2011 BOARD MEETING
17th 2011 BOD  :::: BOD will be held at the Hampton Inn Tropicana on Dean Martin Boulevard.  It has a free shuttle service to/from the airport.  Arlo will make arrangements for a conferencer room for Saturday 17 September from 0900-1200.   Reservations # is 702-948-8100.  Rooms start at $80.  Arlo will go out Thursday and maybe Hal. They will visit some hotels on Friday.We can discuss Saturday am and then look at the recommended hotels Saturday afternoon if needed. 
 

1. BoD(-) meeting conducted 17 SEP 2011 @ Hampton Inn-Tropicana, Las Vegas.
2. Attendees: Hal Taylor, Arlo Janssen, Bob Ironside, Monroe Manning and John Koivisto
3. Agenda:

  • Status of By-Laws review and edit work
  • 2012 Reunion preparations
    • Hotel/venue recommendations
    • Event recommendations
    • Transportation

4. By-Laws rewrite:

  • B. Ironside provided status of work on the review and editing of the Association By-Laws
  • Copies of current work and Notes were provided to members present
    • By-Laws Cmtte report submitted by J. Bondi submitted earlier for consideration
  • The following actions are recommended:
    • BoD provide tasking guidance to By-Laws Cmtte, i.e. “provided draft By-Laws (revised) for consideration NLT 2012 Reunion”; the draft may be considered by the BoD or by General Membership at discretion of BoD. RECOMMENDATION: table decision for discussion by BoD [NOTE: BoD telecom on 17 SEP confirmed tasking to formulate By-Laws Committee for purpose of review and revision BoD meeting following 2010 reunion constituted tasking]
    • By-Laws Cmtte consider approaches to address revision/re-write:
      • Current approach is line-by-line consideration
      • Alternate approaches to be provided as recommendations for consideration by By-Laws Cmtte.
    • Special consideration should be given to significant changes to nature of the Association and the 17th Signal Battalion which are driving the need for revision:
      • De-activation of 17th Signal Battalion
      • Recent changes to IRS guidance w/r/t 501 c3 (non-profits) organizations

5. 2012 Reunion Preparations:

  • A. Janssen, H. Taylor and B. Ironside met with Hampton Inn-Tropicana staff on 16 SEP 2011.  The Hampton Inn-Tropicana is located at: 4975 Dean Martin Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89118, and affords several features favourable to the Reunion:
    • Cost (~$80-90 per night)
    • Separate annex for the banquet with area for photography, bar, and dining
    • Catering available
    • Relative proximity to “the Strip” (approx .5 mile)
    • Accessibility to airport
    • On-property bar (open 1700-2400 nightly)
    • Complimentary shuttle service from the airport and  to the Tropicana Hotel on “the Strip” affording access to other free and at-cost transportation to various locations
    • Complimentary breakfast (0600-1000) daily
  • The Hampton Inn-Tropicana does not have an on-site restaurant, however, there are light refreshments available 24/7 and several diner/restaurants w/in walking distance, i.e. <.5 mile.
  • The advance team also assessed other locations:
    • MGM-Grand (~$175 per night)
    • Monte Carlo (~$100 per night)
    • Bellagio (~250 per night)
  • While the alternative locations are located directly on “the Strip”, their cost and lack of discernable advantages were considered detractors; additionally, these hotels charge a required “resort fee” of $20 in addition to the 12% hotel tax.
  • Alternate locations do have on-property dining but do not offer complimentary breakfast.
  • Transportation in Las Vegas consists of several forms and at varying cost:
    • Free shuttle services
      • Hampton Inn-Tropicana to Mandalay Bay, Tropicana and airport
      • Tram between Bellagio and various hotels/properties on the strip
      • Scheduled service with 3-5 minute wait times
      • Limited locations
    • Monorail along “the Strip”
      • $5 for a one-trip ticket
      • $12 for a 24-hour, multiple trip pass
      • Scheduled with 5-8 minute maximum wait times
      • Available 24/7
    • Taxi services
      • $3 initial cost plus per mile rates
      • Average $20 to/from airport
      • Average $12 to/from locations on strip (variable)
      • Greatest flexibility, no more than 5 min wait regardless of time
      • Available 24/7
  • Consideration of dates is recommended based on two factors: 1) proximity of the Labor Day holiday (noted by hospitality industry as highest cost period), and 2) relation to Jewish high holy days.
    • Current scheduled dates: 13-16 SEP 2012
    • Recommended dates: 06-09 SEP 2012
      • 06 SEP: arrival
      • 07 SEP: golf tournament (Nellis AFB)
      • 08 SEP: general membership meeting and formal banquet
      • 09 SEP: closure and departure
  • Activity recommendations:
  • The team addressed the desire for “major shows”
    • Complimentary shows are not available.
    • Shows are scheduled well in advance and vary as to availability based on dates and type show desired.
    • Costs may run from $45 to $175 per individual
    • Group rates are generally not available and would be difficult to schedule based on the variety available

6. Actions Pending:

  • A. Janssen to engage Hampton Inn-Tropicana for contracting (pending approval of BoD)
  • J. Koivisto to contact UNLV ROTC w/r/t possible Color Guard support
  • J. Koivisto to contact J. Bondi w/r/t By-Laws Cmtte approaches
  • BoD to formally task By-Laws Cmtte for preparation of draft for review at 2012 Reunion
    • Decision pending on review (i.e. by BoD or General Membership)

 

Submitted in committee by: H. Taylor, A. Janssen, M. Manning and J. Koivisto

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