MABA Meeting Minutes

Date: Thursday, February 5, 2004

The regular meeting of the Memphis Area Bluegrass Association was called to order by President Bob Waters at 7:00 p.m.

23 members present; meeting agenda was distributed

Approval of Minutes

The minutes of the previous meeting was approved with corrections

Treasurer’s Report: Craig Yarborough

$335.32 for Lord of Life. Total $6,688.38

Committee Reports

Communications: Wayne Morris

Newsgrass need for someone to take over for Candice (in April) for graphics (see Mark or Wayne). Allison Becker interested in doing graphics if she has appropriate computer and software. Need backups in place for people on vacation.

15^th of month is cutoff for Newsgrass

Commercial Appeal: success in sections. Ginny [CA contact] adamant about stories being personal: specific part of town, names, where they live—not weekly unless new and fresh.

Beth Mays spoke with Bartlett editor to advertise Lucy every month.

Mike: Yahoo: members all privileges. Nonmembers “receive only” privileges

Keith Carter: new format of Web. December 2003 and January 2004 minutes will be posted Sunday.

Activities: Glen Malchow

Gary Williams Memorial Potluck Dinner: Ticket count 270; estimated 320

Need to look for new potluck venue for next year

Regulatory: James Johnson

Annual report with TN Sec. of State will be filed tonight

Membership: Ford Colclasure absent

167 members have paid 2004 dues.

Membership dues are tax deductible, as are contributions and memorials

Bob Waters proposes Members’ Meeting the first Thursday of the month as opposed to Business Meeting

Education: no member present

Budget covers 2 workshops a month

GRASS: Bonnie Dumas

GRASS provided aid to Quinn family: $200 gift card

Planning a bake sale on Saturday at May festival. Announcement needs to go in April Newsgrass

Kroger cards sold at Pot Luck. Clarification needed regarding use of Kroger card proceeds: all to Grass or general fund? Outreach obligation this year is to serve schools and nursing homes. Such community outreach qualifies as GRASS

Welcoming/Caring: Loyce Smith

Erna Wheeley will send cards; Jo Edith get phone numbers and e-mail into Newsgrass $14.14 for nametags (plastic). Members John and Barney were ill this past month, but they are on the road to recovery.

Jim Phillips and Burt Weesner are in charge of nametags

Jim recommends $200 budget (in reserve for stamps, cards, funeral wreath)

BUDGET

Budgets received from all committees and submitted to membership by President as required in bylaws. Budget discussion. Motion made and seconded to accept $10,000 budget as submitted.

New Business

Fall Festival: John Gay and Mike Albert

Bill Monroe Foundation fund raiser. Venues considered: Canale Farms, Ornamental Metal Museum, and Mud Island. Negotiations underway with Mud Island (no charge to MABA, public free, MABA could get part of concession proceeds, could sell merchandise, and solicit donations, Mud Island would advertise event, possible charge for workshops).

Date of September 11 discussed.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

The next general meeting will be at Lord of Life on March 4, 2004

Minutes submitted by Meg Waters (at request of secretary Pat Cooper)