Board Minutes – 1/8/2018

Topeka Blues Society
Board Meeting
Monday, Jan. 8, 2018
6:30pm @ Uncle Bo’s

MEETING MINUTES

CALL TO ORDER, 6:37pm

PRESENT: Suki Willison, Rod Peterson, Gib Ramirez, Luan Betts, Bill Beasley, Joe Kurtz, and Karen Osborn

ABSENT: Gerry Schmanke, Katie Willison, Pat Nichols and Kenny Jones

TBS MEMBER PRESENT: Mike Betts and Patti Beasley

APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Gib moved that the minutes of November 20^th be approved, Joe second; approved.

SECRETARY/TREASURER’S REPORT – Karen reported we now have 110 memberships. She said she filed the Not-For-Profit Corporation Annual Report with the State of Kansas Secretary of State’s office, and the IRS Tax-Exempt Organization Form 990. She is compiling a 2018 Calendar of TBS events to mail to the membership, and asked for input. She advised the Certificate of Deposit at Landmark National Bank matured on 12/21/2017, and renewed 10 days after that. Karen had handout showing Profit and Loss from Sept. 1 – Jan. 8^th. Rod moved that the Secretary/Treasurer’s report be approved, Luan second; approved.

OLD BUSINESS

IBC/Kick-Off Party, Friday Jan. 12^th.

Karen will bring cash for travel money ($1200 band/$700 duo). She mailed $500 to Galaxy for the Showcase in Memphis. Board decided to forego Silent Auction until it can be better planned for another event, but will sell CD’s, t-shirts, memberships, and guitar raffle until drawing that night.

Jam4Dan @ Celtic Fox

Sunday of MLK weekend will be Blues Night. Bill asked if Board wanted to again donate a Silent Auction item. Board agreed to put together a package to include Ramada room, Bo’s tix, and TBS merchandise, placed inside the TBS drawstring bag.

Sound System Purchased

Jim will work with Rod, and then a few TBS board members will learn how to operate. More at Feb. meeting.

Top Tank Topeka @ TPAC, Saturday, Feb. 17^th, 2018

Peter Karp, 3-piece band, will play from 8-10pm. TBS will display membership brochures, Karp will sell his merch. TBS will supply sound, and TBS should have a presence. More on this at Feb. meeting.

SOKBF Fundraising/Artist suggestions

Suki is waiting until after IBC to put together lineup. Karen advised Prairie Band Casino is now using Survey Monkey for their donation filing, she will work on that during month of January and submit. She will also prepare donation letter for our repeat donors, but will wait until we have a lineup to list in the letters.

Tulips @ Twilight, Old Prairie Town, April 7^th

Rod had contract for us to commission a band for Saturday, April 7^th, (the busiest night) from 6:30pm-8:30pm, Suki will look for a band.  

Summertime Blues

May 16^th, June 20^th, July 18^th, Aug. 15th, no artists scheduled yet. Suki asked Board Members to email her suggestions of local groups to play. Luan and Bill suggested local group This Side Up.

Topeka Gives 2018, Tuesday, June 5th

Karen said she received an email with an invitation to the Topeka Gives 2018 planning meeting, she will attend on Thursday, Jan. 18^th at 2pm.

Fiesta Mexicana, July 10^th-14^th

Tabled until later meeting

Mulvane Art Fair, June 2^nd & 3^rd

Tabled until later meeting

NEW BUSINESS

The items below are Action Items from the December retreat. Board members were assigned to chair each Action Item, each Chair may form a committee to help them.

Blues in Schools – Bill Beasley and Pat Nichols

            -one event each school calendar month
            -focus on N.E. Kansas schools
                        6 in Shawnee County
                        6 outside county
            -focus on nine middle schools and three high schools
            -develop curriculum (Blues Foundation as source) and handouts

Partnerships with Arts Organizations, Suki and Karen work with Sarah Carkhuff

            -Identify organizations and narrow to four total
            -Plan four events we either plan or assist

Membership Survey, Luan

            -email membership asking for experience with Survey Monkey or with writing surveys
            -survey to be emailed by March 1st
                        Survey should ask occupation, strengths
            -survey to be returned by March 15th
            -recommendation by survey committee May 1st

Corporate Relationships, Suki and Karen

            -plan five corporate visits, inform them what we can do for them
            -develop committee by April 1
            -develop one long term new relationship

Blues Camp

Bill asked if he may pursue organizing a Blues Camp with the Live Music Institute. Suki asked if any musicians would be willing to donate two-hour lessons. Board agreed Bill should pursue this endeavor.

NEXT MEETING DATE, Monday, Feb. 5th, 6:30pm at Uncle Bo’s.

Gib moved meeting be adjourned, Luan second; meeting adjourned at 7:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted 01/12/2018
Approved 02/05/2018
Karen Osborn, TBS Secretary/Treasurer