Vickie Burch called the meeting to order at 7:06 pm in the cafeteria.
 
REPORTS
 
Secretary – The minutes from the August meeting were posted on the website.  A motion was made, seconded and approved to accept the minutes as posted.
 
Treasurer’s Report – Jackie Cooper presented the Income/Expenses for August and Year to Date, as well as the Account Balances.  There have been a lot of expenses this month, but overall we are doing well and account balances are where we expect them to be.  A motion was made, seconded and approved to accept the Treasurer’s Report.
 
Communications – Val McGraw reported that the phone tree for this year is all set and should start next month.  She had 36 volunteers, which means each person will need to call about 6 people each month.  There is also a sign up if you would like to receive your information by email only.  Any information that needs to be distributed by the phone tree needs to be relayed to Val by the 1st Tuesday of the month.  If you ordered a name tag, Val has them.  Val is organizing a “fan club” for the field shows. They will be getting together September 23rd to make noisemakers, etc and will plan to sit together at competitions.
 
Ways & Means – Mark, Nancy and chairs reported on the following fundraisers.
 
FUNDRAISERS
 
Market Day – Jean Smith reported a $465 profit this month.  We had 30 more customers this month.  The next Market Day will be September 29th from 4-6 pm.  The flute section is scheduled to help and Jean would like to have 1 or 2 adult volunteers to help check orders.  The January Market Day has been set for January 13th.
 
SIAM – Dave Drenner reported that SIAM selling dates are September 19th and 26th, from 11 am to 5 pm.  There will be a pizza party after the selling on September 26th at the Lion’s Club in New Lenox with Lincoln Way Central’s Music Boosters.  Participation in SIAM card sales is mandatory for all Marching Griffins.  There are 333 businesses on the card this year which represents a 10% participation increase.  The town captains are Mike D’Amico, Denise Ozburn, and Steve Therriault.  Parent drivers may want to bring some $10 bills to make change.  The students should wear their summer polo shirt or another shirt that identifies them as being part of Lincoln Way East.
 
Car Raffle – Nancy Stachura reports that tickets are due by September 17th.  We have sold 700 tickets so far.  She requests everyone to turn their tickets in as soon as possible and she has more tickets if anyone needs them.
 
Wreath Sale – The brochures will be mailed to you in the next few weeks.  There was a small increase in some item’s costs.  This is an IBA fundraiser and is optional.  The items are all of a very high quality and the students will make a 40% profit. Wreaths can also be shipped. Help is needed to unload the wreaths when they arrive in November.
 
Field Show – The Field Show will be on October 23rd at Lincoln Way Central.  This year’s show is larger with 18 bands expected.  Kent David is looking for many volunteers.
 
Brat Booth – The Brat Booth was very successful this year.  Dee Block wanted to recognize the generous time contributions of Wayne Rhode and Jack Gagliano who do not even have children currently attending Lincoln Way East.  She also wanted to acknowledge Bill Moore’s generous donation of electrical equipment that kept the Brat Booth running.  She also thanked all the volunteers who donated 1027 hours of time.
 
Cookie Dough – The administration approved this additional optional fundraiser that will coincide with the wreath sale.  This sale will be completed in October to allow collected money to be available for the final Fiesta Bowl Payment.  He thanked Louann McKernin, Mary Muraida and Barb Albert for making the cookies for sampling tonight.  The vendor is going to pick up 50% of the shipping costs to allow the students a larger profit.  Mark is looking for volunteer to chair this fundraiser.
 
OLD BUSINESS
 
Newsletter – Mr. Smith wrote the newsletter this month but will be working with the new parent volunteers for next month.
 
Band Camp Wrap – Steve Therriault reported that band camp was very successful because the staff addressed all concerns well and the students’ behavior was exemplary.  Steve received positive comments from the camp staff, the bus drivers and other campers about how good our students were.  He also thanked all the parents on behalf of the chaperones for preparing their students so well for the camp.  A parent stood up to voice her gratitude to the chaperones and staff for making the band camp such a positive experience for her child.
 
