Minutes 3/11/2007 The Blues Society Of Western Pennsylvania
Membership Meeting of March 11, 2007
The Large Hotel, Clairton

Interim Officers:
Jim Franciscus, Vice President;
Sam Blancato, Membership Secretary,
Annie Sutton, Secretary

Members Present: Paul Baughman; Donna Bennett; Bill Brown; Marcy Brown; David Claycomb; James Hamel; Jan Hasch; Maria Kovacs; Rich Majeran; Bubs McKeg;
Ray Rak; Jon Smith; Don Vecchio; Jim Weber; and, Jonnye Weber

The meeting convened at 7:45 PM.
Presiding Officers were Jim Franciscus and Sam Blancato.

1. Vote of confidence for Interim Officers and Interim Board
• At this point in the meeting, there were seven (7)
  members present in addition to the Interim Officers.
• There were 5 ayes, 1 nay, and 1 abstention.
2. Jeff Kearns and Tracey Giacomo formally resigned as President and Treasurer
   respectively of the Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania.
1. Jeff Kearns gave a verbal accounting of his activities over the past 2 years.
• Attended between fifty to sixty events
• Took the BSWPA banner and membership applications to
  approximately one hundred events
• Got ten new bands into the Carnegie Festival
• Gave away approximately 150 BSWPA t-shirts
• Maintained the trip to Memphis for the Blues Foundation’s International Blues
  Challenge finals was a “fund-raiser”
• Extended thanks to Tracey Giacomo in appreciation for all
  her hard work for the Blues Society
• Extended thanks to Pat Tevis for financing the BSWPA web
  site hosting with his own money
• Video project well underway
• Urged the Society to begin work on the IBC’s right away
• Stipulated that all expenditures during his term in office
  were approved by the previous Board Of Directors


2. Unfinished business with Jeff Kearns:
• Letters of resignation from both Jeff Kearns and Tracey Giacomo.

It was unanimously agreed that, if the above-mentioned letters are not given
to the Interim Officers in a timely manner, it will be necessary for
Membership to vote them out of office at the next meeting.

