Band Booster New Parent Meeting
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Board members in attendance: Donna Bauman, Susan Leary, Rosanne Breland, Denise Curran, Diane Ferrer, Barbara Diekmann and Stacey Hull.
Donna opened the new parent meeting with introductions of the board members.
Susan Leary discussed the mentoring program with the new parents, encouraging them to sign up. She discussed how the program would pair them with a person who has been in the program last year. This is a new program designed to assist the new parents on what happens in a competitive high school band program.
Donna then discussed Mr. Joselyn’s website and what is on it. She also discussed the band booster website, but we may start to use Mr. Joselyn’s instead of duplicating information. Donna discussed how the band program works and that it started today. While there are mini band camps from 5 to 9 pm each Wednesday, the drill for the upcoming season is being written. There will be a part for each child who comes to the band camps. It is harder to write a student in later in the production. Parents then had the opportunity to ask questions.
Donna explained how a commitment needs to be made and what
the drill consists of. August 1 through Aug 12 is going to be the largest part
of the commitment for band camp. On the
last evening of this camp, the students will perform what parts they have
learned thus far for the parents. The
student is not lost if they are not able to come until August. Rosanne
suggested letting Mr. Joselyn know ahead of time if the student can not make it
to the band camp so a spot can be reserved. There is no need to sign up for
mini band camp or the August band camp ahead of time. Donna let the parents
know that the students do get water, lunch, and supper breaks. They will not be
allowed off campus though. This was stressed, as we do not want students
leaving campus with people the parents do not know. Parents are welcome to
bring in food for their child during the camp. There are also certain foods
that we have found do not do well for band camp, this would include mayonnaise
and milk. We will have a list on the band booster website--. Olympicheightsband.org
Susan mentioned that they do have some practice inside, and that they alternate being in and outside. The campus is not closed during the camp session, but security is generally not an issue. Most of the staff and other students know everyone, but parents can offer to come in and help keep watch, and there will be other adults on the property. Donna inquired if anyone was a nurse, two people raised their hands. We will need one of the nurses to be there in case of injuries. They can decide on the times they are available.
The time commitment for Marching Season is until mid-November. We compete in a 1A class now, but with enough students we could be a 2A band this year. We compete against those within our class. Donna explained that the budget they received in the packet is for Marching Season, she then discussed the additional fee required for concert and Winter guard. There is also a separate fee for trips that the band or Winter guard will take. There are two types of fundraising—fairshare and general fund. There are 29 freshmen on the list for this year, but it will fluctuate. Early commitment is essential in planning for these trips as the costs rise the closer the leave date gets.
We are starting fundraising today and they run throughout the year. Rosanne mentioned that funds raised carry over in your account so you may not have to pay later if you raise the funds early.
It was suggested that we should let the middle schools know what the fee is and that there is a fee. They were not notified of this fact this year. Donna let the parents know that we try to get the word out about the fee. Susan also let the parents know that credits are applied as promptly as possible, but you could end up paying very little.
Band Booster General Meeting started just after 7:00 pm
Donna introduced Mr. Joselyn to the general membership and he gave a description of where he came from and what he has accomplished at other schools. He agreed that the fees seemed high—but the county doesn’t help. Marching Band is funded solely through the parents and students. Everyone seems to enjoy being in the band and the roster continues to grow. “My thing is building character.” The discipline is strict and there are guidelines to follow. There are football games most Friday’s and competitions on Saturday’s. He talked to the students to get their commitment. There are eight staff members—the best in the state. The students will come home tired. They will need sunscreen, water, and they are watched. Mr. Joselyn will need the parents e-mail in case of a practice or performance is cancelled and for the students invoice. Practice is important—you can’t make up a rehearsal. E-mail is the best way to reach Mr. Joselyn.
The show this year is a Hollsinger show—it is hard and challenging. Mr. Joselyn stressed that we are all one group—percussion, guard, marching band. Mr. Joselyn discourages students being in just one part of the band, such as jazz, as the students do not bond as much.
The question was raised if all events are on the current
calendar, and the cost to do them. The spring trip last year was $600, and the
band fee was $750. Donna pointed out that we will work with parents on
financial arrangements on an individual basis. There is a fee for band shoes
($35) and if an instrument needs to be rented. We have lockers, but they are
issued a lock from Mr. Joselyn. Seth Grossmyer brought up the point that if the
student has a nice wood instrument, it would be better to rent one (plastic,
closed hole) as marching season is rough on them. Guard
purchases their own rifles.
Mr. Joselyn believes that summer is for vacations too, he would like one. It is necessary for the parent to let him know when the student will be absent as he can let the drill writer know to put in a spot for them. We are paying the staff whether your child is here or not, so it would be best to make the deposit by June 7.
We then voted on the changes to the bylaws and the constitution. All passed.
Band Master changed to Director of Bands.
Constitution Article VI, changes passed. First – Barbara Carey, second – Debbie Williams. Article XII, changes passed. First – Nancy Alvois, second – Josephine Maginsky.
Bylaws—Article IX. Add “or their siblings” other changes to remain. First – Mary K, second – Lisa Shifflet.
There is a trip to
Donna discussed the budget line by line.
Barbara Cary motioned to approve the budget and
Donna let the parents know that we need them to chair some of the fundraisers.
Susan mentioned it was time to take questions and get the forms notarized. She reminded the parents to put their child’s name in the memo line and there is a 3% upcharge to use pay pal. Donna let the parents know they could use pay pal, mail a check, or have their child drop the payment off in the band drop box.
Motion to dismiss—Rosanne Breland, second—Karen Buschbaum.