LMTA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
JULY 9-10, 2010
THE WESLEY CENTER, WOODWORTH, LA
Attendance: Jill O’Toole, Historian; Donna Toney, President; Katherine Tobey, Immediate Past President; Judy McGehee, President-Elect; Patti Misita, VP Membership; Sue Steck-Turner, VP Certification; David Easley, VP Publicity; Dorothy Sahlmann, VP Rallies; Janet Colbert, Treasurer; and Robin Ebeyer, Secretary
Friday
President Toney called the meeting to order and attendance was taken by signature. Katherine made the motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes. Judy seconded and all were in favor.
Janet gave the treasurer’s report. LMTA’s account at the Red River Bank in Shreveport shows a balance of $47,599.96 as of July 8, 2010. She informed the group about her dealings with the IRS about our Non-Profit status. All Non-Profit organizations with gross receipts of $25,000 or more are required to file a Form 990 to the IRS every year. This law was made effective in 2006; however no one in the LMTA organization was ever informed of this. Janet contacted an expert Non-Profit CPA, Mr. Tim Borst. They have worked endless hours to gather the necessary information to back-file for 2009, 2008, and 2007. Mr. Borst will be paid approximately $1000 per return filed. We have also submitted a letter requesting that the penalties be removed, since LMTA consists of all volunteers. If we are required to pay the penalties, the total would come to $22,500 ($20 per day since May 15, 2006). All agreed that we should continue to employ Mr. Borst to help with our future returns.
Friday, September 23, is the deadline for convention registration. A fillable PDF form is available on our website. All members are encouraged to use this format.
Discussion took place concerning our money status. It was decided that we must wait for the IRS ruling before dealing with available funds.
Patti moved that multiple checks sent to Janet be sent certified mail and suggested that a single check exceeding $100 also be sent certified. Katherine seconded and all were in favor.
Janet also asked that all LMTA members designate clearly what the check is for in the memo line, and notify her by email that a check is coming.
David Easley blessed the group with two items to commemorate LMTA’s recent award of “State Affiliate of the Year”: an insulated drink holder and a bumper sticker. Discussion took place on how to promote this honor at convention, possibly giving all attendees one of these items or something similar.
Sue Steck-Turner informed the group about an idea to raise money for the SHS fund. LMTA isn’t able to offer a SHS Play-a-Thon this year at convention, so to take its place, Kara McCool has offered to design a t-shirt to sell to teachers at convention. “Keeping the Beat” will be the theme, in an effort to keep Louisiana residents’ spirits up in light of recent tragedies. T-shirts will sell for $15/each and the SHS fund will make $500 if only 100 are sold. Sue moved that we accept Kara’s idea and that LMTA write a check for $1029 to begin the process of printing 100 t-shirts. Judy seconded and all were in favor.
Patti Misita informed the group that LMTA has a current membership of 252. All members are encouraged to make sure to notify MTNA with current email addresses and that membership dues MUST be paid by August 1 in order to be included in the convention bulletin. Patti agreed to email reminders to all members.
Sue informed the group that Katherine Tobey is now MTNA certified, as well as two others. Discussion took place on how to encourage younger teachers to become state and nationally certified. It was agreed that we would offer a panel discussion at convention about Rally and how to prepare students for the competition. Sue moved that LMTA continue to reimburse members who pursue national certification $100 each. Katherine seconded and all were in favor.
Dorothy Sahlmann informed the board on rally activity this year. There were three rallies – string, harp, and piano. There were 20 students who participated in the harp rally and 35 students and 5 teachers in the string rally. The preliminary piano rally numbers reflect 606 students and 96 teachers. All districts are encouraged to send their report in to Teresa. There were 161 students who participated in the Torgrimson/Swanzey Competition in Baton Rouge, representing 64 teachers. For future TS competitions, the host district should have clear communication with the VP for Rallies for all necessary supplies, equipment and other needs. It is recommended the String Rally’s accounts go through LMTA, not a local account.
Judy informed the group about LTMA Convention coming up October 14-16 in Natchitoches at Northwestern State University. Peter Mack will be our featured clinician and artist, as well as Christine Barden of Alfred. Christine will do an Alfred Showcase featuring Music for Little Mozarts. Peter will do a master class. There will be one voice session offered, 8 string sessions, and 9 other sessions. Board members were assigned various sessions to preside over. The lunch meetings will be $10. Judy moved that LMTA pay for the collegiate lunch for those students who register by the deadline. Sue seconds and all were in favor. The banquet will be at The Landing. Following the Thursday recital, LMTA will sponsor a celebration reception starting at approximately 9:30. Door prizes will be awarded throughout the evening.
Donna informed the group that the first annual Chamber Music Competition will be held in Monroe and the University of Louisiana on Saturday, November 11, 2010.
We have two Foundation Fellows who need funding: Katherine Tobey and Cindy Hockenjos. Money collected with the Used Music Sale and the Silent Auction will all go toward this, as well as individual donations.
Discussion was made about some revisions to the Constitution/Bylaws. No decisions were made.
The meeting was adjourned until Saturday morning.
Saturday Much discussion took place about string rally. Members will be contacted about who will chair the event.
The afternoon break-out session topics were listed and discussed.
The meeting was adjourned to be joined by the Full Board.
Respectfully submitted, Robin Ebeyer, Secretary
|
