Topeka Blues Society
Board Meeting
Monday, September 18, 2017
6:30pm @ Uncle Bo’s
MEETING MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER, 6:43 pm, by Gerry
PRESENT: Suki Willison, Katie Willison, Bill Beasley, Gib Ramirez, Luan Betts, Pat Nichols, Joe Kurtz, Kenny Jones and Karen Osborn
ABSENT: Rod Peterson, Gerry Schmanke
ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Per the By-Laws, the four Officers will be elected by the Board at the first Board of Directors meeting following the election of the Board. Luan moved the Executive Board remain the same: President – Suki; V.P. – Gerry; newly combined Secretary/Treasurer – Karen. Gib second; passed unanimously.
TBS MEMBERS PRESENT: Mike Betts
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Gib moved that the minutes of August 14th be approved, Bill second; approved.
SECRETARY/TREASURER’S REPORT – Karen said she has processed approx. 80 new and renewed membership. She applied TBS through SoupTech for discounted office products and was approved. She purchased Quickbooks (with Board approval via email), and has been taking a tutorial to begin loading TBS Treasurer data. Brad & Chardy Hern are also authorized users, and have offered to assist. Luan offered to upload past budget information after their move. Karen paid for the Online version of Quickbooks, and after Brad/Chardy worked with it, they suggested TBS may want to upgrade to the actual software. Karen will work with it another month, and then make a decision. Bill moved that the Secretary/Treasurer’s report be approved, Kenny second; approved.
OLD BUSINESS
Summertime Blues/Paxico Blues Festival Wrapup
Summertime Blues were again successful. Most brought in enough income to cover the cost of the bands each month. Gerry said Paxico Blues Festival was successful with great weather. Karen said several attendees asked where the TBS tent was, and recommended TBS have a presence next year, to promote membership and events.
Midwest Blues Retreat, Saturday, Aug. 19th
Retreat was well received. Karen asked if all received the minutes from the “info” TBS email account – it was received by everyone on the Board. Pat suggested TBS Board meet again to continue and conclude this retreat, and said Brad agreed to again moderate. After some discussion, the Board agreed to set up a Retreat continuation in early November. Following the Conclusion Retreat, Karen will send a follow-up email to other attendees with our conclusions.
Blues in Schools
Tas Cru will be here for the Kick-Off party the second week of January, and might be available for a school presentation. Pat suggested a contact sheet for any students that are genuinely interested for follow-up. Suki suggested Bill try to have a presentation in each school month (except December), if possible. Luan said Paxico gave money to their school band program, and maybe TBS could look at something like that (Boys/Girls club, or Y programs). Gib would like to have another VA presentation.
IBC/Kick-Off Party, Friday Jan. 12th.
Tas Cru will be here for The Kick-Off Party. Our bands will play their sets, followed by Tas and jam. Jam4Dan is the same weekend, their blues set is Sunday evening of that weekend.
Luan needs bio and photos of our challengers – Gerry offered to get this information from our artists. Luan will need this information by Nov. 1st and she will register the bands. Karen will send the artists’ names to Luan from the Challenge applications. Suki asked if we should try a Silent Auction at the Kick-Off. Discussion followed regarding items and how to acquire, such as condos, lessons, certificates, etc. After much discussion, it was tabled for later decision.
Suki will ask for emails of all artists in our Challenge bands so they may receive all the information they can to prepare for the IBC.
Discussion regarding travel money for bands. Gib suggested $1000 for bands, $700 for Solo/Duo. Discussion followed regarding the discrepancy in the amounts for Bands vs. Solo/Duo. Suggestion that Bands get $1200. Bill moved that discussion be tabled until next meeting, Pat second; tabled.
Best Self-Produced CD
No submissions as of this date.
Sound System Purchase
Tabled for further research/discussion
NEW BUSINESS
Mayoral candidate meeting
Karen had sent an email to the Board informing them of interest from Mayoral candidate Spencer Duncan asking to meet with the Board to discuss two items: First, as a Mayoral candidate, he is interested in our perspective and ideas on how the City can better utilize and support organizations such as TBS. Second, as a member of the TPAC and Expo board, he would like to talk about ways those facilities can better serve our organization. (He is on the Expocentre Advisory Board and the TPAC Board of Trustees.) After some discussion, it was decided Karen would set up a meeting with the TBS Executive Board.
Blues Festival Guide ad
Karen reminded the board that TBS would soon be offered an “early bird special” for ad space in the Blues Festival Guide. Bill moved that we buy color ad space at the special rate offered, Gib second; approved.
SOKBF Fundraising
Karen advised fundraising should begin now, especially if we plan to ask larger corporations in the area, since they will now be working on their budgets for next year. Joe said he would talk to his banker, Kaw Valley, about being a sponsor.
IBC Showcase
Suki asked if TBS would once again like to be a part of the showcase at BB Kings during the IBC. Board will make a decision at the next meeting.
NEXT MEETING DATE, Monday, Oct. 16th (changed to the 23rd), 6:30pm at Uncle Bo’s.
Gib moved meeting be adjourned, Joe second; meeting adjourned at 8:13 pm.
Respectfully submitted 09/27/17
Approved 10/23/2017
Karen Osborn, TBS Secretary
