Surfrider Foundation Grand Strand Chapter

Monday, February 1, 2010

Location:  Sharky’s at 6th Ave. N. and Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach, SC

Members Present:

• Introductions; intro to 2010
• Elections and nominations
  • Elections could not be held as planned; no nominations
  • Vice-chair and volunteer coordinator positions (description of position)
  • Nominations for vice-chair:  Brad Odom, Shannon Sommers
  • Steven Pierce nominated for volunteer coordinator
• Projects
  • Magnet Project
    • Refresh basics on project, as led by Zach and Bruxanne
    • Bruxanne:  Surfside Beach sending out $1200 check, Guy Daniels contrib $500
    • Scholars Academy Biology Club will distribute
    • Potential of start in March?  Distribution, promotion
  • Green Boating Program
    • CCU involved (2 students) and Surfrider
    • Sign placing at county’s boat landings
    • Work w/ local agencies (DHEC) to inject local education
    • Jenny, Meg interested in committee for signs
  • Surfrider Water Bottles
    • National “Rise Above Plastics” campaign (against single-use plastics)
    • SFGS bringing campaign locally with Surfrider metal water bottles (incl. logo)
    • Popular at Myrtle Beach Primary School, Scholars Academy
    • CCU interested on ordering through Surfrider
      • Issue raised:  advertise through website; e-shopping on site?  Can be done; discussion raised on inventory, taxed items, shipping
      • Dealing w/ schools:  selling bulk in advance to schools at profit (currently sold at cost to SF), schools sell
  • Worries
    • KFC & Withers Swash:  request/demand city req. for locks on dumpsters?
    • Potential MB boardwalk trash problem
    • Springmaid Resort wants to implement recycling project, looking for advice
  • Garden City “Shower Tower”
    • Brad spoke to Grand Strand Water & Sewer; needs engineering, site plans
    • Adam reviews concept, partnership with Village Surf; worries about fees (Surfrider currently donating tower, Village donating initial water cost; who left with ongoing water cost Surfrider can’t commit)
    • Cost: 1850 for 2-head tower plan, time needed for construction
    • Maintenance:  damage?  shut down for winter?
• Events/2010 Calendar
  • FAME Festival:  T-Bone Terry and Global Awareness Project, food/art/music/entertainment “street festival” in former-Pavilion-area MB on Apr 24/25, 2010 for Withers Swash Benefit, will give money to Surfrider, wants involvement (booth)
    • Weekend after Earth Day; limited ability for involvement from Surfrider
    • Surfrider 20% beneficiary
  • April 17:  annual Earth Day Music Festival at Market common; Surfrider & Wellness Council, Compassion Music
    • Volunteers requested for setup, day of, breakdown, booths
    • Lori Avant, Matt Wright volunteer for 1st shift
    • Will have artists, vendors, beer garden, kids zone
  • Two Surf Clinics
    • Saturday June 19 (International Surfing Day) at 65th in Myrtle Beach
    • August 14/15:  Guy Daniels Surf-Off (Surfrider w/ booth, Surf Clinic)
    • Cindy Goode will handle booth at both events
  • Chili Cook-Off:  Sun. Oct. 17 at Spud’s
    • Future committee, volunteers need
  • Beach sweeps
    • Morning of June 19 (Int’l Surf Day)
    • Saturday, September 18 (Nat’l Beech and River Sweep)
  • Makai Luau in Limbo
    • Committee to meet in future
• Open discussion, additions, etc.
  • Withers Swash:  city, businesses (nearby) need to get involved, need to put locks on trash bins (Leslie:  Surfrider could give locks)
  • Springmaid Resort:  going green in future; wants Surfrider advice
  • 29th Ave. S. to 15th Ave. S. in Myrtle Beach:  Surfrider’s Adopt-A-Beach, needs volunteers
  • New volunteering policy
    • Suggesters of projects, etc., must help come up with volunteers, management to balance, complete Surfrider support behind stuff

Surfrider Grand Strand General Meeting

Monday, November 9, 2009
Myrtle Beach State Park, Shelter 1

Members in attendance:

• Adam Janis
• Julie Janis
• Kele & Bleu
• Bruxanne Hein
• Zachary Waldowski
• Drew
• Steve Pierce
• Robbie Riley
• Aubin Hooker
• Brad Odum
• Andy Morton
• Jason Noll
• Philip Bruley
• Beth Hackett
• 4 others (sorry we missed getting your names!)

