MEMPHIS AREA BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION

MEMBERS MEETING

October 7, 2004

 

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

23 members present

 

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

 

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

 

Committee reports:

  Membership: Helen Davis

     Helen reported to Bob that we had 273 members as of 10/6/04.

 

  Communications: Wayne Morris

Wayne announced that he will not be able to head Communications next year. Bob thanked Wayne for his outstanding service to MABA.

  Brochure holders: Placement of brochures was identified in various venues around Memphis and Shelby County.

     Yahoo News Group – Mike Albert

     Website – Keith Carter

       Keith indicated that he still needs photos from Riverfest for Website.

 

Activities: Glenn Malchow

The Fall Picnic will be held on October 16th at Shelby Farms.

 

Four MABA bands (Wolf River Travelers, Critical Path, Too Far Gone, and Cyprus Creek) will play at the Agricenter on October 9th. A donation will be made to MABA by Agricenter International.

 

Riverfest – John Gay reported that the first Annual Bluegrass Riverfest held (September 25, 2004) at Mud Island was a great success. More than 1,200 individuals attended the festival. Mud Island representatives told John that this was the largest single day turnout they have had. Plans will be shortly underway for the second Annual Bluegrass Riverfest.

     Suggestions for next year included: better concessions, higher quality tee shirt, longer playing hours extending into the evening, more sponsors. Money was raised, in part, for the Bill Monroe Foundation.

     All applauded John’s leadership in organizing and overseeing the festival. Thanks to all MABA members for their participation.

 

Glenn indicated that Bill Dutton might know of a place for the next potluck dinner.

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  Regulatory: James Johnson

New gaming regulation for raffles requires advanced planning and along with the need to file application.

Cliff and Bonnie stated that we need letters of appreciation to Riverfest sponsors that include information on tax exemption.

 

Education: Cliff Albright

Request received for a finger style guitar workshop as well as a workshop on microphones and sound setup and usage. A microphone workshop has been set up for November 13, 2004.

 

G.R.A.S.S.: Bonnie Dumas

Can-goods drive will be held on Nov. 13th at LOL and also that evening at LUCY Opry. Info will appear on Website. Baskets will be taken to United Methodist Neighborhood Center for distribution.

 

Lucy Opry: Woody Marshall

Mike Snider will be at Lucy on November 13th. His last appearance was sold out so get your tickets early.

 

Welcoming/Caring: Loyce Smith

Report presented on three of our members.

 

New Business

·                    New winter venue sought for Tuesday night pickin; possibilities include Strings & Things and a local church around Yarbrough’s.

 

·  Interesting discussion on future needs of sound equipment for MABA sponsored events. Pro and cons were discussed and most agreed that it may not be in MABA’s best interest to purchase sound equipment at this time. When MABA is participating events where donations are made to MABA, and sound equipment is not available from our own bands, then we will look into renting sound equipment from an outside source.

 

·   Officers for 2005.

The nominating committee (Craig Yarbrough, Pat Cooper, Sam Ketchum, Cliff Albright, Jim Milford, and Bob Waters) met on September 9th at Bob’s home to propose a slate of candidates for new offices and committee chairs for 2005. The following names were proposed:

 

Officers:

President: Sam Ketchum

Vice President: Larry Bomar

Secretary: unfilled

Treasurer: Craig Yarbrough

 

Committee Chairpersons:

Communications: unfilled

       Website: Keith Carter

       NewsGrass: Mark Winborn

       Newsgroup: Mike Albert

Activities: John Gay

Education: Jim Phillips

Regulatory: James Johnson

Membership: Helen Davis

G.R.A.S.S.: Claire Turner

Lucy Opry: Woody Marshall

Welcoming/Caring: Loyce Smith, Jo Edith Hudson, and Erna Wheeley

 

At large member to Board of Directors: Mike Albert

 

Meeting Adjourned:  8:45 pm