SHS BAND PARENTS ASSOCIATION

BOARD MEETING MINUTES

AUGUST 5, 2008

 

 

ATTENDANCE:

 

Director:                                 P.L. Malcolm

Director:                                 Andrea Newhouse

President:                              Gary Vogel

President Elect:                    John Babinchak

Treasurer:                              Judy Malkowski

Treasurer:                              Cherie Heckford

Treasurer:                              Penny Cople

Secretary:                              Kathy Sessions

Board Member:                     Terry Sisaleumsak

Board Member:                     Sue Moynihan

Board Member:                     Sonia Bhatia

Board Member:                     Sherrie Goldston

Board Member:                     Jim Gilbert

Board Member:                     Bryan Bozarth

Board Member                      Rob Corbell

Guest:                                                Scott Smith

Guest:                                                Kathy Vogel

Student Communications:             Clayton Prichard

 

I.  Introduction – P.L. Malcolm

 

Band Director P.L. Malcolm began the meeting at 6:45 p.m.  He introduced Patrick Austin who is the president of the SHS Athletic Boosters.  Mr. Austin discussed some possible fundraising opportunities including one with Seminole Harley Davidson.  He also said that the Booster Club would like the Band Parents Association to help them with the sale and promotion of Booster Club memberships.  For each membership that the band recruits, The Booster Club will give $25.00 to the band.  He discussed the various levels of membership and that we would receive the $25.00 for each one regardless of which level of membership we sell.  For all memberships that we recruit we must ascertain that our forms have “band” on them in order to get credit.

 

Sue asked Mr. Austin how sponsors get their names on the back of ticket stubs (like Wendy’s currently has).  He said that the sponsor actually supplies these tickets to the school at their expense.

 

After Mr. Austin’s discussion, Mr. Malcolm thanked everyone for being there and apologized for the air conditioning not working.  Hopefully the new building will have all of the “kinks” worked out before the beginning of school.  Mr. Malcolm informed the Board of two changes that have taken place over the summer:  we have a new percussion instructor, Melinda Leoce and a new band director and orchestra instructor, Andrea Newhouse.  Miss Newhouse was in attendance at the meeting and expressed how excited she is to be a part of the SHS band program and that she is looking forward to working with the students.

 

II. Director’s Report – P.L. Malcolm.

 

Mr. Malcolm continued with his report.  He introduced student, Clayton Prichard, who is the band’s Communication Officer.  Clayton will have a team of 4 other students working with him on many facets of student communication within the band.  Clayton and his team will be developing the “Indian News,” articles for the Sanford Herald and other publicity, a Facebook  page for the band, and various flyers and communications about band events and fundraising opportunities.

 

Mr. Malcolm reiterated how happy he is to have Miss Newhouse on staff.  He said she was a clarinet player and was thrilled to announce that she is very organized.  He thinks they will make a great team.

 

Band camp will be next week and the directors are working on other dates for the band and putting together the calendar.  Concert dates have been planned and have been submitted to school administration for approval.

 

Mr. Malcolm thanked Sue Moynihan for organizing summer fundraisers like the Pizza Hut nights.  He said that the new Pizza Hut has a sports memorbelia décor that is sadly lacking something: a SHS Band jacket.  Mr. Malcolm would like to donate one to add to the wall at the Pizza Hut.  All agreed that this would be a fabulous addition to their décor.

 

III. Previous Meeting Minutes

 

A motion was made by Judy Malkowski and seconded by Cherie Heckford to accept the minutes from the last meeting.  The motion passed unanimously.

 

 

IV. Treasurer’s Report—John Babinchak.

 

Several members of the executive board met Monday night to assess budget needs for this year.  In reviewing expenses from last year it was determined that equipment costs were quite high due to the purchase of a new piano and locks for the band lockers.  At this point there are no anticipated large expenses for equipment this year, but there is always the possibility that something unexpected might come up. 

 

Income from dues this year is expected to be approximately the same as last year.  There are still some students who owe monies from last year and they will be given this information at band registration.  Also, there are some students who currently have a credit balance in their student account and they will be notified of their current status as well.  Judy asked if there are any anticipated “out-of-the-ordinary” expenses that we already know about for this year.   The band trip was mentioned but no one could think of anything else at this point.

