Clark Band Boosters General Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 8, 2005 

1.  Meeting called to order by Becky Plemons at 7:08 p.m.

2.      Minutes from the January 11, 2005 General Booster meeting were adopted; motion by Beverly Gonzalez, second by Karen Hickman.

3.      Two ensembles played for the booster organization – saxophone and trombone.

4.      Report from band directors – Mr. Charles Kuentz

a.      The UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest is next week (February 17) and the Spaghetti Dinner is February 22.

b.      The 8^th grade orientation was held last night, and the band held a meeting prior to that event. Thanks to Becky Plemons for the refreshments at that meeting and tonight. There was a fairly big crowd at the 8^th grade meeting; 38 students attended with their parents.  As part of our middle school outreach, students from Rawlinson and Hobby participated with the A-1 band students in a class before the holiday. This week, Clark students visited the middle school students at their schools. In addition, Clark did presentations at the middle school holiday concerts.  We have done a good job with outreach, and last night’s turnout is probably a result.

c.      The Sound of Music performances last week were great; we are very proud of the students from band who were on stage as well as in the orchestra. It was a big time commitment for them, and they did a great job.

d.      Two weeks ago, Larry Rachleff (conductor for the San Antonio Symphony) came and visited the students during one class. The symphony director mentioned that Clark did a car wash to help raise funds for the symphony (we raised over $800). They were, in part, showing their appreciation by the visit from Mr. Rachleff. He came during the jazz and orchestra class and had an informal chat with the students. He mentioned how the band environment was very wholesome for the students. Maybe the band will organize a trip to the symphony in the spring.

e.      It is a busy time now with The Sound of Music production just completed, and TMEA and Solo and Ensemble coming up. Mr. Telles goes to TMEA tomorrow; Mr. Kuentz leaves Thursday.

f.        Solo and Ensemble is on Thursday, February 17, 2005 starting at 4:30. The band directors need to get from the students who their accompanists are in order to do the schedule. They hope to finish the schedule early next week.

5.  Clark Assistant Principal, Mr. McMahon, complimented the students performing in The Sound of Music, saying, "It was a pleasure to see the performance." He is honored to be part of the faculty, and work with our kids and the band program. Students, parents and band directors do a great job. 

6.  Becky Plemons – President reported:

a.     On Jan. 19^th, letters were mailed to the Rawlinson and Hobby 8^th grade band students and their parents inviting them to attend an orientation meeting held last night at 6:00. There were handouts, a video (put together by Jim Lee) and refreshments. Approximately 38 middle school students attended,and the meeting went well. Thank you to the Cougar Band students and booster members who attended!

b.  On Saturday, January 22^nd, Students attending the Region Band Clinic were treated to CiCi’s Pizza during their lunch break  The cost was $164.04, paid by the Band Boosters.

c.     Approximately $300 was spent to feed the orchestra for The Sound of Music last week during the three dress rehearsals.

d.  Debi Korinchock and Becky Plemons will attend “Common Cause, Different Duties: a Discussion of the Respective Responsibilities of the School District and School-Related Organizations in the District” on Thursday, February 24^th at the NISD Activity Center. The purpose of the meeting is to get all the school organizations on the same page. Presidents and those responsible for fundraising in these organizations are invited to the meeting.

e.     Our All-State students (Matt. M., Josh M. and Anthony B.) each received $75 to help them with their expenses this week at TMEA.

7.  Mary Lee- First Vice President-Fundraising reported:

a.   Pizza kit fundraising packets went out to the students last week. Forty-percent (40%) of the money goes into your student’s account. This fundraiser ends Friday February 11. Pizzas will be delivered February 24, and Mary needs help with the delivery on February 24. Please sign up tonight if you can help.

b. The Krispy Kreme donut card fundraiser starts February 25. The card is for a dozen donuts free when you buy one dozen. It’s good for 10 dozen. Fifty-percent (50%) of the money goes to your student’s account. The cards are pre-paid. The money is due March 11. Due dates for both these fundraisers correspond to trip payment due dates. Card is good for a year or 10 punches. Krispy Kreme will probably honor it even if it is expired as long as punches are left.

c.    These are the last fundraisers for this year that go into your student’s account besides scrip and concessions.

8.  Gloria Chavez – Second Vice President-Concessions reported:

a.       Signups are available this evening for upcoming concessions.

b.      March 9 is the middle school track tournament. Gloria needs 10 people starting at 3:45. Please sign up for this and other sign-ups. The middle school meet is at Gus stadium.

c.       If you see other band parents, let them know about this March 9 concession so that we get enough volunteers.

