I.B.M. Ring 362
The Maine Mystics
Bangor, Maine

Minutes of July 2007 Meeting
July 15, 2007

The July Meeting of I.B.M. Ring 362 was held at the Friars' Bakehouse in Bangor, Maine, on July 15, 2007, at 3:00 pm. The theme of the meeting was Easy Come, Easy Go (Productions and Vanishes). Please see the Ring Report for details of the performances.

Danny Baker called the meeting to order. He cited a set of simplified Rules of Order that have been made available as a PDF on the Ring's web site, which were adopted as the Rules of Order for the meeting.

The agenda for the meeting had been made available in advance, and Danny Baker called for the adoption of the agenda, which was approved without amendment.

The minutes for the June meeting were approved without amendment.

Treasurer Randy Von Smith presented a Treasurer's Report summarizing the financial aspects of the All-Star Magical Revue. The projected expenses are from the Executive Meeting of April 7, 2007.

Income from the All-Star Magical Revue was projected using last year's number of $800. Actual income from the gate is expected to be about $700 (minimum). Ad sales were $430. This would give a total income of $1130 for a net of $392.

Current bank balances were not available. The Ring funds include the following amounts in endowments: Elliott Endowment ($70), Ring Name Plaque Endowment ($40), Chung Ling Soo Endowment ($20), and Max Malini Endowment ($20). Members voted to approve the Treasurer's Report.

In Old Business, Randy closed out the discussion of the All-Star Magical Revue by pointing out that besides the financial aspects, the All-Star Magical Revue served to build interest in magic, magic classes, magic contests and more, expanding the audience for magic.

In Old Business, the Ring's first effort at promoting youth magic, magic classes at SFOA in July, began July 9. Kim Hawkins is the instructor and Dr. Wilson has been a guest lecturer. Several Ring members (Danny Baker, Bryan-Keith Taylor, Kim Hawkins and Dr. Wilson) have donated supplies. Kim will distibute a form (requiring parental signature) to get names and addresses of magic class students for a Ring mailing list.

In Old Business, the Secretary reported that the Worldwide Escape Artist Relay 2007, scheduled for October 27, 2007, has 68 registrants from twelve countries.

In New Business, Contest Official Paul Szauter reported on the Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition, scheduled for September 8. He distributed a handout with rules for the Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition, registration requirements, and a draft of the technical requirements form.

The first draft of the technical requirements for the Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition had an absolute ban on fire. Brother Don pointed out that All Souls can have candles and matches; the technical requirements form will be amended to allow these two fire items. Brother Don reported that All Souls can get a follow spot and possibly other lighting. Since we can get early access to the venue, Brother Don suggested allowing rehearsal time at the option of the performer. Danny will bring his Spiderflex backdrop and set the two parts up on either side, with Paul's backdrop filling the center. This configuration was used for the Cavalcade of Magic at the SVCC in September 2006. The dimensions of the stage (about eight feet deep and twenty feet wide) will be added to the technical requirements form.

To fill time between acts and during the judges deliberation at the Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition, Brother Don offered to recruit musicians from the congregation of All Souls, both to perform during the judge's deliberations and to cover transitions between the acts.

The Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition is a public show with a Show Committee consisting of Paul Szauter (Talent Coordination and General Show Chair), Randy Von Smith (Stage and Theater Management), and Wes Booth (Publicity and Ticket Sales). Ring members who are not competing are encouraged to volunteer to assist by contacting the Show Committee.

In New Business, Ring members have recently engaged in charity events:

• Threepenny Magic Show, 6/09/2007 (fundraiser for Town Hill Playground)
• Max Malini Parlor Magic Contest, 6/10/2007 (fundraiser for All Souls Congregational)
• Charity Performance at Bangor VA Clinic, 6/16/2007 (charity show)
• All-Star Magical Revue, 7/04/2007 (fundraiser for Criterion Theatre and Arts Center)

Charity events are defined as events that raise funds for nonprofit organizations other than I.B.M. Ring 362, and free performances at hospitals, nursing homes, and the like. Members are encouraged to report all charity events that they have engaged in. The Secretary will prepare an annual summary of charity activity by Ring members.

In New Business, Danny Baker appointed Brother Don Paul, Carroll Chapman, and Bryan-Keith Taylor to the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee will present a list of nominees for Ring office in 2008 before the end of August 2007. Members are reminded that they can still petition for nomination for Ring office, even if they are not nominated by the Nominating Committee.

In response to questions on the nomination of the Territorial Vice President, the Secretary reported that the TVP is permitted to hold Ring office, and that a Ring officer can be nominated for TVP. The TVP serves a two-year term. Members interested in seeking nomination for TVP should consider attending the joint I.B.M./S.A.M. meeting in the summer of 2008, where a TVP for Maine will be nominated. Any I.B.M. member residing in Maine not nominated at that meeting may petition for nomination by submitting a petition on an official form to the International Office. The petition must contain the signatures of at least twenty I.B.M. members in Maine, and must be notarized. The petition must be submitted by a date to be announced, probably in February 2009.

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

Following the formal meeting, Brother Don requested more Teaching Tables. There are offers from Geoffrey Miller (Coin Box Magic) and Dr. Wilson (Publicity). The Board will seek out additional members who are willing to present a Teaching Table, and schedule these for upcoming meetings.