Topeka Blues Society
Monday, February 16, 2015
6:30pm @ Uncle Bo’s
MEETING AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER at 6:45pm
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Suki Willison, Gib Ramirez, Rod Peterson, Bill Beasley, Brian Gabel, Jeff Martin and Karen Osborn
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Marni Schleuning,Chardy Hern, Paul Schwartz and Gerry Schmanke
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Rod moved that the minutes of January 12th be approved, Bill second; approved.
SECRETARY/TREASURER’S REPORT: Karen had handout of expenses and income for past month. Income: memberships and IBC Kick-off merchandise sales; Expenses: IBC band travel and IBC bookmarks. Bank balance is $5,824.49 with an additional $50 in petty cash. Topeka Blues Society membership is at 81 listings (we were around 50 listings this time last year). Bill moved that Secretary/Treasurer’s report be approved, Gib second; approved.
OLD BUSINESS
IBC Wrap up
We sold $206.00 in merchandise during the IBC Kick-off weekend. Suki said IBC in Memphis went well – our artists performed well and made lots of good contacts. Next year’s dates have been announced, and the IBC will be a week after the Blues Cruise. Gerry will actively seek bands to compete in our challenge in August – date for our challenge will be Sunday, August 16th. Karen will update Challenge application and ask Steve to upload on website. Some discussion followed regarding the deadline for our Challenge application submission. It was agreed we would accept the first six band acts, and the first six solo/duo acts, and all applications must be submitted the Monday before the Challenge (August 10, 2015).
Blues in Schools
Blues in Schools ended mid-February. An all-school assembly gathered to hear the young musicians. Justin Shelton shared many updates and videos on his Facebook page. Suki will ask Stacy Neumann how much this program would cost to run again next year, and we might be able to raise funds to help.
SOKBF
Karen submitted the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation application. She updated the “donor” letter, and informed the Board members she can mail copies to them as needed. She will mail a letter to all previous donors, asking for 2015 donations. Karen will also send the list of corporations to Board members for possible contacts. Suki has the SOKBF lineup: Pat Nichols, Blue Cat, The 800’s, Brandon Santini, Crystal Shawanda, Stacy Mitchhart and Albert Cummings. Festival Committees will be assigned at next Board meeting.
TBS Membership Brochure
Karen had a draft for a new membership brochure. All present board members reviewed. A few changes were suggested. After changes are made, Karen will send to Rod.
Topeka Gives 2015
Suki and Paul attended an information meeting about Topeka Gives 2015. TBS is signed up to have a table at the Tuesday, June 2nd event (from 7am-6pm), Fairlawn Plaza Mall. We may decorate and have handouts, candy, etc. Little or no outlets available, and no speakers allowed. We will need volunteers to man the tables for the day. The community visits the non-profits at the mall,and they donate to a specific organization.
NEW BUSINESS
2015 Summertime Blues
We will host Summertime Blues in May, June, July & August. Suki suggested we give away harmonicas to the first 10-20 children that attend the June & July concerts, and maybe ask Justin to give a short lesson. Specifics by April meeting. She asked for band suggestions.
TBS merchandise
Bill mentioned again that he has heard interest in a TBS patch. Gib will look into pricing, using the same patch on our TBS hats, only larger. Karen & Suki suggested we price dog leashes (Blues Dog) to sell during Summertime Blues and Blues Festival.
Guitar raffle
Karen researched Kansas raffle law, and nothing has changed for this year. Possibly new law will take effect July 1, 2015. Joel Edison has started work on Sally May (we need to check on spelling), and will donate it to TBS. It will be airbrushed by artists in NOTO district. It is a semi-hollow body, possibly be ready for viewing by end of March. We will get picture and donation forms on website ASAP. After some discussion, it was decided to ask $10 donation per ticket, winning ticket drawn during August Blues Challenge. Mark Freel is donating his Joel Edison guitar and amplifier to TBS – after some discussion, it was agreed to use it as a giveaway during the January Kick-off party.
NEXT MEETING DATE: 6:30, Monday, March 9th, at Uncle Bo’s
Gib moved that meeting be adjourned, Brian second; adjourned at 7:55pm.
Respectfully submitted 02/20/2015
Approved 03/16/2015
Karen Osborn, TBS Secretary/Treasurer
