ZHS Band Booster Meeting Minutes
Tuesday,
August 12, 2008
Meeting called to order at 7:01 PM by Missy Jester, President. She
welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the other officers for the 2008-2009 school year. They
are: Liz Landry, Vice-President; Rob Nelson, Treasurer; Mike Musselman, Secretary; and Kathy Fee, Fund
Raiser Chair.
Missy advised that volunteers will be needed for the football games and that
a signup list will be forthcoming. They are looking at selling boiled peanuts at the home games, so additional parents will
be needed if this fund raiser is approved. “Man” help is needed for the halftime shows, to
move equipment on and off the field for the halftime shows. Bus riding chaperones will be needed for the
out of town football games, as well as people who can tow the equipment trailer(s). Parents were asked
to look at the e-mail list going around the room, and to make any changes or additions as necessary (add a name & phone
numbers).
Donny Alexander, Associate Band Director
A copy of
the pre-season letter regarding marching season was passed out to everyone present, as well as an addendum (update).
Mr. Alexander announced the following date changes:
August 25 or 26
Meet the Broncos 6:30 p.m. at Bronco Stadium
September 5
Deadline for entry – All-State
September
20 All-State 1st
round – LSU
October 11
All-State 2nd round – Pineville High School
October 18
Dutchtown Marching Festival or Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Marching Festival
October 25
ACT? Festival?
October 30
Community Homecoming Pep Rally
October 31
School Homecoming Pep Rally/Homecoming Parade/
Band Football Game / Cookout / Homecoming Game
November 1
Homecoming Dance (Northwestern Festival trip is cancelled)
November 4
Entry Deadline for All-District and All-Parish
November 8
Possible Golf Tournament or Shootout Fundraiser
November 21-24 All State Honor
Band Weekend
December
13 All-District auditions
at East Ascension H.S. (possible Christmas parade & ACT Test that day also)
Jason Venable, Band Director & Department Head
Washington D.C. Trip: Some questions are still out, awaiting answers from the trip officials.
The ZHS Band has been accepted to perform at the 2009 Independence Day Parade. The deposit has been
paid. The contract has not yet been signed, due to a possible change in the itinerary. For
now, the plan is to leave on July 1st and arrive in Washington D.C. on July 2nd (via tour bus). A lot of
sight seeing is planned, but the exact plans are still being formulated. Some of the possible tour sites
and other events were discussed. July 5th is the departure date from Washington D.C. We will
be stopping at Arlington National Cemetery and placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – A very special
event Arlington National Cemetery:: Funeral Information. A request has been made to extend the trip by 1 day, with everyone spending the night
in the Atlanta, Georgia area, followed by a trip to Six Flags Over Georgia . Cost is the big factor. If it is deemed too expensive, we will return straight home.
Parents are asked to provide their e-mail addresses so that we can put together an e-mail
group for the parents, which has also been done for the students. An e-mail will be sent when a final price
for the trip has been determined.
Projected live attendance at the parade is expected to be between
500,000 and 1,000,000 spectators. There are no turns in the parade. “Drills” during the parade are an option but
not required. Up to three different songs are to be played during the event, including at least one patriotic
song.
We need to know by September 1 if the students are planning on going on the trip.. The
pricing (for now – without the Georgia option) is $638.00 - $742.00 per person. This includes:
All parade arrangements, round trip transportation, hotel accommodations, one box lunch, daily breakfasts and dinners,
all educational excursions, all admissions & gratuities, full time tour manager, Official Wreath for the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier, one group photo for the band, souvenir t-shirt, and souvenir video. The only gratuities not covered are for the long
term coach drivers. Meals enroute to and returning from also are not covered. The next payment is due by
Sept. 15. October 15, 10% of the program cost is due. November 15, 15% is due; 20% is due in February; 25% is due in April;
and the remaining balance due in May.
When traveling, during daylight hours students can sit on the
buses co-ed. At night, girls sit with the girls and boys with the boys. A chaperone
will be awake at all times and monitoring the students. No students of the opposite sex are allowed
in their hotel room, no exceptions.
Lots of people have expressed interest in being chaperones. A
mixture of people is desired, including at least one school official, who will help assist with decision making regarding
school system rules and policies, and trained medical personnel. The chaperones for trips are full time.
They must remain with the band throughout the whole trip including on the bus.
We
need to “get on board” with some fund raisers. Some discussion and ideas followed. Please get with Kathy Fee with
your suggestions (see home page for her e-mail address). Fund raiser requests must be turned in by September
1.
Regarding publicity, a publicity package will be sent once the contract is signed, including
press releases and proclamations.
Donny Alexander:
Uniform Update! A
lot of positive feedback has been received about the proposed new uniforms. A sample of that uniform was
displayed to those in attendance. The only changes which appear may be made from what was displayed is
the addition of some red trim to the baldrick (sash). The uniform top zips up the back, the pants are embroidered
for identification. The baldrick is also changeable if necessary. The school board is
scheduled to take up this item Thursday night and is expected to vote on it. Mr. Venable’s impression from everybody
so far has been positive regarding the new uniforms. The uniform package includes tuxedos for the guys and dresses for the
ladies.
Jason Venable - Other Business
Jason Venable - Other Business
Requested the Band Boosters to reimburse Laura Clesi, and/or her parents, for Drum Major camp. It was
paid for out of their pockets last year. He said the costs were around$400.00 Motion made by Earline Brown, seconded by Chuck
Albert to reimburse the Clesi’s for their drum major camp fees. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Venable requested a new video camera for use with the band, especially for the marching season. He asked for
one in the $250-$500 range, maximum. Discussion followed. Motion made by Missy Jester, seconded by Micah Kennedy to purchase
a new video camera. Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Venable requested that Mr. Alexander
be added to the signature card for the Band Booster account. The account currently requires two signatures. The booster treasurer
will always sign the checks, but there can/will be situations where a check is needed but Mr. Venable is not available. Hence
the reason to add Mr. Alexander to the account. Both Mr. Venable and Mr. Alexander understand they must have the booster treasurer’s
signature on the check. Motion made by Missy Jester, seconded by Raquel Nelson to add Mr. Alexander to the band booster account.
Motion carried unanimously.
Mr. Venable stated he would like for Boosters to allow
the purchase of some necessary office supplies (like hanging folders for music), that the school and school board does not
regularly supply. Brief discussion followed. Motion made by Micah Kennedy, seconded by Gina Poole to allow up to $200.00 worth
of “not usually available at school” office supplies to be purchased. Motion carried unanimously.
Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:25 a.m.
