Board Meeting 3/3/2011 -- Summary

The Board of Directors met on Thursday, March 3, 2011, at the home of Holly McCollister.  Several actions were taken which we want to share with Chorale members.

The Board received a letter of resignation from Community Rep Barbara Hayes.  We are grateful for Barb’s especially hard work over the past several years in the area of “fund raising” and “events coordinator.”  Kay Youngblood was appointed to serve as one of the five Community Reps.

Chorale Rep Holly McCollister reported on the progress of the Women’s Dress Committee.  The committee has had positive responses from the women of the Chorale as to their preference for a new dress as well as for the type of dress to be chosen.  A questionnaire was distributed among the women and arrangements were made for a “fashion show” to determine a suitable style of dress.  Two women from the Chorale modeled the top two choices that were selected by the women who attended the “fashion show.”  The preferred style is a separate, full length black, flocked skirt with a velveteen top (with either a “boat” neck or “cowl” neckline).  There appears to be consensus that both tops are satisfactory.  Because about half of the women in the Chorale attended the “fashion show,” the Board asked the committee for a vote among the women as to their desire for a new dress (in place of the current dress) and as to the style of top desired. The cost of the new dress would be about $75.00.

The Annual Meeting of the Chorale will be held at 8:30pm on Monday, April 11 at Moscow High School.  The Board has a single recommendation for consideration this year.  The recommendation is that the Bylaws be amended.  The amendment regards the paying of “dues.”  Following is the Section on Membership in our Bylaws to be changed:

Section 1.  Admission to Membership.  Any person shall be admitted as a member of the Corporation upon payment of the annual dues set by the Board of Directors for the concert year (July to June) in which the person applies for membership.  In addition, such dues-paying members shall also be performing members of the Chorale, according to the policies of the Chorale.  Each person’s membership shall expire on the first anniversary of such person’s admission to membership unless on or before that date such person has paid the annual dues established for the concert year in which such membership expires.  A person shall be considered a member of this Corporation when he/she has been admitted to sing in the Chorale following an audition as specified in the “Statement of Policies” (Section II.A), and is currently performing in the Chorale.

Should this amendment be adopted, the Statement of Policies would also be edited so as to eliminate those places wherein “dues” is mentioned.  Currently membership in the Chorale is based on a successful audition and the payment of dues.  The proposed amendment would make the Chorale a “donations-based” rather than “dues-based” organization and membership would be determined by a successful audition and continuance of performing with the Chorale.

The Board meets next on May 23, 2011.  The Executive Committee meets on March 29.

Jack Kelly, Chorale President

Executive Meeting 2/8/2011 -- Summary

Our Executive Committee, consisting of the four officers and Artistic and Music Director, met on Tuesday, February 8, 2011.  Among the matters discussed were the following items:

- Treasurer Jim Reece reported a net income of $10,320 for the current year.  The special account for the O’Toole family has received approximately $5870 from contributors.

- The minutes of the December meeting were approved and are available to members upon request from Secretary Cheryl Blackburn.  In the future, minutes of Executive and Board meetings will be available after the drafts have been approved by email.

- Chorale Representative Holly McCollister made a presentation from the Dress Committee considering women’s attire.  There is considerable interest in selecting a different dress for women singers.  The committee is considering styles and examples of dresses and will solicit input from the women members of the chorale regarding whether or not to select a new dress and what design should be chosen. The Executives encouraged the committee to move forward with their process for determining the interest and support of a new dress and with selecting a dress.  Information will be forthcoming from the committee regarding the process for choosing a new dress.  The decision is to be made by the women of the Chorale with support of the Board of Directors.  Men may express their opinions and/or concerns via Holly McCollister.

- Discussion regarding the coming change of name occurred.  The change of name to the “Palouse Choral Society” will occur publicly at the end of the season.  Marketing Director Carolyn Radakovich is handling much of the process for the introduction of the new name.  Jim Reece and Janice O’Toole are preparing the paperwork for the State.

- We discussed the flow of the upcoming season – 2011-2012.  At this stage we are considering a Chamber concert in October, full Chorale concerts in December and June, and a collaboration concert with the Washington-Idaho Symphony in March.  Repertoire, venue, and specific dates are in the process of being determined.  We hope to have the new season schedule in place in time to announce it and solicit season ticket orders by our spring concerts.

- Appreciation was expressed for the “cabaret” event held in Pullman on February 5.  Eighty plus persons attended the enjoyable event, which was wonderfully planned by Board Member Barb Hayes and Carolyn Radakovich.  Special appreciation was expressed to the five UI performers for their entertainment.  We anticipate netting about $1350.  All enjoyed the event!

- The records of the chorale will be housed in the UI Special Collections Department.  Board Member Bob Staab has been especially helpful in bringing about this arrangement.

The Executive Committee meets next on March 29.  The Annual Meeting of the organization will be on Monday, April 11 at 8:30pm at Moscow High School.  The Board of Directors will meet on Tuesday, March 3, at 7:00pm.

Members' input, comments and concerns are of interest to us.  Please contact one of the members of the Executive Committee or Board of Directors with your suggestions and ideas.

Jack Kelly, Chorale President

Retreat!

The IWCC Board of Directors met for a day-long retreat on January 8, 2011.  It was a very informative meeting that should spur us to continue moving forward at a good pace!  Here are some of the discussion topics:

• Artistic and Music Director Dr. Michael Murphy proposed scenarios for concerts for the 2011-2012 concert season
• Alice Barbut pointed out our needs in figuring out grant possibilities
• Bob Staab listed the top areas he feels should be priorities for the upcoming year: prioritize the mailing list, work on the fund drive, continue momentum from last year, and use the UI Library as a repository for our records
• Marketing Director Carolyn Radakovich discussed the rollout of our new name, as well as ticketing issues
• Barb Hayes outlined our upcoming "cabaret" fundraising event
• Helen Lombard suggested better avenues of communication between the Board and Members
• Holly McCollister is moving forward with a committee for the possibility of women of the Chorale choosing new dresses
• Cheryl Blackburn felt we could improve the database and pointed out web problems
• Janice O'Toole discussed operational issues
• Jim Reece could not attend, but had put together his Treasurer's Report for review

A number of decisions were made during this meeting, including:

• The number and type of concerts for next season, including orchestration for 2 of the concerts
• We'll move forward with looking for a commissioned work for the 2012-2013 season
• Our records will be moved to the UI Special Collections Department
• Funds will be appropriated for the creation of a new website with more appropriate software
• A Ticket Revamping Committee was installed