NOBBTSC Membership Meeting March 7, 2008
Meeting was called to Order by President Steven Melancon at 8:03pm with 20
members present.
Monthly Reports:
President’s Report: What is a social club? Even the federal government recognized
that within a group of individuals, not all members will like every member, but the
group as a whole will have a bond that draws then together. My personal thoughts
are that as a gay community, we have the “twinks” and the men who love them
(chicken and chicken hawks), the leather enthusiasts, and even the cowboys. A
person not in any of those specialty groups was pretty much left out. I feel that the
“Bear Community” should be one of acceptance for anyone who wishes to identify as
a part of the Bears. Within our Club, we should show respect to each and every
member. PLEASE, if you wish that the club would do something specific, please
document the request to a Lieutenant or another officer (send an e-mail or submit a
hand written note). A general mention of “we should do something…” while we are
holding an event is hard to remember.
Vice-President’s Report: nothing to report.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer George Tresch was out of town, so Vice President
Bryan L. presented it. Accepted by Motion made by Vic V. and 2nd by Earl D.
Secretary’s Report: Minutes for the February meeting can be found in the Newsletter
and on our Website www.bearsofneworleans.com . Reading of the Minutes was
suspended by Motion made by Vic V. and 2nd by Bryan L.
Lieutenant’s Report: Jeff B, Lieutenant, reported on the General Meeting on
February 15th and the Beer Bust that followed. He also pointed out the Board
Meeting held February 28, 2008.
Media Reports: Newsletter: Tibby T., editor, was absent, so Steven reminded the
club the deadline for submitting material for the Newsletter is the 3rd Wednesday of
the month (type faster, Ken).
Website: Eddie, Webmaster, was absent due to illness.
New Business: LSGRA is hosting a Wacky Wagon Race on Saturday, March 15th
and would like to know if NOBBTSC would like to “run a wagon”. After discussion,
this offer was declined.
Easter Parade: March 23, 2008 4:30pm. Plans were made for another “Bears on
Parade” picnic in the neutral ground on Esplanade Ave between Bourbon and Royal.
Meet about 3-ish…and have fun.
Open Officer Position: Gilbert T. has resigned as Lieutenant and needs to be
replaced. The appointment of a new Lieutenant was tabled until the next meeting.
(Secretary’s note: since the meeting, the other Lieutenant, Jeff B., has been called to
active duty in Norfolk, VA. …so we now need 2 Lieutenants).
Old Business: Bylaw revisions to Item #1 and #2.
Item # 1 – Membership:
The New Orleans Bear and Bear Trapper Social Club accepts all persons who are at
least twenty-one (21) years of age and who support our purpose.
B. Voting privileges are granted to all members who have paid their membership
dues in full and have no other debts owed to the club.
C. The membership categories of this club are:
a. Members: (1st through 6th years) - $25.00 annual dues. Members receive a
1st through 5th year pin, at the end of that completed year, assuming dues are paid
timely and in full.
b. Life Members: (after completion of the 6th year and beyond) - $15.00 annual
dues. A member qualifies for this status after the completion of six years of
continuous membership and at such time, he will receive the Life Membership Pin.
D. 1. All club dues are due and payable by January 31st of any given year.
The last date for acceptable payment will be at the February general
meeting. Any member failing to meet that deadline will be removed
from the membership rolls.
For the first year only, pro-rated dues will apply according to the
following scale:
Those joining in: Pay:
January, February and March $25.00
April, May and June $18.75
July, August and September $12.50
October, November and December $ 6.25
Item # 2 – Member’s Responsibilities:
Members are required to be current in all membership dues and other payments
that are owed to the club.
All members are encouraged to participate in all club meetings and functions.
After discussion, a vote was taken and these changes Passed and will be
incorporated into our Bylaws.
In preparation for considering Item #3 at the next Board Meeting, the following
proposal was submitted by George T.
Item #3 – Election of Officers:
Nominations for the officers will be taken at the November Club meeting only.
