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

Minutes of June 2006 Meeting
June 18, 2006

The June Meeting for I.B.M. Ring 362 was scheduled to be held at the Sebasticook Valley Community Center (SVCC) in Newport on June 18, 2006 at 2:30 pm. Members found the Sebasticook Valley Community Center locked, and were unable to locate any SVCC board members to get it unlocked. The meeting relocated to the Friar's Bakehouse, 21 Central Street in Bangor, where Brother Don Paul offered not only great hospitality, but cool refreshments as well. Wes Booth surprised everyone by ordering pizza to compensate for the inconvenience of the relocation.

The scheduled Coin Magic teaching table was cancelled, and magical performances were postponed until after the business meeting.

The meeting was chaired by Alan Drew with no public agenda. Alan made a motion to use informal rules of order, which have not yet been defined. The motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the minutes of the May meeting as published on the Ring's web site and in The Rapping Hand. The motion passed.

Treasurer Randy Von Smith reported that the Ring's Treasury has a negative balance, with money owed to the Secretary and Treasurer for the costs of postage and incorporation, and to other members for various small costs. The balance is on the order of -$20.00.

In Old Business, Randy Von Smith reported on incorporation as a nonprofit, which must be completed prior to the public show on July 4. Randy has been in contact with the state Attorney General's office and has reviewed the forms for incorporation. Randy pointed out that he is following the general guidelines as published on the web by the I.B.M., and will incorporate prior to the public show on July 4.

In Old Business, Alan reported no progress on the scheduling of Charter Night. The current International President, Roger Miller, has been unavailable due to prior committments. Alan suggested that the October meeting might be a good opportunity, and that he will find out when Bob Nixon, the Territorial Vice Presdent, is available. Brother Don Paul offered the use of the Friar's Bakehouse as a venue for Charter Night, pointing out that it is normally closed, and hence available, on Sunday, and that its location in Bangor provided better media access. In the discussion that followed, members talked about having sandwiches at the Friar's Bakehouse using donated bread and other ingredients supplied by members. Members also discussed setting up a table for close-up performance. A motion was made and seconded to schedule the Charter Night meeting at the Friar's Bakehouse. The motion carried.

In Old Business, Alan reported on his proposed Parlour Magic contest, suggesting that it be held after the October meeting. The rules for the contest have not yet been written, but will closely follow the Close-up Contest rules used at the I.B.M. Convention. He described the award as a magic wand that does "real magic." There will also be an award for originality.

In Old Business, members reported on the Ring's first fundraising show, the All-Star Magical Revue to be held at the Criterion Theatre on July 4. The first rehearsal is scheduled for Sunday, June 25, at the Sebasticook Valley Community Center at 2:30 pm. The purpose of the rehearsal is to permit Stage and Theater Management Committee members Randy and Geoff to compile information on prop placement, movement of props and people, and timing of the acts. Geoff will use easy-off tape to simulate the dimensions of the Criterion stage. Randy and Geoff stressed the limitations of the Criterion Theatre, with no floor lights, no follow spot, and difficulty in arranging opening and closing of the main curtain. All performers using music must deliver their music on CD to Paul Szauter prior to rehearsal, and all talking acts must use amplification. Wes reported that he will not be using music. Geoff reported that he will arrange a sound test in the Criterion Theatre prior to the performance in order to determine whether Paul's Fender PD-250 will be adequate for the performance or whether arrangements must be made to use the house sound system at additional expense.

Performers Dr. Wilson, Professor Miller, Wes Booth and Alan Drew are required to be at rehearsal on June 25, and at the second rehearsal on July 2 at the Sebasticook Valley Community Center at 2:30 pm.

In New Business, Alan Drew spoke on the formation of an I.B.M. Youth Group, proposing that youth meeting be held before regular Ring meetings. There was some discussion on the format for the meetings involving youth. Brother Don pointed out that due to concerns over liability, there should be a minimum of two adult Ring members present for every youth meeting, and that one parent must be present for each youth. In addition, it was proposed that youth members normally be excluded from the regular Ring meeting, especially the interminable business meeting. After considerable further discussion, Randy Von Smith called for any members who were interested in volunteering for the youth program to identify themselves. No members expressed any interest in volunteering, and the discussion was tabled.

In New Business, Dayton Salisbury proposed that flyers on the I.B.M. be distributed at the July 4 show. As the Ring had earlier decided not to print programs for the show, and because there is not much time before the show, with many other details to be attended to, this idea was tabled.

In Old Business, Wes Booth reported on the public show to benefit the Sebasticook Valley Community Center to be held on September 16. Wes has been in touch with the SVCC board, which has not yet decided whether to hold the performance as part of a larger, family day event, or as an isolated event. Wes has communicated to the SVCC board that the Ring wishes to be involved in publicity and promotion of the event. A motion was made and seconded to move the Ring's September 17 business meeting to September 16, following the performance, and to postpone member performances to a subsequent Ring meeting. The motion passed.

Wes reported that the September show is still in need of a title. He reported that performers currently available on September 16 are Professor Miller, Dr. Wilson, Alan Drew, Wes Booth, Danny Baker, Conjuring Carroll and possibly Brother Don. He further reported that he will be staging a publicity stunt at the local food bank two weeks before the show, making 100-300 pounds of spaghetti appear, depending on how much he can arrange to have donated.

In Old Business, Geoffrey Miller volunteered as Ring Historian, and Alan Drew appointed him.

In New Business, the Bylaws require nominations for officers to be made final by October 1. The Board will compile a list of candidates for elective office at the business meeting on September 16. There was a call for members interested in running for office to contact the Secretary.

In New Business, members discussed a dinner out or potluck to accompany the installation of officers following the election in January 2007.

In New Business, Brother Don reported that the prior I.B.M. Ring in Maine, Ring 196, is listed as an inactive nonprofit. Brother Don has written to request that the remaining funds be transferred to I.B.M. Ring 362. Several hundred dollars remain in the account.

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