• Jeff Kearns must surrender the Corporation’s Charter to the Interim Officers.
• Jeff has already turned over two BSWPA banners to Jon Smith, and all t-shirts
  on hand to Jim Franciscus. Jeff has yet to surrender the BSWPA tent.
  There may be other goods that we don’t yet know about.
• Jim Hamel asked Jeff Kearns if he would be willing to meet with the Board,
  if necessary, to continue financial discussion.
  Jeff answered in the affirmative.
3. Debts
• Need $807.84 to pay artists from last IBC
• Ron Yarosz is owed $357.84 of his $1,000.00 Prize money.
• Izzy Stetar’s entry fee was an advance from Jeff Kearns on
  behalf of the BSWPA. Izzy also received funds from the BSWPA Petty Cash
  account for additional expenses. All told, it was estimated that Izzy owed
  the Blues Society $50.00. Therefore, it was moved by Annie Sutton
  to deduct that $50.00 from Izzy’s $500.00 prize purse and pay him $450.00.
• The motion was seconded and approved by the Members.
• Discussion ensued as to why BSWPA funds were advanced to a contestant
  to pay the entry fee for the IBC. All present agreed that was not ethical and, it was
  resolved that in the future, the BSWPA will never again pay a contestant’s IBC entry fee.
  Discussion followed concerning the irresponsible behavior of some local IBC
  winners at
  the Memphis competition. Bubs McKeg said we need the representatives of our Blues
  Society to behave with integrity when in a public setting. Jim Hamel suggested we
  establish a Code of Conduct.
• The idea met with favorable response, but was tabled for
  discussion at the next Membership Meeting.
• Fred Sykes – “Bread For Fred” Benefit raised a total of $2,450.00.
  Fred received $2,000.00 of that money.
• Donna Bennett asked what happened to the $450.00 from the 50/50 Raffle.
  Jeff Kearns replied that the money from the 50/50 Raffle went to tipping bartenders and
  waitresses, paying the BSWPA bar tab, paying Ivan, the sound man (in addition to what
  Ron Esser paid him) and, giving the roadie $20.00.
• Jim Hamel spoke with Fred personally, and reported that Fred is happy with the
  $2,000,00.
• Therefore, it was moved by Ray Rak that, since Fred is happy with the amount he received, and Jeff Kearns gave a logical accounting for what happened to the 50/50 Raffle money, we should drop the issue.
• The motion was seconded by Jim Hamel, and carried by the Members.
• Fiscal Practices and Reform:
• The Interim Treasurer will be responsible for establishing a bank account in the BSWPA’s name at Citizen’s Bank. It was agreed upon by all present that financial records need to be kept by computerized methods, and Quicken was chosen as the software for that purpose. It was also agreed upon by all present that, in the future, all transactions will be paid by checkand all checks will require two signatures from Officers and/or Directors; and, any and all petty cash expenditures must be accounted for by receipt. Dave Claycomb suggested that we keep open financial accounts and publish a balance statement on the BSWPA web site;
• All present agreed.
• The Interim Treasurer will prepare a statement in a timely manner for that purpose.
• Ray Rak volunteered his services as Interim Treasurer. He gave a verbal presentation of his qualifications for the office and his concept of open accounting practices.
• Sam Blancato moved that Ray Rak be accepted as Interim Treasurer,
  Annie Sutton seconded the motion, and it was approved by all present.
• Dave Claycomb offered the idea of a Treasurer’s Committee to collect money, in a manner determined by the Interim Treasurer and subsequently approved by the Board, at events when Ray cannot attend.
• Donna Bennet and Annie Sutton volunteered to serve on the Treasurer’s Committee.
• Jim Hamel moved that all present formally accept the Interim Officers and Interim Board to perform the duties of their respective positions as provided for in the Bylaws.
• The motion was seconded and carried by the floor.
• At this point, Jim Hamel volunteered his services for whatever Office is still vacant. The vacant Office is that of President. The offer is presently under consideration by the Board, and a decision will soon be made and publicized.
4. Postponing the International Blues Challenge (IBC) until all current debts are resolved.
1. We need to have a benefit for the BSWPA to raise money to pay off the Society’s
   debts
   The Society will not use IBC money to resolve debts.
• Potential bands for a fund raiser:
• West End Project (Bubs McKeg)
• East End Dukes (Dave Claycomb)
• Eldorado Kings (to be invited)
• Sonic Blues (Jim Franciscus)
• Angel Blue and The Prophets (To be invited)
• Chizmo Charles (To be invited)
• Gypsy Piano Blues (To be invited)
• Sweaty Betty (Marcy and Bill Brown would like to play the event but, due to negative
  experiences with the previous administration, they will have to
  convince the other band members to play.
2. International Blues Challenge
• As of now, May 5 is the opening date of the 2007 IBC.
  The event will be the first round of the Solo/Acoustic competition, held at the Parlour Bar.
• The Society must have all current debts resolved by that date.
• At present, there are three bands officially entered in the 2007 IBC:
  The Pawnbrokers; East End Dukes; and, Felix and The Hurricanes.
• Bubs McKeg brought up the fact that the Society may have a credibility
  gap with musicians in the Blues Community due to our current debts.
  This fact may necessitate the soliciting of bands by the BSWPA to compete in
  the IBC. Marcy Brown volunteered to assist with that task.
5. Open Floor Discussion:
What do you want from your Blues society?
1. Ray Rak: We need a list of venues we can work to solicit members and distribute information.
2. Bubs McKeg:
3. We should check out the availability of government grants for non-profit organizations. The Society may be eligible for state or federal grants, or may be able to solicit corporate sponsors. We need help from someone who knows how to write
   grant applications. Sam Blancato suggested that this could be an area where an Advisory Board would come in handy. Ron Esser told Marcy Brown that if the Society raised $1,000.00, we could get matching funds from the government. Sam Blancato suggested we ask other Blues Societies if/how they acquire government grants and funding.
4. Web Site Issues:Maria Kovacs volunteered her services for the web site.
   Paul Baughman did a prototype site for the BSWPA and posted it at:
   http://eldoradokings.tripod.com/bluesSociety/index.html
   http://eldoradokings.tripod.com/bluesSociety/index.htmlDiscussion followed on domain changes, etc.
5. Marcy Brown would like to see pictures and bios of the new Officers and
   Board Members posted on the site. Also, she wants the site to have clarity.
6. Donna Bennet said her priority is to re-establish credibility in the Blues Community.
7. Jim Weber would like to see newsletters and offered to help with establishing a new one. Jim also suggested that Members be given discounts at Society events.
8. Dave Claycomb would like to see the Society give something back to the Community; e.g., provide information on all events, not just BSWPA events.
9. Ray Rak would like to see better quality photographs used on web site and in newsletter. He also would like to see interviews with local musicians in the newsletter.

Bubs volunteered to do interviews with local musicians.

10. Jon Smith, who is a professional photographer, volunteered his services.
11. Don Vecchio would like to see improved communications between the Society and its Members. Don is a professional writer who works in communications.
    He volunteered to edit and contribute to the newsletter.


6. Next Meeting:

It was agreed by all present that the next Membership Meeting
will be held on April 15, 2007, at a location to be determined.

7. Adjournment:

Annie Sutton moved that the meeting be adjourned,
Donna Bennett seconded the motion, and all present agreed. The meeting adjourned at 10:45 PM.