Tavern Association board met June 4 in Helena
Pub Date: 7/1/2008
In what may be a modern-day record, the Montana Tavern Association Board of directors cleared its business slate in a mere one-and-a-half hours when it gathered at Jorgenson's in Helena June 4.
President Dennis White gaveled the meeting to order with MTA Executive Director Diana Koon soon determining a quorum was present.
White called upon new Public Relations Committee Chairman Tanya Harper to give the committee report. She said her group was recommending budgeting $1,000 for a prize to be paid to the member who sold the most "No Dinner/Dinner" raffle tickets before the "early bird" August 15 deadline.
The raffle is a major fund raiser for MTA and pays cash prizes ranging from $2,000 to $15,000 to lucky purchasers of the $100 tickets. $4,000 is given away to the "early bird" winner drawn August 15 with the balance of the prizes drawn for and awarded at the annual MTA convention in September.
She also reported on a member recruiting program being run by the Ravalli County Tavern Association and a seminar sponsored by the same group with participation by local law enforcement to explore the issue of increasing casino robberies and patron and employee safety.
Finally, she urged members to make nominations for the tavern Worker Of The Year award presented at the annual convention and sponsored by the Montana Tavern Times. She said a 250-word nomination essay should be sent by Aug. 20 to Sandy Jones at the Best Bet, 3620 Brooks, Missoula, MT 59801. (See complete report on the PR Committee meeting on page 3 of this edition.)
Next, President White called upon Mary Jane Heisler to report on the meeting of the Budget and Membership Committee.
Heisler said the budget "is in great shape" and projected a healthy surplus at the close of the group's fiscal year. She also said regular membership stands at 43 more than last year (811 now versus 768)'; "Gold Star" membership is also up 14 with 186 now compared to 172 last year. She said associate memberships were up 10 from 40 to 50 and that the group still has three corporate sponsors.
John Hayes, executive secretary of the Cascade County Tavern Association, the host chapter for the 2008 state MTA convention, gave a report on planning for the event. First, he noted the CCTA has a new president, Jon Tovson.
Hayes said the convention will run September 8-11 and will be centered at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls. The first day of the convention, Monday, is packed with activities including a golf tournament, trap shoot, ladies' reception at the C.M. Russell Museum and shopping spree, a 19th Hole Party and the elimination round of the big poker tournament.
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Tuesday will focus on the trade show and Industry Party that evening. Wednesday's highlights will be committee meetings, legislative and regulator panel discussions and the evening banquet and awards.
Thursday begins with a sponsored brunch and the final business meeting which includes elections, Hayes concluded.
Mark Staples, MTA government affairs counsel, was called upon to deliver the Legislative and Gambling Committee report. Unfortunately, Staples noted, the primary elections had been conducted the day previous to the board meeting so not all election outcomes were known.
He did announce, to hearty applause, that MTA's Harry Klock, Harlowton, had won his primary contest for House District 83. And sadly, Staples reported, MTA's Bob Miller, McAllister, had not prevailed in a primary contest for HD 71.
He also told the board that Steve Bullock had clinched the Democratic Party nomination for Attorney General and that Tim Fox would be the Republican nominee. He said he expected both men would be fair to small business.
Staples reported there had been some discussion regarding beer wholesaler practices and surcharges and said members were interested in being treated equitably, regardless of the size of their account. He said some discussions with wholesaler representatives would be initiated.
He also said Montana brewers were considering some legislation regarding alcohol content limits on beer, and caps on annual barrelage as it relates to authorization for sample rooms. Representatives of the affected breweries were to be invited to attend the MTA convention to present their perspectives to members.
Regarding the fantasy sports pari-mutuel wagering authorized by House Bill 616 in the last legislative session and intended to produce funding for horse racing, Staples said the State Lottery, at the behest of Governor Brian Schweitzer, has proposed to run the game on behalf of the Board of Horse Racing.
He said some preliminary discussions with members indicated there may be some wrinkles that needed to be ironed out, specifically among them a Lottery proposal that licensees who apply for fantasy sports pari-mutuel would also be required to offer patrons the full line of lottery products, and would be required to provide a trained attendant to operate the lottery game terminals.
The board urged Staples to discuss these and other concerns with the appropriate authorities.
In conclusion, Staples predicted there would be the usual efforts to break down Montana's justifiably strict alcohol control and licensing laws, but in light of the success of the 2007 round of new-issue "cabaret" restaurant beer and wine licenses, he said he believed additional challenges should be considered "overkill." He also said he thought most policy makers believe the proliferation of retail on-premise alcohol outlets in Montana has gone far enough
Finally, Executive Director Koon told the board her previous assistant, Colleen Benton, had left due to health issues and that her replacement, Maria Thrift, aboard one-and-a-half months, was catching on quickly.
She reminded directors of the member benefits available on the MTA web site such as on-line server training programs and the ABL store where promotional products can be purchased at healthy discounts. She said members can also get discounted ATM services.
She said the MTA was prepared to assist local chapters with printed materials for designated driver programs and also had available the "We Card" campaign materials.
With that, a 50/50 winner was drawn, Harry Klock left with an extra $310 in his pocket and the meeting was adjourned.
Source: The Montana Tavern Times, April, 2008, published monthly by Continental Communications, 125 W. Granite St., Suite 102, Butte, MT 59701.