9.  Gus Belitzer – Treasurer reported:

a.      Gus reviewed the income and expense statement. Cash balances are $9,696.94 and $29,877.56 as of January 31. He paid a trip payment today for $20,000 that is not reflected in the January 31 statement. This payment comes out of Band Bucks.

b.      Last Band Bucks payment was due February 1, 2005. If you’re not doing the pizza or donut fundraisers, please pay now.

c.      The next Washington D.C. trip payment is due February 11.

d.     The last trip payment is March 11. That is also the date when there can be no more refunds. This information will be posted on the Web site. Airline list is required by March 12.

10. Guard Representative (Judy Bray was absent due to illness)

a.      Next Thursday, February 17, there will be a show-off in the gym, where the Winter Guard will be performing their competition show. It’s right before their first competition. The time will be posted on the Web site.

b.      Winter Guard will leave for their first contest on February 18. It’s in Arlington, TX.

c.      The next weekend, February 26, there is a TECA competition at Marshall High School.  Check the Web site for times.

d.      March 4 and 5 there is a WGI Power Regional competition at the Freeman Coliseum.

11. Corporate Liaison (Jim Bray was absent due to illness)

a.       No new information on the trailer shed is available.

12. Standing committees

a.       Membership – Karen Leach (Chair).

1.  Please call her with any changes of address, phone numbers, etc.

b.      Publicity/Webmaster – Jim Lee (Chair)

2.  Thank you Jim for putting the video together for the 8^th grade orientation!

3.  Ramona Teter-Lonas added a Color guard page to the Web site; thanks to Ramona as well.

c.       Spaghetti Dinner – Karen Hickman (Chair)

1.  The event will be held February 22^nd in the Clark Cafeteria from 5:00 – 7:30 pm.

2.  Each student received 7 tickets to sell. They must sell them or return them.  We have invited the faculty to attend. Contact Karen if you need additional tickets. The money is due February 11.

3.  The committee has received a total of $225 in gift certificates - $100 from HEB corporate, $20 from HEB De Zavala, $50 from Wal-Mart and $50 from Sams. They will use them for supplies and any that remain could go to the silent auction.

4.  They have also gotten donated desserts: 10 pies from Marie Callenders, a La Madeleine cheesecake, a SaltGrass cheesecake, and cookies from Broadway Bakery. They still need donations and you can bring home baked goods.

5.  The ticket information will go to the middle schools tomorrow.  Students from Rawlinson who are playing in the jazz band get 1 ticket for $3; all other tickets for them are the regular $6.50.

6.  Signup sheets are available to help that evening. The committee will start setting up at 2:00, and signup sheets start at 3:00. They’ll start to cover tables at 2:00. The Guard students will be practicing that night and band students will be performing so we need lots of parents to help.

7.  Caterer was coming to the meeting tonight but he got the flu. He’s currently under our contract price – by about $100. 

d.      Funday Sunday – Becky Plemons (Chair)

1.  Event will be held April 17, 2005 at Leon Springs Dance Hall.

2.  Becky Plemons and Mary Lee attended the 2^nd PMO Outreach Seminar on January 14^th and sponsored by the Fiesta Commission. Because of their attendance, we get a $100 discount off the insurance cost (of about $250). Discussed at the meeting was development of a risk management program and insurance coverage. The meeting was very well-organized.

3.  A picture of the Fiesta pin design was available. Jim Bray helped with the design; thanks to Jim for his efforts. We ordered 250 pins from Pro Specialties at a cost of $2 each. These pins sell for $5 each. Hopefully, we will have them available for sale at the Spaghetti Dinner. We will also give 50 to the Fiesta Store to sell on consignment.

4.  The meal will be catered by Bun ‘N Barrel. They have catered this event in the past. The plate will have 2 meats for the first time – BBQ and sausage as well as beans, potato salad, bread, pickles, onions, etc.  They will furnish all paper goods and utensils. So, we will pay $4.25 per plate.  We’re making the tickets $7.00 pre-sale and $7.50 at the gate.  We will provide ticket sale dates at a later date. Each student will probably receive 7 tickets. We will most likely distribute them March 24 with money due back April 8. We will have flyers at the next booster meeting for distribution.

5.  There will be two security officers attending (arranged through a band parent). The cost for this service is the same as the last two years.