Candidates nominated for office must have been a member of the NOBBTSC for at
least 6 months for the office of Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Lieutenant,
and candidates nominated for the office of President must have previous service as
an officer of this club for at least one full term as an officer. All candidates for any
office must be up to date with their dues. There shall be no term limits for any
office. East term of each office shall be for a two (2) year term. The President,
Secretary and one (1) Lieutenant shall be elected in even numbered years and the
Vice President, Treasurer and one (1) Lieutenant shall be elected in odd numbered
years. Nominations are placed by the Membership in the following order:
1) Even years: President, Secretary and one Lieutenant, and
2) Odd years: Vice-President, Treasurer, and one Lieutenant.
Purpose of the Proposal:
Allow for the orderly transfer of Board positions
Have background as to historical reasoning for previous Board action.
There is no need for term limits since all members are eligible for office once they
have met the time of membership, time in office, and payment of dues requirements.
Removal of term limits will allow those individuals that have leadership skills and/or
other skills to volunteer those skills to the organization without limits.
Old Business, continued:
Solitaire is representing our area in a Leather contest and is asking for any donations
for her “prize chest.” Motion was made by Wayne C. and 2nd by Ken G. to spend
$100 for items she may need. Motion passed.
Standing Events / Activities:
Bear Meetings and Beer Busts:
April 4, 2008
May 2, 2008
June 6, 2008
Bears Night Out:
March 15, 2008 at Jaeger’s in Elmwood
April 12, 2008 Suggestions have been made for the Country Club, Bywater BBQ
3rd Friday Beer Busts:
March 21, 2008 (Good Friday…no veggie weenies…MEAT)
April 18, 2008
May 16, 2008
Upcoming Events:
Bake/Rummage Sale March 16, 2008 (yes, Palm Sunday)
Cutter’s 3rd Anniversary Party March 17, 2008…and watching the Irish Parade. The
Bears will be selling beer outside Cutters.
Anniversary April 26, 2008
Bear Decadence Thursday August 28th – September 1, 2008
Introduction of new members occurred (14 since 1-01-08)
Birthdays and Anniversaries were announced and pins awarded.
Meeting adjourned at 8:57pm by Motion of Vic V. and 2nd by Bryan L.
Respectfully submitted:
Kenneth Gue, Secretary, NOBBTSC 2008
Meeting was called to Order by President Steven Melancon at 8:03pm with 20
members present.
Monthly Reports:
President’s Report: What is a social club? Even the federal government recognized
that within a group of individuals, not all members will like every member, but the
group as a whole will have a bond that draws then together. My personal thoughts
are that as a gay community, we have the “twinks” and the men who love them
(chicken and chicken hawks), the leather enthusiasts, and even the cowboys. A
person not in any of those specialty groups was pretty much left out. I feel that the
“Bear Community” should be one of acceptance for anyone who wishes to identify as
a part of the Bears. Within our Club, we should show respect to each and every
member. PLEASE, if you wish that the club would do something specific, please
document the request to a Lieutenant or another officer (send an e-mail or submit a
hand written note). A general mention of “we should do something…” while we are
holding an event is hard to remember.
Vice-President’s Report: nothing to report.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer George Tresch was out of town, so Vice President
Bryan L. presented it. Accepted by Motion made by Vic V. and 2nd by Earl D.
Secretary’s Report: Minutes for the February meeting can be found in the Newsletter
and on our Website www.bearsofneworleans.com . Reading of the Minutes was
suspended by Motion made by Vic V. and 2nd by Bryan L.
Lieutenant’s Report: Jeff B, Lieutenant, reported on the General Meeting on
February 15th and the Beer Bust that followed. He also pointed out the Board
Meeting held February 28, 2008.
Media Reports: Newsletter: Tibby T., editor, was absent, so Steven reminded the
club the deadline for submitting material for the Newsletter is the 3rd Wednesday of
the month (type faster, Ken).
Website: Eddie, Webmaster, was absent due to illness.
New Business: LSGRA is hosting a Wacky Wagon Race on Saturday, March 15th
and would like to know if NOBBTSC would like to “run a wagon”. After discussion,
this offer was declined.
Easter Parade: March 23, 2008 4:30pm. Plans were made for another “Bears on
Parade” picnic in the neutral ground on Esplanade Ave between Bourbon and Royal.
Meet about 3-ish…and have fun.
