Topeka Blues Society
Board Meeting
Monday, April 2, 2018
5:30pm @ Uncle Bo’s
MEETING MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER at 5:35pm by Gerry Schmanke
PRESENT: Suki Willison, Gerry Schmanke, Katie Willison, Pat Nichols, Joe Kurtz, Luan Betts, Bill Beasley, Rod Peterson, Gib Ramirez, Kenny Jones, and Karen Osborn
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Gib moved that the minutes of March 5 be approved, Katie second; approved.
SECRETARY/TREASURER’S REPORT – Karen reported no new memberships. She had a handout showing Profit and Loss from March 5 – April 2. Karen shared a thank you card from Brew Bank, the TopTank winners. Katie moved that the Secretary/Treasurer’s report be approved, Joe second; approved.
OLD BUSINESS
Tulips @ Twilight, Old Prairie Town, April 7th
Suki will get Stage Plot to Rod. TBS staff should arrive at 4:00 to setup, Grand Marquis should arrive by 5pm, will play from 6:30 – 8:30pm on porch. Karen will prepare voucher, and bring cash for band – Old Prairie Town will pay partial amount to TBS, TBS will pay additional remainder.
Summertime Blues
May 16th – Ric Barron Band, youth act Rachel Taylor
June 20th – Ghost Town Blues Band, with Kara Grainger, youth act Morgan and the Freeman
TBS 10th Anniversary celebration – start time will move up to 6:00pm
July 18th – Heather Newman Band, youth act Shawna Wilson
Aug. 15th – TBD, youth act Karli Swedlund
Mulvane Art Fair, June 2nd & 3rd
Suki signed Pat Nichols Blues, Nick Moss & Dennis Gruenling for Saturday, still looking for one more act. Gruenling will teach harmonica basics to youth. Nick Moss and Grand Marquis will play on Sunday. We have enough harmonicas in stock.
Topeka Gives 2018, Tuesday, June 5th
Check-in begins at 8:00am Monday, June 4th. After checking in, pick table (tables will be set up on Sunday). We’ll share with ARTSConnect. Karen will have a sign-up schedule at May meeting.
TBS 10th Anniversary
To be celebrated in conjunction with June 20th S.B. Suki had artwork for 10th anniversary shirt – board approved. She will look into koozies for giveaways (or to sell). Joe will check prices on 30 dozen decorated sugar cookies. Katie will get cupcakes for Board and families. Karen will create an event on Facebook, bands will begin at 6pm to allow for youth act, Kara Grainger, and Ghost Town Blues Band.
SOKBF, Wednesday, July 4th
Lineup/times – Suki will be making some changes to schedule, Matthew J will play solo. Suki asked if board will approve Mike Betts doing Reynolds Lodge security, replacing Marvin Bailey. Board approved.
Budget/Fundraising – Karen advised she had mailed 43 letters to last years donors and to a few from the year before.
Advertising – Rod completed poster, will submit to 785 magazine and Blues Festival Guide.
Vendors – Karen noted Visit Topeka is promoting a Country and Food Trucks, and Rock and Food Trucks this summer. She gave the article to Katie.
Fiesta Mexicana, July 12th
Suki will book Jeremiah Johnson, 7:00 – 8:30pm, Gib said he will be on the Street Stage.
Midwest Blues Retreat, Aug. 18th
Suki is working on this.
Blues Challenge/Annual Membership meeting, Sunday, Aug. 19th
No new information
Committee Reports:
Blues in Schools – nothing new
Organizations – Suki and Karen will make contact with Sarah Carkhuff, ARTSConnect, during Topeka Gives.
Membership Survey – Luan is working on the survey.
Corporate Relationships – Gerry said he, Karen and Suki met with Dr. Russell Burton about grant writing. He said we got some good advice about writing grants – request should be for something specific, cannot include salaries or rents, and submitting over and over again will eventually get results.
Jam4Dan
Bill said that board was not worried about loss of autonomy if they were to join TBS, but Bill guided them to seeking their own nonprofit status. Pat gave them a CPA contact, and they have attorneys they will contact. Bill said they have excess funds they would like to apply to a Blues Camp or event. He mentioned the Boys & Girls Club, and doing something in memory of Marvin Bailey; e.g.“Marvin Bailey Blues Camp”. He will proceed with working with Jam4Dan on this.
NEW BUSINESS
Schlotzsky’s Fundraiser
Karen had received an email about restaurant fundraisers. TBS could host a fundraiser at Schlotzsky’s during specific months, and 15% of sales would be donated back to TBS. She checked details and noted that a requirement of 40 attendees is required, and a TBS group coordinator must be present 15-20 minutes before the event. After some discussion, it was agreed getting 40 attendees would be difficult, and to pass on this offer.
Trailer for equipment storage and transport
Bill advised he purchased a trailer w/hitch, enclosed area measuring 4×8”. No insurance or tags required. Needs a little work inside, he will complete.
TBS Golf Tournament
Kenny advised the golf tournament scheduled for April 7th has been cancelled, since it conflicted with Tulips at Twilight. Karen asked him to keep those checks until another date has been chosen, and he will need to contact each of those sponsors to see if they are okay with the new date. He advised Budweiser would be interested in this tournament. Karen asked Kenny to advise immediately when he has a new date, so we can get it on Facebook and email our membership.
NEXT MEETING DATE, Monday, May 7th, 6:30pm at Uncle Bo’s.
Pat moved meeting be adjourned, Kenny second; meeting adjourned at 6:35 pm.
Respectfully submitted 04/4/2018
Approved 05/07/2018
Karen Osborn, TBS Secretary/Treasurer
