Topeka Blues Society
Board Meeting
Monday, June 4, 2018
6:30pm @ Uncle Bo’s
MEETING MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER at 6:35pm by Gerry Schmanke
PRESENT: Suki Willison, Gerry Schmanke, Katie Willison, Pat Nichols, Bill Beasley, Gib Ramirez, and Karen Osborn
ABSENT: Joe Kurtz, Luan Betts, Rod Peterson, and Kenny Jones
TBS MEMBER PRESENT: Patti Beasley
NON-MEMBER PRESENT: Stacy Neumann
APPROVAL OF MINUTES – Bill moved that the minutes of May 7 be approved, Gib second; approved.
SECRETARY/TREASURER’S REPORT – Karen reported 124 listed memberships. She had a handout showing Profit and Loss from May 7 – June 4. Bill moved that the Secretary/Treasurer’s report be approved, Pat second; approved.
OLD BUSINESS
Summertime Blues
RECAP May 16th with Ric Barron Band, youth act Rachel Taylor, 200+ attended, bad weather caused us to stop 30 minutes early, but very good event.
June 20th – Ghost Town Blues Band, with Kara Grainger, youth act Morgan and the Freeman
TBS 10th Anniversary celebration – start time will move to 6:00pm; stage/sound crew needs to arrive around 4:30pm, Karen will look into cookies and/or moonpies. Suki is reordering 10th Anniversary shirts, PA is good for bands, Bill bought new LED lights, we will need fans, carpet, water, banners.
Karen asked if this event would be a good time to raffle the Prairie Band gift certificates. After much discussion, it was decided we would have a drawing for anyone buying/renewing their membership between now and up through July 4th, we will draw two names for golf certificates during SOKBF. The other two G.C.’s (hotel and steakhouse) will be reserved for silent auction items during Blues Challenge in August.
July 18th – Heather Newman Band, youth act Shawna Wilson.
Aug. 15th – The Symbols from Ft. Collins, CO, youth act Karli Swedlund
Mulvane Art Fair, recap
Went very well, great weather (a little windy on Saturday). Suki said we have already been asked back for next year. Gib requested he pick his own crew for tent setup next year. Good attendance for music!
Topeka Gives 2018, Tuesday, June 5th, 7am-6pm
Karen checked in this morning, and reserved table under Dee & Mee Hobby shop windows. Seven volunteer are covering the shifts. Karen/Suki will decorate table.
SOKBF, Wednesday, July 4th, Reynolds Lodge, Lake Shawnee
Karen had updated Organization List, maintained yearly. Updates during meeting attached with these minutes.
Other notes:
Band/Stage: Gerry is waiting on contract, paid workers will setup/tear down stage. Karen will get information on Marci Perez in Marshall Barber’s packet, for introduction. Karen asked for band contracts from Suki. Brad, Rod, Gerry will work stage.
Food/Drink in Lodge: Suki will tabulate count for food (last year was 175). Karen will buy same amount of water as last year, Gib will assist with trailer. Gib will order ice and ice machine.
Pat said we can rent 6 folding tables and chairs @ $100, for another $100 they will deliver and pickup. Board agreed to $200 for tables/chairs and deliver/pickup (for food truck area).
Promotions: Suki said we will have two interview sessions with WIBW-TV, interviews on Marshall’s radio station, promos on 580 talk radio. Pat suggested booking something on KCUR’s Saturday Night’s Fish Fry with Chuck Haddix, he will schedule.
Security: Park Police will monitor road entry, TBS will monitor parking lot. Gerry suggested vendors not be allowed in parking lot, but stay on main road to unload, because they come in parking lot, and then don’t remove their vehicles.
Volunteers: Some discussion on how to feed those volunteers working 2 hours or more. Suki suggested giving them a $10 voucher for food trucks, Katie will collect vouchers and vendors will be reimbursed. Suki will ask Lori Chavez when she would like to pass the donation bucket, and then we will fill in other times (every 2-3 hours is sufficient). Joe should coordinate.
Merch: We need “gate” to hang shirts – worked well last year. Karen suggested we follow up on Bill’s advice and order banners for merch and info tents (put logo on top of each and “merchandise” on one, “information” on other).Patti suggested one volunteer in merch area around noon, and then 2 volunteers beginning around 2 or 3pm. Joe should coordinate with Patty on scheduling volunteers in merch area. Karen will bring cash for merch start, and band payments. Gib will get new anchors for tent legs, and will bring “mist” tent again.
Information booth/band merch: Pat, Karen and Ashley will work, with volunteers filling in. Volunteers not needed in this area until 3pm and after. Cigar box guitar ($5), and Penny Lane, raffle tix sold here. Cigar box guitar drawing will be done at festival.
Vendors: Katie is looking for more Arts & Crafts vendors, we have enough food and drink vendors. Non-profits come at no charge.
Miscellaneous: Parks & Rec to empty trash throughout day. Karen will promote discounted rooms at Ramada Inn, and campsite area.
Fiesta Mexicana, July 12th
Suki booked 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
Karen said we’ve had one entry, and she sent a membership email calling for entrants.
Bill suggested an email be sent asking for new board members (several spots open for re-election). Pat said to be clear that we are a “working board”. We also need to cultivate more members to volunteer at our events.
Committee Reports:
Blues in Schools – Pat asked Webmaster Steve Montgomery if he would setup/update a Blues in Schools link, he agreed. Pat will get information to him. Stacy Neumann, with Ross Elementary and Eisenhower Signature schools, said she would like a presentation next January or February. Pat said Chris Millspaugh is interested in presenting “beginning harmonica” classes.
Organizations – nothing new
Membership Survey – Luan absent – no report
Corporate Relationships/Grants – Karen had sent Pat information about Levitt AMP {Your City} Grant Awards – grants for music festivals, requirements are we must have 10 or more outdoor concerts presented over 10-12 consecutive weeks. Pat will ask for application and research further.
NEW BUSINESS
NEXT MEETING DATE, Monday, July 9th, 6:30pm at Uncle Bo’s
Meeting adjourned @ 8:25pm.
Respectfully submitted 06/06/2018
Minutes approved 07/09/2018
Karen Osborn, TBS Secretary/Treasurer
