Topeka Blues Society
Board Meeting
Monday, November 20, 2017
6:30pm @ Uncle Bo’s
MEETING MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER, 6:33 pm. by Gerry
PRESENT: Suki Willison, Katie Willison, Gerry Schmanke, Rod Peterson, Gib Ramirez, Pat Nichols, Luan Betts, Bill Beasley, Joe Kurtz, Kenny Jones and Karen Osborn
TBS MEMBER PRESENT: Mike Betts
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Gib moved that the minutes of October 23rd be approved, Luan second; approved.
SECRETARY/TREASURER’S REPORT – Karen said we now have 101 memberships. She had a list of delinquent members, Pat asked if she would email to board members. She is using Quickbooks and called Help Desk for some assistance. Karen said she received a $30 invoice from the Blues Festival Guide to be listed in the Blues Society section, and asked for approval to pay for that service. Board approved. Karen had handout showing Income and Expenses from Sept. 1 – Nov. 20, Income $1566.08, Expenses $1034.61. Bank balance is $12,039.41, CD $5,014.79, and $50 in petty cash. Bill moved that the Secretary/Treasurer’s report be approved, Gib second; approved.
OLD BUSINESS
Midwest Blues Retreat, continuation and completion
Karen said Brad is okay with Sunday, Dec. 3rd start time around 1pm. Karen will email minutes from the retreat for preparation.
Blues in Schools
Suki has not heard from Stacy Neumann regarding music teachers’ contact list. Tas Cru will be in Topeka in January, we could ask if he wants to do an event on Wednesday before Kick-Off party. Bill will call Royal Valley first. Pat talked to Perry-Lecompton, will follow-up.
Sound System Purchase
Rod said to get something worthwhile he would like to spend $1100-1200, this would not include mics, stands, cables. Joe wondered if we should consider quid pro quo with a music company, maybe advertising for accessories (mics, stands, etc.). Suki & Rod will ask around. All agreed we want to spend enough to invest in quality equipment. Gib made a motion that TBS allot $1500 for sound equipment, Joe second; approved. We will work with music stores and ask on social media for donations of additional accessories needed. Suki suggested at least two to three TBS members be trained on using the new sound equipment.
IBC/Kick-Off Party, Friday Jan. 12th.
Koolaide emailed band bio and photos to Luan, she will edit and get them registered. Matthew J & Jimbo Mack are registered. Travel money for artists discussed (had been tabled from previous meeting). After some discussion, Bill made a motion that TBS give $1200 for band travel and $700 for solo/duo, Pat second; approved. Koolaide approached Suki about TBS sponsoring a fundraiser – after some discussion, Board agreed each act should be responsible for their own fundraising for IBC. Regarding IBC Showcase, Suki said Josh Hoyer would be the act sponsored by TBS, we will pay $500 to Galaxy for showcase. Regarding Best Self-Produced CD, the deadline was quickly approaching for submission, so Pat asked Churlish Louts (consisting of C. Jaisson Taylor and Paul E. Evans) to mail their CD’s to the Blues Foundation with our cover letter, the CD is titled “Rust” on Ramshackle Records. Pat will recruit again next year.
Jam4Dan @ Celtic Fox
Sunday of MLK weekend will be Blues Night. Hector Anchondo will play, as will Connie Hawkins. They will need TBS volunteers. Bill said it will not be as loud, new sound guy.
Top Tank Topeka @ TPAC, Saturday, Feb. 17th, 2018
From Top Tank Topeka website: “Topeka business leaders have joined forces with The Topeka Capital-Journal to create Top Tank, a celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit that founded Topeka. The city’s core in Downtown Topeka is the perfect place for entrepreneurs to thrive. Top Tank Topeka will connect the competition winner with resources to succeed, and with a $100,000 investment to make their business dreams a reality. A Top Tank special event in downtown Topeka will bring finalists together with the Topeka community for networking opportunities. One Top Tank winner will walk away with $100,000.”
