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Minutes of October 2008 Meeting
October 19, 2008
Ring Report for this meeting.
The October Meeting of I.B.M. Ring 362 was held at the Friars' Bakehouse in Bangor, Maine, on October 19, 2008, at 3:00 pm. The theme of the meeting was The Oldest Trick in the Book. Please see the Ring Report for details.
In the absence of President Danny Baker and Vice President Geoffrey Miller, Secretary Paul Szauter 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 the Secretary 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 the Treasurer's Report. The bank balance was $1,507.92 and there was $460.00 in petty cash for $1,967.92 in total funds. Of these funds, $1,494.81 (76.0%) was unrestricted and $473.11 (24.0%) was in endowments as follows: Ring Name Plaque Endowment ($140.00), Elliott Endowment ($130.35), Chung Ling Soo Endowment ($94.76), Max Malini Endowment ($111.00) and Lecture Endowment (-$3.00).
In Old Business, Randy Von Smith reported on behalf of the Nominating Committee (Randy Von Smith, Dayton Salisbury, and Gary Jewell) on a slate of nominees for 2009. The nominees are: Geoffrey Miller (President), Gary Jewell (Vice President), Paul Szauter (Secretary), Randy Von Smith (Treasurer) and Aubrey Smith (Sergeant At Arms). The closing date for nominations was October 1. Election shall proceed without balloting at the January 2009 meeting.
In Old Business, the Secretary reported that Danny has been in touch with the people at All Souls to negotiate the use of their space for Ring meetings. No details were available.
In Old Business, the Secretary reported on The Magic of Christmas, a public show to be held at 2:00 pm on December 6 at the Alamo Theater in Bucksport. Danny Baker, Professor Miller, and Dr. Wilson have committed to perform magic; Gary Jewell will appear as Santa Claus. Randy Von Smith will provide technical support. Kaitlyn Grassette and a friend have offered to help backstage; Paul thinks that he might have a box jumper for one of the illusions.
In Old Business, the Secretary reported that Scot Grassette's project, the World's Largest Letter to Santa, is set for November 29 at the Mountain Valley High School in Rumford. The event has already received coverage in the Lewiston Sun-Journal and the Bangor Daily News.
In Old Business, the Secretary reported that the Worldwide Escape Artist Relay 2009 is scheduled for October 24, 2009. Fourteen performers have already registered.
In Old Business, the Secretary raised the subject of the Youth Program, which had been discussed at the September 2008 Ring meeting. He pointed out that the committee to write guidelines for Youth Instruction in Magic, which was formed in January 2007, had delivered an oral report at the September 2007 meeting, but had never come up with any written guidelines. The subject of Youth Instruction in Magic had been tabled at the September 2007 meeting until such time as three volunteers stepped forward. In the year since that time, the volunteers have not emerged. The Secretary suggested that it was time that this prior effort be set aside, and that the suggestions offered at the September 2008 Ring meeting be acted upon by the new Board. He presented the relevant parts of the earlier minutes, concluding with a written motion:
January 2007
In New Business, Carroll Chapman raised the subject of magic instruction for young people. Several members are currently involved in youth instruction of some kind. After some discussion, Randy moved that a committee be formed to formulate written guidelines for youth magic instruction. As members were leaving during this discussion, Paul moved that the motion be tabled, but the motion to table was not seconded. The motion to form a committee to write guidelines passed, and Carroll Chapman, Randy Von Smith, Geoffrey Miller, and Kim Hawkins volunteered to serve on the committee.
September 2007
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.
MOTION: The committee to write guidelines on youth instruction, which was formed at the January 2007 meeting, shall be disbanded immediately.
The motion passed unanimously.
In New Business, Treasurer Randy Von Smith called for the payment of 2009 dues. Alan Drew, Gary Jewell, Aubrey Smith, Randy Von Smith and Paul Szauter paid dues of $10 for 2009.
With no further business, a motion was made to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.