 

Band Booster dues were $10.00 last year and will be $20.00 this year.

 

Next, Cherie reviewed the balance sheet (attached at the end of these minutes).  As of July 1 the bank balance was $12,993.67.  We earned $1,150 from summer fundraisers.  After summer expenses the current balance is $13,813.29.

 

Penny reported that she will keep track of instrument rental fees, solo/ensemble fees, etc.  She also mentioned that the accompanist from last year’s solo/ensemble was never paid by some students who used her services.  Penny will attempt to collect these monies from students at registration and during band camp.  A discussion ensued as to whether it is the BPA’s responsibility to pay these unpaid amounts if the students do not pay them.  Some felt that it is the accompanist’s responsibility to follow up with the students herself; others felt that the BPA should intervene when there were problems.  A suggestion was made that accompanist fees be paid up front and if they were not, the accompanist would not play for those that did not pay.  Some were concerned that the accompanist would not wish to work under these circumstances.  It was decided that Penny will attempt to collect amounts owed from last year and the checks will be made directly to the accompanist.  We will decide how this is to be handled in the future as “new business” at a future time.

 

John reported that the financial report from last year is still being processed.  As soon as it is ready, John will give it to the Board to review.

 

Gary recommended that we establish a finance committee and attach a person from this committee to each event.  This proposal is being formulated and will be presented at a future meeting.

 

V.  Committee Reports.

 

            A.  Web Tech—Rob Corbell

Web email accounts have been set and Rob reviewed how to email out to the entire Board.  Information has been emailed out to parents/students successfully.  Rob distributed a printout of the secure web site sign-in page (attached).  He also discussed the many forms that will be available on the web site.

 

The average number of hits per month this summer has been 15.

 

We have 235 email addresses subscribed to our list so far.

 

            B.  Web/Newsletter/DVD—Sonia Bhatia

 

Sonia distributed a written report and it is attached at the end of these mintues.

 

            C.  Fundraising—Sue Moynihan

 

The Pizza Hut fundraiser earned $280.04 for the first three weeks of July.  Sue asked if the band night at Pizza Hut should be every Wednesday or should we pick certain Wednesday nights.  It was decided that all Wednesdays would be band nights and we need to get the word out to people to mention that they are there for the band when they eat there on Wednesday nights.

 

Sue reported that $1,150 has been collected for fence signs.  The signs will be renewed this year and the banners are still usable.  Next year, they need to be taken indoors sooner so as not to be destroyed by the summer weather.

 

Business card ads for the football programs are for sale again this year and 4 or 5 have been sold so far.  Clayton mentioned that students would be motivated to sell these ads if some of the funds went to their student accounts.  Sue said the proceeds are already split with the Booster’s Club so we would have to research this to see if it would be feasible.  The opportunity for these ads needs to be announced at the parents meeting after band camp.

 

Sue has chosen “Simply Delight” for our cheese cake and dessert sale this year.  They have three pricing schedules to choose from.  The higher the product price, the higher percentage the band receives.  Sue favors the mid-range pricing which would keep everything to less than $16.00 and we would receive 45%.

 

Sue asked for suggestions on what the incentives/prizes for student sales will be.  Many ideas were discussed.  The Cheesecake and Dessert fundraiser will start the first or second week of September. 

 

A motion was made by Cherie Heckford that Sue and Terry will use the mid-tier price schedule for the cheesecake sales and will develop a fair and equitable compensation incentive for the students.  The motion was seconded by Sonia Bhatia.  The motion passed unanimously. 

 

At this point, Mr. Malcolm told the Board that Mr. Gaudreau has concerns about sending the band on such an expensive trip as the one we are planning for Williamsburg and Washington D.C.  Mr. Malcolm plans to talk with some of the band directors from other schools and see what they are planning.  Gary also said that he will be contacting other Band Parent Association presidents from our county and he will discuss it with them.  The trip as we have it planned now would cost approximately $637.00 per person.  We have some quarter days already scheduled to begin fundraising for the trip.