Open Officer Position: Gilbert T. has resigned as Lieutenant and needs to be
replaced. The appointment of a new Lieutenant was tabled until the next meeting.
(Secretary’s note: since the meeting, the other Lieutenant, Jeff B., has been called to
active duty in Norfolk, VA. …so we now need 2 Lieutenants).
Old Business: Bylaw revisions to Item #1 and #2.
Item # 1 – Membership:
The New Orleans Bear and Bear Trapper Social Club accepts all persons who are at
least twenty-one (21) years of age and who support our purpose.
B. Voting privileges are granted to all members who have paid their membership
dues in full and have no other debts owed to the club.
C. The membership categories of this club are:
a. Members: (1st through 6th years) - $25.00 annual dues. Members receive a
1st through 5th year pin, at the end of that completed year, assuming dues are paid
timely and in full.
b. Life Members: (after completion of the 6th year and beyond) - $15.00 annual
dues. A member qualifies for this status after the completion of six years of
continuous membership and at such time, he will receive the Life Membership Pin.
D. 1. All club dues are due and payable by January 31st of any given year.
The last date for acceptable payment will be at the February general
meeting. Any member failing to meet that deadline will be removed
from the membership rolls.
For the first year only, pro-rated dues will apply according to the
following scale:
Those joining in: Pay:
January, February and March $25.00
April, May and June $18.75
July, August and September $12.50
October, November and December $ 6.25
Item # 2 – Member’s Responsibilities:
Members are required to be current in all membership dues and other payments
that are owed to the club.
All members are encouraged to participate in all club meetings and functions.
After discussion, a vote was taken and these changes Passed and will be
incorporated into our Bylaws.
In preparation for considering Item #3 at the next Board Meeting, the following
proposal was submitted by George T.
Item #3 – Election of Officers:
Nominations for the officers will be taken at the November Club meeting only.
Candidates nominated for office must have been a member of the NOBBTSC for at
least 6 months for the office of Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Lieutenant,
and candidates nominated for the office of President must have previous service as
an officer of this club for at least one full term as an officer. All candidates for any
office must be up to date with their dues. There shall be no term limits for any
office. East term of each office shall be for a two (2) year term. The President,
Secretary and one (1) Lieutenant shall be elected in even numbered years and the
Vice President, Treasurer and one (1) Lieutenant shall be elected in odd numbered
years. Nominations are placed by the Membership in the following order:
1) Even years: President, Secretary and one Lieutenant, and
2) Odd years: Vice-President, Treasurer, and one Lieutenant.
Purpose of the Proposal:
Allow for the orderly transfer of Board positions
Have background as to historical reasoning for previous Board action.
There is no need for term limits since all members are eligible for office once they
have met the time of membership, time in office, and payment of dues requirements.
Removal of term limits will allow those individuals that have leadership skills and/or
other skills to volunteer those skills to the organization without limits.
Old Business, continued:
Solitaire is representing our area in a Leather contest and is asking for any donations
for her “prize chest.” Motion was made by Wayne C. and 2nd by Ken G. to spend
$100 for items she may need. Motion passed.
Standing Events / Activities:
Bear Meetings and Beer Busts:
April 4, 2008
May 2, 2008
June 6, 2008
Bears Night Out:
March 15, 2008 at Jaeger’s in Elmwood
April 12, 2008 Suggestions have been made for the Country Club, Bywater BBQ
3rd Friday Beer Busts:
March 21, 2008 (Good Friday…no veggie weenies…MEAT)
April 18, 2008
May 16, 2008
Upcoming Events:
Bake/Rummage Sale March 16, 2008 (yes, Palm Sunday)
Cutter’s 3rd Anniversary Party March 17, 2008…and watching the Irish Parade. The
Bears will be selling beer outside Cutters.
Anniversary April 26, 2008
Bear Decadence Thursday August 28th – September 1, 2008
Introduction of new members occurred (14 since 1-01-08)
Birthdays and Anniversaries were announced and pins awarded.
Meeting adjourned at 8:57pm by Motion of Vic V. and 2nd by Bryan L.
Respectfully submitted:
Kenneth Gue, Secretary, NOBBTSC 2008
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