MUSIC PARENT’S ASSOCIATION

MINUTES

September 11, 2006

The meeting was called to order by President Richard Anderson at 7:02 p.m.  A Motion was made (Pat Brune) and seconded (Susan Anderson) to accept the Minutes for the August meeting.  Motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report:  Pat Brune reported on the current MPA finances.  There was a beginning balance in the account of $1,557.79.  Three deposits (from membership dues and Pirate Card sales) were made on August 31 totaling $1,735.00.  Expenses were reported at $140.12 (Richard Anderson bought paint for the senior signs).  The ending balance is $3,252.67

Department Reports:

Instrumental Department (Band):  Mr. Jones reminded us that the first competition will be held in Raytown on Saturday, September 23rd.  The following week will be the competition in Clarinda, IA on September 30th.  No information about the competition is yet available, but Mr. Jones will keep everyone informed as he receives further details.  He mentioned that, due to the increase in the size of the band, we have moved up into a higher class and we’ll be competing against schools such as Blue Springs and Lawrence Free State.  We’ll have the smallest band in this class (we have only nine students more than the cutoff for class size) and it could be very difficult to “place” at the field competitions.  In street marching we do very well.  

Jazz Band:  Mr. Bonsignore reported the Jazz Band will be ordering shirts.  Each shirt will cost $25.00 (each student will be responsible for $20.00 and the band account will pay $5.00).  The shirts are the same as last year’s, so only new students must purchase one. 

Mr. Bonsignore gave us the following e-mail address that has all competition information, i.e. whether or not parents need to buy tickets, the times of the different events, etc.:  www.midwestmarching.com. 

Mr. Bonsignore also mentioned that Sandy Rasmussen had given him some information about a fundraiser available through Standard Parking.  Standard Parking does all the parking for Verizon Theater and Kemper Arena.  They will pay $8/hour for people to work.  It is a straight fundraiser and we receive all the money that band people earn while working.

The first Jazz Band concert is October 17^th.

Color Guard:  No report.

Booster Club Liaison Report:  Syl Washington said volunteers are needed at the concession stand for JV football, volleyball, etc.  He said that getting concession stand help during the Varsity Football games was easy, but that to be viable partners with the Booster Club, the MPA needs to help out.  He reminded the members that some of the events, such as volleyball games, start earlier (around 4:30) than football and if you volunteer to help you may need to change your schedule to allow you to be there early enough to set up.  He has a full list of members and will be calling to sign people up to work in the concession stand.

Committee Reports:

Membership:  Susan Anderson reported that we have 73 members to date.

Communications:  Stacy Evans was not present, but Susan Anderson reminded us that the next newsletter goes out soon.  If anyone has something they wish to put in the newsletter, please forward the information to Stacy.  Details about the light show will be in the newsletter.

Trailer/Transportation:  George Bundy will pick up the new trailer on Tuesday, September 12.  The Purchase Order is at the Central Office.  MPA will repay the $1,006.41 to Mr. Jones’ band account when the Booster Club check is received. 

Awards/Recognition:  Linda Jenkins gave out welcome bags to the freshmen at the August end-of-band-camp potluck.  They were enjoyed by the students.   Linda plans to give out gift bags to the seniors on Senior Night.

Home Tailgates:   Marion Poole reported on the success of the Taco Tailgate on September 1.     She thanked everyone who donated food and/or helped out.   She informed us that the next tailgate will be Homecoming on October 13^th, and that they are planning a spaghetti dinner.

Away Tailgates:  Nora Bean volunteered to be in charge of away tailgate meals.  She reminded everyone that the first away tailgate will be on Sept. 23^rd at the Raytown competition.  She is considering feeding the students BBQ, and will give out more information as she gets it.  She requested more help with away tailgates.

Ways and Means:  Dawn Jochim has volunteered to be in charge of Ways and Means.  She was not present, but Susan Anderson reported the following:  Pirate Cards are doing well.  The printing error (regarding Smoke Box BBQ) has been corrected and new cards have been issued.  Mr. Bonsignore mentioned that the Paxton teachers were asking about Pirate Cards.  Susan Anderson said she will send a flyer over to Paxton.  Country Mart sent out their second check today.  It was sent to the Central Office and is paid to the order of PCR3 MPA.  Richard Anderson requested that Mr. Jones and Mr. Bonsignore watch for it when it gets sent to the High School from Central Office.  Gate workers for the antique show are still needed for October 21 & 22.  Because of the competition at Maryville on the 21st, Susan Anderson will be asking choir parents to work that day.  We need band parents to volunteer for Sunday, Oct. 22nd.  Susan passed around a sign-up sheet for this.

Old Business: 

Senior yard signs--Richard Anderson said the yard signs are almost completed.  The steel portions of the signs need to be returned to MPA at the end of the year, as they will be used again next year.

Uniforms--All uniform repairs are done, except one, which is still being altered.

T-Shirts--will be reprinted at the expense of the printer.  All the errors have been corrected, and Platte County R-3 has been added to the shirts (it was not on the old one).  Mr. Jones said that students do NOT need to turn in their old shirts, nor do they need to pay any more money.

New Business: 

By-Laws Committee--Please contact Susan Anderson if you are interested in being a part of this committee to look over the By-Laws, make suggestions for changes, and present these to the MPA in Spring 2007.  Susan and Richard Anderson, Pat Brune, and Ruth Wilson have all expressed an interest in serving on this committee.

Light Show--To avoid the problems of uniformity that have occurred in the past, MPA will purchase all the supplies (tape, light sticks, etc.) required for the light show.  Using white glow sticks on the ankles, rather than flashlights, has been suggested by Stacy Evans.  Mr. Jones approved the change at this meeting.  Stacy will order the light sticks.  It is estimated that each student will need to pay an $8.00 fee to cover costs for this.  George Bundy and Syl Washington requested that there be extra light sticks and necklaces to sell to the crowd to raise funds.  They sold well last year, but there were not enough.  Susan Anderson said she will ask Stacy to send out e-mails to keep everyone informed about the light show.

Miscellaneous:

New families who were not at the last meeting introduced themselves.

Water bottles--a reminder was given that those with last names starting with A-L need to bring in their water bottles.  Those whose last names start with M-Z will bring in their water bottles in October.  Mr. Jones said students can just bring them to early band.

Adjournment:  The meeting was adjourned at 7:37 p.m.  The next meetings are on October 9, November 13, and December 11.

Respectfully Submitted,

Ruth Wilson