Topeka Blues Society
Monday, Sept. 8, 2014
6:30pm @ Uncle Bo’s
MEETING AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER at 6:34pm
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Suki Willison, Chardy Hern, Gerry Schmanke, Bill Beasley, Rod Peterson, Brian Gabel, Jeff Martin, Marni Schleuning and Karen Osborn
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Gib Ramirez, Paul Schwartz
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Bill moved that the minutes of July 21st and August 17th be approved, Chardy second; approved.
SECRETARY/TREASURER’S REPORT: Karen had handout of expenses and income for past month. Income: Blues Challenge income, memberships and Summertime Blues income; Expenses: Blues Challenge judges’ payment & meals, Blues Challenge sound payment, Summertime Blues band payment, Blues Foundation Blues Fan payments. Bank balance is $7,361.43 with additional $50 in petty cash. Topeka Blues Society membership listing is 51, with 16 of those renewing or joining at the Blues Challenge/Annual Membership meeting. Karen will now email those unpaid with a Dues Past Due notice. Bill moved that Secretary/Treasurer’s report be approved, Chardy second; approved.
OLD BUSINESS
INTRODUCTION OF NEW BOARD MEMBERS, BRIEF OVERVIEW OF TBS MISSION AND GOALS
Gerry welcomed Jeff Martin and Marni Schleuning, who then gave a brief introduction of themselves. Karen gave them each a copy of the TBS By-laws. Each Board member introduced themselves.
APPOINTMENT OF BOARD POSITIONS
Chardy moved that the positions of President, Vice-President and Secretary/Treasurer remain the same. Marni second; vote: yea – 8; no – 1; approved.
Gerry mentioned that Karen asked if the Board could appoint someone to market TBS on Facebook and webpage. After some discussion, Marni offered to help, and Gerry would ask his wife, Tara, if she would be interested.
SUMMERTIME BLUES AND BLUES CHALLENGE WRAPUP
Karen said the Summertime Blues concerts this summer brought in $1632.89 in merchandise, memberships, guitar donations and donation jar. Expenses were $1200.00. Average attendance was 175. The TBS Blues Challenge brought in $1536.00 in merchandise, donation jar, door, silent auction and guitar giveaway, and expenses were $125.00 for judges and sound. Suki explained IBC to new board members, and handed out judges sheet for them to review.
TOPEKA BLUES CHALLENGE DEADLINE
Much discussion about the deadline for the TBS Blues Challenge band/solo/duo/ entries. The deadline this year was Friday, 8 days before the challenge. Rod suggested we keep the deadline the same, but market our challenge better, so more bands are aware of this event. He suggested we start gathering band’s email addresses, use Facebook, and web. Bill made a motion that the board begin a marketing campaign no later than March of next year, include rules in the marketing,and deadline remain the same. Rod second; approved.
OPEN BLUES CHALLENGE FROM OUTSIDE KANSAS
Paul asked at the last meeting that we consider opening up the TBS Blues Challenge to bands outside of Kansas. After much discussion, Rod made a motion to change the TBS Blues Challenge Rules to read, “At least one member of THE ACT must be a member of the Topeka Blues Society and a resident of the state of Kansas or Kansas City metro area. If at least one member of THE ACT is not a TBS member, their membership application and fee must be submitted with the Blues Challenge application and fee”. (At a later date, Board to determine “metro area” by designating Missouri counties). This ruling would include band/solo/duo/youth acts and entries for Best Self-Produced CD. Bill second; approved.
TBS HOST VENUE AT IBC IN JANUARY
Chardy would like for TBS members to host a venue at the IBC in Memphis in January. The Board agreed that the decision to do this should be made by those that will be attending in 2015. Chardy and Suki will find out who is going, and make decisions with that group.
YOUTH PROGRAM/BLUES IN SCHOOLS
Chardy wondered what was planned for a youth program or Blues in Schools. She mentioned that there might be several youth groups in the Kansas City area we might want to hear. Suki said she has been working with Stacy Neuman (Ross Elementary) and she has a meeting with Stacy to set up another Blues in Schools month-long teaching event with local musicians teaching the students. Jam4Dan is going to donate funds to help with this. Suki mentioned that XYZ Magazine is going to do a special on students and music in an upcoming issue. Rod mentioned that many Blues in Schools are usually single events, and we could look into doing those as well. Stacy would like students to again attend an event at Uncle Bos’, Suki will look at a Wednesday date and invite students from all local elementary schools. Gerry moved that TBS underwrite this event for $300, plus the $70 set aside in TBS budget for Adopt-a-Student. Rod second; approved.
NEW BUSINESS
IBC/BEST SELF-PRODUCED CD
Chardy will work on getting bios from our challengers, and editing for publication. Rod suggested we promote Best Self-Produced CD on Facebook and email blast. We need 3 CD’s submitted from each act. After some discussion, Bill moved that the TBS deadline for this contest be 5pm, October 10th, giving the Board time to evaluate and choose a CD, and giving us time to meet the Nov. 1 Blues Foundation deadline. Jeff second; approved.
PAXICO BLUES FESTIVAL
Suki said the Kick-off Party for the Paxico Blues Festival will be Friday, Sept. 19th at Uncle Bo’s, Josh Garrett will play. After some discussion, the Board agreed we will not set up a TBS tent, but we will put membership information at the Paxico Blues Festival merch table. Bud from this event said they need volunteers selling shirts, and assist with parking.
NEXT MEETING DATE: 6:30, Monday, October 13th, at Uncle Bo’s
Meeting adjourned at 8:15pm.
Respectfully submitted 09/12/2014
Approved 10/20/2014
Karen Osborn, TBS Secretary/Treasurer
