suffering from pandemic then inflation related costs. To top matters off dues and capital assessment had not increased in 8+ years (2014). Well I am pleased to say that my hair is only smoldering now as our finances are slowly improving. SCH will be increasing dues to reflect our actual expenses sans any assessments.

I have worked with the executive committee, and particularly with Lane on how much our dues should increase to help keep us on a solid financial footing. Dues for the coming season will be $495.00. This total for dues is slightly less than last year's annual dues ($285), capital assessment ($50) and utility surcharge ($175.) totaling $510.00. Additionally, we will be reinstating two prepaid Hilton overnights per member. We have eliminated the $175.00 utility surcharge as a line item and have incorporated most of that into the dues. In reality we will all be paying less for the 2023–24 season.

Additionally Mark O’Connor has investigated and instituted a new way to pay electronically. This should help our newer members as written checks seem to be a thing of the past for them. Unfortunately a member paying electronically will be charged an additional 3% for the privilege.

For a more detailed explanation, please refer to Lane's and Mark’s columns beneath this one.

2) Our diligent and beloved treasurer Lane Mann will be stepping down after 19 years of dedication to SCH's executive committee. Lane can never be replaced but stepping into his shoes as Treasurer is Mark O’Connor. And Mark has more than just stepped to the plate.

In December

3) Lane is not done with us yet, he will be moving into the Vice President's role. Keith Boivin will be stepping down. Again many thanks to Keith for being the house committee chairman then the vice president. Gone but not forgotten.

4) Krystian Macek will be taking over the reins as house committee chairman from Hans Huber. Krystian is super talented, competent and a really funny guy. However he is going to need all of our support so please pencil in the Fall Work Weekend in your calendar.

5) I will be stepping down as interim president and Nick de Sherbinin will be taking over as interim president for one year. It is my hope that some of our newer members will be filling that role afterwards for the normal two-year term. I will be still be involved with the Hochie Hearsay and as reservations clerk.

Hail Ski Club Hochgebirge!

…..Greg Anthony

On-Line Credit

Debit Card Payment Option

Mark O’Connor 

As Greg noted, we have implemented an on-line dues payment option for members through payment processor “Stripe”. Susan Nichols and I have already processed our 2023-2024 season member dues on-line and it’s working well. 

 Their fee is 3% of the amount charged, which is $15 in addition to the $495 season’s member dues. Anyone that would like to pay their annual dues today, you can do so via this link: https://buy.stripe.com/00g9DW0Gze7ogU04gh

 Payment may also be processed for other SCH bills on-line by credit or debit card. Just reach out to me at: sch@markfoconnor.com to make payment arrangements. 

As always, members may pay their $495 member dues and invoices for other charges by check. Payments can be mailed to Mark O’Connor, Ski Club Hochgebirge, 31 Laurelwood Drive, Webster MA 01570.

Why The Annual Increase

In Club Dues?

Lane Mann/Treasurer

Since the last dues increase in 2014, Ski Club Hochgebirge has managed to cover rising annual expenses with Hilton usage, guest fees, exclusive rentals, and occasional non-member usage during the off-season. Lady luck has been on our side for several years, but that is not a long-term planning solution in a climate of increasing operating costs; especially for electricity and heating oil. Nor is reliance on surcharge “band aids” a feasible long-term budgeting tactic. 

With much internal discussion and policy changes governing usage of the Hilton, the Club survived COVID financially. As all of us are aware, the post-COVID years have brought inflation and global warming. Thus, economic and environmental realities have continued to challenge our operating budget and once again it was time for Club Leadership to lean in and act prudently.

With renewed urgency at the onset of last season we addressed the Club’s wavering financial health threatened by uncertain utility costs and winter snowfall. Ultimately both negatively impact Club expenses and Hilton usage. Your Executive Committee considered four options for restructuring dues and settled unanimously on the one that provides immediate improvement in our financial health. Further, by voting for the larger increase we have eliminated the need for continuing the energy surcharge, enabled the Club to continue offering membership without the burden of an initiation fee, and reinstated the inclusion of two pre-paid nights at the Hilton each season for members.

Understandably, I suspect many fellow Hochies are scratching their heads over the $160 increase in Club dues for the coming fiscal year that starts December 1. Wearing my member hat, I too feel the pinch. Yet as your Club Treasurer I am now very optimistic that Ski Club Hochgebirge will be financially sustainable in the near term and longer with continued expense management under Mark O’Connor’s direction. 

Please call me directly at 508-269-3628 with any questions.

Calendar

07/27-31/23 Hilton Exclusive (Carlberg Wedding)

08/18-20/23 Hilton Exclusive (R. Traver Wedding)

11/4 & 5/23 Fall Work Weekend

12/05/23 Annual Meeting and Dinner

01/20/24 Hochgebirge Challenge Cup Race

Hochie Hearsay (Past Editions)