IFA Meeting Minutes - December 5th

INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT ASSOCIATION OF CLEVELAND, INC.

MINUTES FROM DECEMBER 5, 2014 MEETING

 

　

MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:

Total in Attendance: 11

Active Members: 11 Retired Members: 0 Guests: 0 Others: 0

Guests:

MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING

Motion to Accept: Dale

Seconded By: Tom

TREASURER’S REPORT

Chairman:

Diane Girgash

 

Official Balance $ 2,176.68 as of 11/22/14

Motion to Accept: Kristi

Seconded By: Tom

EVENT COMMITTEE:

Chairman:

Michelle Panik - although she was not present – Members voiced their thanks to Michelle and her committee for a successful and fun event.

Sponsorship generated income $2200


Dale reported attendance total of 91-95 people.


Event expense total in treasurer’s report:
 

$7952.05

+ 200.00

--- Deducted from Dale Milison’s invitation expense total $369.04 (Hyundai additional)

$8152.05 – Total Expense*

Sales tax* was not yet paid pending review of IFA tax status by independent attorney

PUBLICITY COMMITTEE

 

Chairman:

Dave Gutheil

No information to report.

ROSTER COMMITTEE

Chairman:

Per below – rosters were sent with the Event invitations

INVITATION COMMITTEE:

 

Chairman:

Dale Milison

Members thanked Dale and Cari for the efforts on the invitations and also for arranging for including the IFA rosters in the mailing.

WELFARE COMMITTEE:

Chairman:

Stephanie Lorenzi

No information to report.

WEBSITE COMMITTEE:

Chairman:

Audrey Nesity

No information to report.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE:

Chairmen:

Val Janicek and Tom Nagel

Slate was distributed.

 

NEW MEMBERS

 

OLD BUSINESS:

Discussion of Kristi’s proposal to spend the necessary fee to clarify IFA’s status – 501c(3) and correctly re-instate and refile with the IRS. Olga offered her assistance citing her experience with a similar situation in another organization. No proposal / vote was taken on this matter pending.

NEW BUSINESS:
2014 Nominations Committee: Val Janicek and Tom Nagel. Distributed the slate.

Discussion of Kristi’s proposal to change in the IFA’s guest policy as described in the Bylaws for the annual Event.

Assessment of $200 would remain the same for the attendance of each member and one guest of the member’s choice. The guest can be a member of their company, spouse, friend, etc. Additional guests would be able to attend at a rate of the "per person" cost for the Event.

Kristi proposed – Tom seconded – (9 in favor)

This was followed by a discussion to limit the number of attendees from a single company – however, no vote was taken.

Discussion of Kristi’s proposal for Board vs. General Meetings. The group felt that, although speakers were a good idea, we should maintain our general business meetings for the IFA members. At meetings where we would have a speaker that is open to non-IFA members, the meeting would precede the speaker.

A meeting with a speaker was suggested for February or March. Dale cautioned to choose speakers so as to not interfere w/antitrust. Olga suggested a joint meeting with NEOTEC.

 

Slate was elected:

President Kristi Buckholz

Vice-President Diane Girgash

Treasurer Audrey Nesity

Secretary Stephanie Lorenzi

Trustee Val Janicek

Trustee Doug Haney

DRAWING: Winner –

Dale Milison

MOTION TO ADJOURN:
Motion to Accept: Kristi Seconded By: Randy
　

NEXT MEETING: January 9, 2014

THE MEETING STARTS AT 12:00 NOON

AT SANTOS RESTAURANT

7565 Pearl Rd, Parma, OH 44130

 

Prepared by: Diane Girgash

IFA Meeting Minutes - Oct 3rd

INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT ASSOCIATION OF CLEVELAND, INC.

MINUTES FROM OCTOBER 3, 2014 MEETING

　

MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:

Total in Attendance: 11

Active Members: 11 Retired Members: 0 Guests: 0 Others: 0

Guests:

MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING

Motion to Accept: Nancy

Seconded By: Val

TREASURER’S REPORT

Chairman: Diane Girgash

Official Balance $ 7628.73 as of 10/3/14

Motion to Accept: Val

Seconded By: Tom

There are also sponsorships from various members pending receipt/deposit for approximately $800.

EVENT COMMITTEE:

Chairman:Michelle Panik

WHAT WILL OUR GUEST EXPECT

• To be greeted with a traditional Lebkuchen Oktoberfest necklace (Cookie)


Everyone will receive to take home 1 litre HB Cleveland Beer stein and the IFA will only be charged for how many guest we have (didn’t have to pre order)


Live Germany music for entertainment


Appetizer (large pretzel & bier cheese)


Buffet meal choice of 3 items


Dessert - Apfelstrudel


Coffee/Tea


Beer/Wine on consumption


Fun Facts for their reading pleasure


Games & Prizes


Announcements & Recognition from the IFA President (they have a microphone)

Stephanie has offered to create the fun fact sheets at Blaser’s cost, which will stand as their sponsorship. The motion was accepted by Randy and second by Don.

