Minutes of the Cellar Society General Meeting, January 11, 2025

1. Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM by Co-Presidents Indra Obeysekere and Diane Kawaguchi

2. Roll Call

Zoom call participants present:
Indra Obeysekere, Diane Kawaguchi, John Henry Beyer, Sue Beyer, Vince Chow, David Gibson, Bette Hood Gibson, Marie Coppola, Ed Coyne, Lisa Coyne, Beth DeAtley, Richard Mills, Suzi Mills, Steve Shank, Marjie Shank, Genie Simcox, Bob Simoni, Sandy Simoni, Steve Smith, Susi Ehlert, Melinda Solomon, Carol Sorgen, Rick Taylor, Laura Wilson, Chris Wood.

Preferred Members included Steve Dubois, Andria Glassman
New member (returning) – Eileen Slora

3. New Board

The new board was announced and approved.

Co-presidents – Indra Obeysekere, Diane Kawaguchi
Treasurer – Laura Wilson
Repast Coordinator – Beth DeAtley
Picnic – Andre Solomon, Melinda Solomon
Secretary – Richard Mills

4. Treasurer’s Report

The Treasurer presented the financial report, highlighting the following:

Current balance: $[Amount]
Recent expenses: $[Amount]
Projected budget for next year: $[Amount]

The report was accepted as presented.

5. Committee Reports

A. Wine Report

Steve Smith presented a current inventory of wines in the Cellar Society cellar (thanks to Vince Chow and Karen Christensen for the use of their storage. He detailed the wines consumed at the repast, as well as wines presented to the outgoing board members and members who were not able to attend the repast. He also presented suggestions for wines to be drunk at the next repast and wines that should be consumed this year as they are nearing the end of their expected drinkability or are too few to consume at a repast.

There was also discussion about how to dispense with those wines.

Wines to acquire during the year to replace those consumed or distributed should include vintages suitable for laying down until at least 2029. As there was no money spent in 2024 on purchasing wine, the quality of wines selected can be superior to those normally chosen.

B. Membership

A vote was taken and approved to increase the membership from 40 to 44 members.
Elaine Slora was approved as a new (returning) member.
Randy Sugarman was approved to move from full member status to Preferred Guest.

6. New Business

A. By-law Changes

There were a number of changes proposed regarding the format for tasting. After much discussion, the following was approved on a 1-year trial basis:

There will be 6 formal tastings using the traditional 8-bottle, blind tasting format

There will be 3 non-traditional tastings, whose details and planning will be left up to the host.

The three remaining events will consist of:

The January general meeting
The annual picnic in July
The repast in December

7. New Business

A. By-laws

There are a number of inconsistencies or unclear policies in the by-laws that need addressing. A review sub-committee has been formed consisting of Indra, David Gibson, Eileen, Genie and Steve Shank to review

B. New member/guest policy

What is the procedure for identifying and bringing new members on board?

C. Costs and Education

There is concern about the costs of hosting a tasting event, either at a member’s home or at a restaurant. Consideration is ongoing as to how to control costs so that events continue to be attractive to the members.

D. Hosting Dates

The following members have elected to host events this year:

February (7) – Passion for Pinot / Sue Beyer
March (8) – Red Burgundy / Steve Smith
April (12) – Cab Franc / Gibson’s
May (10) – Divinez le Vin (Guess the wine / Gandara’s, Marie Coppola
June (6-7) – Sideways revisited / Simoni’s
July (12) – Picnic / Solomon’s, at Felton’s
August (9) – Chardonnay / Mills’
September (13) – Champagne / Shank’s
October (11) – unk
November (8) – Amarone / Obeysekere, Kawaguchi
December (13) – Repast / Claremont Country Club, DeAtley

8. Adjournment

The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Richard Mills
Secretary, Cellar Society
January 21, 2025