Bud made an opening statement about our charge and in following it through that we may end up touching on the areas of other committees. Bud explained that our main focus is two pronged: Retaining old members and attracting new members. Important factors for both are the Course and the Club House. In essence all the amenities of our Country Club are factors for retaining and gaining members.

Each attending committee member received a packet of information containing the night’s Agenda and the following provided by Debby: Sample Money Mailer flyer/coupon insert; Draft Marketing Plan for 2008; and Estimated Marketing/Advertising Expenditures. This information was the culmination from an earlier meeting of the committee.

The packet provided by Debby led to open discussion:

• What is the membership Goal – 450 full-time membership discussed as the number.
• Much discussion of honorary memberships – upon request those members reaching 80 years of age with 20 years membership can have their annual dues waived. Per Tom six (6) members reach that this year and close to 15% of our current membership will reach this point within 5 years.
• Tom also suggested a New Member check-list, handbook and current roster should be developed and/or made available.
• Jonas recommended that board members have copies of our membership package and that they be readily available.
• Marketing plan and expenditures.

Revisions made to the Draft Plan developed in the previous meeting. Bud will recommend to the Board that a $1,100 advertising expenditure be committed for January and that we would revisit the marketing/advertising plan and expenditures in our next meeting.

Also included in his recommendation to the board is the Waiving of our Initiation fee for a limited time (possible until May 15th 2008). For full membership: receive a free voucher for a second limited social membership to pass on; free dinner for four (excluding alcohol); Pro shop merchandise voucher (amount & type to be confirmed with Tim); three (3) golf lessons with Tim, and limited driving range pass.

Bud will write an article for next newsletter promoting the recommendation and asking all members to help as ambassadors.