BQPA/PIONEERS

                  

       Barbershop Quartet Preservation Association

  

General Meeting – April 7, 2018

                           

 Present:   Tom Noble – President

                   Lee Taylor – VP

                  Jim Gallagher – Treasurer

                  Rex Touslee – Secretary

                  Gerry Carroll – Chair – East Festival

                  Jim Milner – Chair – West Festival

 

 

Call to order: 10:30 am  - late due to emergency fire evacuation

 

Recognized departed friends:  Dick Webber  -  Don Richmond (USAF  Metronomes) -  Billy McKnight (Barberque 4)  -  Albert L. Warner  -  Tom Millot  -  Johnny Hammond  -  Earl McDougal 

 

A reverent rendition of The Old Songs was sung in their memory.

 

Treasurer's Report:   Jim Gallagher:   We’re solvent, with a treasury of $7,138 in the bank.   We usually make a little money in Chicago and are lucky to break even in Mesa.

 

President Tom:   

 

He has appointed Jordan Busboom as the Communications and P.R. person.   His duties are to expeditiously handle the promotion of the BQPA via Social Media.

 

There has been a memorial donation accepted for  ___XXXXXXXX____

 

The Board has discussed the pros and cons of obtaining liability insurance for BQPA event.   This is still being investigated.

 

Singers from The Platoon organization have been invited to join us on the weekend.   Be advised that they have been cautioned about dominating our activities.  Members are encouraged to welcome them and invite them to sing with you.   Adam Kaufman has been asked to monitor this.

 

There has been an Email “blast” to all members, encouraging them to join our Google Group email to facilitate better communications.

 

Per suggestion/request from Jim Milner and Paul Ludwig, we are wanting to assemble and compile

a listing of all previous BQPA Gold Medal Quartets and their makeup.     Email Paul Ludwig with your confirmed information.

 

Gerry Carroll – East Festival

 

Details are complete for this Fall’s Festival in Chicago.   Room rate is the same $89.25 as last year and they have agreed to again, not charge us for the meeting room.    Beer/sodas will be provided for $1.25 each with a ‘kitty’ to use.   Any excess funds will be put into the Festival donation bucket.

 

Gerry warned everyone about the deadline date to make hotel reservations:  August 8, 2018   (???).

Info will be on the website – very strict – call the hotel direct.

 

Discussed handicap provisions at the Chicago hotel – Best Western.

 

Robin Thomas – our UK member – has sent a donation to the BQPA.

 

Jim Milner - West Festival

 

He has found that they have upgraded our facility here – rooms are same charge.  Handicap rooms must be reserved personally.  Pat Lanphier noted that the food service is slow.   Jim’s reply: this same issue was discussed with the staff last year and was supposed to have been corrected.

 

Jim advised all that the date for the Festival in 2019 will be the 1st week end in April, NOT the usual second weekend.       This is due to a conflict with the Far Western District’s event.    Adam Kaufman provided a Five Year Plan of schedule.

 

Jim commended Bernie Esberner for his very able assistance to him over the past year.

 

 

Tom Noble – President

 

Makes the observation that our attendance continues to decline.    Urges all to be sure to make a donation for the event expenses.     Need shirts ??    See Jim Gallagher.

 

Communications and PR

 

Tom urges all to help promote BQPA – use the cards at all events you attend.   There are generic flyers

Available for printing on the website – also distribute these at events.

 

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Event liability insurance.  -   Bernie Esberner has recommended that this be bought due to the low expense of $100- $200.  This will be investigated prior to the Chicago meeting.    Paul Ludwig suggested that doing so should be voted on by the members.   Tom disagrees:   The Board will make that decision.

 

Succession Plan

 

Tom announces his intention to retire from the President’s job, effective Jan. 1. 2019.    Per the By-Laws - Tom will be appointing Lee Taylor to step into the President’s slot.   Lee will need the help of the membership to keep the BQPA running.

 

Lee Taylor comments on the new Barbershop Quartet organization being started by Jack Fitzgerald known as Society for the Preservation and Propagation of Barbershop Quartet Singing in the U.S.

SPPBSQUS for short.  Lee described this as a very conservative concept.   Pat Lanphier comments that it sounds redundant to BQPA.   It was noted that this new organization has a website.

 

Tom Noble noted that the Board has discussed ways we might spend some of our treasury for the benefit of BQPA - like marketing and promotional items.   Suggestions are requested.

 

Adam Kaufman asked what is a prudent reserve funds balance.   Tom responded that we should have at least enough to fund 3 events, with no additional funds added.   Estimate = 3 events expenses = $3000

 

Tom announced the adoption of Roberts Rules of Order for Small Boards.

 

Tom announced that there is a card available for all to sign for Pete Tyree and it will be sent to him.

Gerry Carroll gave update on Pete to the attendees saying that Pete intends to be in Chicago.

 

Jim Angel reported that Chuck Gutherie’s absence is due to having pneumonia and has had several tests.

 

Tom thanks those who volunteered for the Registration Desk.

 

Adjourned – 11:30