MEMPHIS AREA BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION

MEMBERS MEETING 

Minutes, March 4, 2004

 

President Bob Waters called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

23 members in attendance.

 

Secretary’s report: (Pat Cooper) Accepted with corrections.

Treasurer’s report: (Craig Yarborough) Accepted as read.

 

Committee Reports:

 

Membership: (Ford Colclasure/Helen Davis)

·        Ford Colclasure resigned as Chairman of the Membership Committee because of personal health problems. Helen Davis was nominated by Jim Phillips (Board member) and seconded by Beth Mays (Board member) to replace Ford as the new Chairperson of the Membership Committee. Helen agreed to serve. President Bob Waters expressed gratitude to Ford for his dedicated service to MABA and also thanked Helen for accepting the new chairmanship responsibilities.

·        Total members: 196 paid-up members.

 

Communications: Wayne Morris

·        Yahoo News Group

There are 150 registered participants in the newsgroup.

It was suggested there be a memorial page/tribute to past members. Suggestion discussed and tabled for now.

 

·        Newgrass: Editor-Mark Winborn

Mark stated that we need to identity a new person to step-into the graphics and design position.

Mark also encouraged submission of articles for Newsgrass from all MABA members.

Jim Phillips commended Mark and the Newsgrass staff for the last few issues that focused on MABA members and local activities.

MABA brochures will be updated to focus more on what MABA has to offer prospective members. Peter Smith offered to look into the printing of the brochures.

Motion made by Craig Yarbrough and seconded by Jim Phillips to run 100 extra copies of Newsgrass each month to be distributed  to prospective new members. Motion passed.

 

Education: John Gay

·        The guitar workshop taught by Cliff Albright was a success.

·        A mandolin workshop is planned for the near future; date to be determined.  

 

Activities: Glen Malchow

·        No report.

 

Regulatory: James Johnson

·        Bill Dutton presented results of the Finance Audit Committee for Year 2003. Motion made by Sam Ketchum and seconded by Larry Bomar to accept the 2003 financial report. Beth (Chair), Bill, Cliff were thanked by Bob Waters for their time and diligent effort in putting the report together. 

 

G.R.A.S.S. Beth Mays

·        Beth reported on a mother and children needing assistance from GRASS.

·        Bake sale planned for May 1st to raise money for GRASS

·        United Methodist Neighborhood Center thanked GRASS for their financial help in providing assistance to a family.

·        Beth and Bob Turner asked that we clarify several issues in regard to financial support of Grass:

1. How much of the proceeds from the Kroger Gift Cards will be given to GRASS?

2. Will GRASS be able to retain unspent money from the 2003 budget?

3. Will GRASS be given their requested budget even though they have funds left over from Year 2003?

Discussion:  Motion made by James Johnson for GRASS to retain unspent money from Year 2003. Motion to approve seconded and carried.

Motion made by Bob Turner for a percentage of the Kroger Gift Card rebate to be designated for GRASS. The motion was tabled until we have a better idea of the money generated by the gift cards.

 

Lucy Opry: Beth Mays

·         The Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver Concert has sold-out.

 

Slow Jam- Sam Ketchum

·        No report.

 

New Business:

·        John Gay is working with a group of MABA members to put-on a Fall Festival at Mud Island. Points of discussion are event date, concessions, and proceeds. The festival will also provide some support for the Bill Monroe Foundation.

·        Mike Albert purchased 30 Gary-Award figurines to be used on plaques presented to future recipients.

·        Bob Waters discussed how much the nursing home residents at the Collierville Health and Rehabilitation Center and the children at the Oak Elementary School schools enjoyed the bluegrass music programs put-on by MABA members. He also encouraged other members to become involved.

·        Bob discussed his concern about having member-updates during the Saturday jams at Lord of Life and how best to provide information to members who are unable to attend the monthly members’ meeting.

·        Bob is meeting with a group from Ducks Unlimited concerning the feasibility of have MABA groups play at the Great Outdoors Festival this spring.

 

 

Meeting adjourned:  8:45 pm