Thanks to everyone who came to the annual meeting at Woodstock’s pizza.  We had quite a few former rowers (and current rowers on the team) make it out.  Since the team made 25% on whatever we purchased, I’m sure that the team made a couple hundred dollars!

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The meeting began a few minutes after 6PM (the scheduled start was 5PM, however, many members requested a delay to watch the novice 8 race in the petite finals)

All 5 officers (Jake Wittler – President, Andy Olson – VP, Jon Singer – Treasurer, Dan Smith – Secretary & Lawson Navarro – Team President) were present, as well as about 20 alumni, a handful of team members and a handful of supporters.

Lawson talked about the status of the team.  There are 33 active members of the team (28 rowers and 5 coxswains).  The team has been growing the past few years, and the team looks forward to seeing a larger turnout next year.  After Crew Classic, there are 3 races left for the team.  The team is looking to raise some money to travel to Georgia for the ARCA rowing championships (in a lightweight 4 boat)

Dan spoke about some of the items the foundation has worked on over the past year.  We were able to send out more emails to our alumni, we helped organize the “War Games”, where the William Francis was dedicated.  From a social standpoint, a bunch of former Aztec rowers went to watch the Padres play last August, and we look forward to seeing you at the SDSU/UNLV baseball game on May 5.

Jon talked about the foundation financials.  The endowment fund still has around $11,000 in it, and the “day to day” account currently has about $1,500 available.  There are many ways to donate, cash and check can be mailed to the foundation, and we will be happy to provide you electronic routing information.

Andy was looking for ideas on how to get more alumni involved.  The foundation hasn’t grown as much as we had hoped.  Our long term goal is to generate enough money for an endowment to subsidize a full-time coach’s salary.  Some ideas were generated, and will be put into action by the board.

The same board was reelected.

Thanks to everyone who came.  We look forward to everyone attending the next meeting:  April 6, 2013.

The H. Del Beekley Rowing Foundation Monthly Board Meeting will occur on Monday Night, 7PM at the Woodstocks Pizza near SDSU.  All members are welcome to attend.

There is lots to talk about:

1)  School is starting, so recruiting season will be heating up.  We will discuss the teams recruiting plans and goals.

2)  The alumni need to begin planning the “Aztec War Games” event on Oct. 8

3)  Some of our alumni have some fundraising ideas to help raise money for a coach.

The foundation held it’s monthly board meeting on May 2, 2011 at Woodstock’s Pizza near SDSU.  This was the final meeting of the racing season, as the Men’s team just returned from the WIRA races in Sacramento.  In attendance was the President (Jake Wittler), the Vice President (Andy Olson), Secretary (Dan Smith), Coach (Brian Robison), Assistant Coach (Derek Snyder) and former rower Tobin Ortega.

The team did well at WIRAs.  Due to new rules enacted by WIRA, the team was only able to enter a novice 8 and a lightweight 4.  The Novice 8 had their best result of the season, when they finished 3rd in the Petite Final.  They were able to beat teams that they had not beaten all season.  (The lightweight 4 struggled, as they broke a rigger in the middle of their race)

Both the team and foundation reported success during the Crew Classic.  Alumni Dave Sheeron offered to match up to $1000 raised by the team at Crew Classic.  The team earned the full amount, and raised over $2000!  Between the Alumni Boat entry fees, and donations, the foundation raised another $670!

Keep an eye out for some upcoming events.  We still are planning to have an outing at a Padres baseball game, and we are still targeting a June date for our annual golf tournament!

See the full meeting minutes here, and feel free to join us next month on June 6 @ Woodstocks!