MEMPHIS AREA BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION

MEMBERS MEETING 

Minutes May 6, 2004

 

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

16 members present. 

 

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

 

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

 

Committee reports:

 

Membership: Helen Davis provided written report per Bob Waters:

  • Total members: 227 paid, 74 unpaid including 12 honorary. Total = 313
  • 3 new members into MABA at the BPAC Festival, 10-15 prospects.
  • Discussion of Band Memberships. 
  • Motion made and passed: If there is a MABA member in a band, then the band can link to the MABA Website

 

Communications: Wayne Morris

  • Wayne will be covering for Keith Carter for the next 2 weeks
  • Wayne asked that we discuss requests by proprietors for linking to our website. Discussion followed. A motion made and passed: Anything that promotes bluegrass in our area, or provides a forum for people to play, and is wholesome was approved, but the members left open the option for a case-by-case discussion. The Members do not want those maintaining the website to be burdened with having to make all the decisions alone, or to have to come to the President and Board with each decision.  This will be placed on the agenda in the future for policy development.
  • Jim Phillips suggested that we make sure MABA events are listed in Playbook.  Pat Cooper will call the Commercial Appeal to work on this.

 

Yahoo News Group (Mike Albert)

§         There are 160 signed-up for the newsgroup

§          

Newsgrass-

  • Editor-Mark Winborn thanked all for contributing great stories and news.
  • Commercial Appeal-County or township sections will continue highlighting MABA stories.  Effort will be made to involve DeSoto County as there is a DeSoto Bluegrass event coming up.
  • Some concern over quality of photos in Newsgrass but all agreed that the articles from and about local members were where are emphasis should continued to be placed.
  • Bob Turner will send out a letter with the new member application to inform individuals about the Kroger Card and how it benefits GRASS and MABA education.

 

Education: No report this month. A banjo workshop is in the works for late June or early July.

 

Activities: Glenn Malchow

  • Glenn discussed possible picnic dates for the fall and will coordinate the picnic with upcoming events at Lucy Opry on Sept 19th and The Bill Monroe Festival at Mud Island on September 25th.

Regulatory: James Johnson

  • The 1st quarterly tax forms were filed for April and but we can begin filing those annually as a result of a new regulatory change.

GRASS: Bonnie Dumas

  • Bake sale will be held at the BPAC on May 15th to raise money for GRASS.
  • Next GRASS meeting will be on July 10th.
  • Gift bags will be made for the Ave Marie Residential Care Facility at the July meeting.
  • We need musicians for Ave Maria Residential Care Facility from 2-4 pm on July 17th.
  • A VA event is in the planning.

Lucy Opry: Woody Marshall

  •  Excellent turn out for the Bartlett Performing Arts Festival.  Bob W. encouraged all of us to help out as much as we can to support that effort. Per Beth Mays, 1200 attended, Sat night show sold out with 350 in attendance
  • May 11, Mark Newton tickets go on sale

 

New Business:

  • Bunny Run fundraiser for Special kids was held on April 10th at Audubon Park & letter of appreciation was provided.
  • A Ducks Unlimited weekend is coming up June 4, 5 & 6th with 9-10 hours of Bluegrass.  On these dates, at lunchtime, there will be a cabin porch.  Bob W. and Craig Y. will arrange for a band s and sound system. Food and tickets provided for bands.
  • Bob Waters: CPR training to members dates: 
    • June 19th, from 9-12 am.  Others will be planned and there has been sufficient sign-up to have the class.  Bob W. is arranging.

 

Meeting adjourned:  8:50 pm, next meeting June 3, 2004.