Topeka Blues Society
Board Meeting
Monday, February 29, 2016
6:30pm @ Uncle Bo’s
MEETING MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER, 6:33pm, by Gerry
PRESENT: Suki Willison, Katie Willison, Brian Gabel, Jeff Martin, Gib Ramirez, Gerry Schmanke, Brad Hern, Bill Beasley, Rod Peterson, Joe Kurtz and Karen Osborn
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Gib moved that the minutes of January 11 be approved, Bill second; approved.
SECRETARY’S REPORT – Karen said we have 103 member listings. She purchased printer ink and paper from TBS account. No other report. Bill moved that the Secretary’s report be approved, Jeff second; approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT – Brad had handouts showing income and expenses from last month. Income included membership dues, donations, merch sales and silent auction income. Expenses were travel money to IBC artists and supplies for the IBC Kick-Off party
OLD BUSINESS
IBC Wrapup
TBS Blues Challenge 2016 is scheduled for August 21st. Gerry asked if we should discard a deadline for the application. After some discussion, it was agreed to keep the deadline as is. Suki mentioned some issues we had at the IBC last month because of our Band entry having two substitutions – Joe Whitmer at The Blues Foundation suggested we change our rules. Our rules state that no substitutions may be made, with rare exceptions. Some discussion regarding this rule, it was agreed to make no changes, but enforce the rule we have. All agreed we need to make sure our winning artists understand the rules, and that we should give each a written contract stating they understand the guidelines and rules. Gerry will begin recruiting artists for our Blues Challenge.
Blues in Schools/Youths
Bill reported that the Blues in Schools in January was very well received. Tas Cru and Kalo did several session in the Seaman School District and Eisenhower Middle School. Both schools invited us back. Bill has also been in communication with Highland Park and their music instructor wants to work with us in the future. He said he and Gib are interested in working with the Prairie Band schools, since they are such a good sponsor of the Blues Festival. He has been in contact with Kyler Carpenter about his involvement at the public library, and will see if TBS can tie in with the library events.
SOKBF
Rod and Suki will attend the first Parks & Rec SOKF meeting Wed., March 2nd @ 10:45
Lineup – Color Guard; Pina Brothers, Kalo, Tas Cru, Ghost Town Blues, Honey Island Swamp Band, Divas on Fire and The Cate Brothers, ending with an AllStar Jam.
Budget/Fundraising – Karen will send letter to previous donors asking for donations.
Advertising – Rod and Suki will ask radio sponsor to give us more airtime advertising our event.
Youth involvement – Tas Cru is very interested in working a children’s tent, Kalo may help, too. Katie will work on putting vendors of interest to children in the same area.
Merchandise – new shirts need to be ordered (TBS and Festival)
Blues for Veterans/VA
Gib has set up an event at the VA on March 17th – Hamilton Loomis will perform for the veterans @ 10:00 in the event room. We will need volunteers to help wheel patients to the Event Room, and someone to lead band to VA hospital, BDLG #24.
Summertime Blues
Suki has scheduled the House Jumpers for May 18th. Is asking for suggestions for the remaining months. Some suggestions are That Damn Blues Band, The Frank Ace Band, Velvet Blues Review, Smith & Liston. She would like Bill to coordinate the youth acts to open each concert. The rest of the dates are June 15th,, July 20th and Aug. 17th. There was some discussion about changing the date in July to better coordinate artists for the Mexican Fiesta – after some discussion, it was agreed to leave our concerts on the third Wednesday of each summer month.
Jam4Dan wrapup
Gerry said the basket we donated was used for a door prize and TBS was mentioned during every break as the donor. Said we got lots of good attention from this donation. He also said there were several TBS members volunteering, which was appreciated by the Jam4Dan planners.
Topeka Gives 2016
Jeff said Topeka Gives will be Tuesday, June 7, and they have more “match” money to give this year, from $60,000 last year to $73,000 this year. Last year TBS received $2199.81 in donations. Karen will mention Topeka Gives in her letter asking for donations to SOKBF and suggest donors give at Topeka Gives to get the best use of donors’ dollars. TBS will share a table with ArtsConnect.
Mulvane Art Fair
Scheduled for June 4 (11:30-5:00pm) & June 5 (noon-4pm), Josh Garrett, and Gracie Curran & The High Falutin’ Band will perform. Suki is looking for one more band. We will have a Youth Program, and need to find an instructor for that.
Mexican Fiesta, July 13th thru 16th. TBS will supply band. Some discussion about changing July Summertime Blues concert date to second Wednesday to coordinate artists for both shows, but decision was made to make no changes.
NEW BUSINESS
Tablet for TBS inventory/merch/credit card use
Suki has done some research regarding getting a tablet to use for our merchandise inventory and sales, allowing TBS to accept credit cards. She will put together a proposal and bring to the next meeting.
NEXT MEETING DATE, Monday, March 28, 6:30pm at Uncle Bo’s
Brad moved meeting be adjourned, Gerry second; meeting adjourned at 7:55pm.
Respectfully submitted 03/03/2016
Approved 03/28/2016
Karen Osborn, TBS Secretary