6.  The Royal Kustoms Band will probably perform. We will hear them this Friday – Becky and Mr. Kuentz are going to try and attend their performance. Several of the six band members are former Clark students. We’re hoping that they’ll bring some of their following. They will pay for free; we will provide complementary meal tickets. Their music is “Skaw” – rock and roll with band instruments. We expect it should appeal to our students.

7.  We will invite the Hobby and Rawlinson Jazz Bands to perform and march in the parade. 

8.    If you know of someone or a group who’d like to be in the parade, contact Gus Belitzer. 

9.  Signups for volunteering at the food booth, silent auction and games are available.

10. Silent auction is in need of donations. Please tell Ramona if you will be making a donation. Don’t wait until you have the item necessarily; let her know as soon as possible.

11. Sign up to help with the games by family. We have one new game and took away one or two. We are hoping that signing up by family will keep more order in the booth rather than having the students be “generous” with prizes.

e.       Scrip – Elaine Hutzler (Chair)

1.  February orders are here tonight.

2.  The next scrip order is due March 1^st.

3.  Check the Web site often for the new vendors and changes in percentages.

4.  The scrip company is closed April 4-8 so we changed the April order due date to March 29.

5.  We will continue doing scrip during the summer – we had good participation last summer.

f.        Uniforms – Sue Patton (Chair)

1.  All students have been fitted for their concert attire

2.  All three bands are performing at UIL so all students had to be fitted

3.  Thanks to Sue and all her helpers

4.  We may split the committee up next year so that there’s one person in charge for marching season and another for concert season. If you’re interested in taking charge of this for concert, let us know. We think we have someone for marching.

g.       Hospitality – Cindy Castro (Chair)

1.  March 8 and 9 we need to do concessions for the middle school UIL contest. We probably can’t do courtyard sales during lunch period as we have done in the past due to new food regulations.

h.       Spirit Committee – Tammy Nicholson (Chair)

1.  The committee will decorate the guard hall before their Arlington trip for the competition.

i.         Telephone Committee – Bonnie Martin (Chair)

1.  We haven’t done any phone calling this year as yet.

2.   Do we need to do these regular phone calls or is the Web site, meetings and student communication sufficient? We may eventually phase out this committee because of the Web site.

3.  We will establish some phone calling tree to notify parents if there are changes during the Washington, D.C. trip. 

4.  Gang e-mails have not been as frequent post-marching season. We should send one out 4-5 days prior to a booster meeting to provide notification as well as when tickets, fundraisers, etc. are due. Jim Lee will do this. He will send one for the pizza kit money which is due Friday, the spaghetti dinner tickets and trip money which is due.

13.  Upcoming Events

a.      Wednesday to Saturday, February 9^th – 12^th, Texas Music Educators Association, San Antonio Convention Center.

b.     Thursday, February 17^th, UIL Regional Solo and Ensemble Contest, 4:30 – 8:30 pm at Clark.

c.       Friday to Sunday, February 18^th – 20^th, Winter Guard Competition in Arlington, Texas

d.      Tuesday, February 22^nd, Spaghetti Dinner, 5:00 – 7:30 pm. in the Clark cafeteria.
 

e.      Tuesday, March 1^st, next Band Booster board meeting, 6:30 pm in the band hall office.
 

f.       Tuesday, March 8^th, next General Band Booster meeting, 7:00 pm in the band hall.
 

g.     Tuesday and Wednesday, March 8^th and 9^th, Middle School UIL Concert and Sight-reading Contest.

14.  Band Booster Advocacy Group

a.      The group has met two times and five of the high schools – Clark, Marshall, Taft, O‘Connor and Holmes have participated. Rawlinson Middle School is also participating.

b.     The group has decided to focus on band programs at the middle and high school levels and to start by advocating with the school district and school board to maintain and, if possible, increase funding for the band programs.

c.      The group has begun outlining a strategy for advocating for this funding which will include a petition drive at the high schools and middle schools.

d.     The group will meet first with Dr. Folks, then will present to the NISD Board of Trustees at a formal meeting, then will meet with individual board members.

e.      The NISD budget process has already begun so the timing is right for this effort. 

f.        The strategy will include general information about the benefits of band programs for students as well as including specific information related to band booster organizations – the time and money spent by these organizations in support of the band programs. These services would have to be provided by the District if the boosters did not provide them; thus they represent cost avoidance to the District.

g.       The group believes that the band booster representatives should also meet regularly just to share ideas and concerns.

15.  Meeting adjourned at 8:10 pm.