Executive Director’s Report
Since our January meeting I have been successful at providing a Blog for the CASI membership. I continue to learn more about the process every day. There is still a great many of our members who are unaware of this blog, but I have advertised it in TTs and as many other places as I can. Hopefully little by little the word will disseminate through our membership.
I met with Jim Stateczny at his office and learned the process for creating Log Ons for our members and have provided log ons to a large group of our membership. When I provide a log on, I check the personal record of that person and request the missing information so that I can update each file. This has been very successful and many of the membership have current information in their personal files.
I collected and standardized each of the Job Descriptions for positions on the board and for other activities that many of our board members are assigned. This is a large document and is for some jobs quite detailed. This should be helpful as new board members are elected. I plan to place it in the Resource Center once it has been reviewed and accepted.
I prepared applications for the Krazy Flats Position, the Special Election, and for the Annual Election of Board Members held in September at the Great Pepper’s Meeting. I have worked with Jim Stateczny to have them posted in key areas on the CASI Web Site.
Along with Bucky, Tim, and Ken, we met with an Insurance Agent and reviewed our various polices. Several areas were discussed and there is a concern about the Liability of our Board Members.
With the help of Bill Pierson, I have prepared a proposed Bylaw amendment. This includes making changes to update and clarify several areas of the Bylaws.
As changes are identified, I have corrected and updated the Rule Book and then had the old copy replaced by the new updated copy.
I prepared the Credential Annual Report Form with the cover letter. I tried a new method of distribution this year as a trial. It was emailed to the Great Peppers of each pod. In turn, they contacted me to verify if they would use this electronic report or if they wanted a copy mailed to them. This was an effort to save CASI money on the printing, the envelopes and the postage. This Process was accepted and seems to have worked. I only had to mail out 15 copies and I delivered one to a pod in our community.
I receive emails from Jim Stateczny on a regular basis from people who have sent him requests on the web page. Most of them are requesting help planning and executing a new CCO. I identify members to help with this process as well as steer them to the Rule Book for more information.
I have promoted the use of the Resource Center, and I will continue to do this. This is the place that we should have our Official Documents and CASI information that is up to date. It needs to be a showcase so that it sells CASI and draws people to inquire and want to know more about us. It is not there yet, but if we continue to work on it, we will get closer to having a great Internet site.
I am also including the Sponsorship Report from Jim Ezell:
SPONSORSHIP REPORT TO THE CASI BOARD
JUNE 27, 2009
JUNE 27, 2009
Greetings to the Board on the occasion of your summer meeting. I am sorry I am not in attendance today, as I believe this is the first meeting I have missed in 13 years.
While the sponsorship program started the year in a somewhat unsettled state, I am pleased to report that many positive things are coming together as we approach the Great Pepper’s Meeting.
The only firm negative I have to report at this time is the loss of Ancira in the Gold Sponsor Category. Although I hope this will not be a permanent loss, at this point we have no funding from them. They are good until September and maybe we will have a better report from them or a sponsorship on a smaller scale.
The other Gold Sponsors are on board again. I have received great reports from the people at Mondavi/Woodbridge and they look forward to another year. After a scary start with some of the many new people at Bruce, they have assured me they are still firmly behind us. The situation with L & F for Budweiser is confirmed and I am still pursuing the proposal to build a Legacy Sponsor from this. Hill Country/Jim Stateczny is still providing his valuable services on an ongoing basis.
At the Silver Level: The contract is in process for the Texas Lottery to return. I have requested an increase to $3500.00 for their participation as they want the option for a second booth at Krazy Flats. I have negotiated for the 1500.00 in gift certificates for the winners at Lajitas and it appears the margarita booth in the original scenario is off right now. They will also be providing 15 rooms for VIPs and Sponsors at a discounted rate.
On a very good note, Permian Distributing (Lone Star, Miller, and Coors) was bought out by Glazer’s. I was concerned about the ice trailer and still have not got the details worked out. I have been assured, however, that the man we dealt with at a lesser level last year is now running the branch and thinks well of us. The very good news is this: the purchaser of Permian is Glazer’s where we have valuable ties. I believe that by next year this will move to a Gold Sponsorship and probably bring back Corona and possibly some of the New Belgium Brands in addition to Lone Star, etc. Right now I have a tentative meeting with the McCormick Distilling Brands: Tequila Rose and Tarantula Tequila. I know we will get a better program from them this year and hopefully some nice perks, if not cash. I have no news from Capital One to report and need to put my head together with Ken Rodd for direction on this.
