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

Minutes of February 2008 Meeting
February 17, 2008

The February Meeting of I.B.M. Ring 362 was held at the Friars' Bakehouse in Bangor, Maine, on February 17, 2008, at 3:00 pm. The theme of the meeting was Dai Vernon Night. Please see the Ring Report for details of the performances.

There was a raffle of a Jay Marshall Commemorative Coin. The raffle raised $31 for the Ring's Lecture Endowment. Bryan-Keith Taylor 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 January meeting were approved without amendment.

Treasurer Randy Von Smith presented a Treasurer's Report. The bank balance is $1755.21, with $341.00 in petty cash for a total of $2096.21. The Ring funds include a total of $452.17 in endowments: Ring Name Plaque Endowment ($140), Elliott Endowment ($110), Chung Ling Soo Endowment ($67.17), Max Malini Endowment ($60), and Lecture Endowment ($75). These totals do not include funds received at the meeting (dues payments and the raffle proceeds). Members voted to approve the Treasurer's Report.

In Old Business, the Treasurer called for Ring members to pay Ring dues for 2008, set at $10. Members were reminded that failure to pay dues by April 1 would result in being dropped as a Ring member. Members dropped would need to pay a $10 reinstatement fee to be reinstated as members. Danny Baker asked members who were strapped for cash to contact him.

In Old 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 the theme of Dollar Store Magic. There was also a call for members to present Teaching Tables.

In Old 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. The raffle prize for the banquet will be a 1904 T. Nelson Downs Palming Coin, with tickets at $5 each. Brother Don Paul will conduct a Broken Wand Ceremony for former TVP Bob Nixon.

Danny Baker informed members that the next Territorial Vice President would be appointed by International President Phil Willmarth, with input from Matt Episcopo, the TVP coordinator. Danny has been in contact with Matt, who has received input from a variety of sources.

In Old Business, Danny reminded members that the Ring Name Raffle would be held at the March Ring meeting.

In Old Business, Danny Baker reminded members that the April meeting would be in Rumford, Maine's Capital of Magic, 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.

Paul Szauter, Contest Official for the Elliott Card Challenge, informed members that as part of revising the Policy and Program Manual the rules for the Elliott Card Challenge had changed slightly. The starting conditions are now stated exactly: the decks will have the wrappers removed and the seals broken, and will be placed singly on the table before each contestant begins. Decks will be chosen with distinct backs and faces to foil attempts to introduce extraneous cards.

In New Business, Danny Baker reminded members that $10 payment for ads on the Hire a Magician page will be due on March 1. If payment is made by the March meeting, those members will be eligible for a drawing to determine order of placement on the page.

In New Business, Danny Baker announced a performance by Jeff McBride in Lexington, MA, on February 22, a lecture by Eric Evans at Labbe's House of Magic in Westbrook on March 2, and the Tri-Club Magic Auction (location TBA) on April 13.

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