Spirit Wear – This is an ongoing fundraiser that will be available throughout the season.  Mary Muraida was recognized for organizing this so well and she had samples available at the meeting.  There has been around $2500 worth of spirit wear sold so far and it continues to sell well. 
 
Booster Membership – You can still sign up.  We currently have 247 members which is remarkable considering there are only 187 students in the marching band.  If you did not get your membership card when you signed up, the cards are now available an can be picked up after the meeting.
 
Choir Recognition – The choir went on a cruise and to Disney World this summer.  The choirs were recognized as outstanding performers and received superior ratings.  The Madrigal group was named the finest chamber ensemble during the 2003-2004 musical tour season.
 
Fiesta Bowl Payment – The second to last payment is now due.
 
Tailgate at ISU – The tailgate is on October 16th.  We do the tailgate with Lincoln Way Central and anticipate feeding about 800 people.  This is the unofficial state of Illinois championship.  This year we will using a caterer for the food.  There are ticket order forms available.  Tickets are $10.00 for adults and children over 6 years old.  Dinner is free for the band members, alumni, and children under 6.  We need everyone to buy tickets ahead of time to give caterer an accurate count.  The menu will include grilled chicken, hamburgers, chili, baked beans, coffee and more.  We  ask that each family provide a dessert, preferably precut.
 
Field Show Shirts – The shirts are in and have begun to be passed out.  There are a few extra available to purchase, but there will not be a re-order.
 
NEW BUSINESS
 
Scholarship Fund – The Executive board is considering adding a second scholarship but we are open to input from parents. 
 
District 210 Foundation Dinner – It is scheduled for November 6.  We would like to have table of 10 representing the Lincoln Way East Music Boosters.  Everyone should receive a mailing about this event this week.  Tickets are $75.00.
 
Chaperones for Marching Griffin Competitions – Michelle Schmidt needs volunteer to chaperone on the busses to and from competitions and to assist moving equipment on and off the field at competitions.
 
STAFF COMMENTS
 
There is a music Code of Conduct on Tuesday, September 21st at 7 pm for any parents that did not attend the marching band or fall athletic code of conduct.
The IMEA auditions will take place all day on October 12th at Sandburg High School.  You will need to fill out a travel release to pick up your student at Sandburg.
There is a Choir Concert on October 19th at 7:30 pm—the choir has experienced a 20% growth from last year and this year they have equal balance of male/female voices in their chorale choir.
The Guitar Ensemble is new this year, and will be performing at the Kaleidoscope  concert in December.
The Fiesta Bowl flights have been assigned and will be posted on Friday.  There are 5 different flights.
The Marching Griffins have been working especially hard this week to get ready for the upcoming competitions.  These students have been working hard since June, they have 7 weeks left in the season and are in the home stretch.  Mr. Smith commented on how very proud he is of all the Marching Griffins.
Mr. Smith explained that the band will be staying at a Hilton Hotel for the Fiesta Bowl now instead of an Embassy Suites because the Embassy Suites is undergoing a renovation and they did not want to take a chance that it wouldn’t be ready in time for the trip. 
If you have questions about the trip, you can visit the website at www.fiestabands.com and click on bands icon.  The band login is Lincoln and the password is sonwa.  For information on family/booster trips the website is the same, but click on booster icon, then Lincoln b and sonwa b.  The deadline to register for associated family travel is the end of this month.
 
IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES
 
September 21                          Music Code of Conduct
September 24                          Marching Griffin Pep Rally and Homecoming Game
October 1                                Marching Griffins perform at Football Game
October 2                                Phantom Regiment Show
October 9                                Metamora Show
October 12                              IMEA Auditions
October 12                              General Membership Music Booster Meeting
October 15                              Marching Griffins perform at Football Game
October 16                              Illinois State University Show and Tailgate
 
 
The meeting was adjourned at 8:40 pm
 
Respectfully submitted, Carey Quealy, Secretary