2020 November - Board of Directors Meeting Minutes 📝
MEETING NOTES
IN ATTENDANCE: Stephen Janes, Katy Rogers, Wayne Kelterer, Nicholas Miller, Riley Slack, Karen Steinwachs, Tim Snider, Tyler Thomas
Item 1: Call to Order
o Meeting called to order (9:05am)
Item 2: Approval Minutes – October 14, 2020
o Karen makes motion, Stephen seconds. Minutes approved unanimously
Item 3: Plan C Dues Update
o Multiple versions of membership tiers explored by Membership Committee
§ Production Based: Average of three years
§ Benefit based model: a la carte except for higher tier
§ Simple two tier model with lower intro tier and higher tier with more benefits
o Two tier model has more potential for slow growth and membership retention
o Lower tier offers more than enough value to retain members while also showing potential for growth
o Higher tier has much more enhanced benefits
o Committee feels shifting away from a production based model will help to be more inclusive
o Board of Director membership accessible to both tiers of membership
o Will determine the percentage of seats allocated in upcoming meetings
o Also recommend every trail & AVA association is represented
o Base & higher tier have access to PR, marketing, tourism, etc.
o Base flexibility: Choose what events you want to participate in, sponsor advocacy or marketing, etc.
o Build a survey for new members when they join
o By-Laws allow us to build this new model
o Board members will have to help in recruitment
o This could be a good bridge to the wineries that did not support Wine Preserve since most did not like production based model we currently use
o Board of Directors: As a group, must offer leadership and best practices to members
o Offer guidance on other skills pertaining to wine industry: social media, web design, marketing, farming, exporting, etc.
o Stephen makes motion to pursue new model and build it out. Wayne seconds. Passes unanimously
o Focus on what actually defines success for SBV:
§ COVID-19 response
§ Advocacy on local and state government issues
§ Relevancy and recognition for the two billion dollar industry we are for SBC
§ Effective marketing & PR that is a benefit for members
§ Events that are high profile and generate traction
o Stephen makes motion that SBV Board of Directors generate a letter addressing our future and address any misinformation regarding the organization. Tyler seconds. Passed unanimously
Item 4: CEO Updates
o 2021 Dues & Membership Renewal
§ Proposed Plan C that was just discussed is exciting
§ We must define and quantify each benefit
§ Relay with new collateral and webpage
§ Resetting our fiscal year in 2021: Six month invoice
§ Hospitality & Business tiers changing in 2021
§ Over next six months, should pursue new Plan C model and roll out in July
§ With CDFA grant, we are able to deliver numbers showing ROI for wineries and tasting rooms with the geo-fencing
§ Promotion for restaurants serving SBC wine: They can be listed on our EXPLORE section of the website during this six month window
o IMW Update, Ag Grant 2022
§ Recently went through an audit with CDFA of our 2019 grant
§ Audit went really smooth
§ Moving money for events to more digital advertising
§ Financial & Federal audit next
§ Metrics are showing amazing returns
§ 2022 grant: We were invited to resubmit or previous proposal
§ We resubmitted and will hear if we get to second phase in January, 2022
o SBV Financials
§ Financials shared with the board
§ We will have money in bank for 2020 due to small business loan
§ Financials submitted with grant numbers separate so swings aren’t included
o Vintners Festival 2021
§ Must decide in December how we will proceed
§ Determine if we can do a passport theme or virtual festival
§ Must determine how we will address money with Nightout and tickets
o The Wine Preserve
§ Declining stories from reporters
Item 5: Individual Board Member Updates
o Tim: No updates to relay regarding the SBV. Turning the page on 2020 and addressing needs at the winery regarding distribution, consumers, etc. Relaying all optimism.
o Nicholas: Will work on harvest update and share with Board. Will work with IMW and his PR.
o Tyler: Took part in webinar with Wine Institute. Graham Tatomer and myself. Very well viewed. Report from last Ag Advisory Committee meeting:
§ Role on committee is proving to be high profile and has given great exposure to our industry
§ Helping with relevancy: Planning Commission seeks our input regularly
o Riley: Looking forward to 2021 after a very challenging 2020. Upcoming Strategic Planning meeting, will we meet in person or virtually? We will determine in upcoming weeks.
o Karen: I have really enjoyed working on new membership model. Also on board of World of Pinot Noir. There will be no public events in 2021.
o Wayne: Working on a powerful marketing campaign that will benefit SBC wine that will provide a megaphone for our region. Hope to share news soon. Meeting with people that opposed the Wine Preserve in attempt to bridge the gap.
o Stephen: Will work on discussing the roadblocks of a grape commission with community and let them know the Board has kept the best interests of Santa Barbara County Wine in mind.
Item 6: Meeting Adjourned
o Meeting adjourned at 11:19am