NORTHWEST CHORAL SOCIETY
MEETING MINUTES
November 8, 2011
CALL TO ORDER:
The November 2011 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 6:35 PM by NWCS board president Penny Perles. The following board members were present:
Noreen LaValle Penny Perles
David Martin Chris Stukel
Mary Jane Matecki Diane Szuberla
Candy Mealer Ruta Veitmanis
John Morrison
Also present: Alan Wellman, Artistic Director
MEETING MINUTES:
The meeting minutes of the October 11, 2011 board meeting were reviewed. Two corrections were needed.
Under Promotions, the first sentence should read: “Penny Perles stated that Karen Pelletiere will update our Facebook page for the December concerts.”
Under New Business, the first sentence should read: “Since we can no longer find a place to buy additional white jewel neck blouses for the women’s concert attire, …..”
Mary Jane Matecki made a motion to accept the corrected minutes. The motion was seconded by Candy Mealer. The motion passed.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
Noreen LaValle presented the treasurer’s report for September. Cash disbursements totaled $1788.02. There were no cash receipts. Our regular account balance was $10,630.81. Including the J. Melcher Memorial Fund and petty cash, our final total was $13,722.81.
One correction was needed: “August 2011” should be removed from the last line of the report.
Diane Szuberla made a motion to accept the treasurer’s report. The motion was seconded by Candy Mealer. The motion passed.
Noreen also presented the treasurer’s report for October. Cash receipts totaled $8,382.07. Several corrections were made to the cash disbursements: Alan Wellman’s September stipend should be $400.00, giving us a corrected total cash disbursement of $3,643.19 and a regular account balance of $15,332.46. Including the J. Melcher Memorial Fund and petty cash, our final total is $18,424.46. Also, “August 2011” should be removed from the last line of the disbursement report.
Mary Jane Matecki made a motion to accept the corrected treasurer’s report. The motion was seconded by Ruta Veitmanis. The motion passed.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY:
Candy Mealer will send out thank you cards to all those who placed ads in our program book. Mary Jane has created note cards for this purpose. For all donations over $250.00, the treasurer must send an official letter.
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR:
Alan Wellman will make the arrangements for our December concert to be recorded.
Penny Perles and Mary Jane Matecki visited the Grace Lutheran Church in River Forest. The church has excellent acoustics, a moveable piano and two parking lots nearby.
David Hitch and John Schindler have volunteered to be stage managers the day of the concerts. David will bring items needed by members from St. Martin’s: a podium, stools, music stands, a light for Lori, etc. However, we will ask the musicians to bring their own music stands and lights.
PROMOTIONS:
Diane Szuberla will send out tickets to the Early Bird and Season ticket purchasers and organize the drawing and prizes for these ticket holders. She is also organizing volunteers as ushers and ticket takers at the concerts.
ADVERTISING COMMITTEE:
Noreen announced that the ad campaign only gave us a $840.00 profit, down from last year.
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:
Mary Jane stated that, although final figures are not yet available, profit from the Yankee Candle fundraiser may also be less than last year.
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE:
Chris Stukel is organizing our Holiday Party. It will be at Little Villa restaurant in Des Plaines, December 6th, 6:30 PM, with the same price and menu as last year. More details to members will follow.
PUBLICIYY:
Penny has sent out the press release for our December concerts and gift tickets for the WFMT quiz winners.
OLD BUSINESS:
Mary Jane made a motion to register our choir for the World Choir Games July 2012. Candy seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Penny submitted the responses of the Vision/Mission Statement focus groups. Discussion will follow at a later board meeting.
Lucy Jester, Joan Curry, Kelsey Green, Loyrn Ankeny, Jane Peterson and Ann Jensen have volunteered to work on the Concert Attire Committee.
Penny encouraged board members to try to meet, at the concerts, the donors whom they had called to thank last summer.
Penny also reported on her attendance at the Des Plaines Arts Council meeting this morning. The Council meets the second Tuesday of each month, 7:30 AM, at the Des Plaines Chamber of Commerce office, 1401 Oakton.
NEW BUSINESS:
We will participate in the WTTW Pledge Drive, Wednesday, November 30th, 6:30 PM.
Chris Stukel talked to a woman at Catholic Charities about ways we could participate in community activities in the future.
Alan suggested that we look into holding our Holiday/End of Season celebrations at restaurants that advertise in our program books.
NEXT MEETING:
Our next Board Meeting will be January 10, 2012, 6:30 PM, before rehearsal at St. Martin’s.
ADJOURNMENT:
The Board Meeting was adjourned at 7:13 PM by a motion from Noreen LaValle and a second from Candy Mealer. The motion passed.
Ruta Veitmanis
Recording Secretary
Northwest Choral Society