 

            D.  Band Camp—Terry Sisaleumsak.

 

Terry reported that everything is ready to go for band camp.  The food is planned, chaperones are being organized and everything is pretty much set to go.  Mr. Malcolm referred to this year’s band camp as an “alternate band camp,” in that it is shorter than usual (1:00 PM – 9:00 PM) and for one week instead of two.  This is due to all of the construction going on at the school and the fact that certain parts of the campus have not been “released” by the construction people.

 

Mr. Malcolm reported that the complete show is ready.  There are three tunes, the show is written out with fairly simple drills and fairly difficult music. 

 

Gary asked, and Mr. Malcolm confirmed, that we will have access to the cafeteria during band camp.  He also confirmed that we will have use of the golf cart. 

 

John Babinchak asked about the anticipated income and expenses for band camp such as meals, water, drinks, etc.  Terry reviewed how she buys the food for band camp and how it is priced:  to cover the costs and not make a profit.  Terry went on to explain that there is usually a small amount of “profit” and this is used to pay for items needed for the social at the end of band camp as well as other expenses that arise.

 

Terry also reminded everyone that this year is different in that band camp will be going on at the same time as schedule pick up.  Therefore, the people selling items at schedule pick up will not have the leftover food and drinks from band camp.

 

            E.  Registration Night—John Babinchak.

 

John discussed the forms that will be available at the registration night.  Sue and Cherie will be there to notarize medical release forms for parents.  There will be three tables, one for each of the following:  Spirit Wear, Dues, and Parent Association dues.

 

Sherrie Goldston displayed the shirts that have come in.  All clothing items should be available for the registration nights on Thursday and Friday.  She will also have items from old inventory for sale at a discounted price.

 

Clayton mentioned that many of the sections make their own shirts for their section.  He asked if parents would be interested in ordering these shirts too.  After some discussion over the many different shirts for sale, it was decided that each section would handle this on their own.

 

Judy announced that Kiera Guarino is the uniform parent this year.  She said that they didn’t order a lot of excess continuity wear, but have enough for incoming freshmen.  She and the quartermasters will organize students for uniforms at registration night.  Each student will have a custom fit uniform when the new uniforms come in.  Kiera will need parents to help to measure students.  They will do as many as possible at the registration nights and continue to pull kids out during band camp.

 

           

 

 

            F.  Schedule Pick Up—Cherie Heckford.

 

Everything is ready for schedule pick up.  We will be selling locks, sodas, spirit wear, and booster memberships.  Cherie reminded everyone that tomorrow they need to go online and sign up as a Dividend.

 

            G.  Bylaws—Kathy Vogel.

 

A first draft of the by-laws was distributed.  Kathy thanked everyone who helped with the project.  Board members were instructed to read the document and email Kathy with any thoughts, changes, suggestions, etc.  Her email address is

 

                                    kvogel@nationalAAA.com.

 

Committees will be an addendum so it can be changed easily.

 

Financial rules will also be an addendum, like a “policies and procedures,” for the same reason.

 

The rest of the document will be ready for the next meeting.

 

VI. Old Business.

 

            A.  Gary Vogel reported that the insurance check is ready to mail.

 

            B.  Email voting procedures are being formulated.

 

            C.  Sonia asked what we will be doing at the parent portion of band camp.  The general membership still needs to vote on the Board and a budget needs to be presented.  Gary said that we will make sure that this is taken care of at the parent meeting.

 

            D.  Mr. Malcolm pointed out the new logos on the walls of the band room.  These were donated by the Resnick family who have a business (Signs Now) that does this type of work.  I will send a thank you note to: 

                                    Mr. and Mrs. Steve Resnick

                                    1830 Longwood-Lake Mary Road

                                    Suite 1016

                                    Longwood, FL  32750

 

VII. Adjournment.

 

After a show of hands it was decided that the next meeting will be held on September 9 at 6:30 PM in the band room.  Gary Vogel adjourned the meeting at 8:58 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Kathy Sessions

Secretary