MEMBERS MEETING
March 3, 2005
President Sam Ketchum called the meeting to order a 7:03 pm.
11 members present
Secretary’s Report: (Submitted by Sam Ketchum for Pat Cooper). Motion made to accept Secretary’s report with minor corrections.
Treasurer’s Report: (Submitted by Craig Yarbrough) Accepted as read.
Funds were transferred from Kroger Gift Card and General Fund to Grass Fund.
Committee Reports:
Communications Mark Winborn
Sam reported that the April NewsGrass would not be sent to those members who have not renewed their membership.
Yahoo News Group – Mike Albert (no report)
Website – Keith Carter (no report)
NewsGrass – Mark Winborn (absent)
March NewsGrass has been printed and will be distributed this coming Saturday.
MABA is looking for someone willing to mail NewsGrass to membership.
Activities – John Gay
Sam reported that John is still working with the folks at the Collierville Historic Town Square Commission to find a permanent home for MABA. One Saturday in May, an informal pickin session will be held at the town square.
Regulatory – James Johnson
Bill Dutton inspected and presented annual cash receipts and disbursements for the year 2004 in compliance with MABA bylaws. No significance errors or omission were noted. A copy of the report was given to president Sam Ketchum and copies distributed to the members. A 45% increase in the bank balance was noted for Year 2004.
Bill then went on to recommend that as MABA continues to grow, it will be important to improve internal controls with respect to segregation of duties concerning making and recording of cash deposits.
Sam thanked Bill for all his time and effort spent in compiling this report.
Membership –Craig Yarbrough and Sam Ketchum for Helen Davis
We currently have 190 paid-up members, 10 honorary members, for a total of 200.
Education Jim Phillips
John Gay, along with Lawrence Fortney, will conduct a mandolin and guitar workshop on March 24th. The workshop will be held at the home of Lawrence Fortney.
Jim
Phillips will hold a harmony workshop in mid-April. The workshop will be held
in
Tommy George expressed interest in holding an instrument repair workshop.
Jim is aiming to have one workshop per month,
Jim also suggested that members should hold informal workshops during Saturday jams at Lord of Life.
On March 21st, the Memphis Flying Club will have a fundraiser for the Flying Club in
GRASS – Helen Davis
Involvement in community is as follows:
Delta Blue: ATRIA, Riverdale,
Landmark of Desoto.
Grand Valley Lakes Women’s Club at Grand Valley Lakes Lodge,
benefit
for maintenance and upkeep of
Cypress Creek,
Coley and Marylyn Graves, Humboldt Nursing Home, Humboldt, TN, Feb. 17
Lea Talley, Steve Craig, Larry Hime, Bruce White,
Doc Adams, Christine Donhardt, Andy Williamson, and Gerald Goforth,
Collierville Rehabilitation Center, Feb. 15
Ned Plunk, Ron Thurmond, Bobby Holland, James Russom, Jesse Russom, Sue
Russom and Jack McDivitt, Dunlap Retirement Center, Tipton County, Feb. 19
Loosahatchie Grass, Millington Health Care
Center, Millington, Feb. 20
GRASS Committee Report: February
2005:
The Grass Committee made a donation in the amount of $500.00 to liver
transplant recipient, Vance Rich, at a benefit which
was held for him on Saturday, February 19, 2005 at the Raleigh United
Methodist Church, at the corner of Coleman & Powers Rd in
Memphis, TN. His wife, Montese Rich, received the donation for her
husband.
On Thursday, February 24, 2005, the GRASS Committee was represented by
Helen Currie Davis at the Memphis Health Care & Rehab Center as part of
their project for "Bluegrass Music and Ice Cream Social". Music was
provided by Delta Blue Bluegrass Gospel. Ice cream and soft drinks were
provided by GRASS to the residents at a cost of $ 25.79. They were
served by Ms. Georgie McKee, who books shows for Delta Blue, Ms. Ann
Rines, wife of Delta Blue guitarist, Bill Rines, and Helen, Samuel and
Abigail Davis. Samuel also played banjo with Delta Blue playing "Prayer
Bells" and "I Saw The Light". The residents had a great
afternoon.
Total Expenses by GRASS for the month of February $525.79
GRASS EXPENSES YEAR TO DATE: $559.93
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GRASS Committee Report: January 2005
On Sunday, January 23, 2005 the GRASS Committee provided the residents of
Ave Marie Assisted Living ice cream and soft drinks at a cost of $34.14
as part of their project "Bluegrass Music and Ice Cream Social".
Loosahatchie Grass provided the music. The residents were served by
Helen, Samuel and Abigail Davis, Henrietta Smith and Savannah Craig.
Total Expenses by GRASS for the month of January $34.14
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Lucy Opry – Will Mays, Woody Marshall (absent)
Doyle Lawson will be at Lucy on Sunday, March 13th at 2:00
The Larry Stephenson Band will be at Lucy on April 1st at 8:00 pm
Welcoming/Caring – Loyce Smith, Jo Edith & James Hudson, Erna Wheeley (absent)
Sam reported that Peter Smith is doing well.
Thelbert Honing was in the VA hospital last week, but has returned home.
New Business:
MABA Recording Concert
Mike Albert is organizing another MABA CD recording as a “snapshot” of MABA circa 2005. The event is tentatively set for Sunday July 24th. The following format was outlined:
- The Recording Concert will be conducted
like the last one, with groups performing three public domain or original
songs. One song from each group will be selected to be included on the
final CD.
- Each group will do a brief sound check
prior to beginning their set.
- Everyone who is a member of MABA is
eligible and encouraged to participate. If not already part of a group,
members are encouraged to form groups.
- Non-members are encouraged to join MABA
and participate.
- We anticipate being able to handle 18
groups, on a “first come – first served” basis.
- The Recording Concert will be open to
the public.
Possible venues were discussed and Mike will check on the availability of these and present his findings at the April MABA Members meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
Celebrity Readers’ Day
Craig and Bob participated in Celebrity Readers Day on March 2nd at Oak Elementary School where they read and played music for Mrs. Colley’s second grade class. This is the second year that MABA members have participated in this event. Bob and Craig were presented with certificates of appreciation and were asked to autograph two new books for the second grade class.
Bunny Run
Karen Hudson is involved in putting on another bunny run to support special kids. The event will take place on March 25th at Audubon Park. Karen would like two or more bands if possible to participate; one at the finish and the other at a mid-way point. The event will begin at 9:00 am but musicians should arrive by 8:30 am.
Jim Phillips raised concern that we are outgrowing the facility at Lord of Life and that we should begin looking for a larger place to meet on Saturdays. The new Kingsway Christian Church on Poplar Avenue was suggested as a place to investigate.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:25 pm.