City Club of Eugene
Board Meeting Minutes
April 23, 2026 | 5:00–6:30 PM | KIDSPORTS & via Zoom
Present: Alyssa Gilbert (President), Andrew Kalloch, Eric Dziura, Meggie Wright, Joey Bruckner, Kelly Johnson (Secretary), Betsy Pownall
Absent: Ralph Pledger
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by President Alyssa Gilbert.
Approval of Prior Minutes
A motion was made (Joey) and seconded (Eric) to approve the March minutes. The motion passed unanimously.
Agenda Review
No additional agenda items were added.
Board Retreat Planning
The board discussed plans for a summer board retreat to support onboarding and strategic planning with incoming members. After discussion, the group agreed to tentatively schedule a retreat for Saturday, July 25 at 1:00 PM, to be hosted at Betsy’s home. The retreat will focus on planning for the upcoming year and orienting new board members. Board members were encouraged to submit agenda ideas to Alyssa in advance.
Board Transition and Recruitment
An update was provided on upcoming board transitions, with the May meeting serving as the final meeting for the current board and the annual meeting on May 29 including onboarding of new members.
Recruitment remains a top priority. Updates include:
• A potential board candidate (Megan Olds) will be introduced at an upcoming program.
• A CPA candidate (McKenna) expressed interest in joining the board and finance committee, with potential to transition into the treasurer role in the future.
• Additional prospects include individuals with finance backgrounds who may be interested in committee participation rather than immediate officer roles.
• Other candidates Don from program committee, Cameron from Summit Bank
The board discussed the ongoing challenge of recruiting a treasurer due to the level of responsibility, including oversight of QuickBooks, financial reporting, and compliance filings. Several strategies were discussed:
• Recruiting multiple finance professionals to share responsibilities through a finance committee
• Exploring part-time or contracted bookkeeping support
• Investigating partnerships with local organizations or educational institutions for support (e.g., students or interns)
• The board confirmed the importance of continuing outreach efforts ahead of the mid-May election timeline.
• Joey considering stepping in as Secretary, still need VP. Could be voted in later.
Operations and Infrastructure Discussion
The board discussed an opportunity to improve organizational systems and digital infrastructure. Key challenges identified include:
• Disconnected systems (banking, fundraising crm, email platforms, and accounting)
• Manual processes that create inefficiencies
• Lack of centralized document and data management
There was interest in exploring solutions that could streamline operations, including the potential use of automation tools and AI.
The possibility of forming a small working group or committee to assess needs and develop a plan was discussed. No formal action was taken.
Committee Reports
Membership
The board noted ongoing inconsistencies in membership tracking and communication systems, including cases where members were not reflected accurately across platforms. There was discussion about improving internal processes and identifying system gaps as part of broader operational improvements.
Program Committee
The organization is nearing the end of its election programming cycle, with one remaining election-related event. Upcoming programs include:
• A May 1 program recognizing Law Day
• Additional scheduled programs through June, with one remaining opening
• The May 29 program will include the annual awards presentation and new board member introductions.
Media and Communications
The board discussed podcast production and distribution. A proposal was presented for Tom Gilly to take on podcast production in addition to existing editing work.
A motion was made (Eric) and seconded (Betsy) to accept the proposal for expanded services. The motion passed unanimously.
The board noted that this change is expected to improve consistency in podcast publishing and reduce workflow bottlenecks.
Financial Report
The board discussed merge our two accounts are at into one. Financials were reviewed. The organization remains in a stable position with low overall expenses. A recent deposit of approximately $3,000 (from previously unprocessed checks) was noted and will be reflected in the next reporting period.
The board discussed:
• Variability in expense timing due to irregular invoicing
• The need for improved financial tracking and reporting clarity
• The potential benefit of stronger financial systems and oversight
Facilities and Partnerships
The board discussed ongoing venue considerations, including:
• Continued use of WOW Hall
• Potential opportunities to negotiate reduced costs or sponsorship arrangements
• Exploration of alternative venues if needed
• Follow-up with venue partners is ongoing.
Good of the Order
Board members expressed appreciation for Alyssa’s leadership during the transition period and offered support as needed.
Next Steps
• Continue treasurer recruitment and explore finance committee structure
• Confirm board retreat details and begin agenda planning
• Implement podcast production transition
• Follow up on venue partnerships and sponsorship opportunities
• Continue outreach to prospective board members
