Men's Club February 26th, 2004 Meeting Minutes

Saint Ambrose Men’s Club

Meeting Minutes

8:00 p.m. February 26, 2004

1) Call to Order and Opening Prayer by Paul Rebholz

2) Roll Call - 23 members present - Officers present: Mike Baumann, Paul Rebholz, Wayne Schiferl and Norb Tennessen.

New member: Kevin Carter

3) January 29th Minutes: Approved

4) Treasurer's Report Approved: Current Financial Position = $26,670. Outstanding commitments = $14,839. Financial position less commitments = $11,830. Mike Baumann has presented Father Tom a check for $981 to the Faith in Our Future Campaign making us current w.r.t. our tithing commitment.

5) Old Business

a) Cadillac Dinner – This event had to be cancelled when it became apparent we would not sell enough tickets. As of two weeks prior to the dinner, only 35 people had signed up. What went wrong/How do we make sure it doesn't happen again? After two successful years, the Cadillac Dinner had become one of the Men's Club's premier events and our biggest fund raiser. Mike Baumann explained that we made a huge mistake in assuming that selling 100 tickets would not be a problem. Our two track record of success can be attributed to the efforts of Dave Betz and Pat O'Neill who man-handled ticket sales along with lots of other planning/preparation. The following points summarize the discussions:

i) We want Cadillac Dinners in our future plans

ii) Disappointing though it was, this year's failure as a wake up call

iii) We have a model that if properly followed will lead to success…we need to document this as a template for future events.

iv) While the change to Thursday night seemed like a good idea at the time, many people had major conflicts, especially finding (rather not finding) babysitters.

v) Mark Fritz recommended that we need to have an annual planning session in which we ask people to sign up and commit to a major event…but do it once This is a marked contrast to our current way of operating where we are constantly asking for volunteers on an ad hoc basis -- every time something comes up. The same people keep getting tagged multiple times. One time situations will always come up, but at least the "main tent" events need to be planned with commitments of event coordinators/owners made up front.

b) Religious Education – Norb explained the Small Faith Sharing Scripture study group that's been formed. Based on the scheduled meetings (between masses during the Sundays in Lent) several more people expressed interest. Arrangements are being made to expand the group and to form another group if needed.

Spring Pancake Breakfast – The date is set for Sunday April 18th. Co-chairs are Patrick Tinucci and Luke Lejcher.

c) Lenten Fish Dinner – The date is set for Friday night April 2nd. At this point since nobody has volunteered to chair it, we will have no choice but to cancel it unless somebody volunteers to take charge and does it soon!

6) New Business

a) Theresa Living Center (TLC) – Mike Anger, a member of the Ambrosians presented an appeal for help and support from the Men's Club. TLC is a residential transitional home for women with or without a child who are striving to reclaim their personal worth and dignity. TLC offers these women a place to live along with support, direction and encouragement for a period of up to 2 years. During their stay, they participate in a program designed to help them change their life styles by providing them with structure for their lives. A woman coming into the center has nothing more than the clothes on their back and a baby in her arms. The TLC is located at St. Casimirs in a converted convent of the Sisters of Notre Dame. It is run by two nuns, Sr. Rita and Sr. Judy. While they face many needs that we may want to consider helping with (esp. women's clothes and apartment furnishings), their most immediate need is help with moving. Mike's specific request was to have a committee that will take responsibility to give coverage to these moves throughout the year. We agreed that we will set up a "contact list" of Men's Club members who are willing to be called (with at least two to three days lead time) when there is a need for moving assistance. For the immediate future, Norb volunteered to be the point of contact for such move requests.

b) Social Justice – Mike Anger's presentation generated a discussion about the broader needs of our parish as through the eyes of Father Tom and the Social Justice Committee. Mike Baumann will talk to Father Tom and Ray Schwartz will ask Larry Amell if he can come to our next meeting to discuss how the Men's Club might assist in supporting this mission.

c) New Events Ideas – Paul made presented two ideas: "Fish Frys" and Wine Tasting Parties both. These will be discussed at future meetings.

7) Next Meeting March 18th Fellowhip Hall

8) Adjournment at 9:30 PM.