General Session
11-12-2007
The meeting opened with a few remarks from President Ken Bucholtz. The Culinarian’s Code was then read by Jared Russor. Several guests were then welcomed to the meeting and new member gifts were distributed to the new members.
Minutes from the previous October meeting were distributed by Secretary James A. Martin. The Treasurer’s report was then given in full by Tim Michitsch, with a motion to accept the report by James Martin, and 2nd by Rene Rawraway.
News from the ACF National Office was announced, including information about upcoming competitions, Certification for the Practical Examiner, the upcoming regional conference in Cincinnati from April 5th-7th of 2008, and the WACS Convention on May 15th-18th of 2008.
An announcement was made by Ken to the membership about any upcoming fundraising activities for the chapter in 2008. The decision was made to organize better for 2009 and not do any big event in 2008. We will possibly be able to do a collection night at the Carousel Dinner Theatre, do the “Top Chefs” venue, and the Chef of the Year Dinner for 2008. We will then either get Chef Scheib back for 2009 or possibly entertain the idea of shopping for another keynote chef to do a big fundraiser with us. Our charity for any big fundraising activity will still be the Akron Children’s Hospital.
The upcoming SS Kemp competition in February of 2008 will have the chapter pay for registration up to as many who want to compete. This will get the chapter membership better involved and let the chapter assist others to help the members and the chapter grow.
Our January meeting will be on the 14th, with Chef Tom Russinelli from DELHI doing a demo for the chapter on January 12th and 13th. This demo will be taped and then shown at the 14th meeting which will be a social for the chapter. We will have hors d’ oeuvre’s, and show CD’s of the demo by Chef Russinelli, The Chef of the Year Dinner and the awards presentations, and the Dinner at the White House function. Please bring some prospective new members to this meeting, and help the chapter to show what it is that we do and assist with the growth of the chapter.
The chapter will be sponsoring three local schools that participate and have several members in our chapter for the “Cooks Camp” this upcoming summer. All three of the schools, Madson, R.G. Drage, and Lorain County Joint Vocational will receive a $500 grant from the chapter to assist one student to attend the Camp, totaling $1500. The only thing the chapter asks in return is that the schools’ members participate in at least 50% of the monthly chapter meetings.
A new membership drive package has now been developed by Chapter President Ken Bucholtz. This is for distribution to prospective new members with an updated copy of the current newsletter, brochures for the National ACF, a letter from the Chapter President in term, an application for membership, an application for certification, and a current copy of the Culinary Review. This will be used to assist with promoting membership in the ACF and our local chapter.
An announcement was made to the membership that the dues increase from the National ACF Office will be passed along and initiated by our chapter. The increase is from $200 to $220, and will allow our chapter to continue with the same $50 reimbursement from the National Office per member.
An announcement was made by the nominee for Secretary, Susie Hannah, that she will not be able to accept the nomination of Secretary since she is accepting a new career opportunity in Illinois. Chef Dave Browne was then nominated by Chef James A. Martin, 2nd by Ken Bucholtz. Chef Larry Gilpatric was also nominated by Chef Mark Kent, although Chef Gilpatric declined the nomination. Chef Dave Browne then accepted the nomination for Chapter Secretary.
President ken Bucholtz then spoke about the Chapter President’s office and what it means to be the Chapter President. He then recognized Chef Rene Rawraway with a President’s medal and a plaque for the work he did in his term as the Akron-Canton Cooks and Chefs Association President. Ken also recognized Chef Mark Kent with a President’s medal and a plaque for his work in his term as the Akron-Canton Cooks and Chefs Association President.
New Business: Chef Dick Alford asked if we should have a position within the chapter for a Chapter Historian-someone who is very organized and knows much of the chapter history. Dick then so moved that the board discuss the idea and then, follow through in an upcoming meeting.
The chapter’s web site is being reviewed and we are, hopefully, moving forward. The new “Dream Weaver” program has been purchased and revisions should be coming soon from Chef Ron Perkins. More results and information will be presented at the January meeting.
The 50/50 drawing was held and Russ Ashton won and chose the money. Chef Pam Mock was the drawn and chose the Carabas gift card, and Chef Jim Morrison was drawn and received a signed book.
The educational component of the meeting then took place with Chef Paluzzo on the art of tallow sculpting. He showed the differences in natural and synthetic tallow and some of the techniques of working with tallow. Thank you to Chef Paluzzo for his time and knowledge.
James A Martin CEC, CCA
Secretary, Akron-Canton Cooks and Chefs Association