Treasurer's report

As of the date of the meeting, the Club account balance was $4,641.72, with no bills outstanding.

Membership

Current membership is 94, and 4 are life members! Toby will send an updated master list to those who requested receipt of such.

Programming

October 29, 2005: Zinck's night was a small but intimate gathering October 29 at Firefly in Lenox. Discussed possibly changing the date to encourage more attendees.

December 11, 2005: menu finalized for the Book Discussion/Pot Luck Dinner at Toby Levine's home. Book to be discussed, Chinua Achebe, Things Fall Apart.

March 5, 2006: Mid-Winter Event. Last year there was a pot luck and wine tasting in February. Tentatively scheduled the same event for this date.

June 4, 2006: Frank Rhodes, Cornell President Emeritus, will be visiting the Berkshires! Initial plans for a Cornell Club of the Berkshires event were explored for Sunday afternoon, June 4th. Several potential venues were proposed, including: The Norman Rockwell Museum, Cranwell, Country Club of Pittsfield, Elm Court, etc. The group closed in on a Sunday afternoon "cocktails and speaker" event. Quotes being obtained.

August 27, 2006: discussed plans for annual meeting and speaker. Several potential speakers proposed, Board closed in on Myra M. Hart or Abbey Joseph Cohen. Tobi will check availability-to be revisited at next meeting.

Scholarship Fund

With regard to an endowed fund, the University retains control, requires approximately $20,000 to initiate. It was suggested that the focus instead ought to be on getting more local children accepted. Tobi will follow up with Joan Ury about University's recruiting and complementary Club involvement.

Other Business

The Board explored interest/need for a club directory that would be distributed, perhaps for a small fee (no more than $25), at the annual meeting. It was proposed that production costs could be offset by the inclusion of business card type member advertisements. Discussion to be continued at the next neeting.

It was requested that those planning to attend please RSVP to the host in advance of the meeting.

January Meeting

The next meeting will be Thursday, January 19, 2006 at 7:15 at Toby Levine's home in Stockbridge.

Directions to Toby Levine's

2 Hill Road, Stockbridge. From the intersection of 102 and 183 (at the Berkshire Botanical Garden), go North (toward Tanglewood) on 183 for one mile. Turn Right on Trask Lane to end (two houses). Turn right onto Hill Road. We are the first driveway on the right.

Respectfully submitted,
Renee Miller-Mizia, Secretary