South Portland Music Boosters

Minutes

May 15, 2007

 

CALL TO ORDER:  Christina Davis, President, called the meeting to order and introduced the Executive Board.  She presented gift certificates to all music teachers in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, expressing the Board’s thanks for all that the teachers do for our students.

 

MINUTES:  The minutes from the March meeting were discussed.  A motion was made by John LaPointe to table the approval of the minutes until the next meeting so corrections can be made.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:  Lee Mortenson presented the balance sheet and reviewed recent expenses and income.  The Boosters made $3225.78 profit from the District 1 Jazz Festival and $815.04 from the other March events.  A motion to accept the report was made by John LaPointe, seconded by Mike Fletcher, motion passed.

 

VICE PRESIDENT OF BINGO’S REPORT:  John LaPointe reported that a good number of patrons (250) continue to attend Saturday night bingo.  He expressed concern that we are losing key volunteers this year as their children graduate.  Girls’ Lacrosse, Girls’ Basketball Boosters and Robotics Boosters help out for a portion of the night’s profits by providing trained workers.  A letter of intent has been sent to all other booster groups so intent and expectations are clear. In addition, we have a good number of new music parent volunteers currently being trained.   A motion to accept the report made by Marc Galbraith, seconded by Debbie Farr, all in favor.

 

VICE PRESIDENT OF SPECIAL EVENTS REPORT:  Debbie Farr reported that Jazzapalooza went very well, with 150 students participating.  Upcoming events include the Choral Picnic, Choral final concert/cabaret, and the New York Voices concert (6/6/07).  Signup sheets for volunteers were circulated.  Donations of casseroles, salads and servers for the 6/6 event are needed.  Mrs. Farr thanked Christina and the Fletchers for all their help this year.  A motion to accept the report was made by Cindy Fletcher, seconded by Cathy Carmichael, all in favor.

 

VICE PRESIDENT OF MEMBERSHIP REPORT:  Cindy Fletcher reported that last year at the May meeting she accepted the challenge of Membership Chair.  Since then, 31 names have been added to the Bingo Roster.  Cindy thanked all the senior parents who attended the meeting and told them that their children are role models for the younger children in our schools.  A motion to accept the report made by Sue Mortenson, seconded by Craig Skeffington, all in favor.

 

Publicity Report:  Carol Sobczak had nothing to report at this time.

 

Director’s Comments:  Bev Hosic thanked the Boosters for the New York Choral Trip and shared photographs.  The trip went extremely well, and the South Portland Students had stellar behavior and singing.  Sandy Barry brought an article about advocacy and a speech by Wynton Marsalis on the importance of music.  The group discussed the proposed middle school restructuring and high school renovation. The importance of staying informed and aware of developments was stressed by several people.  Craig Skeffington reported that the High School band students have had a great year, with many big events such as Jazz at Millinocket, New York Voices, etc.  Jean Quinn reported that the Memorial Jazz Band came in 2nd this year and is getting ready for the Memorial Day Parade.

 

OLD BUSINESS: 

Social Event:  Christina Davis suggested that the Boosters get together for a social event this spring or summer.  Information on a summer outing to Wassamki Springs was distributed.  June 24 was chosen as a tentative date.

South Portland Music Boosters  Minutes

May 15, 2007  page 2

 

New York Voices concert:  Craig Skeffington stated that tickets and publicity for this event will be handled by Dick Marcotte.  Kammy Marcotte will handle the box office.  The budget for the event is $8,200, $5000 of which has already been given to the group.  A budget of $1,000 is set aside for publicity.  In addition, the event was mentioned to schools at All State, encouraging them to bring their students to the free clinic from 2-3 p.m, followed by the concert.  The Boosters will provide dinner for the performers.  Mike Fletcher has arranged rooms for the performers.  John LaPointe suggested that the Boosters buy food for the dinner (22 people) instead of asking for volunteers.  Sue Mortenson suggested that a local chef or restaurant may want to cater the event.  Debbie Farr agreed that it is more difficult to get volunteers on a weeknight in June, during exam week, and members agreed.  Debbie Farr will contact local chefs or restaurants to see if they are interested in catering the event. 