Outstanding concerns for follow up: Parking at the event and whether or not there is a need to call any customers who’ve not yet responded to Dale.

　

PUBLICITY COMMITTEE

 

Chairman:

Dave Gutheil

No information to report.

ROSTER COMMITTEE

 

Chairman:

Dan Malcolm

Rosters have gone out.

INVITATION COMMITTEE:

 

Chairman:

Dale Milison

Invitations have gone out. Dale reported prior to the meeting that the response has been slow but is normal in his experience. Kind reminder to all members to complete their own RSVP via email to Dale.

WELFARE COMMITTEE:

Chairman:

Stephanie Lorenzi

No information to report.

WEBSITE COMMITTEE:

Chairman:

Audrey Nesity

No information to report.

NEW MEMBERS

 

OLD BUSINESS:

 

NEW BUSINESS:

New 2014 Nominations Committee: Val Janicek and Tom Nagel. Nominations for the 2015 board will take place on December 5^th.

Dan Malcolm has made the decision to leave the employment of Blaser and Mericle. His position as Vice President will be filled by Audrey Nesity, along with Secretary for the remainder of the 2014 year. Motion accepted unanimously.

Dan has formally requested the opportunity to attend this year’s customer appreciate event at his own cost. Motion has been accepted by Dave and second by Don.

DRAWING: Winner –

Stephanie Russell

 

　

MOTION TO ADJOURN:

Motion to Accept; Dave

Seconded By; Val

 

NEXT MEETING: December 5, 2014

THE MEETING STARTS AT 12:00 NOON

AT SANTOS RESTAURANT

7565 Pearl Rd, Parma, OH 44130

 

Prepared by: Audrey Nesity

Hello everyone,

As discussed in the past IFA meetings, we are always looking to grow the organization, increase membership, and create an educational and worthwhile presence in the local Cleveland transportation market. For the past few years, a topic of discussion has been the turnout and budget for the annual event that defines the IFA here in Cleveland. We really want to increase the number of customers who attend and throw a wonderful, talked about event, that will help to grow the organization and promote the economy and available transportation services here.

It was brought up that we could open up a "sponsorship" availability for the event to generate more money to offer better locations for the events, and obviously the best food and drink we can provide to our customers. The IFA is considered a fraternal organization through the nature and history of the association, but the bi laws do not prohibit any kind of member sponsorship for the events.　

This year the event will be held at the Hofbrauhaus downtown and is sure to be one of the best.  It will be a brand new venue at the time of the event and they are extremely excited to work with us.　 To be able to throw the caliber of event needed, members are able to sponsor any amount of money they would like, and with that will come an acknowledgement of some sort. A major sponsor can donate one of their banners, others can be acknowledged on handouts for the trivia game, members are able to sponsor a certain drink, appetizer, etc and be acknowledged on a sign for that.

Please do not feel obligated to do so, but by opening this up to the members we can increase the budget and work at growing our organization.　

Another area of financial growth is advertising, and for next year’s roster there will be an opportunity to purchase a business card size, half page size, or full page advertisement for you company.

The current IFA board and officers thank you for your support and look forward to taking the association to the next level with you! Please contact myself or Michelle Panik at MSI for info on sponsorship.

 

Prepared by Kristi Buckholz, 2014 IFA President

IFA Meeting Minutes - August 22nd

INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT ASSOCIATION OF CLEVELAND, INC.

MINUTES FROM AUGUST 22, 2014 MEETING

　

MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:

Audrey Nesity, Dan Malcolm, Jeanne Heilman, Dale Milison, Kristi Buckholz, Cecil Sweeney, Randy Fraley, Stephanie Lorenzi, Dave Gutheil, Lars Traner, Don Alt, Olga Diaz, Diane Girgash, Tom Nagel

Total in Attendance: 14

Active Members: 14   Retired Members: 0   Guests: 0   Others: 0

Guests:

MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING:

 

Motion to Accept: Dale 

 

Seconded By: Kristi

TREASURER’S REPORT:

Chairman:

Diane Girgash

Official Balance $7189.49 as of July 31^st, 2014

Motion to Accept: Dan

Seconded By: Dale

 

One additional assessment turned on at the meeting.

EVENT COMMITTEE:

Chairman:

Michelle Panik

We are working on completing the invitation list as a group. All corrections are owed back to Dale as soon as possible, as discussed during the page through.

 

Kristi reports, the bi-laws do not state it is prohibited to open the event up to sponsorship within the members and outside vendors.

