2020 March - Board of Directors Meeting Minutes 📝
Item 1: Call to Order
o Meeting called to order (9:11am)
Item 2: Approval Minutes – Plan B Meeting
o January minutes approved with minor edit on budget. February minutes approved
Item 3: CEO Update
o Cash in Bank vs Non Paid Members
▪ If we use Bank of Marin loan, we will have to pay $20,000 in interest
▪ We will try to execute CDFA loan with our own cash
▪ Can use our AMEX and pay down when we can
▪ Have paid $43,000 to IMW with CDFA reimbursing later this month
▪ $38,000 in the bank right now with $75,000 loss from previous years
▪ We will inform board if we absolutely need to use Bank of Marin loan
▪ Is there a vintner that could loan us $50,000 just for CDFA loan and keep separate from operational budget and in separate account?
▪ We put notice with landlord that we are moving out at end of March
▪ This will not solve our budget problems. Not having an office will increase other costs.
o AR
▪ We have received the Chumash and Bank of Marin sponsorship money ($7,500/each)
▪ We received $10,000 from Santa Maria Valley for internal marketing
▪ We will pursue sponsorship from Vintners Foundation
▪ $15,000 coming from Wally’s for Wine Futures=$1,500 to us, rest to vintners
o Vintners Festival
▪ Included a chart showing how much it would cost if we postpone festival due to coronavirus
▪ We are trying to hit window that will allow us to not lose money
▪ If we postpone/cancel less than a month out: $75,000 loss
▪ We are looking at October 10th if postponed
▪ Rancho Sisquoc is available that three day weekend
▪ We will transfer or refund tickets
▪ Tyler Thomas makes motion to postpone Vintners Festival. Karen Steinwachs seconds. Unanimous approval.
o Moving
▪ We will need help: Trucks, movers/helpers
▪ Flat files can go to Santa Maria office
▪ Will have to stay on top of CDFA grant without a central office; will be difficult since so comprehensive
▪ CDFA audit in will be in summer (July)
▪ Suggestion to keep office, but it’s too late to back out of office move; staff will make it work, but goal is to have office when org financially recovers.
▪ We have a Buellton PO Box to keep tax status in the same town.
o Alison’s trip to Sacramento for Wine Institute Meetings
▪ Alison participated in annual meeting with all Regional Directors
▪ Santa Barbara Wine Country is very respected and highly regarded
▪ Represented our County on the cannabis panel and provided comprehensive update on cannabis to all regions
▪ BID is being pursued in new areas: Temecula, Livermoor, Sonoma County will continue its efforts.
▪ Wine Institute is not blocking BIDs.
▪ Karen Steinwachs is on Wine Institute cannabis sub-committee
▪ Wine Institute has a tight budget and cannot fund terpene study
▪ UC Davis is staring to work on study, but also needs funding
▪ Cannabis AVAs are mandated by CA law and will be created; WI will weigh in heavily.
▪ Other items to think about: Bottle bill for recycling, labeling of nutrition & ingredients
o Wine Preserve
▪ Sending survey with two choices
▪ DTC
• Tasting rooms
• Phone
• Online
• Wine clubs
• Events
• Merchandise
▪ Not all POS systems are as nimble as others
▪ We will need to be aware of complexity
▪ Create a SKU for preserve?
▪ Option #1:
• All CA sales at 1%=$1,600,000
• 100% auditable
▪ Option #2:
• 1.5% on tasting room wine sales (on-site)
• No wine clubs, events
• Will have to self-report since not auditable
• Around the same amount as 1% above
• Those not paying into assessment will have to pay dues for membership
Item 4: Membership Educational Tastings
o We will continue as scheduled but will keep an eye on coronavirus restrictions
Item 5: Meeting Adjourned
o Adjourned at 12pm