6/13/2019
Visual and Performing Arts Boosters Minutes of the General Membership Meeting
Thursday, June 13, 2019 6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
In attendance:
Connie Plaistad
Eric Demaris
Sarah Dore
Rose Hines
Marc Cerabona
Catherine L’Heureux
Emilie Spas
Lisa Crimp
Rachel Bilodeau
Tom Macisso
Laurie and Scott Ellis
Denise Hamond
Robin Parsons
Tonia Cloutier
Florian Knappe
Ed Kindler
Matt Ford
Bonnie McGovern
Jeni Kingston
Catherine Lindgren
Kelly McLaughlin
Leslie Trentalange
Jesse Wakeman
Emma Hauser
Michelle Taggart
1. All in attendance introduced themselves and described their relation to visual and performing arts at KHS (6:30-6:35)
2. VPA Scholarship recipients were announced. Lisa Crimp reported that there were 12 very deserving applicants for 4 $750 scholarships. Scholarships were awarded to Juli Ennis, Colby Ellis, Emma Flores, and Alice Hauser. (6:35-6:40)
3. Love Music and Arts Annual Appeal was not well received this year. Efforts to launch appeal were uncoordinated. Re-establishing positions may help alleviate confusion. Total net income for the 2019 appeal totaled $6464.38. (6:40-6:45)
4. Treasurer’s Report- Scott reported that the available balance in the account is $25,132.85. A copy of the complete report is available for anyone interested. (6:45-6:50)
5. Emma proposed a change to the Constitution for the 2019-2020 to re-establish designated leadership positions. The 9 positions and their descriptions were proposed and discussed. Those in attendance voiced approval to re-establish positions. Emma will write a formal proposal and post online and there will be a vote in the fall. (6:50-7:00)
● Proposed election slate 2019-2020:
President: Emma Hauser Treasurer: Scott Ellis
Secretary: Catherine Lindgren
VP of Fundraising: Michelle Taggart
VP of NYC Trip: Jeni Kingston
VP of Publicity: Lisa Crimp
VP of Concessions: Connie Plaisted
VP of Tickets and Ushering: Rose Hines VP of Special Events: Linda Morrison
Emilie Spas and Karen Ennis are stepping down from their positions on the executive board. A motion was made to elect two replacement members to the board. Welcome Rose Hines and Linda Morrison. (7:00-7:10)
6. New York City Trip 2020: 3 years ago the boosters wanted to start a tradition to take the choral and band members to NYC. Eric and Jesse are eager to plan a trip and many seniors are looking forward to it. Jeni gave a recap of the 2016 NYC trip. The goal is to keep the kids busy. Jeni has already reached out to contacts from the 2016 trip- prices have increased slightly.
A grant from the Ed Foundation funded some of the cost of the 2016 trip. A video made by the members of the 2016 NYC trip and presented to the Ed Foundation was shown at tonight’s meeting. Suggestion was made to create an updated video to present to the Ed Foundation. In 2016 the Ed Foundation generously contributed $9,000 toward the trip.
Catherine made a point that we need to move quickly to plan this trip. A motion was made to proceed with a tentative trip to New York City in April 2020. All in favor, no opposed. In September there will be a mandatory meeting for students and parents, deposits will be collected.
A suggestion was made to change the trip from Friday- Sunday to Thursday-Saturday. Tentative approval from administration April 23-25. May need to alter dates, as there is a student trip to Spain/Portugal during proposed dates. Connie also asked that the dates of the trip not coincide with April vacation week, as many families use this time for college visits. Also avoid Easter weekend, which also occurs in April. Approximately the same number of students to attend 2020 trip as the 2016 NYC trip. There was mention of including theater students, however with the departure of the theater director, the idea was dismissed. May reconsider this option or possibly arrange a separate trip the following year.
The goal is to try to find a festival in Manhattan rather than New Jersey (too far). Jesse would like to give the opportunity for the entire music program to attend the trip- combined chorus’ and band. He suggested options to participate in an adjudicated music festival or to attend a day clinic with professors and conductors with a performance opportunity included.
A committee of volunteers is needed to fundraise for trip- Michelle Taggart, Emma Hauser, Rose Hines, Eric Demaris, Sarah Dore, Scott Ellis, Jesse Wakeman, Denise Hamond, Catherine L’ Heureux have all said they are able to help. In 2016, the participants raised $20,000 with an additional $9,000 from the Ed Foundation. Fundraising ideas were tossed back and forth including: a fundraiser musical, citrus/wreath fundraiser, play-a-thon, cookie dough. Discussion about making it mandatory for any student that wants to attend the trip has to participate in at least one fundraiser was mainly agreed upon. (7:10-7:50)
7. Other matters: Emma wanted to address issues with advocacy in the VPA organization. It is not the role of the visual and performing arts boosters to take on advocacy. We as individuals can speak our minds and write letters to the school board, but it is not appropriate that the VPA boosters takes a stance as a group. The goal of the boosters is to provide enrichment and support to our faculty and students. (7:50-8:00)