At this point I do not know of any defectors amongst our smaller sponsors. I will get with each and firm up before the poster deadline. I want to call special attention to the matching funds Scholarship and Local Business sponsorships we have benefited from the last few years. I know I report at the meeting each year that we raised $10,000.00 for this and it really is a fact. I was able to attend the graduation exercises for Big Bend High School and believe me, I was very, very proud as the ten graduates that were moving on to college all received CASI/LOCAL Scholarship money in amounts from 3,000.00 down to 500.00. This is something I sincerely hope we can continue to implement, as it brings tremendous attention to us from the standing room only crowd.
In closing, we will have a good year. I have two potential sponsors in negotiation with good prospect. I am in hopes of better than expected returns from several existing supporters. The addition of Kiowa Casino will be valuable and another Indian Tribal group is taking a look at CASI. I have been staying busy and I believe our program is thriving.
Thank you for your confidence in me. It is my privilege to serve the Board and CASI.
Have a productive meeting.
JIM EZELL
While the sponsorship program started the year in a somewhat unsettled state, I am pleased to report that many positive things are coming together as we approach the Great Pepper’s Meeting.
The only firm negative I have to report at this time is the loss of Ancira in the Gold Sponsor Category. Although I hope this will not be a permanent loss, at this point we have no funding from them. They are good until September and maybe we will have a better report from them or a sponsorship on a smaller scale.
The other Gold Sponsors are on board again. I have received great reports from the people at Mondavi/Woodbridge and they look forward to another year. After a scary start with some of the many new people at Bruce, they have assured me they are still firmly behind us. The situation with L & F for Budweiser is confirmed and I am still pursuing the proposal to build a Legacy Sponsor from this. Hill Country/Jim Stateczny is still providing his valuable services on an ongoing basis.
At the Silver Level: The contract is in process for the Texas Lottery to return. I have requested an increase to $3500.00 for their participation as they want the option for a second booth at Krazy Flats. I have negotiated for the 1500.00 in gift certificates for the winners at Lajitas and it appears the margarita booth in the original scenario is off right now. They will also be providing 15 rooms for VIPs and Sponsors at a discounted rate.
On a very good note, Permian Distributing (Lone Star, Miller, and Coors) was bought out by Glazer’s. I was concerned about the ice trailer and still have not got the details worked out. I have been assured, however, that the man we dealt with at a lesser level last year is now running the branch and thinks well of us. The very good news is this: the purchaser of Permian is Glazer’s where we have valuable ties. I believe that by next year this will move to a Gold Sponsorship and probably bring back Corona and possibly some of the New Belgium Brands in addition to Lone Star, etc. Right now I have a tentative meeting with the McCormick Distilling Brands: Tequila Rose and Tarantula Tequila. I know we will get a better program from them this year and hopefully some nice perks, if not cash. I have no news from Capital One to report and need to put my head together with Ken Rodd for direction on this.
At this point I do not know of any defectors amongst our smaller sponsors. I will get with each and firm up before the poster deadline. I want to call special attention to the matching funds Scholarship and Local Business sponsorships we have benefited from the last few years. I know I report at the meeting each year that we raised $10,000.00 for this and it really is a fact. I was able to attend the graduation exercises for Big Bend High School and believe me, I was very, very proud as the ten graduates that were moving on to college all received CASI/LOCAL Scholarship money in amounts from 3,000.00 down to 500.00. This is something I sincerely hope we can continue to implement, as it brings tremendous attention to us from the standing room only crowd.
In closing, we will have a good year. I have two potential sponsors in negotiation with good prospect. I am in hopes of better than expected returns from several existing supporters. The addition of Kiowa Casino will be valuable and another Indian Tribal group is taking a look at CASI. I have been staying busy and I believe our program is thriving.
Thank you for your confidence in me. It is my privilege to serve the Board and CASI.
Have a productive meeting.
JIM EZELL
