Topeka Blues Society
General Membership Meeting
Sunday, August 18, 2013
12:15 pm @ Uncle Bo’s
MEETING MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER & GREETINGS
Vice President Brad Hern introduced all present Board Members with one year remaining to their term: President Suki Willison, Luan Betts, Rod Peterson, Bill Beasley, and Stacy Jeffress. He then introduced those whose terms are expiring: Brad Hern, V.P. (not running), Karen Osborn (sec’y position), Gib Ramirez and Gerry Schmanke.
Board Members absent: Tony Gaines (term expired) and Brian Gabel (one year remaining)
Secretary/Treasurer report
Karen Osborn reported TBS has 85 total memberships (48 Individuals; 17 Family; 8 Blues Fans; 6 Artists/Bands; 4 Honorary; 2 Corporate) – 67 total memberships this time last year. Ten new memberships from the Summertime Blues concerts, and eleven new memberships from the SOK Blues Festival.
Summertime Blues: Event cost to date: $950; made $660 in merchandise and donations – one more next Wednesday.
SOKBF: event was approx. $19,600, net loss of $5800; made $3072 in merchandise and donations
NOTO: We were paid for services $3000 and sold $187 in merchandise
Bank account balance: $2563.61
Petty cash: $50.00
New Membership: $45
Total assets before Blues Challenge: $2658.61
Gib made a motion that Secretary/Treasurer report be approved, Bill second; approved.
2013 Year in Review – Bill Beasley gave the following report:
NOTO Blues & BBQ Streetfest (TBS organized the blues concert) – very successful for North Topeka and merchants, and profitable for TBS.
2013 IBC – Representing TBS in Memphis was JVB and Rachelle Coba (Coba reached semi-finals). Our own Suki Willison was a Finals judge! Brad Hern mentioned that for past three years, TBS has had one act reach either Finals or Semi-Finals.
Hamilton Loomis taught “Basic Blues Harp” to 25 Signature Music School students, April 13. TBS bought harmonicas for those students and paid their tuition for this class. Loomis also taught a Basic Blues Harp for paying attendees at Uncle Bo’s.
Summertime Blues free concerts (Cassie Taylor, JVB, Back Porch Blues Band, That Damn Blues Band next Wednesday, the 21st) – each over 200 attending. At minimal cost to TBS, we’re giving local Blues artists exposure to our community and getting new memberships, while we’re at it!
Spirit of Kansas Blues Festival, July 4 (over 4,000 in attendance) – TBS organizes this FREE Blues Festival, getting nationally known Blues bands on main stage, local Blues bands on side stage, performing from noon ’til 9pm. This is a big fundraising event (festival cost was $19,000 this year) – if anyone has ideas or would like to help with fundraising for next year’s Blues Festival, please talk to any Board member.
Brews, BBQ & Bluesfest (Sept. 6 & 7, Friday evening and Saturday) Downtown Topeka – featuring Eddie Turner, Brandon Santini, Terry Quiett Band, The Bus Company, The Kentucky Gentlemen, Levee Town, Slow Ya Roll and the Josh Vowell Band. TBS will have tent set up all day Saturday selling merchandise and memberships.
Nominations for Board – five openings
Tony Gaines
Chardy Hern
Karen Osborn
Gib Ramirez
Gerry Schmanke
Paul Schwartz
Nominations from floor: none
Election results: 21 ballots collected, 1 discarded (checked all six nominees instead of five). Patti Beasley tallied the votes. Elected with most votes: Chardy Hern, Karen Osborn, Gib Ramirez, Gerry Schmanke and Paul Schwartz
Appointment of Board – will be done at next meeting date.
NEW BUSINESS
Stacy Jeffress mentioned that John Catt of Blue Star Connection would like to coincide Blue Star with Samantha Fish show on August 31st at Uncle Bo’s. We should begin collecting used/new instruments. Board agreed to meet as soon as possible to coordinate.
Suki said Jam4Dan coordinators contacted her and would like our involvement in their event.
Next Board Meeting Date: 6:30pm, Monday, August 19 at Uncle Bo’s
Bill made a motion that meeting be adjourned, Gib 2nd; meeting adjourned at 12:45pm.
Respectfully submitted 08/19/2013
Karen Osborn, TBS Sec’y/Treasurer
Approved 08/19/2013