Top Tank has narrowed down to 20 businesses. Peter Karp, 3-piece band, will play from 8-11pm. TPAC will place baffling on walls/glass for better sound. TBS will display membership brochures, Karp will sell his merch. TBS will supply sound, and TBS should have a presence.
SOKBF Fundraising/Artist suggestions
Suki needs a budget for acts, Karen suggested the same as last year should be fine. Rod suggested we need one more corporate sponsor to better fund the festival. Pat suggested we talk about this at the retreat. Joe asked if we might have some other event at the festival to make it appear bigger, and that would bring in money, such as a bouncy house, kid event, BBQ contest. Katie will look at a vendor that might be able to offer something that could be a money-maker. This will also be discussed at the retreat. Karen will send out request letters to repeat donors, and will submit application to Prairie Band. Suki asked for suggestions for acts, retreat topic. Ken said he was meeting with Laird-Noller and Great Life for sponsorships, and is setting up an April golf tournament as a fundraiser. Most on the board agreed that a golf tournament can be a lot of work, and he needs to find out what would be required from TBS. He also said Walmart will match $1000.
Fiesta Mexicana, July 10th-14th
Tabled until later meeting
NEW BUSINESS
TBS presence – Lawrence/Manhattan
Pat said Slow Ride has closed, Five Bars & Tables is too small for a TBS promotion/presence. Replay Lounge would be good in the spring. Lawrence has an Arts Center that might be a good starting point for a Lawrence presence. Discuss at retreat.
Tulips @ Twilight, Old Prairie Town, April 2017
Rod said it would be 4 nights with live entertainers: a blues night, jazz night, country night, and acoustic music night, performaces from 6:30pm-8:30pm, payment is $200 for each act. The event covers two weekends, April 6&7, and April 13&14. Rod will ask if they want TBS to fill Blues night and Acoustic night (and others, if needed), and what nights. Rod suggested we get a big act for the Blues night.
New Blues Society kick-off party
Gina Hughes has formed a new Blues Society near Nashville, and has invited TBS to their kick-off party on Jan. 15th. TBS has assisted her with forming this society by giving her a copy of our by-laws.
Blues Music Awards, May 3rd
Suki asked if anyone wanted to attend the BMA’s, and if ten of us attended, we could purchase a table @ $1200. Karen suggested each member pay their own seat reservation, board agreed.
Advertising for Midwestern Blues retreat at Showcase
Suki asked if we could have a flyer or card promoting our Blues Retreat. She also said we can put promotional CD’s in our Swag Bags. We need to select a date before early January to have cards ready in time, we will discuss date at retreat. This brought up discussion about TBS doing another IBC bookmark, and if TBS should advertise in the IBC program. Karen said she had not received any information about the IBC program, but the bookmark size ad for last year cost $400. Discussion followed wondering if TBS should print bookmarks and place an ad. Suki moved we provide a bookmark for the bands, and place a smaller ¼ page ad in the program for TBS events. Pat second. Discussion followed. Katie suggested we advertise our events on the bookmark, and put the band in the smaller ad. Rod said we could do a two-sided bookmark. Kenny asked if there was an advantage to one or the other. Karen said she would look at cost of ¼ page ad. Pat suggested we take a vote on motion; 8 for, 2 against. Approved.
Summertime Blues artist suggestions
Tabled to later meeting
Topeka Gives 2018
Karen said she received an email with an invitation to the Topeka Gives 2018 planning meeting, either Jan. 18th or 25th, 9-10am or 1-2pm. She and Suki will attend one of these. Topeka Gives 2018 is scheduled for Tuesday, June 5th.
Fundraiser for TBS
Joe asked if we might want to consider having a 5K run/walk to raise money for TBS, Luan said BCBS might be interested in sponsoring something like that. She will inquire.
NEXT MEETING DATE, Monday, Jan. 8th, 6:30pm at Uncle Bo’s.
Gerry moved meeting be adjourned, Katie second; meeting adjourned at 8:08 pm.
Respectfully submitted 11/26/2017
Approved 01/08/2018
Karen Osborn, TBS Secretary/Treasurer
