Topeka Blues Society
Monday, November 18, 2013
6:30pm @ Uncle Bo’s
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER at 6:35pm
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Suki Willison, Bill Beasley, Gerry Schmanke, Paul Schwartz, Brian Gabel, Gib Ramirez, Stacy Jeffress and Karen Osborn
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Rod Peterson, Chardy Hern and Luan Betts
TBS MEMBERS PRESENT: Patty Beasley
APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 10/14/13 MEETING: Gib made motion that minutes be approved, Gerry second; approved.
SECRETARY/TREASURER’S REPORT: Karen had handouts showing current TBS membership, those who haven’t paid since 2012 and those who haven’t renewed for this year (paid for 2013). Board members should attempt making personal contact with those members not current. Some discussion about offering discounts to our members. Suki will think about which events would be appropriate to offer a “door” discount to members. She will also look at doing two or three early shows each year and having membership drives during these shows. Bill suggested we ask local artists to donate CD’s and we give them to anyone signing up at live events (to avoid mailing costs). When we have these membership drives, we will email our membership asking them to bring friends. Karen also had handouts of expenses for the past month. Income: two membership renewals; Expenses: IBC ad. Bank balance is $5,163.39 with additional $50 in petty cash. Bill made motion that report be approved, Gerry second; approved. Handout is attached to paper copy.
OLD BUSINESS
Best Self-Produced CD entries
Grand Marquis’ CD has been entered.
IBC
Luan is working on registering all acts before deadlline.
SOK Blues Festival
Paul mentioned that the Shawnee Co. Commission is considering not budgeting the Spirit of Kansas, and suggested now might be the time to consider making our Blues Festival an indoor event at the Ramada Inn over the 4th of July weekend, having a Friday night and Saturday festival with beer sales. Paul suggested, and Suki agreed, this might be the time to consider a change of venue for the festival, and suggested both an indoor and outdoor event, with vendors outside, a stage or two, and acts inside the Ramada Inn, as well. We might draw support from Downtown Topeka merchants. Suki will contact the SNCO Commission and tell them TBS is removing the Blues Festival from the Spirit of Kansas and wait for a response. Board agreed we need to make a decision by the end of December.
JAM4DAN – Sunday, Jan. 19th “Blues Day”
Old No. 5’s are playing. TBS members might be needed to help, and we should promote TBS membership.
Artist Showcase
All agreed if we move the Blues Festival to the Ramada, we could tie-in the Artist Showcase to our festival.
Purchase of drum set and bass amp
This has been tabled – no further discussion.
New TBS membership brochure
Nothing done – Karen is waiting to talk to Rod about new design.
Blues Cookbook
This idea will be tabled for now.
NEW BUSINESS
T-shirts
All agreed we need a TBS tshirt. No further discussion.
Blues in Schools
Suki said that Josh, Justin and Elvin will be going to Ross Elementary to teach children about Blues – paid by grant money the school obtained. Suki asked if TBS would pay for the harmonicas for the students. Gerry made a motion that TBS pay for the harmonicas, Bill second; approved.
Suki also said Davina & The Vagabonds will play a 5:30pm early show on Dec. 4th at Bo’s, and 30 students from Ross are invited to attend, with adult supervision. She suggested we think of other groups of young people that could attend, such as Scouts or 4-H. Suki asked that TBS Board members help on the 4th.
NEXT MEETING DATE: 6:30, Monday, Jan. 6, Uncle Bo’s
Bill moved that the meeting be adjourned, Paul second; adjourned at 8:50 pm.
Respectfully submitted 11/26/2013
Approved 01/09/2014
Karen Osborn, TBS Sec’y/Treasurer
