Minutes of January 2009 Meeting
January 18, 2009

The January Meeting of I.B.M. Ring 362 was held at Dino's Pizza in Brewer, Maine, on January 18, 2009, at 3:00 pm. The theme of the meeting was From Kellar to Thurston. Please see the Ring Report for details. The raffle of a 1928 Thurston Good Luck Token was postponed to the next meeting, because turnout had been reduced by a heavy snowstorm.

President 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 the President called for the adoption of the agenda, which was approved without amendment.

The minutes for the November meeting were approved without amendment.

In the absence of Treasurer Randy Von Smith, the Secretary presented the Treasurer's Report. The bank balance was $1950.00, with $447.00 in petty cash for a total of $2397. Of these funds, $1923.89 (80.3%) was unrestricted and $473.11 (19.7%) was in endowments as follows: Ring Name Plaque Endowment ($140), Elliott Endowment ($130.35), Chung Ling Soo Endowment ($94.76), Max Malini Endowment ($111.00), and Lecture Endowment (-$3.00). These totals do not include funds received at the meeting (dues payments). Members voted to approve the Treasurer's Report.

In Old Business, the election of Ring officers for 2009 was held. As no offices were contested, the election proceeded without balloting. The nominees were: Geoffrey Miller (President), Gary Jewell (Vice President), Paul Szauter (Secretary), Randy Von Smith (Treasurer) and Aubrey Smith (Sergeant At Arms). Brother Don Paul moved to accept the slate of nominees, and the motion passed unanimously.

In Old Business, there was a call for payment of Ring membership dues for 2009. Dues, payable January 1, are due by April 1 in order to prevent suspension of membership privileges. New member Prashant Srivastava, attending his first meeting, paid dues for 2009.

In Old Business, the Secretary reported on The Magic of Christmas. The Ring's net profit from ticket and Prize Candy sales was $380.55.

In Old Business, the Secretary reported that Scot Grassette's project, the World's Largest Letter to Santa, had received regional newspaper and national television coverage. Although the record attempt had been rejected by Guinness, it had also been submitted to Ripley's and to Record Holders Republic for consideration.

In Old Business, Brother Don Paul reported that he had formulated the rules for the Nate Leipzig Close-Up Magic Contest, which have been posted on the Ring's website.

In Old Business, members considered the location of future Ring meetings. Members unanimously agreed that Dino's Pizza was an excellent location, with generous space available in the back room.

In New Business, President Danny Baker called for new meeting themes and Teaching Tables for 2009. Brother Don Paul proposed "Gaffs & Gimmicks," and agreed to lead this theme at the June meeting. Several members proposed themes relating to early magic experiences, either the first magic seen or the first magic learned. The Secretary suggesting collecting all the themes relating to early magic experiences under the theme of "Wellsprings." Danny Baker had previously proposed an auction for the June meeting, with the Ring taking a percentage.

In New Business, there was a call for names for the Ring Name Raffle, to be held at the March meeting. The current name, Bob Nixon Ring, was entered automatically. Paul Szauter submitted Chung Ling Soo Ring, and Brother Don Paul submitted Dr. James William Elliott Ring. These three names will be submitted to the new Board for consideration.

In New Business, the Secretary reported that Scot Grassette had agreed to host the 2009 Dr. James William Elliott Card Challenge in Rumford, Maine's Capital of Magic, on Sunday, April 19. The contest is scheduled for 1:00 pm at the Hotel Harris in Rumford, with a Ring meeting and other activies to follow.

In New Business, Brother Don Paul reported that the Chung Ling Soo Stage Magic Competition is scheduled for Sunday, May 17, 2009, at a time to be announced, at All Souls Congregational Church. All Souls has a large, portable stage with full wings, that can be set up in the sanctuary.

In New Business, Vice President Geoffrey Miller reported that there is concern that the spectacular magic show Le Grand David, which has played in Beverly, MA, for over thirty years, may be closing this year. He encouraged members who had not seen the show to attend.

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