1. Guest speakers- Horry County Storm Water Management & Burroughs & Chapin Center for Marine and Wetland Studies at CCU: Thom Roth & Karen Fuss
   1. They spoke about the problems and concerns of how storm water issues affect the watersheds in Horry County & the surrounding region.
   2. They gave us tips on what people can do at home to help deal with storm water issues.
   3. Karen proposed how the SF chapter to help with a storm water stenciling project. She has 500 plastic emblems to put on storm water curbs and drains throughout the county and municipalities. She stated if we wanted to put a group together, Horry County would give us the materials needed to help complete the community project.
   4. Thom asked for a group of volunteers to help with installing beach fencing, and another group to help maintain the pet waste bags on county beaches.
   5. Bruxanne thanked the volunteers who helped at the Chili cook-off and discussed what we raised, and plans are in process for next year’s event.
2. Adam mentioned the progress of the SF license plate project.
   1. SCDMV claims that the SF specialty plate is the number one plated issued in SC right now.
   2. We receive monthly checks that are split with the SF Charleston chapter. Some of the funds generated by this project are donated towards two $500 scholarships at Coastal Carolina University.
3. Bruxanne explained to the group assembled the elections that will need to take place in February at the general meeting for all positions, as well as the need to have new members involved in the executive committee.
   1. All elected positions are open in the new year, and those who are now in the office must step down for at least a year before returning to the same position.
   2. Asked for nominations to be sent to the executive members by January.
4. Bruxanne spoke about the 2010 Makai Luau. She mentioned that the chapter’s executive board is considering postponing the luau for a year since this year’s event had a low turnout.
   1. The members were asked their thoughts and a majority of them would like to see us try and make it happen again this year on the south end.
   2. As of now, it is proposed to be held at The Hot Fish Club on May 15^th, 2010.
   3. Brad, Andy, Stephen, Phil, Beth, Aubin indicated they would volunteer to work on the committee for the luau in 2010
5. A list of all the projects that are in the works or being proposed were mentioned and asked for interested volunteers that might want help.
   1. Green Boating-CCU students helping with this.
      1. Need to get funds together for signs to complete the project.
      2. Need to contact Staci Williams, who is considering a similar project, about collaboration.
   2. Surfside Beach magnet project-Bruxanne is helping with this project; Scholars Academy is heading the project, in collaboration with the Guy Daniels Foundation.
      1. An application has been submitted to the Surfside Accommodations tax committee. The SF chapter and Guy Daniels Foundation have requested $1500 from Surfside Beach towards the purchase of the magnet.
      2. Art work is not yet complete. The students will complete this week and present at next week’s A-tax committee meeting.
   3. Shower Tower for Garden City
      1. Some of the ground work and research is complete.
      2. Adam, Drew, & Brad have been working with Curt on completing the permissions for the project.
      3. Thom Roth has replaced Jackie Taylor as our contact who had originally approved the project.
      4. This shower would be located at the GC beach access south of the pier.
      5. We have a list of products that range from $1800-$3000, with a budget of $3,000 for purchase and installation.
   4. Anti-litter campaign for summer 2010.
      1. Similar to last summer’s campaign, though trying to reach more outlets.
      2. SF promoted anti-litter ads & slogans during the summer through different media outlets raising awareness to the community about keeping the beaches clean.
   5. Julie proposed earlier this month a water bottle project that would be associated with SF slogan “Rise Above Plastics.”
      1. The project proposes stainless steel water bottles with our SF logo and the “Rise Above Plastics” slogan. This project would create advocacy for the cause of not using plastic water bottles.
      2. Bruxanne showed some sample water bottles she received earlier this week.  Budget for this project is still being discussed.
      3. Scholars Academy would like 40 to use as a fundraiser; CCU STARS may also use as a fundraiser on campus
6. SF has been invited to participate in the Christmas parades for Surfside Beach and Murrells Inlet; Robbie, Stephen indicated an interest in participating in the parades this year (Dec. 5^th and 12^th).
7. The Independents are playing at Madison’s in Garden City on New Year’s Eve and have asked us to set up a booth and give out info, sell shirts, take donations, etc. Curt and Bruxanne were planning to attend and can set up a table unless someone else would prefer to do so.
8. Who Cares Christmas Party-Dec 11^th
   1. Location: Ebb & Flow 6 p.m.-new venue this year to see if we can get a better turnout then last year.
   2. Need volunteers to bring covered dishes.
   3. Southern Wine donated wines; Beer donated by New South.
9. Bruxanne made a motion to review the 2010 budget & calendar.
10. Both the budget & calendar were presented to the members attending the meeting.
    1. 12 members in attendance voted for the budget, 4 abstained/no.
    2. The budget will be reviewed by the executive committee through the year for adjustments.
11. Adjourned meeting and ate food & oysters catered by T-Bone Terry’s BBQ at 7:50 p.m.

