Smoky Mountain Blues Society
Meeting Minutes -
The meeting was held at the home of Robert
Higginbotham in
The meeting started at approximately
Board members absent -.Mike Feeback, Tim
Spencer (Tim arrived late)
The first discussion focused on the fact
that our membership process remains broken. The following
process was developed and agreed upon:
Membership Process
-Applicant completes application and
submits check or cash for membership type
-Temporary cards will be given to people
that sign up at membership drives, concerts etc.
-Monies and applications are sent to P.O.
Box or given directly to Treasurer.
-Treasurer deposits monies – keeps record
of deposit including members name
-Treasurer marks application paid and
forwards to secretary
- Secretary updates email list and updates
SMBSNAMES spreadsheet.
- Secretary prints ‘permanent’ card and sends
to new or renewing member along with welcome letter
Note- need two letters – one for new,
one for renew
- Secretary periodically sends updated
SMBSNAMES file to President, Treasurer, and head of Membership committee
Tom Hurwitz agreed to take on chairmanship
of the membership committee and the job of designing membership cards
It was voted to provide $100 to the secretary
for purchase of stamps, envelopes, card stock, etc. to send to members.
Vote was unanimous.
The next discussion focused on the roles
& responsibilities of the treasurer.
The following expectations were agreed upon:
Expectations of the Treasurer
- Pick up and process mail at least once per
week
- Deposit checks weekly
- Advise board of problems quickly (i.e. within
a week)
- Be able to communicate ‘how much money we
have” in bank
- Be part of the membership process
- Provide monthly financial report to board
Detailing Monies received, monies spent
- Pay bills, reimburse approved members
expenses on time and accurately, target within 7 days of receipt
- Keep accurate financial records.
- Provide resale certificates to suppliers as
needed
- Process taxes on time.
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8/9 meeting with Robert Higginbotham and Mike
Feeback
SUBSEQUENT to the meeting - Robert Higginbotham
and Mike Feeback (unable to attend
Mike also answered the following questions
brought up at the
Any change in status of 501-c-3 ? Only
that a change to the application was filed upon election of new board
members. SMBS is still awaiting approval.
Does Mike have a supply of bumper stickers -
No. Mike did not receive bumper stickers.
"Open Envelopes" issue - .Mike got
Status of Dual Signatures on SMBS checks -
The bank will accept single signed checks but Mike agreed that having two
signatures was a better way to do it, and the way SMBS had agreed to do
it. Currently Higginbotham & Feeback are the only authorized
signatures. Diana Michel will have signature authority as soon as she can
get to the bank to complete the signature card.
Higginbotham gave Feeback $1904.53 collected
from the two Blues Cruises to deposit. Mike & Emily verified the
amount. Feeback was also given the original application form and $25 for Paul
McQuade's membership.
Reimbursements
John McCormack $125.00 reimburse for paying
Blues Foundation Annual Fee. - Mike will handle.
Robert Higginbotham $100.00 for membership
letters, stamps, ink, etc. - Mike will handle
Robert Higginbotham $ 145.91 reimbursement for
BITS. - Higginbotham was reimbursed on
To be paid this weekend $200.00 to Steve Michel
for host band at the Dumplin' Valley Concert.
To be paid soon - approximately $80 to Steve or
Diane for procurement of two new banners
end of notes from 8/9 meeting
====================================================
Next discussion was about the 8/9 Dumplin
Valley Show
GRITS/Larry Grisham will start the show at
7:30
Steve Michel/Dog House will start SMBS jam at
9:30,
Mark Havely Productions will pay GRITS/Larry
Grisham
SMBS will pay $200 to Steve/Dog House Blues
Dogs (this was voted and approved unanimously)
Mark Havely Productions will split any profit
50% with SMBS
Next, Tom Hurwitz led the discussion on
having an event at the 8/27 Maryville ArtWalk
Tom has gotten the Preservation Plaza space
at no charge
The Brackins Jam Host Band (Higginbotham,
Gibert, Schwartz) has agreed to host for no charge
Band will play in main lobby area, surrounded
by smaller rooms where art is displayed
SMBS to provide membership table and solicit
memberships at event
It was approved unanimously to provide $10 (ten
dollars) to Tom to cover printing and other misc. expenses.
The next discussion was about banners
Currently banners are permanently mounted
behind the stages at Smoky's Pub and the Dumplin Valley Concert Series.
SMBS has one "floater" to use at
events.
SMBS wants to put another one up permanently at
Brackins.
This way there are banners at all three weekly
jams.
It was approved unanimously to pay for the cost
of procuring two more banners.
International Blues Competition
Previous minutes were reviewed:
Preliminary competitions are
All competitions are at Patrick Sullivans
$75 per night will be paid by SMBS to the
soundman
Backline will not be provided
Band entry fee is $25. At least one band
member must be an SMBS member to enter.
Current Status:
As of
Angelia Garrison will contact WSNB,
Herman/Randy will contact the Cazanovas
The local band Northshore may enter (per Hannah
Dauven)
Tim Spencer committed to re-confirm the dates
with Patrick Sullivans
This month's Blues Night Out is the 8/14
SMBS show at Dumplin Valley with GRITS, LARRY GRISHAM, STEVE MICHEL SMBS Jam
Guitar Shorty will be at Brackins September 1st
SMBS members are encouraged to support the
local blues jams at Smoky's, Brackins & Ricks Place
The meeting adjourned at approximately
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Higginbotham
Secretary
Smoky Mountain Blues Society