Booster President Tom Blakley called the meeting to order at 7:05 pm.  He thanked Marcia and Gerry Montet for all the chaperoning work that did for the San Diego trip.

Secretary’s Report
Debbie Blakley made a motion to approve the minutes from the website; Lisa Drenner seconded.  Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Reports 
Mike Kaczmarski briefly discussed the financial reports.  He started with interest and IBA transfers for band travel payments.  The final collections for the Fall Fest have been received.  Approximately $23,000 is still owed to the travel agency for the Holiday Bowl trip. 

Lisa Drenner asked about outstanding travel payments.  Mike reported there is still approximately $21,000 owed, and payment plans have been made with most of those.

Mike Albert made a motion to approve the financials, Mary Ellen Pifko seconded.  Motion carried.

IBA Updates 
Bill Geary reminded anyone needing an IBA balance to send him an email at WGeary0685@aol.com and he will send them the balance. 

Tom Blakley thanked Bill and Mike for all their hard work on the financials.

Communications Report
Joyce Eriks reported that the newsletter was sent out last week.  She encouraged everyone to get their home email addresses to her so they can be assured of receiving all messages on a timely basis.

Ways and Means Report
Tom McKay reported there are a lot of fund raising activities going on during the next few months.  The Winterguard is having a spaghetti dinner on February 7th, and parent volunteers are needed on that day from 4:30 to 9 pm, and dessert donations are also needed.  We are hosting a Winterguard show on March 18th.  Right now, there are 28 guards scheduled to attend.  This should bring in substantial entry fees as well as concession funds.  Students will be needed to chaperone the guard groups, which can be used for community service hours.  A Market Day Chairperson is needed.  Anyone interested should see Tom.

Cupid Raffle:  Kris Lindley reported the raffle tickets were sent out last week.  Twelve tickets were sent to every marching band student and five to other music students.  The budget for this fund raiser is $20,000, so Kris encouraged everyone to sell their tickets.  He asked Mr. Smith to discuss this in music classes.  The section selling the highest average number of tickets will win a pizza party with Mr. Johnson.

Flower Sale:  Karin Lezon will be co-chairing the flower sale with Marcia Montet.  The order forms will be sent out later this month.  The first $5 raised goes to the Boosters; the remaining profits will go into IBA accounts.  The orders will be due on March 9th. 

Tom McKay reminded everyone that although next year is not a travel year, there will be more band weekend trips, so he encouraged everyone to participate in the fund raisers.

Current Business

Travel payment update:  Mike encouraged everyone to send in remaining band payments as soon as possible.  If the entire payment cannot be made, smaller payments will be accepted.

Tom Blakley thanked the truck drivers for giving up their Christmas holiday to ensure all the props, instruments, uniforms and luggage arrived on a timely basis.

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny:  Tom Blakley reported on the Bunny breakfast.  He is looking for volunteers such as cooks, servers, ticket sellers, etc.  It will be held on March 31st.  This was a very successful fund raiser for the Boosters last year. 

New Board members (North and East):  The Board is starting to look for new officers for the Booster boards for both North and East.  President-Elect, Treasurer-Elect and Ways and Means-Elect are needed for each school as well as Uniform Chairpersons and Spirit Wear Chairpersons.  Please contact Tom with any questions. 

Choir updates:  No update was available.

Jaycees Recognition:  Sue Ann Del Vicario announced that she nominated both Bert Johnson and Clif Smith for IL Jaycee Outstanding Young Person Awards this year.  There were 18-20 submissions.  Mr. Smith placed 12th and Mr. Johnson placed 4th.  This program acknowledges those who have gone above and beyond, and have impacted those within their community and beyond.  She asked the Boosters to sponsor an ad in the program booklet.  Ads run from $250 to $75.  Mr. Johnson will be given a black tuxedo, he and his wife will be guests at the awards ceremony in early May, and he will receive a medallion as well as an etched award.  Kris Lindley made a motion to make a donation to the Jaycees for $250 from the IBA Reserve Account; Mike Albert seconded.  Motion carried.

Congratulations to Mr. Johnson and Mr. Smith.

Staff Comments
Mr. Smith thanked the drivers and chaperones for their help in California.  The trip went very smooth and it was a great trip.  He and Mr. Therriault were in a helicopter which flew over the USS Midway where the band was assembled.  There are several professional shots that will be offered for sale at cost.  Any questions from the trip can be directed to Mr. Smith or Mr. Johnson.

There was a question about complimentary DVDs from the trip.  Mr. Smith doesn’t have any information about this, but will check into it.

Last week, auditions for the cast for the spring musical were held.  The musical will be “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”.  Rehearsals started this week.  Pit orchestra auditions will take place in early February.  Mr. Johnson will coordinate these auditions.

Both Winter Colorguards are rehearsing now.  Winterguard I with nearly 1-1/2 years of experience with Mr. Spaeth is quite stunning, and Mr. Smith encouraged everyone to attend the competitions to see them.  Winterguard II is doing quite well, and there were 15 eighth graders present at a meeting today for a beginning junior high guard. 

Ten students are going to the IL IMEA All State Festival next week.  This includes jazz students, instrumentalists and vocal performers.

On February 1st, there is a recruiting meeting with the Wind Ensemble and the junior high band students.  This meeting will be followed by a short concert at 7:00 that evening.   February 8th is Open House for the incoming freshmen and their parents.  On Friday, February 2nd, some band students will be performing at the grand opening of the new cancer support center in Mokena.

Although there will not be a major trip next year for the marching band, two or three Bands of America events are being planned (perhaps Ypsilanti and Indianapolis) as well as band camp.  Easy payment plans will be set up. 

A preliminary summer schedule has been completed; it should be finalized by February 1st so band parents can begin planning their summer vacations.  The three weeks following the 4th of July will definitely still be off dates. 

Frames for the panoramic and aerial pictures should be available at the next Booster meeting.

Dave Drenner made a motion to adjourn at 7:45; Karin Lezon seconded.  Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,
Robyn Madden
Booster Secretary

Upcoming Dates

January 24-27         IMEA All Star Festival, Peoria

January 28th             Winterguard I and II contest, Naperville

February 2nd              Jazz Ensemble I & Combo, Hickory Creek

February 3rd              Jazz Ensemble 2, New Trier

February 7th              Winterguard Spaghetti Dinner

February 13th             General Meeting 7:00 pm