 

NEW BUSINESS:

Scholarships:  Sue Mortenson thanked Cathy Carmichael, Ann Marie Taylor, Debbie Farr, Cindy Fletcher, and teachers for their help with the Scholarship process.  She reviewed amounts given in scholarships in the past.  This year the committee received requests for 23 senior scholarships and 25 summer band camp scholarships for a total of $7,142.50.  Total scholarship disbursement for this year is $28,842.50.   A motion to approve this expense was made by John LaPointe, seconded by Mike Fletcher.  Discussion:  Sandy Barry suggested that this information should be shared with the community in the Sentry – it has a direct impact on students and follows the schools’ mission to encourage them to go to college.  Bev Hosic attended a recent scholarship meeting at the High School.  The amount the Boosters give applicants is substantial compared to many other scholarships offered.  Lee Mortenson mentioned that 2 students qualified for the Elaine Wolfsen scholarship this year.  The motion to approve this expense passed.

 

Nominating Committee: Nominations for the 2007-08 Executive Board were collected by Cheryl Ouellette and Mike Bergner.  Mike listed the people who expressed interest in running for office.  A motion to accept the nominations to the Slate of Officers as read was made by Debbie Farr, seconded by Michelle Powell.  No nominations were made from the floor.  No discussion.  All in favor of the Slate of Officers as presented. 

 

BUDGET REQUESTS:

 

Request for $275 for gift certificates for music teachers.  A motion to accept made by Mike Fletcher, seconded by Lee Mortenson.  All in favor.

 

Request for $1500 for a Music Booster Summer Outing on June 24 (tentative date).  Motion to accept made by John LaPointe, seconded by Randy Libby.  Some discussion of possible menus followed.  All in favor.,

 

Request for $50 for roses for the seniors in the Vocal Music Program.  Motion to accept made by John LaPointe, seconded by Sue Mortenson.  All in favor.

 

Request for $160 for 32 gift certificates to Governors’ Restaurant for senior instrumental music students.  Randy Libby suggested increasing the amount of each certificate to $10, which would cover a meal.  The amount of the request was increased to $320.  There was some discussion about whether to give a gift certificate to choral students as well.  A motion to approve $320 for Governor’s Gift Certificates for band students was made by Randy Libby, seconded by Debbie Farr.  All in favor.

 

A motion to give Governor’s Gift Certificates ($10 each for a total of $170) to 17 choral students was made.  Members agreed that this would be appropriate, as the amount of this senior gift would then be equal between  chorus and band students.  Seconded by Randy Libby.  All in favor.

 

A request for Marching Band Items (total $16,480) was made by Craig Skeffington, and seconded by John LaPointe.  The members discussed various Marching Band budget items.  Discussion turned to the request for a coach bus for the Marching Band Finals in Sanford.  Craig Skeffington noted that a coach bus will cost less that a school bus.  Marc Galbraith mentioned that last year it was difficult to hire coach busses unless they were booked almost a year in advance.  After the discussion, the motion passed.

 

SPHS Instrumental Department Budget Supplement:                      $3,000

Uniform Expenses – Bib Pants                                                      $2680

Uniform Expenses – Shoes                                                           $1250

Percussion equipment                                                                   $1000

Pit percussion equipment                                                               $1970

Color Guard Uniforms/equipment                                                   $1000

Visual Effects/props                                                                     $1000

Transportation 10/7/07 (Dedham MA)                                           $1520

Transportation 10/27/07 (Finals)                                                     $1460

Tractor gas                                                                                  $  100

Band Camp Cook Out                                                                  $  500

Marching Band Awards Banquet                                                   $1000

TOTAL                                                                                     $16,480

 

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by John LaPointe, seconded by Bev Hosic.  All in favor.

 

The next meeting will be Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the South Portland High School.

 

Respectfully Submitted by Maggie McNeice, Secretary.