Bishop O Connell Music Boosters

Bishop O’Connell Music Boosters

October 1, 2014

I. Opening Prayer

The meeting was called to order at 6:32. Robert Hay led the opening prayer on “friends” .

In attendance were faculty members Maria McDonald, Peter Kadeli and Ron Issacson; and Music Booster members Susan Cottini (Spirit Wear), Mary Kay Humfelt (Treasurer), Tara Richmond (Fundraiser Coordinator), Emily English (Webmaster), John Hentschel (Vice President), Bob Hay (President), and Lisa Verdonik (Secretary). List of parents in attendance is also attached.

II. Introductions

Introductions were waived to save time.

III. September Minutes.

Approved.

IV. Teacher’s Reports

Mr. Isaacson reported bands/orchestra doing phenomenally well! Discussed upcoming concerts to include fall production and Christmas concerts. Announced new gig at St Timothy’s at Dulles/Hilton March 7, 2015. Mr. Isaacson wants to get together with repair person for the tool repair kit he wishes to have. Discussed “It’s Academic” taping which will air November 1, 2014 at 1030. The Jazz Band performed very well and in fact was asked to play instead of the regular music as the show fades to commercial. The time they were scheduled to play however was cut due to unforeseen spontaneous changes in the overall show.

Mr. Kadeli taught the school song at the assembly. Generally folks aren’t as aware of the school song in addition to the fight song . Men’s A Capela started with 7-8 seniors and includes some football players. The group is fantastic. Discussed that the O’Connell singers sing at half time at one of the football games and also look into them possibly performing at a CAP’s game.

V. Treasurer’s Report

Mary Kay Humfelt presented the report for July and August, only activity was $41.25 for tips from the golf tournament.

VI. PTO Report

Pep band and singers are doing great at the football games! The men’s group formation is encouraged. Athletic boosters fundraisers have been slashed. Result is everyone is trying to make money anyway they can.

VII. Web Site

Issues still not resolved, therefore it is still not up. VIII. Teachers Wish List

Mr. Isaacson has been exploring how to spend surplus funds. He stated that there are enough instruments and equipment. Discussion ensued on the following options: send students to governor’s school, bring cost down for spring trip, provide scholarships for students who take P.E. during summer (in order to avoid early bird). Information for uniforms was put forth. For example cumberbuns/bow ties are 8$ and a tuxedo shirt is 15$ on Amazon.

Mr. Kadeli discussed that some of the girls need dresses. They have 24 but need 10 more. Discussion of possibilities of scarves and how to get the scarves to enhance the black dresses occurred. One parent offered to talk to her seamstress to help. Vote was approved to allocate 1000$ for 10 dresses.

Teachers will submit requests as they think about what they might need for wish lists.

IX. Pep Band

Need to do something about crowding of band in stands. Parents can bring cookies etc to supplement pizza, water. Assistance is needed.

X. By Laws Update

Bob Hay will distribute to executive board. Essentially simply reconstituting music boosters into fine arts boosters.

XI. Fundraising

Having a strong start. Efforts are somewhat rushed. Have challenges with getting candy bars in time to sell during the approved week. Final sales for coffee at meeting. It has been challenging getting this done early in the year, however there are benefits in getting it done early. Upcoming bake sale will need baked goods sold for a dollar, will need help executing.

Bob Hay discussed that we will continue to have short fuse requests of helping with athletic boosters. This is a good source of money.

XII. Pot Luck Review

Attendance was down significantly, discussion ensued as to why this occurred. There is still not an email list. This could have contributed to low turnout. Ideas as to how to develop the attendance list with the assistance in particular of Ms. McDonald occurred. It is a problem that we are still not in touch with all of the families. Hopefully the Pops concert will reach out to people that haven’t attended the pot luck.

XIII. Music Tech/Guitar

There is no advance guitar class. Music tech is removed and computer tech is offered, thus since there is only one musician taking this class it does not make sense to require that parents of students that attend this class pay the booster fee according to Mr. Kadeli. Mr. Kadeli is reconsidering this fact since Bob Hay raised the point that these students attend the banquet at the end of the year which is subsidized out of the fine arts fee. Software for this class comes from the school budget.

XIV.Spirit Wear

Since everyone was not at the pot luck, all folks that might want/need a shirt didn’t have this opportunity. An email went out to the existing email list with info on the new shirt and design. There are currently 27 orders. It is important that the first order with the new shirt design be submitted to honor the orders that were made at the pot luck. The deadline for orders was Oct 1. It was discussed that another order can be placed at a later day. A question was raised if the new shirts are required. Is there consensus with requiring the new shirts? Decision was made If you already have a shirt then that shirt is grandfathered in. It hasn’t been conveyed to all freshmen that they need a shirt. Mr. Isaacson received pushback from parents that they had to buy a new shirt if they already had one.

XV. Spring Trip

Robin Dougherty will help and two new parents have stepped up to help and learn the ropes from Robin. Three options were presented, Atlanta, Boston and Nashville. We will go with the same company as last year and although there will not be competition persay with other schools (since the trip will happen earlier than when the schools have competitions), the students will nevertheless be adjudicated and they will receive all the inherent benefits of a meaningful spring trip.

The difference in costs between a trip of 14 hours vs. 10 hours is considerable. 19,000$ vs 10,000$ respectively. Extensive debate occurred since some parents were interested in a longer trip to Nashville vs. a shorter trip to Boston. Parents expressed significant concern over another long trip since the trip last year was excessively long. Traveling overnight was discussed. Ms. McDonald is going to head up an effort to look into considerations of traveling through the night.

A vote was called and 13 votes for Boston (est. 700$) 1 vote for Nashville (est. 850$).

New Business

Open House.

Help is needed, let Bob Hay know if you can help.

Parish Reresentative.

Maria McDonald would like to work with a parent rep to get info out from DJO into the church bulletins to assist dissemination of information.

Housekeeping.

Additional keys for music booster box and closet are needed.

Meeting adjourned at 8:38 P.M.

Respectively Submitted, Lisa Verdonik.