NIBGA Board Meeting minutes for Nov. 15, 2009

The November 15, 2009 meeting of Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association was held at the South West Conservation Club, 5703 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne, IN.

Beginning at noon the Dec/Jan news letters were labeled and stamped for mailing. Thanks to the helpers.

ROLL CALL, PAST MINUTES, TREASURE REPORT

• The officers meeting was called to order at 1p  by President Jim Winger. Those present were V. Pres. Joe Steiner, secretary Barbara Collins, treasurer Linda Winger, board directors T.J. Collins, Joe Wyandt, Pam Keiper, and Paul Saurborn, Chris Cooperrider taxi Chair, out going V. Pres. Sandra Carnes. Other members also present for the meeting.
• Secretary's report for the Oct. meeting was sent to all officers on line 10/21/09. Paul Saurborn motioned to accept the Oct. minutes. Joe Wyandt second. All say yes. Motion carried.
• The Oct. Financial report was sent to all officers on line by Treasurer Linda Winger.  Paul Saurborn motioned to accept the report. Pam Keiper second. All say yes. Motion carried.

There were many other financial areas covered during the meeting. Gate was only off $125.00. Merchandise was off a small amount for Fall 09' Linda reports. She will be recheck the numbers by the next meeting.

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

• Jim Winger reviewed attendance statistics for years 2000 to 2009. Determined 09' was successful. Not any one thing contributed to the success. It is all things combined. There was discussion on festival electric use, camping and other subjects that come into play.
• Jim Winger had e-mailed all officers a report of www.BluegrassUSA.net  web hits for a 30 day period. The hits come not only from other states but from other countries.

OLD BUSINESS

• $80.00 connect/disconnect fee for 50 amp plug ins. Jim will ask for the cable before the next festival. One of our officers will store, attach and un-attach the cable for each festival use.
• Port-a-jons: Used 7 for F09. (6 regular, one handicap), T.J. will ask Terry Parish of Taylor Rental how heavly used the jons were last fall to determine what the needs might be for 2010 season.
• Golf Carts: Discussion on how many needed for S10 and for whom. Those getting carts are: Jan Meade, Joe Steiner, Jim Winger, Paul Sauborn, Joe Wyandt, TJ Collins, Al Ellis, Leslie Ellis, Jeanette Young, Cheri Franz, Patti Page, Dave Smith, Linda Winger, security and two 4 seat taxis. Joe Wyandt motioned to rent fourteen (14) 2-seaters and two taxis. Joe Steiner second. All say yes. Motion carried.
• Chris Cooperrider will decide and report later on how she wants to handle the TAXI schedule at the festivals.  tabled
• 501C3 verses 501C4 status tabled
• Should club dues be revised? Contributions to a 501C3 can be effected by the number of members. tabled.
• Discuss how many food vendors should we allow for the festivals. tabled until Jeanette is present.
• Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association is considering becoming a International Bluegrass Music Association sponsor during the 2010 World of Bluegrass convention in Nashville, Tennessee. Joe Steiner has checked into the cost. (Consider there could be cost increase by next year.) Many possibilities were reviewed. We could be a IBMA sponsor instead of hosting a showcase room in the basement of the Convention Center. Joe will continue checking the possibilities and he would like to re-address this in January 2010.

NEW BUSINESS

• Pres. Jim Winger presented a report on the Kruse International problems. Consideration: Will it have a impact on our festival attendance?
• Jim Winger will begin procedures for the new contract between the Noble County Fair board and Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association for 2011-2015. The present 5 year contract will expire at the end of 2010. Consideration: Any possible date changes for early arrival. Possibilities of any limitations of buildings used.
• Pres. Jim Winger asked Noble County Fair board Pres. Don Moore if he would check while he is in Indianapolis at the State Fair board meeting in Nov., to see if there can be any exceptions for sleeping in the Fair grounds barns. Don agreed to look into it and report back.
• Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association dues are $5.00 for single membership and $7.00 for family membership from Nov. 09 to April 30, 2010. These discount prices will bring you the newsletter for December/January, February, March, & April. Dues will go back to regular prices on May 1, 2010.
• Joe Steiner passed out to each officer a updated list of bands hired, and others being considered. Joe is working hard to hire the line up for the 2010 festival shows. It takes a 'LOT' of work to stay within a budget and contract good entertainment. He is always working to get the bands you will enjoy.
• Jim Winger asked Joe Steiner to write a article for the next newsletter, about a upcoming 2010 band that will be at the NIBGA festival.
• There was discussion on new ways to interest new people to attend NIBGA festivals and how to keep the faithful attendees happy to return.
• Chris Cooperrider is asking if there are ways of expanding workshops at the festivals. table for Jan.
• Paperwork to take Sandra Carnes off the Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association accounts and put Joe Steiner on will be done this week.

• Paul Saurborn motioned to adjourn at 3:05 p.m.. Pam Keiper second.

The next meeting of Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association will be held January 17, 2010.
Again at the South West Conservation Club, 5703 Bluffton Road, Fort Wayne, IN
The SWCC Phone number is 260-747-4677