Macomb Band Boosters Monthly Meeting, September 2007

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When

Tuesday, September 11, 2007
7:00 pm

Where

MHS Band Room

Details

Please join us at 7:00 pm in the band room. Help support our award-winning band program! The more help we have, the more we can do! For information and meeting reminders, join our email list by contacting the Macomb Band Boosters secretary.

Agenda

Macomb Band Boosters Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
7:00 pm

Possible Business (Unofficial)

  1. introductions
  2. committee coordinators and volunteers
  3. annual membership
  4. uniform and shirt distribution
  5. MHS marching performances and competitions
  6. school board approval for MHS spring trip
  7. senior recognition
  8. March-a-thon
  9. IMEA District 4 Auditions
  10. Chili Supper

Call to order

Introductions

Reports

  1. Secretary's report – Kelly Barsi
  2. Treasurer's report – Becca Pettit
  3. Ways & Means chair report – Cindy Cavett for Beth Seaton
  4. Jr. High School Director's report – Doug Mattsey
  5. High School Director's report – David Wetmore

Old Business

  1. committee coordinators and volunteers
  2. membership
  3. uniform and shirt distribution – Lisa Stear, Barb Shrode, Jan Detrick, and/or Kathleen O'Donnell-Brown
  4. March-a-thon, including section challenge results and incentive
  5. senior recognition – Kathleen O'Donnell-Brown and Kelly Fitzgerald
  6. other old business

New Business

  1. Chili Supper – Kathy Boocker
  2. updated chaperone policy – Kelly Fitzgerald
  3. instrument and equipment storage and transport
    • sheds
    • trailer
  4. balance carryover
  5. initiate discussion of long-term budget, spending, and savings policy
    • savings options
    • set-asides
    • expenditure sharing
  6. high school spring trip
  7. other new business

Thank-You!

Adjournment

Minutes

Macomb Band Boosters Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
7:00 pm

Call to order

President Sean O'Donnell-Brown called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

Reports

  1. Secretary's Report – Kelly Barsi: approved as presented
  2. Treasurer's Report – Becca Pettit: approved as presented
  3. Ways and Means Report – Cindy Cavett for Beth Seaton:
    • Cindy Cavett suggested the possibility of bringing back the Hot Air Balloon Ride Raffle that was held in past years in conjunction with the March-a-thon and Balloon Festival; after some discussion it was concluded that selling the raffle tickets did not yield enough profit to justify the time and effort involved.
    • The committee met regarding the Al Sears Jazz Festival. After their research, it was decided that there are too many variables to make participation in the festival feasible at this time; committee members will check out the vendors at this year's festival to gather information for future consideration. The $50.00 previously authorized to reserve a booth was not spent.
  4. Jr. High School Director's Report – Doug Mattsey
    • Mr Mattsey reported that the year is off to a great start. 53 sixth graders attended summer band lessons. An additional 19 started at the beginning of the school year, so they had some catching up to do; but it is going well. He noted that there are many school instrument rentals this year; these are used instruments that he and Mr Wetmore make available for a minimal fee to students who otherwise could not afford an instrument. Students must be eligible for the free and reduced lunch program to qualify. All donations of used instruments are welcome!
    • The 7th grade band has good numbers, with 55 returning members and 3 new students.
    • The 8th grade band retained 51 of 56 members.
    • Jazz band has already started and is going well; he has 9 new saxes in the sax program, and the kids are really enjoying it.
    • Thank you letters from two very grateful band camp scholarship recipients were presented to the Boosters.
    • IMEA District Auditions are October 8; 15 kids are preparing (up from 11 last year); the Chili Supper is October 15.
  5. High School Director's Report – David Wetmore
    • Mr Wetmore said that the high school band is exceeding expectations thus far, with upperclassmen demonstrating strong leadership.
    • The first marching competition is the evening of September 29 at Geneseo, where classes are based on band size (rather than school size) and we will face tough competition. The 2 mile Western homecoming parade is on the morning of that same day.
    • The Western marching competition is October 6; we will probably be in a smaller class based on our school size of less than 600, which is the same class we will compete in at the U of I.
    • It was decided to compete at the U of I rather than at ISU this year due to the following:
      • We are the defending champs at the U of I.
      • The ISU competition rewards more "razzle dazzle" type field shows; whereas, the U of I is a more level playing field.
      • The U of I has the added experience of the parade competition.
    • The final marching performance of the year will be at the Chili Supper on October 15.
    • Mr Wetmore reported that, per the fire marshal, band equipment may no longer be stored in the hall. Therefore, three portable sheds were purchased from Farm King for a cost of about $700.00 each; this is substantially less than the cost to build a shed (approximately $6000.00).
    • Uniform distribution went very smoothly.
    • Senior Recognition Night was a success.
    • The March-a-thon went very well; the square is a good venue, allowing more public awareness.
    • Due to new regulations, all chaperones will be required to complete a district Volunteer Information and Waiver of Liability form.
    • Mr Wetmore has a scheduling conflict with the U of I marching competition and a Galesburg Symphony performance, both on October 13; he will attend the competition until 4:00 pm and then leave for the Symphony performance in Galesburg.
    • New this year is a Concert Band Camp on November 16 and 17. Western Director of Bands Mike Fansler will serve as resident conductor for the camp. Mark Carlson will present a euphonium recital on the evening of Friday, November 16.
    • Spring trip will likely be to St. Louis.

