This Week's Speaker
Howard Berk, Ellijay Mushrooms
Come out to hear the story of a Georgia Start-up Business from founder, Howard Berk, of Ellijay Mushrooms this Friday morning at the AC Hotel.
In Felicia Feaster’s Fast Lane article, “Fun with Fungi,” Felicia tells the story of Howard’s journey starting with creating a garden at his daughter’s Brookhaven Elementary School to being named by the state of Georgia as a "2023 Small Business ROCK STAR" with his 1.3 million in annual revenue business. His intriguing rebound story, along with his newest endeavor with KSU and their sustainability solutions using these shade-loving fungi, are sure to be an inspiration to us all.
We are so excited to hear more about how mushrooms can not only improve health, but add some tasty flavor to our tables!
Check out more about Ellijay Mushrooms at https://www.ellijaymushrooms.com
Dues Update
Vote This Friday on Proposed Dues Increase
As discussed back in our July Club Assembly meeting; our club needs to balance our operating budget. Operating revenues have declined in the past few years as during COVID we gave the option of having a membership type of 'no meals'. We currently have 63 total members, of which 28 are 'Full Members' who pay for meals, 19 members chose to go to 'no meals' when the option was available and 14 are under the 'Rule of 85' membership (Age+Year of Membership > 85 so they have the option of no meals). The meal fee is what pays for our meeting space, but the burden for that is falling on too few members. At Le Meridian, for example, the cost to rent the space and only serve coffee was roughly the same as what it cost to serve 25 people breakfast.
To balance our operating budget the Board of Directors voted to raise dues $50 per quarter ($200 per year) across all membership types. To raise dues in this manner our club will need to vote on this at our next meeting, January 5, 2022. Our dues structure is set in the Club's bylaws, and accordingly, a vote of the Club membership is required to amend the bylaws to increase the quarterly dues.
If you are unable to attend the January 5th meeting you can vote by proxy. To vote by proxy please email Dave Burr at dave@mailcenteretc.com and he will send you a proxy form.
