Berea – Midpark Performing Arts Booster meeting on 08 Dec 14 held at Teamz restaurant.
15 people in attendance – Donna and Dave Assmus, Lessie Kilgore, Shari Holt-Komar, Kristy Hollenbeck,
George and Connie Gardner, Catherine Robison-Ranney, Santa Claus, Maria Bartch, Jen Mumford, Dawn
Mullenax, Bill and Julie Leibold, Carol Triff, Shannon Hooks,
Meeting called to order at 7:19 pm.
Treasurers’ report was read and accepted. Balance as of 08 Dec 14 is $19,141.51. The bill has just come
in for the kitchen for the Craft show. We made a net profit of $13,000 on the craft show this year. The
paperwork has come back from the IRS for our 501c3.
Minutes are back on the website and were approved. This months will be emailed to all those present
at each meeting.
Presidents’ report: Inherit The Wind was a success despite the setback of having a “snow day” on Friday
causing the move that performance to Sunday. We had a total of 171 people through the door on
Saturday and 65 on Sunday. We made $350 on concessions over the weekend. The students did a
phenomenal job acting in the play. There were many positive responses from the play. The One Acts
have been auditioned and cast. The One Act’s will be held the 30th and 31st of January. The “Presidents
Club” met for this month. The Principals Forum in November had a poor turnout. Those in attendance
at the booster meeting were encouraged to attend the next one as Mr. Ruggiero is always open to
suggestions and will answer any questions put forth. The district Treasurer reported to the Presidents
club that the “new” rules for money have indeed been in place for a long time but were never enforced.
Columbus is cracking down on 501c3’s and their fundraising so the Treasurer is trying to protect our
groups. He also offered the use of the district money counting machines for any booster event. If we
come upon anyone fundraising in the name of the district we are encouraged to call the district and
inform them. There have been reports of fraudulent groups claiming to be raising money using school
groups but being very vague about which group. There was some discussion about the 9th graders
feeling cut off from the high school since they are in a different building. It was decided to try to get
more information to the 9th graders and their parents while they are still at the Junior High. To attempt
to get them involved in the organization now rather than wait until they are in the high school building.
A meeting was held with Mr. Mucha about this. He likes the idea of a show choir at the junior high. Mr.
Mucha reports a lack of interest from the junior high staff in getting involved in the groups in the junior
high. He would like to avoid having the junior high students “treading water” for the three years they
are there. We have two volunteers, Shelby Holt-Komar and Bridget Verba, to do the choreography for
the junior high show choir that will be starting up in the new calendar year. They will work to get the
students ready to perform at the spring concerts. This group is being looked at as a feeder group for
Center Stage. It could possibly be opened up to the 7th and 8th grade students. There is no positive
response from the drama club at the junior high to our overtures to help them. We are going to run
concessions at the junior high choral concert on 16 Dec. We will take advantage of the Spring events to
get information to the parents at the junior high about our group. A warning is being put out about an
application called “streetchat” that allows people to post pictures and items without being able to be
traced back to the person that makes the post. This is a vile and horrible application that is being used
as a way of cyber-bullying. Parents are being encouraged to talk to their students and have them delete
the application.
Marj Sirocky – was unable to attend as she is doing tech work for the Grindstone Elementary concert
tonight.
Mrs. Robinson-Ranney – asked for volunteers to help with the dress rehearsal on Wednesday 17 Dec.
Students need to be in full concert dress for the rehearsal as there will be pictures taken. There a few
people that volunteered. Concessions will be sold at the concert. She has been making sure the
students get a chance to eat during all the show choir performances this month. Most of the Center
Stage students have lunch during mod 8/9. For the elementary tour on 16 Dec the students in Center
Stage will have to get permission slips signed by their other teachers. Any with academic issues will not
be permitted to go on the trip. There will be one show at Ford Intermediate school on Thursday 18 Dec.
Students desiring to participate in OMEA District IV Solo and Ensemble adjudicated event must pay for
Solo’s prior to their forms being submitted. Payments must be made to the band boosters. The high
school is only sending one check this year as last year OMEA lost one of our checks. The boosters will
pay the fee for ensembles and purchase the medals for participants. Beauty and the Beast auditions will
be held right after mid-terms are done. She is going to host a “clinic” just prior to the auditions similar
to the ones held prior to Center Stage auditions. She is trying to create an environment of learning for
the students. The student’s success in obtaining a part is strictly on the students. Mrs. R. makes no
promises that attending the clinics will result in getting a part in the musical.
New business –
Lessie Kilgore stated that the PTSA hosts a “picture with Santa” event during lunch mods using a
Santa suit they borrow from one of the elementary schools. The suit has been in storage at Smith
School which does not have heat. There was a concern about storing the suit there. She asked if the
boosters would allow it to be stored in the costume closet at the high school. This was passed and it
will be stored here.
The Holt-Komar’s are intending to host a party next week for members of all choirs at their house.
Details to follow.
A suggestion was made to host a “princess” breakfast for the elementary students with Belle as
the host and possibly other “Disney” princesses. George put forth his vision of having a big production
Breakfast with Santa where the choir students could sing while the people ate and the drama students
could dress as elves and help out in “Santa’s workshop”. Ideas to be discussed further.
The discussion of the PAB purchasing a camera has been tabled for the time being. An alternate
suggestion was made for us to contract with a local video company to professionally shoot all our events
and produce archive copies. Costs for this will be explored.
It was announced that advertising would run on a calendar year instead of on the school year.
There are too many things to do in the fall to get out and get advertising right away.
Meeting adjourned at 9:03 pm