Minutes of July 2008 Meeting
July 20, 2008

The July Meeting of I.B.M. Ring 362 was held at the Friars' Bakehouse in Bangor, Maine, on July 20, 2008, at 3:00 pm. The theme of the meeting was Rings and Things. 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.

Randy Von Smith presented the Treasurer's Report. Randy Von Smith presented the Treasurer's Report. The bank balance was $1,578.33 and there was $460.00 in petty cash for $2,038.33 in total funds. Of these funds, $1,605.81 (78.8%) was unrestricted and $432.52 (21.2%) was in endowments as follows: Ring Name Plaque Endowment ($140.00), Elliott Endowment ($130.35), Chung Ling Soo Endowment ($67.17), Max Malini Endowment ($111.00) and Lecture Endowment (-$16.00). Members voted to approve the Treasurer's Report.

In Old Business, Paul Szauter, Contest Official for the 2008 Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition, reported that the contest is scheduled for Saturday, September 6, at 7:00 pm at All Souls Congregational Church. Paul reviewed the rules and reminded contestants that the conditions of the venue prohibited the use of fire other than matches and candles. The search for the judges is underway. The Show Committee is: Paul Szauter (Publicity, General Show Chair), Geoffrey Miller (Talent Coordination), and Danny Baker (Stage and Theater Management). It is likely that the show will be rounded out with bellydancers. Applications were distributed to some potential contestants; the forms are available on the Ring's website.

In Old Business, Danny Baker reported on meeting themes and Teaching Tables for 2008 and 2009. There was a call for a theme for February 2009, the furthest the Board ordinarily goes in the calendar, so as not to constrain the 2009 Board. Teaching Tables are welcome for the October 2008, November 2008, January 2009, and February 2009 meetings. Dr. Wilson offered a Teaching Table on Mnemonics.

In New Business, Danny Baker called for members interested in running for office to contact the Nominating Committee (Randy Von Smith, Dayton Salisbury, and Gary Jewell).

In New Business, the Board had previously approved hosting the registration pages for the Worldwide Escape Artist Relay 2009 on the Ring's website. The event is scheduled for October 24, 2009. Eight performers have already registered. Dr. Wilson proposed an Escape From Fort Knox as part of Fright Night, either as a pre-event publicity stunt or as a WEAR 2009 escape.

In New Business, there was some discussion of a public show during the holiday season at the Alamo Theater in Bucksport. The rent for a five-hour block of time for a matinee is $250 plus some extra charges for options. There was also some discussion of the middle school in Bucksport and the Union Street Brick Church in Bangor. The Board will further explore venues for a holiday show.

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