THE VILLAGE CARD CLUB
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Special Meeting of December 6, 2008
The meeting was called to order by Vice-President Pam Harris at 4:10 pm.
Absent: Cecil Grattifiori and Jim Bicknell
Guests: Sheila Cosby, Andy Cosby, Bob Davis, Gina Doss, Marcy Jordan and Lois
Schoenrock.
The agenda for the special meeting was approved.
1. Consideration of and action on matters pertaining to the election.
2. Consideration of and action on matters pertaining to a personnel matter
(closed portion of the meeting).
Cathy gave a summary of the incident which prompted this meeting, i.e., Cecil
going into the middle of Connie’s game Friday (with her approval) and giving
his opinions regarding the censure letter. Pam tried to stop him and finally
went into the open game and got Cathy and Teri to come into the game and there
was a verbal altercation. Cecil left the room, but came back later and went
from table to table trying to explain his actions. He then went into the open
game and was getting ready to make another announcement. He was using the
“bulleted” copy of the letter, not the final. The Director of the open game
asked that he leave.
Becky asked that the board consider sending a notice to the Directors that
Cecil was not to re-but the letter on the microphone. He had the opportunity
to do that at the special meeting on December 2nd and chose not to do so.
Ed offered his analysis of what happened. He accused Pam of starting the “fight”.
He then said he felt that the board had violated their own rules regarding
“campaigning” by issuing the censure letter. He said that permission was given
by the Director of the game for Cecil to talk with them and that the board
members should not have interrupted Cecil. He said that if we went to a court
of law that the board would be wrong.
Ginna strongly disagreed. She felt that club members had come to board members
regarding Cecil’s behavior as President and that the issuing of the letter
was not “electioneering”. She and Ed had a very heated discussion. Ed said
that he had threatened to quit last week, but that he was through and was walking
out and not coming back. He then said “I know what the hell is going on here”.
Teri mentioned that her concerns were that last year there was a member who
addressed a lower strat game after a problem at the club and that a Standing
Rule regarding announcements had been made. She also noted her surprise that
a Director would allow this to happen. She felt Cecil could call a special
meeting of the board or of the members to re-but the letter if he wished.
Ed then noted that Teri was “real good at criticizing Directors” and there
was a verbal altercation with other board members. The Parlimentarian had
to call for order.
Teri said that she has been a Director for 8 or 9 years and that she is very
strong in “fighting for the Director”. She has never seen a Director stop
a game for anybody.
Peg then asked that if the other candidates would be given a chance to speak
at games. It was noted that Cecil may not have directly asked for votes.
Cathy then noted that he had confidential information that should not have
been distributed.
There was further discussion by the board members regarding the incident and
what alternatives the board might have.
Ed said that the board was searching for things to do and that “It is a bunch
of crap”. Peg asked if he wanted this in the minutes and he said that he wanted
to put that the board is electioneering and he is all through and he left the
meeting.
There was further discussion and Becky made a motion that the following directive
be given to Game Directors and Board members:
EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, ANNOUNCEMENTS OR PUBLIC COMMENTS BY ANY PERSON WILL
BE LIMITED TO CLUB SPONSORED EVENTS OR GAME INFORMATION, UNTIL JANUARY 1, 2009.
Pam called for a vote and the board approved the motion.
Peg made a motion for adjournment of the meeting, Lillian seconded and the
meeting was adjourned at 5:35 pm for a closed meeting regarding a personnel
matter.
Respectfully submitted
Peg Birzer
Subject to Board Approval