PUBLICITY COMMITTEE:

Chairman:

Dave Gutheil

The suggestion was made to contact the Coast Guard and Customs as potential speakers for member events.

 

ROSTER COMMITTEE:

Chairman:

Dan Malcolm

Rosters have not been sent out. Dan has made the suggestion to send the roster with the invitations. Postage is expected to be approximately $300.

 

INVITATION COMMITTEE:

Chairman:

Dale Milison

Dale and Carrie are currently working on the invite list, invitations, and name tags.

WELFARE COMMITTEE:

Chairman:

Stephanie Lorenzi

WEBSITE COMMITTEE:

Chairman:

Audrey Nesity

 

NEW MEMBERS:

OLD BUSINESS:

NEW BUSINESS:

The board will discuss the appropriate levels of sponsorship and submit to the group in 2 weeks, for approval before accepting funds.

Motion to Accept: Tom

Seconded By: Dale

Tom Nagel suggested a $100 minimum for sponsorship for outside vendors.

Motion to Accept: Diane

Seconded By: Dan

DRAWING: Winner –

Lars Traner and Stephanie Lorenzi. Stephanie has donated her gift certificate to the event.

MOTION TO ADJOURN:

Motion to Accept; Audrey

Seconded By; Dan

　

NEXT MEETING: October 3, 2014

THE MEETING STARTS AT 12:00 NOON

AT SANTOS RESTAURANT

7565 Pearl Rd, Parma, OH 44130

Future meetings for 2014: December 5

Prepared by: Audrey Nesity

Meeting Minutes - May 2nd, 2014

INTERNATIONAL FREIGHT ASSOCIATION OF CLEVELAND, INC.

MINUTES FROM MAY 2, 2014 MEETING

　

MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE:

John Muellauer, Tom Nagel, Dale Milison, Val Janicek, Lars Traner, Diane Girgash, Audrey Nesity, Kristi Buckholz, Don Alt, Jim Kramer, Dave Gutheil, Cecil Sweeney, Olga Diaz, Randy Fraley, Nancy Lagucki, Jim Kramer

Total in Attendance: 16

Active Members: 16        Retired Members:           Guests:           Others:

Guests:

MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING

Motion to Accept: Dale

Seconded By: Val

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

Chairman:

Diane Girgash

 

Official Balance $6949.62 as of 3/31

Motion to Accept: Tom

Seconded By: Lars

There is a payment of $650 to be deposited. Approx 5 members to make payment on dues, and 2 to make payment for the event specifically.

 

EVENT COMMITTEE:

Chairman:

Michelle Panik

Michelle and the event committee are progressing well in the event planning. During the meeting, it was concluded the event budget will be approximately $6500. We discussed potentially doing a Chinese raffle at the event, but we will be working on gifts of some type for the match game. Due to association bi-laws, we will not accept donations.

　

PUBLICITY COMMITTEE

Chairman:

Dave Gutheil

Dave provided an update on the new Port of Cleveland service. The first export vessel was successful. Best of luck moving forward!

　

　

ROSTER COMMITTEE

Chairman:

Dan Malcolm

Dan not in attendance.

INVITATION COMMITTEE:

Chairman:

Dale Milison

Dale will be making the name tags for the event. Any additions anyone would like to make to the invitation list should be done before the next meeting.

WELFARE COMMITTEE:

Chairman:

Stephanie Lorenzi

Stephanie did complete the flower order for the recent passing of John DeFevere's son.

WEBSITE COMMITTEE:

Chairman:

Audrey Nesity

Website changes have been completed, although the cost was higher than planned at $780. Taking requests for discussion on additional changes or new information to be added.

NEW MEMBERS:

　

OLD BUSINESS:

Lars now has everything he needs in order to complete the 2013 audit.

 

　

NEW BUSINESS:

Dave advises we may be able to set up another event to see a vessel later in the year. We are still continuing the search for speakers for informal IFA events.

　

　

DRAWING: Winner –

Dave Gutheil

 

MOTION TO ADJOURN:

Motion to Accept; Don

Seconded By; Audey

 

　

NEXT MEETING: August 22, 2014

THE MEETING STARTS AT 12:00 NOON

AT SANTOS RESTAURANT

7565 Pearl Rd, Parma, OH 44130

Future meetings for 2014: October 3, December 5

Prepared by: Audrey Nesity

IFA Website Updating

Good afternoon IFA Members,
I'm excited to announce, the IFA website is going through a process to update information and create a more user friendly site!

This portion will be behind the scenes and available for members to see meeting minutes as well as industry information.

Excited to announce once the process is complete!
Talk with you all soon!

Best regards,
Audrey Nesity
ZIM Shipping Lines