MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 2002

The September meeting of the NCFSDC was called to order by President Edith Fifer at 2:00 p.m. on September 15, 2002. The meeting was held at the pavilion at the Don Garlit's Museum in Ocala, FL.

Forty members and guests Eric and Gail Bends were present for the meeting. Gail works with NCFSDC member Barrie Thelin.

Eleven Studebakers were driven to the meeting: a 1963 GT Hawk, a 1958 Commander, a 1956 President Classic, a 1957 Silver Hawk, a 1952 Pickup, a 1962 GT Hawk, a 1960 Lark Convertible, a 1957 pickup, a 1951 Champion, a 1964 Daytona and a 1964 pickup.

The first order of business was to approve the minutes from the previous meeting. George Matt made a motion that the minutes be approved as written in the newsletter and Bill Delli seconded. The motion was approved by a unanimous vote.

Bill Delli, membership director, provided a membership report. There are fifty-nine families registered in the dub.

Barrie Thelin, treasurer provided a treasury report. (Editor's note: the report can be found on page 7 of the newsletter.)

President Fifer called for old business, but there was none. The meeting then proceeded to new business. President Fifer asked that each member think about an issue to be discussed at the next meeting which will be held at the Florida State Meet in October. At the August meeting, two engineering students from the University of Florida made a presentation with their Formula SAE car. The NCFSDC donated $450 for tires for the car. During the last meeting, President Fifer was approached by some members with strong opinions about the donation from dub funds. She was questioned about compliance of the donation with the By-laws and the purpose of the NCFSDC. What, she was asked, did the donation do to make Studebaker better known. Why did the club spend the money for a car that did not display the Studebaker logo to give the club credit for the support? Why did the club not use other fund raising activities such as a bake sale or garage sale rather than club treasury funds to support activities not specifically related to Studebaker? It was believed that there was a need to show how the NCFSDC supported the community.

President Fifer stated that there may be a request for such support next year from the engineering students and the club needed to decide how such things would be handled. Does the club want to consider such requests or limit support to such activities as the Studebaker Museum?

Do we want to write a check from the treasury? Should we request that our logo be placed on whatever we sponsor? This was carried over as old business for the next meeting.

Even so, the discussion continued. Roger Thelin stated that when the NCFSDC gave the tires, the support was badly needed. Without it, the students may not have been able to compete the Formula SAE car since they have to raise all their own funds. He said that he was responsible for the logo not being on the car. The logo sticker that was promised to him did not get delivered for whatever reason. What the team did have was a sponsor board with logos from all of the sponsors. This board is displayed whenever the car is in front of the public. If the NCFSDC does this support in the future, the logo could go on the sponsor board.

Stephen Cade said that he believed a one time support was a good thing, but it was not something that could be done on a recurring basis because there was not enough money.

President Fifer stressed that there was no question that the students were appreciative and did use the donation for the tires. Charlotte Delli made a point that everyone should remember that the decision to fund the tires was not made in a vacuum. A motion to pay for the tires was made at a previous NCFSDC meeting. The motion passed unanimously and the record was included in the minutes of the meeting. Providing the funding for the tires was discussed in at least 2 meetings. If anyone felt left out of the decision it was because they did not attend meetings. She stressed that it was a club decision & not an individuals choice.

It was agreed that the meeting would be at 2-00 p.m. on November 3, 2002 at his home in Fort White, FL. Gerald asked everyone to bring a covered dish, a bathing suit and chairs. Bill Schettino volunteered to host the December meeting and the Christmas party. He stated that he knew of a good restaurant that had a private conference room that the club could use. The food is served banquet style with one price for the whole meal. When asked, he stated that the restaurant was in New Port Richey, FL. There were two dates considered for the party December 7 and December 14. It was decided by the group to let Bill make arrangements for the date that was available. The motion was made by George Matt, seconded by Roger Thelin, and unanimously approved. Stephen Cade stated that if arrangements could not be made, the club could always go back to Catfish Johnney's.

Mary Cade then introduced her special guest Jerry Pastori. He represented the Williston Chamber of Commerce. He invited the NCFSDC to participate in the car show at the Peanut Festival to be held October 5, 2002. The Festival goes from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but the cars can be displayed anytime. He said that the Festival has a varied audience and was well attended. There will be a special area set aside for the club. Roger Thelin, Tormenter, agreed to obtain a count of club members and provide that number to the Chamber of Commerce by the end of September. Of the members present at the meeting, ten tentatively indicated that they would attend. Don Fifer made a motion that attendance at the Peanut Festival be considered an official club activity. Derwood Thompson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Dean Gessner reminded everyone about attending the 25th Annual Florida State Meet. The meet is sponsored by the Orlando Chapter SDC. George Matt handed out State Meet registration sheets.

Charles Grant had a suggestion for a meeting in February. He usually hosts a meeting at the Rainbow River Park. For next year, he proposed coming to a cruise-in on Saturday, spending the night at the cabins at Rainbow River ($58.00 per night per cabin for up to six people) and then having the club meeting on Sunday at Rainbow River. This would be in the first weekend in February. This will be discussed at a future meeting.

There was no further business to discuss. Derwood Thompson motioned to adjourn and the motion was seconded by Bill Schettino. The motion was approved unanimously. NCFSDC members finished the afternoon by visiting the Don Garlit's Museum. (Editors note: His museums (2) are very interesting and enjoyable. Members also had the pleasure of meeting his 92 year old mother who was delightful!