ELKHART ALANO, INC.

The first recorded board meeting of Elkhart Alano, Inc. was held in a place called Tri-State Yokefellow (Retreat House) located near the small town of Defiance, Ohio. This meeting was held October 24, 1981. It appeared that considerable planning and effort had occurred before this by the founders. For example, the “Certificate of Incorporation” had been issued by the state and the first writing of the “Articles and Bylaws” had been accomplished.

There were only two board meetings in 1981. However, a number of goals were achieved by the end of that year and a building located at 323 South Fifth Street had been purchased. Procedures for the donation of this building by the founders to Elkhart Alano, Inc. had been worked out. In addition, the expansion of the board from ten to fifteen members and the election of new board members that the Fifth Street property did not lend itself to the club concept they shared. Consequently, in October 1981, a committee of three board members was appointed to do a financial feasibility study to use in planning for the development of improved facilities for Elkhart Alano, Inc.

A number of suggestions resulted from the financial feasibility study. The most important of these was the selling of the newly acquired Serenity Hall (5^th St. property) and the construction or purchasing of a new facility elsewhere. To implement these goals, a building committee and a financial committee was established February 1982. By the end of June, the Fifth Street property was up for sale. The price was set at $26,500. The E.H. Wambaugh Realty Company had established the value of the property at $26,500.

During the following weeks, the search for a new location took place. Several possibilities were considered. The most interesting of these was a property on West Lusher Avenue.

In June 1982, a special meeting of the board of directors was called and it was announced that “Elkhart Alano, Inc. has made a commitment to purchase a $75,000 building and property at Thirteen thirty three West Lusher Avenue.” One thousand dollars was paid as a security deposit with $25,000 more to be paid the following August 25^th. During this meeting, the directors decided that there was a need for an additional $25,000 dollars for building modifications and furnishings. It appeared that at least $100,000 dollars was needed. The board concluded that this amount could be raised by seeking donations from individuals and corporation.

The purchase and development of the Lusher street property depended to a great extent on the sale of the Fifth Street property. By August 24^th, no offers had been received and the board decided to “withdraw our option and request the security deposit to be returned.” In addition, the board decided to “conduct a study of the property at 323 South Fifth Street for a possible renovation to the club concept.”

The problems of finding appropriate housing were accompanied with concerns of membership, space rental and finances. A membership committee had begun to consider different kinds of memberships. During the June 8t^h board meeting a motion was made to offer the following two types of lifetime memberships: one for regular members at a price of $1,000 and one for founding members for $250. The motion carried. At this same meeting the resignation of the chairperson of the membership committee was accepted and a new chairperson, Mr. Don H. was appointed.

By the following October a turning point had been reached and Elkhart Alano Inc. began to operate as a club at 323 South Fifth Street. There were now seven groups that were renting space for one or more meetings a week. The club hours were 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for Friday and Saturday. New the end of the year (1982) the membership committee chairperson, Mr. Don H. reported that the club had grown to 110 members and that the committee was recommending a $5.00 per month donation per member. The chairperson for the fund raising committee, Mr. Dick B. had reported that contributions from businesses and individuals had totaled $2,700 for the previous month. Mrs. Peg W, the treasurer, reported a balance of $905.66 in the checking account and $10,210.39 in the savings account. The search for a new location was continuing. Mr. Ned C., building committee chairperson, reported reviewing two additional locations. Clearly, much progress had been made in 1982.

The year 1983 began with additional changes and activities. The first annual meeting of record for the general membership was held February 12. During this first meeting, the president of the board of directors, Dick C., discussed the origin of Elkhart Alano, Inc. The following was taken from the minutes of this first meeting: “Dick recounted the start and growth of the Elkhart Alano, Inc. from a meeting in 1976-77 at old Serenity Hall. A decision was made that a club was needed, but specifics could no be agreed upon. The roof then literally fell in at Serenity and the AA group moved into the location of the present club at 323 S. 5^th Street. Dick personally had purchased the building and sold it to nine other AA members with the understanding that it eventually be donated to an Alano Club if one ever materialized. Thus, when Elkhart Alano, Inc. did come into existence, it had a place. He continued that Elkhart Alano is certified as a non-profit organization and donations are deductible for tax purposes. A board of directors was elected consisting of the 10 owners of the building. That number was subsequently increased to 15. Alano is the fulfillment of a dream of many people, he said, and it now belongs to the membership.”