SMNW Band Booster Meeting

September 25, 2008

The meeting was called to order by President Anna Page.

Treasurer’s Report

Marcia Higginson went over the budget. There are 146 paid members.

Committee Reports:

Merchandising

There is still some spirit wear for sale.  Parents can check the band website for what items are available. Flip-flops and other merchandise are also now located on the SMNW home page link.

Senior Banquet

The senior banquet is scheduled for April 29.

Fundraising

A new order has been placed for trash bags, including paper ones.

Upcoming Events:

KU Marching Festival

            Booster club will be responsible for feeding the students dinner.

Independence, KS Marching Festival

Penny is planning on using charter busses that may have room for parents who want to ride. More information will be forthcoming. 

Senior Night/Light Show

A reminder that each student will need two flash lights. The booster club will pick up the cost of the lights. Theresa Hursh has Senior Night organized.

At this time there is no Booster Club meeting scheduled for October.

Penny’s Report

Next week is a big week in band.  The band will practice during seminar on Thursday and will have an evening practice at the North stadium from 6:30-8:30.

The KU Marching Festival is Saturday, and we will march at 4:15 in the prelims.  The top ten bands will march in the finals later in the evening.  Penny feels it is her job to attend the booster club meetings.  The function of the booster club should be to support the band program and the students.

Her expectations are:

            *Some band issues will need to be addressed specifically by her.

            *She will try to be as honest as possible.

            *Parents may not always agree with her decisions, but it is her program.    Her decisions are made based on her knowledge and experience.  The             students are her job.

While she is in charge, she will not ask for more time from the kids than they’ve already committed to.  She will not run a high-powered, super-competitive program. Penny chooses the trips by talking to the students and other band directors.  The previous trip she has allowed student input on deciding the trip location, but that isn’t always the case.  A survey will go home next week asking the parents and students for input about a trip to London, Orlando or California.  The survey must be signed by both the students and the parents. The trip rotation will continue to be every 3 years. Estimated costs for the London trip are approximately $3000 but it’s difficult to get an exact amount this early. Penny hopes the trip attendance can continue to be a high percentage of the students. 

A trip committee was formed to pick a trip coordinator with representation from each class. The decision to continue with the current committee will depend upon the trip coordinator. 

Penny answered questions.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:10 p.m.