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

Minutes of January 2008 Meeting
January 20, 2008

The January Meeting of I.B.M. Ring 362 was held at the Friars' Bakehouse in Bangor, Maine, on January 20, 2008, at 3:00 pm. The theme of the meeting was A Winter's Tale. Please see the Ring Report for details of the performances.

There was a raffle of a Siegfried & Roy Commemorative Coin. The raffle raised $65 for the Ring's Lecture Endowment. Geoffrey Miller won the raffle.

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 November meeting were approved without amendment.

Treasurer Randy Von Smith presented a Treasurer's Report. The bank balance is $1765.11, with $256.00 in petty cash for a total of $2021.11. 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). These totals do not include funds received at the meeting (dues payments and the raffle proceeds). Members voted to approve the Treasurer's Report.

The election of Ring officers for 2008 was held; all offices were uncontested. The Sergeant at Arms moved that the Secretary cast a voice vote for the slate of candidates, and the Secretary did so. The officers for 2008 are: Danny Baker (President), Geoffrey Miller (Vice President), Paul Szauter (Secretary), Randy Von Smith (Treasurer), and Matt Bennage (Sergeant at Arms).

In Old Business, the Secretary called for names for the Ring Name Raffle in March 2008. The current name, The Maine Mystics, was offered, as well as Chung Ling Soo Ring. No other names were offered.

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

In New Business, there was a call for meeting themes for 2008. The themes have been selected through August 2008 through member input. We will be having Theme Leaders for themed meetings. A Theme Leader is someone who promises to attend the meeting and perform to the theme, encouraging others to do so. There was support for a repeat of the Turkeys theme. There was also a call for members to present Teaching Tables.

In New Business, Danny Baker gave details on the President's Banquet, to be held Sunday, March 9, at Jeff's Catering in Brewer from 3:00 to 7:00 pm. The price will be $15 per person for a buffet-style banquet. Steve Robbins, a comedian, will present "Talking Through His Hat." The banquet will also feature the Installation of Officers and Induction of new members.

In New Business, Danny Baker announced that the April meeting would be in Rumford, featuring not only the Elliott Card Challenge, but also a lecture by Tom Craven, who will be competing in the Elliott Card Challenge. Scot Grassette has taken care of the hotel reservation and will serve as the local host. The Elliott Card Challenge will begin at 1:00 pm at the Hotel Harris. The lecture will be at 3:30 at 49 Franklin Street. Admission to the lecture will be $10, with no distinction made between Ring members or nonmembers.

Randy Von Smith moved that income from the Tom Craven lecture be directed to the Lecture Endowment. The motion passed.

In New Business, Geoffrey Miller, the General Show Chair and Chair of Talent Coordination for the All-Star Magical Revue, encouraged members who intended to participate to contact him with their proposed material as soon as possible. Paul Szauter is chair of Publicity and Ticket Sales, and Randy Von Smith is chair of Stage and Theater Management.

In New Business, Brother Don Paul announced that he had reserved All Souls Congregational Church for Sunday, May 18, for the Max Malini Parlor Magic Contest.

In New Business, Danny Baker announced the appointment of Bryan-Keith Taylor as Historian.

In New Business, Scot Grassette announced a lecture by Eric Evans in Portland on Sunday, March 2. The Tri-Club Magic Auction will be held on April 13, location to be announced.

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