Minutes of the USARD Meeting
July 23, 2011, Corning, New York
In Attendance:Nick Biscotti, Bill McGrath Jr, Bill Mojica, Gary Rockwell, Steve Young, Bill McGrath.
Convene: The meeting was called to order at 12:00 Noon by Co-President Bill McGrath. He and Steve Young gave brief welcoming remarks and previewed the meeting agenda.
Minutes:Notes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report: First item of business was the distribution and discussion of three financial reports created by Treasurer, Charlie Kammer: Convention/Membership Attendee breakdown, Convention Budget and a Cash Flow/P&L report. (See attached reports on website.[To Be Acquired])
2011 Convention Critique: Steve Young summarized the Sunday morning meeting. Comments included: overall great clinics with good variety and useful handout materials. The practice room was a nice addition; we could use fewer tables and chairs. The group was happy with the hotel — rooms, service and food — though a few members had problems with their electronic key cards.
Attendees unanimously felt that the convention for 2012 should return to Heritage Hotel if possible to continue building on our strengths before "traveling" the convention to other regions. It was also suggested that each attendee bring a new member for 2012; it was felt that this would help increase the number of member performances and make an even better convention.
Quality for Sustaining Annual Convention: Bill McGrath led this discussion and mentioned that many drummers from the upstate NY and Canada would attend our convention if it were closer.
Site Proposal for 4/20 – 22, 2012: Steve Young discussed a proposed Letter of Agreement with Heritage Hotel for the USARD Convention for April 20 – 22, 2012 which had been distributed earlier to all committee members for their review. After considerable discussion on the merits and specifics of the proposal, Bill Mohica moved that the USARD accept the LOA and return to the Heritage Hotel for 2012. The motion, seconded by Gary Rockwell passed unanimously.
It was also agreed unanimously that USARD would pursue moving the convention to Corning, NY in 2013 as an effort to reach potential members in the region as previously suggested by Bill McGrath. Steve Young will work with staff at the Corning Museum of Glass to see what dates and venues would work best for USARD and will report on those findings at the next meeting.
Membership & Recruitment: Bill Mojica reported that our membership was stable and strong.He suggested that we should review the membership list and contact those who’s memberships have lapsed. He also discussed several initiatives and reported that he and Steve Young will meet in the Fall to review those and other ideas. They will present a proposal for membership recruitment at the next meeting.
The next meeting was scheduled for 12 Noon, December 10, 2011 at Corning AL Post 746.
Adjourn: There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 3:30. Drumming followed.
Respectfully submitted,
Steven Young