August 23, 2025, Board Meeting
August 23, 2025, 1:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
In person at Vibha Akkajaru’s home and via Zoom online
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81701954579?pwd=0KZJmS4j7BRnXKo37cr1RGY26iz5ZU.1
Meeting ID: 817 0195 4579
Passcode: 273120
Attendees: Tice Swackhammer, David Harris, Tim Flood, Margaret Nalbach, Miera Rao, Alisha Willis, Megan McDonald, Jenny Raver, Vibha Akkaraju, Geri Spieler, Colleen Olle, Eva Barrows
1) The board discussed accomplishments and what has gone well within the past year.
Growth of membership (200 members)
Overall tone and enthusiasm of the club
Refining system/process for Newsblast and other communications and getting new volunteers involved
Website improvements (online payments, joining/renewing membership)
Quality of speakers is excellent.
July Picnic was a success.
Writers Helping Writers/contribution to membership
a) Motion made by Geri to nominate Doug Baird for Louise Boggess award.
2) Megan talked about website updates and improvements.
a) Ownership of Squarespace website will be moved from Tim Flood to CWC group.
b) Board approved redesign of history page using a timeline format.
c) Megan showed a mockup of an improved testimonials page layout and team discussed future efforts to seek more testimonials
d) Megan showed a mockup of an “In Memoriam” page
o Alisha sent flowers, snack tray, and handwritten note to Dave LaRoche’s wife
3) Jenny described the process for selecting speakers.
a) For upcoming speakers through April 2026, Jenny and Nirmy will each do five monthly meetings, plan, engage with speakers, cc each other on correspondence. Speakers vetted via videos and websites.
b) Currently CWC-SF-Peninsula pays speakers $200.
4) Eva discussed the upcoming launch of the Zoom Speaker series.
a) Penney Sansevieri will present in October. $10 registration fee.
b) Motion made by Tim to approve a minimum of $100 per speaker. Passed.
c) Vibha made a motion that if a panel has three panelists, $100 per speaker, and to cap panels at three panelists. Passed.
d) Board will revisit payment and fees after first workshop is completed.
5) Membership
a) David led a discussion about a membership survey to understand members and what they are looking for in CWC.
b) Board discussed disseminating a survey via meetings, the newsletter, phone calls.
c) In future, Board will discuss growing membership and size of Sequoia Yacht Club.
6) Board discussed the development of evaluation forms for speakers.
a) Decided not to pursue at the present time due to potential QR code challenges for members.
7) Board tabled resolving MRMS access/other membership issues. (Margaret and Tim)
8) Vibha gave an update on finances and the transition to Quicken Simplified.
9) Geri said that the Writers Helping Writers in Palo Alto has speakers signed up through May 2026.
10) Geri, the NorCal President, will do a ten-minute opening at the NorCal Leadership Conference on April 26, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tim Flood is the key speaker.
11) David discussed the renewal of Sequoia Yacht Club contract.
12) The Board discussed how to celebrate our branch’s 60th anniversary. Alisha, Tom, and Geri will work with the 60th-year committee. Tice is happy to work behind the scenes with Tom on videos.
13) The Board agreed to meet on September 9 (instead of September 2) and resume the regular first-Tuesday-of-the-month schedule in October.
Meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
Colleen Olle (Secretary): Notes taken August 24, 2025