To:  Ring #6, DVCC Members

From:  J. Hunter Gaul

Re:  Board Meeting, February 27, 2010

Among the board members and committee chair people who attended the meeting were Joe Sacca, Dave Hale, Jim Capobianco, Rich Baccare, Reba Strong, and myself, J. Hunter Gaul.   Dave Kelly, Bob Jensen, Steve Freidberg, and Professor Rem were unable to attend.   A synopsis of the topics discussed and  the decisions made follows:

Fundraiser Show:

  Although Dave Kelly, chairman of the fundraiser show committee, was unable to attend, he previously provided a detailed summary of important thoughts regarding the show which the board and chair people reviewed point by point.  Everyone agreed  Dave’s ideas and recommendations were well founded.   Basically, the show must produce a profit; otherwise there’s no point  in putting out the effort.  If we do a fundraiser, it must have the right venue and effective promotion.   It was suggested that affiliating the show with a school (especially a school band) would be an excellent way to garner a sizable audience and be sure of enthusiastic promotional efforts.   Lastly, everyone agreed that proper stage management PRIOR to the show (all acts cooperating) will be an essential part of making the show run smoothly and successfully.  Club members interested in offering assistance to Dave’s committee should contact Dave Kelly at the next meeting or e-mail him at deKelly5@verizon.net

Magic Flea Market Table at Meetings:

  A number of club members have expressed an interest in selling used magic other than at an auction.  Thus was born the idea of a “Magic Flea Market Table” which could be set up at each meeting for club members  to  both buy and sell used magic – 10% of the proceeds would be returned to the club.  Basic guidelines would include a limit of five (5) items for sale from any one member at a given meeting, each item must be priced (with a label affixed to each item), and a legible list of the items for sale with the seller’s name address and phone number.   Items for sale cannot be stored by the club if they don’t sell.   Further details about the Magic Flea Market can be discussed with the membership if enough interest arises.  It will, of course, be necessary to find a club member (or members) willing to run the table on a regular basis – this will be worked out later.  Anyone immediately  interested  should contact me at HGaul@aol.com

Upgrading Our Contest Prizes and Member Benefits:

   Because our treasury is in good shape, Joe Sacca tells us we can afford to offer our membership better contest prizes; and by doing so,  possibly attract new people interested in joining our ranks.   It’s decided that in addition to a plaque, contest winners will receive significant cash prizes (for both close up and stage competitions).  Contest winners will be determined by DVCC members who have paid their yearly dues.  Competitors must have BOTH  their IBM national dues as well as DVCC local dues currently paid.  Printed and numbered ballots (along with an optional performer “feedback sheet”) will be distributed to current club members at the door (guests cannot vote).  At the conclusion of the competition, the ballots will be collected and the results revealed that night.  In the event of a tie,  the board will break the tie, and the prizes will “bump down” accordingly.  For example, if there is a tie for first place, the board will vote to break the tie;  and  then, one of the first place winners will “bump down” to become the second place winner.  The same procedure would hold for ties at any of the prize levels.  Single plaques will then be subsequently awarded to each prize winner in each category  at a future meeting.

In  addition to upgrading our contest prizes, the board agreed to increase member benefits by reducing the standard admission cost for lectures.  Henceforward, all  Delaware Valley Conjurers Club members who hold  current membership cards will be able to attend club lectures for a FIVE DOLLAR ($5.00) ADMISSION FEE (guests will be charged $10.00).  The board believes this benefit feature will encourage more magicians to consider applying for club membership,  especially  in light of the quality of the programs we traditionally offer.  Incidentally, Dave Hale will be adding a section to our web site which will trace the history of our programs over the past few years so anyone can check them out at a glance.

In conclusion, I think the membership needs to know the board and committee chair people participated  in  a very positively charged meeting focused on ways to improve the quality of the IBM Ring #6, DVCC  experience!   With such a fine group of people guiding the destiny of our club, we are assured of great things to come!