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

Minutes of September 2007 Meeting
September 16, 2007

The September Meeting of I.B.M. Ring 362 was held at the Friars' Bakehouse in Bangor, Maine, on September 16, 2007, at 3:00 pm. The theme of the meeting was Big Box Magic.

A raffle was held for a Siegfried & Roy Commemorative Casino Chip, donated by an anonymous donor. Randy Von Smith won the raffle, which raised $14 for the Ring.

Dr. Wilson presented a Teaching Table on Publicity.

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 August meeting were approved without amendment.

Treasurer Randy Von Smith presented a Treasurer's Report. The Ring bank account has a total of $1417.33, with $318.00 in petty cash for a total of $1735.33. The Ring funds include a total of $387.17 in endowments: Ring Name Plaque Endowment ($140), Elliott Endowment ($110), Chung Ling Soo Endowment ($67.17), Max Malini Endowment ($60), and Lecture Endowment ($10). The amount in the Chung Ling Soo Endowment in this report assumes that the recommendation by the Board to transfer $50 to the Chung Ling Soo Endowment will be approved by the members (see below). Recent activity includes $135 in income from the gate split at the Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition and an expense of $36.89 to transfer a VHS videotape of the contest to DVD. Members voted to approve the Treasurer's Report.

In Old Business, Randy Von Smith reported that he had presented a proposal to the Board to transfer $50 of the $135 taken in at the 2007 Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition to the Chung Ling Soo Endowment. The Board unanimously approved the proposal, and is required by the Bylaws to submit the proposal to the members for approval. Randy moved to vote on the transfer of funds to the endowment. The motion was seconded, and passed by majority vote.

In Old Business, Paul Szauter, the Contest Official for the 2007 Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition, reported that the Criterion Theatre and Arts Center has requested that the 2008 contest be held at the Criterion Theatre in September 2008. There was strong support for this proposal, but no vote was taken. The Board will consider this following the election of officers for 2008.

In Old Business, the Secretary reported that the Worldwide Escape Artist Relay 2007, scheduled for October 27, 2007, has 89 registrants from thirteen countries. Local performers include Dr. Wilson, SFOA graduate Aidan Pasha, and possibly Danny Baker (not yet registered).

In Old Business, Danny Baker, Chair of the Talent Coordination Subcommittee and General Show Chair for the Legend of Houdini show at 7:00 pm on October 27, urged members to volunteer to work crew for the show. Members interested in working crew should contact Geoffrey Miller, the Chair of Stage and Theater Management. Members interested in helping with publicity should contact Paul Szauter, the chair of Publicity and Ticket Sales. Paul proposed a final rehearsal at the Criterion the day of the show at 3:00 pm. The show committee will contact performers and crew for a rehearsal prior to October 27.

In Old Business, Brother Don Paul reported on behalf of the Nominating Committee on nominations for 2008. Three offices are uncontested: President (Danny Baker), Secretary (Paul Szauter), and Treasurer (Randy Von Smith). Two offices are contested: Vice President (Carroll Chapman, Geoffrey Miller) and Sergeant At Arms (Matt Bennage, Kevin Roberge). The report of the Nominating Committee is posted on the Ring's website.

In Old Business, the Secretary reported on deadlines for the election. The deadline for nominations is October 1. Members not currently nominated for office who desire to be nominated should contact a member of the Nominating Committee (Brother Don Paul, Carroll Chapman, Bryan-Keith Taylor) if the office that they seek is uncontested, or submit a petition for nomination bearing the signatures of at least four Ring members to the Secretary. Candidates for contested offices will be given the opportunity to summarize their qualifications for office (up to 150 words), and to make a statement on their vision for the future of Ring 362 (up to 300 words). These statements will be posted on the Ring's website and published in The Rapping Hand. The deadline for candidate statements is November 1.

In Old Business, Carroll Chapman reported on the activities of the committee on Youth Instruction in Magic, formed at the January 2007 meeting. The committee is charged with developing written guidelines for youth magic instruction. Carroll Chapman reported that the committee is not yet in complete agreement, and has not yet completed a written policy. He outlined the proposal that has developed so far. Carroll proposes that a Youth Club meet one hour before the regular Ring meeting at the Friars' Bakehouse for a duration of one hour. Two Ring members and a parent must be present at all times. Carroll needs three Ring members to volunteer for this activity before proceeding. So far, Carroll is the only Ring member who has volunteered.

Brother Don Paul pointed out that while the Friars' Bakehouse is autonomous from the Diocese, the issue of liability is a serious one. Under no circumstances can there be unaccompanied youth in the Friars' Bakehouse, and regardless of Ring policy or votes, this issue may rule out the use of the Friars' Bakehouse.

Paul Szauter questioned attaching the Youth Club to Ring meetings, pointing out that this policy might have the effect of constraining the future Board from rescheduling meetings to avoid holidays, magic conventions, and the like, and from relocating meetings to promote other activities, for example, moving the Elliott Card Challenge to Rumford. He also pointed out, as Stan Davis had argued in January 2007, that it is far easier to promote youth magic instruction through existing programs, such as the Summer Festival of the Arts on Mount Desert Island, or the proposed SFOA extension to be held at the Criterion Theatre and Arts Center. Brother Don Paul said that the youth group at All Souls Congregational Church was very interested in magic instruction, especially if it were directed at permitting them to mount their own public fundraising show. The Bangor Public Library and the Children's Museum were also named as a possible locations for magic classes.

Brother Don Paul argued strongly for programs of limited duration with clearly defined goals to gain experience in youth instruction before attempting the formation of a magic club.

Randy Von Smith pointed out that there were not three members currently volunteering for the program; only Carroll Chapman had volunteered. He moved to table discussion of the Youth Program at Ring meetings until there were three volunteers. The motion was seconded, and passed.

In New Business, Scot Grassette made a report on Magic Week, sponsored by the Society of American Magicians. Scot's message on Magic Week is posted on the Ring's website. Activities include library displays in Portland, Rumford, Dixfield, and Mexico. Public shows include the Legend of Houdini show in Bar Harbor on October 27 and the SAM/SYM Community Show in Portland on October 28. Ring members Professor Miller and Dr. Wilson will be doing a charity show at the Bangor Veteran's Center on October 31. Scot is pursuing a signing ceremony with the Governor signing the Proclamation, and encourages members to have local officials in their town sign a proclamation. Scot will be giving a presentation on Dr. James William Elliott to the Historical Society in Rumford in connection with Magic Week.

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