Old Business

  • Sean O'Donnell-Brown has added several features to the website to keep track of the various committees and their responsibilities, planning notes for events, volunteer lists, etc. He noted that Alumni and Membership committee coordinators are still needed.
  • Uniform distribution went very smoothly.
  • The March-a-thon was very successful; it was suggested to perhaps coordinate it with the downtown's "2nd Saturday" promotion in the future and to consider selling flavored ice or some other refreshment. Group 5 won the highly competitive section challenge with donations of $757.00 (prize is a pizza party).
  • Burdicks will provide water and run the membership table at the September 21 football game.
  • Senior Recognition Night went well; students enjoyed their names on the cake!

New Business

  • Chili Supper – Kathy Boocker reported that all tickets will be distributed at the door this year; they may be paid for in advance or paid for at the door.
  • Updated Chaperone Policy – previously discussed.
  • Instrument/equipment storage and transportation – Issues concerning the possibility of purchasing an equipment trailer were discussed; concerns include the cost of insurance and the availability of an appropriately sized truck (equipped with the required towing package) to haul a large trailer (24 foot or more.) Should the band purchase a trailer, Susie Nichols of Swede's Autobody offered to paint it free of charge, although the band would still have to pay for the lettering.
  • Sean O'Donnell-Brown expressed the need to develop a financial policy regarding the following:
    • saving money for future expenses, such as uniform and instrument purchases
    • sharing such expenses with the School Board
    • designating a portion of specific fund raisers for certain types of expenses setting up "trip-saver" accounts for students that would carry from year to year, allowing more savings for more expensive trips; a percentage of each fund raiser could be designated to the trip-saver accounts.
  • Colleen Carlson moved to authorize the Executive Board to invest up to $10, 000.00 of the current Booster account balance in a higher interest bearing account before the next meeting in October. Cindy Cavett seconded and the motion passed.
  • Mr Mattsey requested $500.00 to fund his junior high activity account to cover immediate-need expenses (such as IMEA audition fees, etc.) Sean O'Donnell-Brown moved to provide the $500.00; Colleen Carlson amended the motion to include funding both Mr Wetmore's and Mr Mattsey's activity accounts at $500.00 each. Kathy Burdick seconded and the motion passed.
  • Dee Kirwan brought up the issue of concert attire; a letter will be sent home to all prior year band members who purchased their concert attire to see if they still fit. It was tentatively planned to take measurements for Concert uniforms during chair auditions on October 24.

Mr Wetmore motioned to adjourn; Colleen Carlson seconded; and the meeting was adjourned at 8:31 pm

Respectfully submitted,
Kelly Barsi, Secretary

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