The February meeting was called to order shortly after 7:00 pm at Whistle Binkies by acting president, Terry Schardt. Directors/Officers present were Randy Horn, Gerry Meyer, Terry Schardt, Grant Johnson, Dave Dosch, and John Boray. Grant dropped off the January meeting minutes and had to leave early. Shelly Schardt graciously agreed to be secretary pro tempore in Grant's absence.

The January minutes were read and approved.

The Treasurer's report was given verbally with a written report to follow at the next meeting. Three new members have been received bringing the total to 68 as well as additional scholarship donations of $75 from IBM employees (quadruple match) and $20 from others (double match). No outstanding bills exist with a checkbook balance of $890.52.

The President's (our southern-most Badger) comment of "…the warm South" was mentioned which was especially poignant on that blustery, snowy evening. The Badger Men's BB team standing of 11th in the nation was discussed and their being the only Big Ten team in the top 20 (all of this before their loss to Michigan State).

Committee reports followed:

*Membership: (no report)

*UW Marching Band Spring Concert: (15-20 tickets ordered which will arrive around March 1st) Thanks, Dave.

*UW Athletics Social: (Ken, how about a get together for the Indiana game on March 3rd or 4th?)

*KidsFest: (Volunteers are lined up; SnoCone equipment & supplies procured. Ready to go!)

*Scholarships: (We are funded for 10-$1500 scholarships to be given for the 04-05 school year. Special recognition of the Sloan Foundation contribution. Randy to pursue business sponsoring of scholarships. Gerry to pursue Alumni Foundation acceptance of endowments through local club funding rules. Area High School counselors have been contacted to solicit candidates in March which will be compared to the Accepted Freshmen list from UW.)

*Founder's Day: (May 20th, Comfort Inn. John contacting Vikings to invite Michael Bennett as a special guest.)

*Newsletter: (We need to update our email @ list during our Founder's Day invitation effort. The April Newsletter will be the final one for this year.) Thanks for getting it out, Gerry.

*Rochester Badger webpage: (Our home page has been moved to the UW Alumni website with connections back to our local website. A telecom is coming up on UW Alumni webpage content.)

*Public relations: (no report)

Old Business:

*Club Bylaws approval: (Director/Officer approval was solicited at the January meeting, in a subsequent email to all Directors/Officers, in the January Newsletter, and finally at the February meeting. The new Bylaws were approved with 16 yeas, 7 abstains, and no nays. Thanks to Gerry, Paul, and the others who gave input on the Bylaws.)

*List of Directors: (an updated list of Directors is available on the website)

*Rochester UW Marching Band concert sponsors: (The YMCA is interested in being the sponsoring organization and recipient of ticket sales above the concert cost. Once the Y has decided, local business sponsors will be approached. When sponsor interest has been gauged, the Band will be approached for a definite commitment.)

New Business:

*The Nominating committee for the 04-05 Club year should be formed and begin work per the new Bylaws. Gerry Meyer and Terry Schardt will serve as committee members with a third member to be recruited by Terry. Any volunteers would be appreciated.

*Whistle Binkies has dropped our monthly reservation. This appears to be an oversight on their part due to staffing changes and Randy Horn will work with Brenda to restore our reservation.

*We are looking for a Community Service replacement for our High School BasketBall game greeter program which we dropped this year. Our intent is to contribute to the community while displaying pride in the University to generate interest in local students. Suggestions discussed were College Fair booths at local High Schools, Membership Drive prior to Founder's Day, and Ronald McDonald House meal serving. No decision was made and more suggestions/discussion is invited.

*Darcie Abbott was accepted as our newest Director by motion seconded and approved. Welcome, Darcie!

The next BOD meeting will be held at 7:00 pm on March 4th, 2004 at Whistle Binkies.

Addendum to February meeting minutes: KidsFest Report

Another outstanding community service project was carried out at KidsFest 2004, a fund raiser for Ronald McDonald House. KidsFest was held at the Heintz Center again this year with the Alumni in Badger regalia serving up 512 SnoCones to participating children and parents, contributing $615.50 to RM House. This closely paralleled our record-setting performance last year of $623.30. Much thanks from our chair people, Terry and Shelly Schardt, to the volunteer scoopers, syrupers, and cashiers: Bob Feldt, Tom Crowley, Jodi Mueller, Mike Brown, Sharon Schneider, Dave Dosch, Jean Boray, and John Boray. Additional thanks to Mike Brown for bringing his UW flag which we displayed behind our station and to Tiffany Schardt for making our display sign. Costs were covered this year as follows: SnoCone machine – Rental Depot, Ice – HyVee North, Other supplies ($98.98) – RM House. In past years the Club has donated the machine rental and other supplies cost so that our proceeds from the SnoCones are not reduced. We recommend that this year the Club donate the $98.98 that was covered by RM House. Confident that the Directors will accept this recommendation, we approached Eastwood Bank to underwrite this cost and they donated $50 to split the cost with us.