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

Minutes of October 2007 Meeting
October 21, 2007

The October Meeting of I.B.M. Ring 362 was held at the Friars' Bakehouse in Bangor, Maine, on October 21, 2007, at 3:00 pm. The theme of the meeting was Pirates! Please see the Ring Report for details of the performances.

A raffle was held for an Adams Magic Token, donated by an anonymous donor. Brother Don Paul won the raffle, which raised $8 for the Ring. The Ring concluded an eBay auction of a book donated by Alola Morrison, Houdini's Magical Rope Ties and Escapes, on October 13. The eBay auction produced a net income of $42.67 to the Ring after fees.

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 September meeting were approved without amendment.

Treasurer Randy Von Smith presented a Treasurer's Report. The Ring bank account has a total of $1427.33, with $322.00 in petty cash for a total of $1749.33. 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). Members voted to approve the Treasurer's Report.

In Old Business, the Secretary reported that the Worldwide Escape Artist Relay 2007, scheduled for October 27, 2007, has 105 registrants from fourteen countries. Local performers include Dr. Wilson, SFOA magic class graduate Aidan Pasha, and possibly Danny Baker (not yet registered). Weekend America on NPR affiliate stations will be broadcasting a radio interview with Dr. Wilson.

In Old Business, Danny Baker, Chair of the Talent Coordination Subcommittee and General Show Chair for the Legend of Houdini show on October 27, reported that all is in place for the show. Stage Manager Geoffrey Miller called for a rehearsal at the Criterion Theatre on the day of the show at 3:00 pm, with all performers in place and ready to go at 3:00 pm. Publicity and Ticket Sales Chair Paul Szauter reported that the Criterion covered the full cost of posters, brochures, tickets, and newspaper advertising. The newspapers have granted the Halloween Festival at the Criterion extensive free coverage. The Ring's only cost will be for refreshments for performers.

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

In Old Business, the Secretary reported on deadlines for the election. 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. Ballots will be received by all Ring members by December 20, 2007, thirty days in advance of the election. The Balloting Committee (Paul Szauter, Randy Von Smith, and Brother Don Paul) will use the same balloting procedure as was used in January 2007.

In Old Business, Ring members will participate in Magic Week (October 25-31). The town of Bar Harbor passed a Magic Week proclamation and Rumford is expected to pass a proclamation. Although the Governor's office declined to pass a proclamation, the spirit of Percival Proctor Baxter, dead 38 years, issued a Magic Week proclamation "for eternity" in a seance held at the Criterion Theatre on October 10, 2007, in a publicity stunt for the Halloween Festival at the Criterion. 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. Professor Miller and Dr. Wilson are scheduled for a charity performance at the Maine Veteran's Home on October 31. Details of the Ring's involvement in Magic Week are posted on the Ring's website.

In New Business, the Treasurer called for Ring members to pay Ring dues for 2008, set at $10.

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