Dear Men’s Club Members,
I pray since my last correspondence that everyone, including you and your families, are well and safe as we continue to deal with concerns and restrictions surrounding the COVID-19 coronavirus. I am sure that we all have watched the news updates highlighting reduced cases in our state but are still dealing with the tragic loss of lives to this virus. As we all hope for a speedy resolution to this difficult situation, as well as seeing some restrictions being lifted,we must continue to remain diligent and adhere to the mandates of our officials, so that we can protect ourselves, our loved ones and the public-at-large and look forward to once again socializing with our families and friends and enjoying our Stonebridge facilities.
Monroe Food Bank Donation
The effects of the virus continue to impact the less fortunate throughout Monroe, where food pantries have experienced an increased need for more supplies. As direct food donations are not being accepted, the Men’s Club had donated $1,500 through the end of April. With the ongoing needs at the food pantry, your Men’s club has donated an additional $750 to the Monroe Food Pantry through the Friends of the Senior Center.There can never be enough generous support to continue this service to our community. If anyone wishes to help,please make your donation payable to the Friends of the Senior Center at 12 Halsey-Reed Road, Monroe Twp., N.J. 08831.
Activities
Your Men’s Club Board continues to meet regularly by videoconferencing. We still don’t know when our next clubhouse meeting will be held. I would like to update all of you on the latest canceled, postponed and on hold events until restrictions are lifted and we all feel comfortable meeting again:
- Future clubhouse general business meetings beyond May are on hold pending federal, state and local restrictions. This includes the important election of SMC Board members in June for the upcoming year effective 7/1/20 – 6/30/21. (I will address this further below.)
- The Trenton Thunder game on June 23 has been canceled.
- The 2020 Charity Golf outing scheduled for August 4th unfortunately had to also be canceled.Due to business closure restrictions, we felt it was inappropriate to solicit contributions and sponsorships from local vendors,as these businesses are going through difficult times. We will also therefore not solicit contributions for our annual calendar. We continue to ask that should you wish, please support our local food establishments that are providing take out. These restaurants have supported our fund-raising activities for many years including Antonio’s, Scotto’s & Romeo’s.
- The Freehold Raceway event on August 28 is on hold pending a response from representatives there.
- Membership renewal requests for the 7/1/20 – 6/30/21 year continue on hold until further notice.
- Our cash position is strong with adequate financial resources for the near future.
Bylaw Revisions
As stated in my last communication, the Board performed a review of our Bylaws and previously forwarded proposed modifications for the membership’s approval as required in Article XI. A number of mailings were sent that included a copy of the Bylaws as well as a request for your yes or no vote to the proposed modifications. Voting on the proposed Bylaws concluded as scheduled on May 10th. We received responses from almost 40% of our members “significantly more than would have attended a normal in-person member meeting”who voted in favor of the proposed modifications by over 96%. The final vote was yes 130, to no 5.
To recap, the major revision to the now approved Bylaws related to the maximum two-year term a board member can serve.With the lack of volunteers to serve on the board, a current board member with no one to fill his position can now extend his term for an additional year should he so wish to serve, ensuring the continuation of the Men’s Club andits essential activities. I thank all those members who participated in the voting process.
Men’s Club Board Election
Six out of seven current board officers were scheduled to come off the board on June 30th. Two have agreed to serve an extra year under the new Bylaws. Two more are being succeeded by other (Trustee) board members. Two volunteers have come forward to fill the other open officer positions.These new volunteers have been vetted and approved through our Nominating Committee. Per our Bylaws, and in lieu of an in-person member meeting, unless another Men’s Club member comes forward (or is nominated by another member) for a board position, and notifies me by phone or email by May 26th, the proposed slate of officers will be voted in effective 7/1/2020.The current (7/1/2019-6/30/2020) and proposed (7/1/2020-6/30/2021) slates of board officers are listed below:
Office Current Proposed Term
President Don Marino Don Marino 3rd
Treasurer George Fischer George Fischer 3rd
VP Committees Jack Pomeranc Frank Zuccaro 1st
Secretary Mike Silverstein Mike Silverstein 2nd
VP Activities Gary Lee Ira Cutler 1st
VP Membership Fred Block Stan Fischer 1st
VP Fundraising Marcial Alzugaray Rick Schlanger 1st
New Club Website
Please remember to visit our Men’s Club Website at stonebridgemensclub.com regularly for information about events, charitable activities and much more that your membership helps support for you, Stonebridge and the greater area community.
In Closing
As always, I would like to thank the entire membership for their support of the Men’s Club, and God willing we will get through this virus and back to our normal lives again soon. I look forward to see all of you soon.
Be well and stay safe.
Don Marino, President and The Executive Board of the Stonebridge Men’s Club