Kenosha Band Boosters, Inc.
   Supporting Kenosha, Wis. Unified School District music programs.
    


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2008 details coming this spring




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5th grade &
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Instruments



Links:

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1
* Return to top of page
Click on asterisks for:

*What's New



*Home Page

*What We Do

* Breakfast with the Bands

* Band-O-Rama


Summer Bands:
2008 details coming this spring




* OrchestraFest 2006
*Welcome
5th grade &
new band students



*Membership

*Booster Apparel

*Volunteering

*Volunteer Opportunities


*Minutes

*Send us a Note (contact us)

*Buy/Sell
Instruments



Links:

* Kenosha Unified
School District

* Schools
* Elementary Bands
Kenosha Band Boosters
Meeting Minutes for February 27, 2007


Attended by: Patty Mahoney, Jay Labedz, John Whyte, Carla Ebert, Keenan Dreger, Jamie Hobbs, Janet Schoettler

President Patty Mahoney called the meeting to order.

President's Message:
Patty presented information about the possibility of budget cuts affecting the music program. She suggested that we work proactively. There was also some discussion about the possibility of staggered start times at the high schools and how that may affect band.

Approval of Minutes:
Meeting minutes from January 23, 2007 were reviewed. Patty clarified that Karen Curran "steams" rather than "irons" the American flags prior to Band-O-Rama. The Kenosha Beats drum cases cost $1,075.00.
A motion carried to accept the January minutes with the 2 corrections.

Financial Report:
        Jackie Battersby met with Marlene Tack and it is hoped that Jackie will consider taking the Treasurer position.
        Patty reviewed the checks that were written over the past month. Expenses included Band-O-Rama costs as well as a withdrawal from the Kenosha Beats funds.

KUSD update:
        No district report.

AT & T Score Program
        Jim Felt called Patty and the Kenosha Band Boosters is now listed on the "pull down menu" on the AT & T Score program website. That means consumers may select the Band Boosters as an organization receiving a kick-back when the consumer signs up for products or services. Information on this program might be distributed at the Breakfast with the Bands, band parent meetings, etc.

Fruit Sale
        No report. Keenan suggested that students get money toward their individual band expenses to encourage fruit sales.

Kenosha Beats:
        They performed for the community in the Bradford fieldhouse on 2/23/07 and were well received. The group is self-funded with students paying fees and the directors donating their time. They were unable to participate in the competition in Minnesota on 2/24/07 due to the blizzard. They will compete on 3/17 at another competition in Minnesota.

Black Watch Trailer:
        Per Patty, Chuck Romano stated that letters have been sent out to area businesses to solicit donations toward the trailer. Some parents have suggested that the Boosters charge a fee such as $10 per summer band student to be used toward trailer expenses. This money would be collected annually and placed in the trailer fund just as funds are collected to replenish uniforms and percussion instruments.









        There was discussion about keeping summer band fees down. As it is, the student fees include $30 for uniforms, $20 recreation fee, approximately $5 each toward percussion ($500.00 per full band). If we added a $10 trailer fee for Black Watch students, the base fees would be $65.00. The Boosters felt we'd rather not have to tack on another fee and are hopeful that the community will respond to the fundraising efforts. However, Patty will email all of the directors and ask them their opinions on this issue.

Website:
        John Krerowicz is updating the site. The beginner band schedule will be posted due to a parent request. We are hoping that parents use the site to get information. It was suggested that there be a link to Keylight Photography so that people can view the candid photos from Band-O-Rama.



Band-O-Rama

        Flowers sold out. 250 were sold with an approximate profit of $500.00.
        Water sold out on Saturday; about 6 cases. Another 8 cases were purchased for Sunday and almost sold out.
        Keylight photos - very few were sold. There was a problem with Bradford being locked up on Saturday afternoon, so Keylight set up in the commons area on Sunday and sold 13 packages in all. Therefore, Boosters did not take the 15% cut for the schools.
        T-shirt sale went well; profit was approximately $700.00.
        Volunteers went well; we had a good turnout of volunteers and they were helpful people. John commented that the beginner band helpers in the homeroom and the fieldhouse were invaluable. It was suggested that we get parent volunteers for supervision of hallways and directing traffic. It was also suggested that school homeroom numbers be posted.
        Awards: The Boosters spent a lot on the awards that were given. It was suggested that we look for a less expensive engraver. Patty will check with local trophy shops. Awards cost almost $500.00 this year.

Coalition to Save Music
There is a need to organize the booster groups and work together to advocate for music in the schools. A leader is needed. Rebecca Stevens, a school board candidate, is reportedly considering leading this group.



Donation of Old Uniforms:
        Todd Hardy from Tremper will take the old band uniforms for the New Orleans music drive on March 10. The uniforms need to be moved from Lance to Tremper before March 10.

Request from Mr. Bell:
        The Boosters have not had any more contact with this mayoral candidate. However, his plans to donate to non-profit organizations including the Kenosha Band Boosters were explained in a recent Kenosha News article.

AHA
        The Arts and Humanities Alliance was formed about a year ago. One of its goals is to have a common community calendar for art events. Another is for the arts to work together e.g. to develop a website and brochures. The arts could work together to help promote one event at another event, all supporting one another. Networking and posting announcements are also suggested. The next AHA general meeting is April 3 at 5:30 pm at the Kenosha Public Museum.

