October 11, 2005
Music Boosters Board Meeting Minutes

Submitted by Kathleen Hill, sitting in for Jan Frost, Secretary.
Next meeting scheduled for November 8, 2005 at 6:00 to be followed by mandatory parent meeting at 7:00.

In Attendance:

Pia Weber, Christoph Weber, David Ivey, Gay Olivier-Lilley, Susan Strong, Valerie Zverina, Donna Dunagan, Cheri Zinser, Kathleen Hill

Financials:

Susan Strong presented the latest Financial Report, dated 9/14/2005 through 10/11/2005. Ending Balance $7,461.68. Approximately 14 families have paid the full $250 recommended assessment; about 15 parents are making payments.

Christoph will formulate a friendly reminder letter to be sent to those who have not begun to pay.

The Union Bank account has been closed. A letter needs to be sent on Music Booster letterhead so that the ending balance can be withdrawn.

Certain students have been selected by Mr. Cummins to receive a sort of "uniform scholarship." It was agreed that this is something that the Boosters need to vote upon first.

Items need to be approved by the Board and worked into the budget before purchase/payment.

Question as to whether Alia's (Pageantry coach) summer coaching fees were ever voted upon... this needs to be confirmed by going over past meeting minutes.

Pageantry should have a parent representative at the monthly booster meeting. Pia or Christoph have agreed to talk to Alia regarding this.

Budget meeting will be held Tuesday, October 18, at Pia and Christoph's home, at 7:00pm.

Uniforms:

Almost complete. Some have been returned and replaced for various reasons. Still under the $2000 budget.

New Uniform Questions:

 ♦ What are we looking at budget-wise?
    »» Drumline and pit may grow, which will require more investment.
    »» Will need a 3-5-7 year plan.
 ♦ How much will they cost?
 ♦ What are our options?
 ♦ Do companies bid for jobs? If so, we should compare companies/get more than one bid.

Uniforms will need to be sturdy, in case they are needed to last another 20 years, as the present ones were. Mr. Smith has given Mr. Cummins permission to talk to his friend at Stanbury Company about drawing up a design(s). Other school uniforms in the area will need to be checked to avoid duplication of style, etc. Will continue to consider options at present, and focus more on it in December. There are 40 extra uniforms right now.

EdUCate! might be interested in partially or fully funding uniforms. Grant forms are out the 1st of the year, then evaluated and awarded in April. Cheri Zinser may be able to get an example proposal from Mr. Marcus (Standley was awarded a few years back).

UC High has promised $15,000, which would cover 40% of an estimated $40,000 total cost. We need to get that money, and start a bank account for this purpose. Susan Strong suggested that all extra money be put into this account, or be set aside for new uniforms.

Christoph Weber suggested that a Uniform Committee be formed. Donna Dunagan and Valerie Zverina were solicited as Chairs...they'll think about it.

Taste of the Triangle:

Will be held Tuesday, November 15, 2005

It was agreed the UC High Music Department should have a presence. The Jazz Ensemble is ready, as would be the orchestra.

Cheri Zinser's husband is in charge. The Drumline has already been requested.

Cheri has been trying to get an "authorized assistant" to attend this and other minor appearances where Mr. Cummins can't be present. She has spoken to Lourdes in the office, gotten volunteer forms, inquired about TB testing and fingerprinting. She will get back to Christoph with more information.

Fundraising:

Homecoming -- Need to talk to Football Boosters regarding what can be sold. Last year it was doughnuts...perhaps brownies this year? Will bring this topic up at the parent meeting to find out how many parents would be willing to make cookies. The brownies need to be cheaper than 75¢; 25¢ or 50¢ would be better. They need to be wrapped individually in plastic. They should have no nuts or be specifically labeled as as having them. Kathleen will send out a blanket email asking for brownie donations. Leftovers will be sold next day at the field show.

License plate frames -- There were some left over from last year, but no one seems to know where they are (it was thought that Linda Walker might have them, but that was not the case)... an investigation will commence.

Carwash -- Gay still looking for a suitable, agreeable location. High School will not allow one on the campus. Coldwell Banker a possibility. There is also a location near Walmart that Gay will look into.

Pre-Christmas Fundraiser -- Possibilities include Christmas Wreaths (though there may be delivery/pick-up issues), cookie dough, and pies. Susan has information and will get back to Gay with it. We want to make sure that there are no minimum orders involved.

Other possibilities: Coupons for Souplantation(~15% of sales) and Rubios(20% of sales); Cozumel's Restaurant in UTC did a fundraiser for the Fencing Team... that might be a possibility in the Spring.

Parents Meeting

Christoph reiterated his goal of making communication a priority.

Wishlist

In the works. After being compiled by Mr. Cummins, the list will be put up on website. Progress for achieving each item will be shown so that everyone can experience the achievements, as well as know where their donations are needed most.

Financials

Susan recapped the financials. She noted the importance of the assessments as nothing is coming in from District.

Susan also asked that any parents sending in assessments put their child's name along with whether they are in the band or orchestra on the check.

Uniforms

Uniforms status recapped. Most uniforms are in place.

Fundraising

Fundraising volunteers need to get together with Gay to work on the fundraising.

______suggested the recycling of bottles and cans for money. It was brought up that there is already an Environmental Club at UC. It's important not to step on any "toes," but perhaps this is an idea that we can use if we communicate with these groups.

Empty Time at Fieldshows

It was noted that several hours occur between leave-time and warm-up time for the field shows (specifically at Bonita Vista).

Homecoming

The band members will be allowed to leave after the first quarter so that they may rest up for the next day's field show. Mr. Cummins will stay.

Scripps Ranch Fieldshow

Because many band members are attending the Homecoming Dance Saturday evening and, therefore, leaving the Fieldshow early, it was brought up that perhaps the bus can come back early to UC High with them. Mr. Cummins would have to drive back to Scripps Ranch to accept the awards, but this way there would be lots of help unloading the equipment. Mr. Cummins said he would speak to the students to see whether that would be the worthwhile option. Parents also need to give written permission for their child to leave early or stay (depending upon what is decided with the bus).

Pia suggested that if most are leaving the fieldshow early, we could serve a snack instead of a meal and save $300. Mr. Cummins will let us know by Monday whether the kids will be coming back early on the bus so that this option can be employed if possible.

Volunteers

It was noted that there are plenty of volunteers for all of the fieldshows.

It was also suggested that volunteers and section leaders need to show up before call time to help with the loading of the truck, etc.

Christoph mentioned that if any volunteers have decided or discovered that they've taken on more than they anticipated and can't commit, that they should let him or Pia know as soon as possible so that no events are compromised.

UC High Booster Meeting Report

Cheri Zinser is the Music Booster's representative to the UC High Boosters.

There was no meeting this month, so there was nothing new to report. The past meetings discussed lights on the football field as well as other improvements to the field. Apparently new PA speakers have arrived, but have not as of yet been installed.

Additional Items of Business

The Power unit and amp have been bought

The eScrip link is up on the newsletter page. Kathleen will move it to the left-hand-side links when she updates the newsletter so it's easily accessible.

Mr. Cummins and the Jazz Ensemble arrived back from performing for the new Superintendent of San Diego City Schools at the District Office. Mr. Cummins was very impressed with the new Superintendent; he reported that Dr. Cohn will be a model for administrators. The kids are #1 with him, he is pro "Arts."