BPO Meeting Minutes

Jim Ned Band Parent Organization Meeting Minutes
Monday, August 4, 2014
http://www.jimnedbands.com
On Facebook: Jim Ned Band Parent Organization
Present:
Pavlyne Roberts
Vickie Graham
Lorraine Blythe
Suzi Gentine
Stephanie Oxford
Amy Green
Shawn Earl
Casandra Hagood
Susan Payne
Julie Alley
Sharon Walker
Stacy Ricard
Gordon Ricard
Kevin Schulle
Mitch Etter
Meeting opened at 7:00 p.m. with prayer by Sharon Walker. Last meeting’s minutes
were read by Julie Alley and approved with several amendments. Motion made by
Stephanie Oxford to have BPO members read the minutes on-line from the band
website before each meeting, and not having the secretary read them aloud at every
meeting so as to save time. Seconded by Shawn Earl, carried.
Gordon Ricard gave treasurer’s report. Current balance at $3,491.83. Various checks
were written over the spring and summer to cover band banquet costs, appreciation
gifts for directors, TBA conference registration and meal, lunch for summer band
leadership seminar with Mr. Lunney, Mr. Lunney’s fee, the insulated water coolers for
students, and items for the band booth. The motion to accept the treasurer’s report as
read was made by Kevin Schulle and seconded by Suzi Gentine, motion passed.
Shawn Earl reported on the Booth Committee. Booth has been cleaned and is ready
to be stocked with items to sell at home games. She has placed an order for items such
as rope candy, suckers, and spirit yo-yo’s. Popcorn will be sold in addition to cotton
candy this year and possibly water bottles. Parents will be asked to sign up to help in
the band booth at home games for a quarter at a time. Four parents will be needed in
the booth during each quarter. Booth closes at half-time so everyone can watch their
kids perform. Sign-ups to work the booth will be on “Wikispace” which will be linked to
the Jim Ned Band website.
Stephanie Oxford reported on the Spirit/Snacks Committee. As far as spirit goes, new
decorations will go up each week to encourage the band members. The theme is
Beatles to go with the band show this year. Members are asked to provide any old LP’s
they may have (about 75 are needed) so that each band kid’s name will appear on the
center of the LP along with the Beatles logo and displayed in the band hall. As far as
snacks, the BPO plans to supply 3rd quarter snacks to the band at every football game
this year. Parents are asked to sign up for away games first, then fill in with home
games. The request was made for no gooey, chocolatey, or cheese powdery-type
snacks that might soil uniforms. The number of snacks needed is set at 75.
Summer activities were reported on by Sharon. The executive committee met every
month. The band family picnic was cancelled but will be held in the fall.
Stacy reported on the TMBA (Texas Band Masters Association) conference in San
Antonio. Those who went met with three different T-shirt companies at the vendor hall
and got information on BPO shirts. They perused all the different types of fund-raising
ideas and had lunch with Mr. Etter and his family. Everyone is encouraged to attend
next year’s convention.
Gordon reported on the coolers situation. Although the order was placed months ago,
the ones we wanted were on back-order until mid-July; then the order was refused
most likely because the credit card has a $400 limit for only one signature and the cost
was about $500. Suzy Payne made the motion and Stephanie Oxford seconded that
we make the one-signature limit $1,000 for both the credit card and checks written on
the BPO account. This limit will only be good for the 2014-2015 school year; it will need
to be addressed each year with each new executive committee. Motion carried.
The composite photo of the band is not ready yet. Stan from Photo Images is still
making the CD and identifying each student. There will be one more $400 fee after
that.
Sharon announced a BPO membership drive to be held from August 25 (the first day
of school) through September 19 (Homecoming game). BPO memberships are our
most valuable funding source. Students will compete as bands for the highest number
of memberships (not the highest dollar amount). Prizes will be awarded to the winning
band--6th, 7th/8th, or high school, with prizes being determined by the band director. It
has already been agreed with Mr. Etter that if the high school band wins the
membership drive, the band students will receive 30 free minutes off of band practice
one day. If parents have more than one child and they are in different bands, it is
suggested that each parent join separately. One membership form and fee for each
band should be filled out. Other relatives’ and business memberships also count toward
the membership count.
The upcoming swim party on August 22 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the Presbyterian
encampment was briefly discussed. Dinner will not be served as previously decided;
just snacks and drinks. The BPO will put more money towards the band family picnic to
be held in the fall.
In discussing snacks/sponsors/football games, Sharon stressed the need for
cohesiveness and unity between the BPO and band students. The kids need to see
the band parents at games, on the bus, in the booth, etc., and feel that the parents
really care and know the students, so that a good spirit of teamwork prevails. If parents
are behind the BPO, then the BPO is behind the students, encouraging them to be their
very best.
The high school band will be marching in the West Texas Fair and Rodeo Parade on
September 6. The time to arrive at the school will be posted on the website. The
parade itself starts at 10:30. Parents are needed to walk along with the band, providing
watchful eyes and cold drinks. A golf cart will be supplied by Amy Green.
The BPO will provide fruit and popsicles during the two evening/late afternoon band
practices over the summer.
Mr. Etter gave a report on various happenings. He is currently updating the website
almost daily; once the school year gets started it will be updated on a weekly basis.
The homepage on the website is the announcement page. All the necessary forms are
on the website, including health forms, which for returning students, can be checked for
accuracy and resubmitted.
There will be 3 parades and 3 contests (Wylie, San Angelo, and UIL marching) this
year. As far as football travels, Brady and Early are the farthest away. The BPO will
supply money for meals for the students on both these trips. At one home game the 7th
and 8th grade band will sit and play with the high school band. Mr. Etter commented
that the students really appreciate the 3rd quarter snacks.
He asked parents to make sure students are well-hydrated during the summer practices
and parades. He reiterated that no band student who is an athlete will have to miss
practices. The athletes have a separate summer practice time and are doing well. He
also pointed out that the retention rate was very good; only one band member dropped
out from last year. Currently there are about 68 band members.
The BLT (Band Leadership Team) conference held at the band hall on August 1 with
Mr. Lunney from Wylie went very well. Sixteen students, seniors and/or section leaders,
attended. Mr. Etter ended his remarks by saying that there will be a freshman meeting
on Monday, August 18. He also commented that “Remind 101” is functional. He was
encouraged to use it because it is a great way to notify parents quickly, all at once, of
important and/or emergency information.
During the Additional Discussion time, Sharon noted that it’s not to late to purchase
an ad or a page in the Football program. The cut-off date is August 13. Stan from
Photo Image is doing it this year and the quality is expected to be excellent. Forms for
purchasing an ad can be found on the Jim Ned All-Sports Booster Facebook page.
Julie noted that it would be nice to do something special to welcome the 6th graders to
their first band experience. Mrs. Kluzek will be asked how the BPO can help in that
area.
Sharon pointed out that the “Meet the Indian”date has been moved to Monday, August
25--the first day of school. The band will need to assemble in the band hall at 7:00 p.m.
that evening. Senior band members will be introduced along with their parents.
Stacy reminded people that the band photo will be on August 13. Students will need allwhite knee-high socks to wear under their uniforms (grey toes are okay, but all other
parts of the socks must be white only). These socks can be purchased at Family Dollar
or Dollar General. Sharon noted that on bus trips the BPO brings along a box with
emergency supplies such as extra socks, sewing kit, etc.
The meeting was adjourned at about 7:10 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Julie Alley, Secretary

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