I.B.M. Ring 362
Dr. James William Elliott Ring
Bangor, Maine

Minutes of April 2006 Meeting
April 23, 2006

The April Meeting for I.B.M. Ring 362 was held at the Sebasticook Valley Community Center in Newport on April 23, 2006. The meeting began at 3:00 pm with magical performances. The performances were followed by the business meeting.

The theme of the performances was Gambling Effects. Dr. Wilson was the emcee. This was also the day of the first Dr. James William Elliott Card Challenge. Please see the Ring Report for a description of the performances and the competition.

The raffle for a set of cups and balls that Danny Baker donated raised $16 for the Ring. Bob Nixon won the cups.

A motion was made to run the meeting by a relaxed version of Robert's Rules of Order, rather than the full formal version. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

The Secretary presented the minutes of the March meeting, which had been published on the web site and in the newsletter, for approval. The minutes were approved unanimously.

The Treasurer made a report. There is approximately $71 in the treasury, $40 in an endowment to purchase a plaque for the Ring Name history, and $5 remaining in the Dr. James William Elliott endowment. Upcoming expenses include approximately $40 to incorporate as a nonprofit and unknown expenses leading to the public show on the Fourth of July.

In Old Business, Alan Drew reported no progress on scheduling Charter Night.

Three items were raised in new business: 1) a public show for the Sebasticook Valley Community Center to compensate them for the use of the building, 2) the All-Star Magical Revue at the Criterion Theatre on the Fourth of July, and 3) Parlour Magic Contest.

Wes Booth proposed a date of Saturday, September 16 for the public show at the Sebasticook Valley Community Center. He also suggested that the Ring meeting scheduled for Sunday, September 17, be cancelled, and that any Ring business be conducted on Saturday. The Sebasticook Valley Community Center may be interested in a matinee performance prior to a fundraising dinner that they would organize. Members were asked to mark their calendars and hold the date if possible. The prior Saturday (September 9) is too close to the beginning of school for effective promotion; the following Saturday (September 23) conflicts with the Common Ground Fair.

Paul Szauter discussed the All-Star Magical Revue at the Criterion Theatre on the Fourth of July at 2:00 pm. The theater seats almost 800 downstairs. We have proposed ticket prices of $8 for adults/$5 for 12 and under. The gate will be split 50-50 between the Ring and the Criterion Theatre. The Criterion is counting on income from concessions, so we will not be selling anything in the lobby. The Ring will organize an entry in the parade at 10:00 pm, with the goal of generating publicity and distributing discount coupons for the show (free child admission with the purchase of an adult ticket).

Members offered many good ideas for the show. Danny Baker, who will not be able to perform, will loan the Ring a large tip-over trunk for use in the show. Danny also suggested using a Sign Girl to announce each act by changing the signs on an easel on stage; he suggested selling ads on the back of the signs. So far, performers who have committed to the show include Alan Drew, Wes Booth, Dr. Wilson, Professor Miller, and Eostara Dancers. Randy Von Smith will help backstage; Aubrey Smith will perform as a stooge from the audience. Stan Davis might perform.

Randy and Geoff informed us that they will be visiting the Criterion Theatre on April 30 to make measurements, take photographs, and otherwise assess the technical aspects of the theater.

Paul announced that Eostara will be performing on Saturday, April 29, from 7:00 - 9:00 pm at the Bar Harbor YWCA, in case any members want to see them in action.

Alan announced that he would create the rules for, organize, and endow the Parlour Magic Contest. Details will be provided in the future.

With no further business at hand, a motion was made to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.