March, 2012

NORTHWEST CHORAL SOCIETY
MEETING MINUTES
March 13, 2012

CALL TO ORDER:
The March 2012 Board Meeting of the Northwest Choral Society was held at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 1095 Dempster/Thacker, Des Plaines, IL.  The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM by NWCS board president Penny Perles.  The following board members were present:

Noreen LaValle            Penny Perles    
Mary Jane Matecki        Chris Stukel    
Candy Mealer            Diane Szuberla    
John Morrison            Ruta Veitmanis    
            
Also present: Alan Wellman, Artistic Director

MEETING  MINUTES:
The meeting minutes of the February 14, 2012 board meeting were reviewed.  No corrections were needed. Mary Jane Matecki made a motion to accept the minutes.  The motion was seconded by Noreen LaValle.  The motion passed.

TREASURER’S  REPORT:
Noreen presented the treasurer’s report for February.  Cash disbursements totaled $8,778.20.  Cash receipts totaled $8,850.35.   Our regular account balance was $15,760.24.  Including the J. Melcher Memorial Fund and petty cash, our final total was $18,852.24.  Mary Jane Matecki made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report.  Diane Szuberla seconded the motion.  The motion passed.

CORRESPONDING  SECRETARY:
Candy Mealer requested that, after the March concert, she be given the names of the volunteer helpers from the concert so that she can send them thank you letters.

ARTISTIC  DIRECTOR:
Alan Wellman stated that the recording of our March concert is set.  He requested that we have the check for the recording portion ready that evening.
Our next season’s concerts will feature: December – Handel’s Messiah (the Christmas portion), March – Brahms’ A German Requiem and June’s concert will be called The Sound of Musicals.

PROMOTIONS:
Diane Szuberla reported:
▫  She will send a pair of tickets to the parents of our boy soloist.
▫  She has sent concert information to the WFMT winners of our concert tickets.
▫  She is working on getting ushers and ticket people for the concert.
350 programs will be printed for the concert
We have new forms (a new ID number) for tax exempt purchases.
Approximately 20 donors will attend the donor appreciation reception.

DEVELOPMENT  COMMITTEE:
Mary Jane summarized the results of our three fundraisers this season.  She recommended that we hold the ‘No Fundraiser’ fundraiser and request a $25.00 donation from our members.  With 48 active members, this would yield $1200.00, our fundraising deficit for this season.
Alan stated that this should be a one-time only fundraiser.  It is up to the board to provide funding for the chorus, not the members themselves.  He suggested that we seek donations from corporations.  We should approach the Development offices of corporations, have a prepared script and always use our logo.  We can ask members for contacts.  Other possible fundraisers might be benefit dinners and silent auctions.

MEMBERSHIP  COMMITTEE:
Chris Stukel has prepared an information and sign up sheet for the Des Plaines Summer Fling, July 13 – 15.  If enough volunteers do not sign up to help at the table, perhaps we can split the time with another organization.  (See attached sheet).

PUBLICITY:
Penny has entered our concert announcement in the Arts Calendar and sent out an email blast.

OLD  BUSINESS:
Alan has made his choices for the women’s concert attire for next season.  Discussions will follow next month.  (See attached sheet).
Penny will try to order the 35 red Choir Games scarves for the March 31 concert.  If this is not possible, we will use the purple bead necklaces.
The Vision/Mission Statement committee members will be Alan, Mary Jane, Chris, David Hitch and Jean Merzon.

NEXT MEETING:
Our next Board Meeting will be April 10, 2012, 6:30 PM, before rehearsal at St. Martin’s.
 
ADJOURNMENT:
The Board Meeting was adjourned at 7:07 PM by a motion from Noreen LaValle and a second from John Morrison.  The motion passed.

Ruta Veitmanis
Recording Secretary
Northwest Choral Society