Topeka Blues Society
Board Meeting
Monday, January 11, 2016
6:30pm @ Uncle Bo’s
MEETING MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER at 6:38 pm by Gerry Schmanke
PRESENT: Suki Willison, Gerry Schmanke, Jeff Martin, Bill Beasley, Brad Hern, Joe Kurtz, Gib Ramirez, Rod Peterson and Karen Osborn
ABSENT: Katie Willison and Brian Gabel
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Brad moved that minutes of December 7th be approved, Bill second; approved.
SECRETARY’S REPORT – Karen reported we have no new members. She filed two reports due in January – the Not for Profit Corporation Annual Report with the Secretary of State’s office, and Form 990-N with the IRS. No other Secretary business to report. Brad moved that report be accepted, Bill second; approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT – Brad had handouts showing revenue and expenses. Revenue included memberships. Expenses were Blue Star Connection, Blues Foundation IBC ad, Music on the Couch ad, PO Box fee and Secretary of State annual fee. Accruals are IBC band payments. Gib moved that report be accepted, Bill second; approved.
OLD BUSINESS
IBC Kick-off Party – After some discussion, it was decided to have the Kickoff Party Friday, Jan. 22nd, only. Koolaide, KALO and Pina Brothers will each play their Memphis set, and then Tas Cru will play and lead the jam. TBS does not pay for rooms at Ramada for those bands. Brad will bring cash for the bands’ travel. Doors open at 6:30pm, Pina Brothers first, then KALO, then Koolaide. We will sell merch, memberships and have silent auction. Tip bucket will be passed with understanding that any donations will be divided among the three acts. A tip jar on stage will go to each act as they perform. Our Best Self-Produced CD entry, the 800’s CD, made it to the second round, finishing in the Top 28. Karen will market event on Facebook and email to membership. Suki will send to the press.
Blues in Schools – Tas Cru and KALO will go to Seaman school district on Thursday, and Ross Elementary on Friday before the kickoff party.
Fundraisers/Topeka Gives – Jeff and Suki will attend the Topeka Community Foundation information meeting Wednesday morning at 9:30. Jeff handed out a list showing the Top Employers in Topeka and suggested Board Members look over list to see if they know anyone and note who would be best contact at these businesses. Brad suggested we also ask our membership if they know anyone. We then need to discuss what process we follow to get sponsorship/donations. Rod suggested we have a color information sheet, info on front/back. He will bring examples.
Blues for Veterans/VA – tabled until next meeting
Jam4Dan/gift basket – Karen brought a basket and a few TBS items for a silent auction basket for Jam4Dan, and Suki will add some CD’s and shirts. Board approved adding a Ramada package to include a room and tickets to Uncle Bo’s.
Mulvane Art Fair – will be first weekend in June, with a harmonica workshop. Suki suggested we get more involved with Downtown Topeka, and ArtsConnect. We should look into how TBS can be nominated for ArtsConnect.
Summertime Blues – will start 3rd week of May.
NEW BUSINESS
Church space – the chapel is open on Mondays, and we may record in there. We may also use the stage in the basement, but bad acoustics. Fee is $100 donation a month for cleaning and use of space. After some discussion, and it was decided this might work for special events, but parking will be an issue. It will not work for storage of our merch and equipment.
Drum set update – Bill said he got a Ludwig snare drum donation to go with drum set.
NEXT MEETING DATE – Monday, 6:30, Feb. 29th at Uncle Bo’s
Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted 1/19/2016
Approved 02/19/2016
Karen Osborn, TBS Secretary
