Smoky Mountain Blues Society

Meeting Notes

7/27/09

 

 

The meeting was held at Wild Wings Cafe at 5 p.m. on Sunday 7/26/09

 

Board members in attendance were:

 

Sharon Kniffin

Michael Feeback

Steve Michel
        Dave Mills
        Randy Ross
        Robert Higginbotham

Charles LaLoggia

John McCormack

 

Board members absent:

 

Louis Kittrell
Ron Keasler  

 

 

In all, approximately 25 people attended the meeting & social hour. 

 

Board of Directors report:

 

-          with thanks to John McCormack, we are now an official “affiliate” of the Blues Foundation

-          Mike Feeback motioned that a Public Relations Committee be established to consist of chairs of the existing committees and at least one person who is not already on a committee.  The motion passed.

 

Membership Committee Report

 

-          Still working on issue of membership structure (more in New Business section)

-          Apparently some confusion this past month to do with putting together a blues cruise – the membership committee wound up doing work that was part of the entertainment committees’ responsibilities.

           

Website Committee report :

 

-          A hosting site -  BlueHost.com has been selected.

-          Rob Higginbotham and Cec Allred will establish and maintain the site initially

-          Higginbotham motioned to spend $6.95/month on a 24 month contract with Blue Host.  The motion passed.

 

Blues in the School Committee Report

 

-    Nothing to report

 

Entertainment Committee Report

Betty Clark reported that details for this quarters’ event have been finalized with Baker Peters.

-          Event will be held Sunday, September 20th from 2-7.

-          Tickets will be $25 each – price includes buffet (sea food boil)

-          No minimum charge to society.  Proceeds from ticket sales to split as follows - $10 towards food, $5 towards wait staff, $5 toward Baker Peters, $5 towards SMBS

-          Soulfinger and BlackJack bands have volunteered to play and host a jam at the event

-          It was decided to combine the September meeting with this event at 5 p.m.

-          A motion to approve the above was made and passed.

 

Betty also reported that plans for a blues cruise will be put off until next spring or summer.

 

New Business

 

A motion was made that cut off for “charter memberships” (renewal price locked in) will be 6/30/10.  This passed

 

A motion was made not to pro-rate membership dues.  In other words, an annual membership is $25 or $40 and lasts for one year after joining society.   This passed. 

 

 

A fair amount of discussion was held on the subjects of band and corporate memberships. 

 

The membership committee has proposed membership dues of $100 for bands (with a sliding scale depending on how many band members are already society members) and $35 for single/duo.    On the opposite side, Higginbotham motioned to abandon the band membership category altogether.  There was much discussion in between these two view points.  Any related decisions were tabled until a future meeting.

 

There was also much discussion concerning membership status of bands that would compete to go to the IBC.    Should they be required to be members?  Again, this issue was tabled pending further review.

 

There was also much discussion about corporate memberships with the current pricing structure proposed by the membership committee at levels of $100 and $250.  Other proposals offered during discussion included a cost of $25.  Corporations can still be asked to sponsor events for significant amounts of money but this is separate from membership.  No decisions were made pending further review.

 

Meeting adjourned at approximately 6:10 p.m.  The next meeting with be at Brackins on Sunday, August 30th.  4-5 Social Hour,  5-6 meeting, 6 to close Blues Jam.

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Robert Higginbotham

Secretary