• Administration
  • $1500 for printing, materials, general supplies, trailer maintenance
• Meetings
  • $1000 to purchase food and beverage for general and executive meetings throughout the year including the year-end Christmas party
• Scholarship
  • $1000 to Coastal Carolina for the year ($500 per semester)
• Luau
  • $4000 for food, beverages, entertainment (with an anticipated income of approximately $6000, or profit of $2000)
• Chilympics
  • $4000 for prizes, rentals, materials, printing, etc. (with an anticipated income of approximately $18,000, or profit of $14,000)
• Surf Clinics
  • $250 per clinic for food and beverage, materials, and so on
• Boat Landing Signage
  • $3000 for purchasing signs, printing brochures, ad campaign (will also apply for grant funds to augment and/or offset these costs)
• Surfrider Gear and giveaways
  • $3000 to purchase t-shirts, mugs, can coolers, and other promotional items to sell at events (approximate profit of $3000) and to give to new members, incentives for joining, prizes for events
• Surfside Beach Magnet Project
  • $1500 from Surfrider
  • Total Project Cost: $3800
  • Presenting A-tax application for $1500, Guy Daniels Foundation will commit $800
• Shower Tower for Garden City Beach Surfing Area
  • $3000 for Shower Tower purchase and installation
• Anti-Litter Ad Campaign Summer 2010
  • $1500 for ads to run in weekly magazines, or a billboard for the summer
• New Projects
  • $2000 set aside for new projects

TOTAL PROJECT COSTS 2010: $12,500
TOTAL ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS 2010: $2,500
TOTAL FUNDRAISING/INCENTIVE COSTS 2010: $11,000
TOTAL FUNDRAISING/DONATIONS/LICENSE PLATES INCOME ESTIMATED 2010: $24,000

We have a lot of events and projects coming up this spring and summer for which we need a number of volunteers, so we need your help!

We have a lot of events and projects coming up this spring and summer for which we need a number of volunteers, so we need your help! Please contact Bruxanne at 333-2034 or bruxanne@yahoo.com, or e-mail mail@surfridergrandstrand.org, let us know which opportunity you can help with and your contact information. Thanks for your help, we can’t do these events and projects without our volunteers! Sat. May 31st – 3rd Annual Makai Luau at Atalaya Castle, Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Inlet. Need volunteers to assist with tickets, Surfrider booth and sales, silent auction (we also need donations for the auction!), set up, clean up, and other as needed. June 20th – International Surfing Day – details to be announced. June 21 and Aug. 16 – We also have Surf Clinics at the beginning and end of the summer and need volunteers to help on the beach, provide beach education and teach beginner surfing to novice surfers. Sun. Oct. 12th – 9th Annual Lip-Rippin’ Chilympics Chili Cook-Off at Spuds Waterfront Dining – many volunteers needed to assist with the Surfrider booth, ticket and shirt sales, membership drive, set up and clean up, judging, etc. Contact Bruxanne to volunteer for this event. Project Leaders needed! We need volunteers to take active leadership roles on projects; we have project ideas that need implementation and planning and we’re always open to new ideas – just let us know! If you have questions, please contact us at mail@surfridergrandstrand.org. Thanks for your support!

Surfrider’s National Paddle Out scheduled for today (Sunday) at Surfside Beach has been cancelled due to Hurricane Ophelia.  The Surfside Beach Police informed us that we cannot have the event due to the expected higher seas and rougher conditions.

It’s a celebration of surfing throughout the world! Join the GS Surfider for International Surfing Day on Saturday, June 25 at the Garden City Pier (Herndon-Lebel Contest) or the Pawleys Island Pier, for a paddle out, beach sweep, or just to catch a wave!

Do you really love surfing? Really?

If you ride the waves, and respect the ocean for all that it gives us, then show it!  

Surfrider chapters from all over the world will be participating in International Surfing Day next week. The mission: to promote and celebrate the sport of surfing while bringing awareness to the state of our oceans and beaches.

You can participate and support the Grand Strand Surfrider Chapter by joining us in for International Surfing Day on Saturday, June 25 at 9:00am, at the Garden City Pier during the Herndon-Lebel Contest. SF Chapters from all over the country will show how much their community loves the ocean and surfing by hosting a large paddle-out, as well as a beach sweep. Let’s show everyone the strength of our surfing community! For more info, call Adam at 602-9279, or email us at mail@surfridergrandstrand.org.

For those in Pawleys Island, join Scott and Jim on June 25 at 9:30am at the Pawleys Island Pier for a Pawleys Island Paddle-Out and Beach Sweep! For more info, call Scott at Surf The Earth Surf Shop at 235-3500, or email him at ste@sc.rr.com.

Also, check out Surfing Magazine for more info.