2017 November - Board of Directors Meeting Minutes 📝

MEETING NOTES

Attending:  Charles Fairbanks, Tara Gomez, Stephen Janes, Matt Murphy (call-in), and Ross Rankin

The meeting was called to order by President Matt Murphy and the Minutes were approved as read once quorum had been achieved.

Stacie Jacob of Solterra Strategies apprised the Board of the progress in recruiting Alison Laslett.  Alison needs to be assured her compensation package includes health insurance, 401K, cell phone and mileage reimbursement.  All of which the Board agreed to provide with the proviso of perhaps contributing to an existing 401K or, an IRA (existing or, establishing).  The offer is a salary of $150,000 with a benefits package totaling $187,000.  To help ameliorate this expense, Matt Murphy reported the Santa Barbara Vintners Foundation (SBVF) has agreed to provide between $25,000-$50,000 (depending on the results of the DRI Auction and the amount of time Alison will be dedicating to the foundation).   There is also a possibility Presqu’ile Foundation and Pence would be able to provide budgetary relief should the SBVF be unable to provide the necessary funding.  Another suggestion was the possibility of holding intimate member fundraising dinners with the specific purpose of members contributing to funding this position.  The Board voted to have Matt offer the position to Alison Laslett once Stacie has completed due diligence with the start date of Wednesday, November 29th.  Solterra Strategies will prepare and send out a press release after Thanksgiving going out to various media files and member files (Business Associates and Sponsors).   Membership outreach will consist of targeting the top 20 winery members to be invited to meet with Alison.  Next steps also include the strategic direction (incorporate four top focus group views) and plan to be determined at a Board retreat (date to be determined) and, budget.     

Stacie Jacob reported on the Tourism Partners meeting taking place on Monday, December 4th at Industrial Eats.  All invited tourism partners have accepted the invitation.  The focus of the discussion will be on their current marketing programs, the inclusion of the wine region in their current marketing programs and how Santa Barbara Vintners might support their marketing efforts and strategic direction by supplying information which is a reflection of Santa Barbara Vintners strategic direction.      

Ross Rankin led the review of the October Financials which showed no remarkable, unexpected expenditures and were approved as submitted.  There were no updates from the Finance Committee.  However, the Board did discuss financial transparency to the membership noting Financials should be in the website Members Login starting with 2016 YE Financials (collapsed version) and announcing their availability on the website. 

While no new Santa Barbara Foundation information was reported, (previous discussion:  financial support for the new Chief Executive), there was a discussion which concluded it would be helpful to have a Foundation’s financial statement provided to the Santa Barbara Vintners Board.

Shelby Sim, Executive Director of Visit Santa Ynez gave a presentation on the mission and effectiveness of Visit Santa Ynez and divulged the negatives of the scarcity of area hotel rooms (although noted new Hampton & Hilton) and high hotel room rates.  In the summer rooms are filled, with other seasons and weekdays weak in hotel stays.  Benefits of membership include the website which promotes hotels and events, an annual publication with Solvang (95K published & 20K distributed in hotels).  They have an agency for producing ads, ad buys and PR located in Bend, OR.  Their membership dues for wineries is one case of wine (67 current winery members).  They promote wineries on their website and at trade events. They have a total budget of $900K. Visit SYV paid $25K for a hospitality room during the Santa Barbara Film festival.  For wine sponsorship, Shelby suggested negotiating with the Santa Barbara Film Commission. 

New Business: The Ag Advisory Committee is currently being attended by Brook Williams who suggested and requested an alternate representative.  Tyler Thomas, Dierberg’s winemaker was suggested and will be asked to attend the committee’s meetings as an alternate.    

 Adjournment