Eagle Scout Ceremony:
        Andrew Donald's Eagle ceremony is Sunday, March 4, 2007. A Booster representative will attend and present him with a $25.00 gift from the Kenosha Band Boosters, Inc.

Solo and Ensemble:
        120 volunteers are needed. Carla received a copy of the student event schedule from Dr. Yontz on 2/27/07. Therefore, the phone volunteers will call parents over the weekend and will be able to give parents the times that their children perform. Carla is asking for 8 volunteers per school per shift (7:30 am to 12:00 pm and 11:30 am to 4:00 pm shifts). John will call all of the volunteers to remind them. Kathy Thorson is in charge of the tally room. Results will be posted on the East windows of the cafeteria this year instead of the commons area.

Large Group Contests:
        Large group contest for bands will be Saturday, April 21. Jazz groups will perform on Tuesday, April 17; Orchestra on Friday, April 20; and choir on April 21 at Lance Middle School.
        The Band Boosters will provide food for the judges. Boosters will sign up to donate items. We will not be providing concessions this year due to the events being spread out over several days. Last year the concession profit was $150.00.

5th Grade Reception:
        The first-year students will be playing their concert on May 1, 2007 at Mahone Middle School. A cookies and juice reception is provided by the Boosters. Julia Yeary was asked to coordinate the reception this year. Jay will ask one of her co-workers, Lori Placek, who expressed an interest in helping also.

Breakfast with the Bands:
        This event is being planned for Saturday, May 12, 2007. It was noted that Mahone does not have a jazz band this year. Patty emailed the directors and asked if they want to send any ensemble. She also asked them how much time they wanted allotted for their group(s). Lincoln is not available that day due to a trip. It is possible that Kenosha Beats will perform their music. Karl Mueller asked that McKinley not follow a high school group, so we need to look at scheduling. Raffle basket volunteer(s) are needed. We may ask each school to donate a basket for the raffle.

Budget:
        The following information was discussed in consideration of the budget. We have been budgeting as follows:
Black Watch                $4,200.00 per season
Rambler                $2,500.00       "
Continental                $1,050.00       "
KL Band           $300.00       "
Kenosha Beats                no previous years

        Patty emailed the directors and received a couple of responses. Paul Taylor noted that he could use assistance with drum cases @ $1,075.00 and a tarp @ $900.00. Ken Weile asked how much the Black Watch usually gets.
        Bradford is "selling" new auditorium seats at $250.00 each. The Boosters donated toward Tremper auditorium seats, but they were less expensive.
        Boosters will be putting out a maximum of $8,000.00 toward the Black Watch trailer this year.         

                                Last year / This year

Fruit Sale                         $3,167 / $2,631
Ice Cream Social                 $5,580 / unknown
Group contest                  $160 /  $0
BOR flower, water sales         $814        / similar (not available)
Festival of Arts & Flowers         $1,006 / unknown

Breakfast with the Bands         $2,178 / unknown
T-shirt sales                         $0 / $750
Other income: interest, donations, and new fundraiser potential.

        Costs:
Band O Rama awards and corsages:                        $575.00
Newsletter                                                $0
Website                                                $25 to $50
Truck maintenance                                        $500.00
Truck reserve                        $1,500.00 (not deposited 2006 or 2005)
Insurance                                        $2,500.00 estimated
Truck, trailer fees                                        $170.00
Banking fees                                                $150.00
Supplies                                                $100.00
Photo copies                                                $100.00
Gifts or memorials                                        $100.00
WSMA                                $200.00 last year/ none anticipated
Library book                                $75.00 last year/ none anticipated

        Funds in = approximately $14,000.00 with $500.00 interest
        Requests and Expenses = $22,745.00 (including $8,000.00 trailer, both Kenosha Beats requests, and one Bradford auditorium chair)

        It was suggested that we look again at the Breakfast with the Bands profits to determine if the amount includes the money from the raffle baskets. It was also suggested that we propose to donate one Bradford auditorium seat at $250 and give $2,000.00 to the Kenosha Beats. Patty will bring the proposed budget to the March meeting.

Summer Bands:
        There was discussion about developing a financial policy for the summer band program. The Boosters need to communicate to the directors about the specific funds given as "start up" money for the summer bands. This set amount is provided as a donation from the Boosters and all other funds need to come from fundraising or student fees. It was also suggested that a policy be developed for bounced checks. Rules also need to be developed for requesting checks from the Booster treasurer so that the job of writing checks can be manageable. It was also suggested that chairpersons from the bands receive training so that they understand the systems in place.

Other Fundraising:
There was discussion about how to maximize profit from the spa offer from Hanson's Pool and Spa.
There was also discussion about bringing in a performer such as Pat McCurdy as a fundraising event. He charges $1,500.00 or 30% of ticket sales. Other costs would include janitorial fees and advertising.
        No decisions were made regarding other fundraisers.

Other:
        It was mentioned that Shelly Flasch has offered to take over as volunteer coordinator when Carla "retires" from that position.

The meeting adjourned.



 
                        
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