BQPA/PIONEERS
Barbershop Quartet Preservation Association
Minutes of BQPA Membership Meeting Saturday, 9 April 2011, 10:00 am
President Jack Martin opened the meeting and announced – to much applause – that Audacity will be able to appear on our quartet show this evening. He then asked Rex Touslee to report on the status of the Festival currently running.
Rex reported that contributions were on track to cover our expenses at the Embassy Suites. However, the contributions specifically for the beer were running short, and all present at the meeting were encouraged to ante-up, and to ask for guests to contribute. A suggestion was made that the signage requesting a dollar per beer be made larger and more obvious next year.
Rex also reported that we have a contract in hand for our Festival here at the Embassy Suites in Tempe in spring, 2012, at the expected room rate of $102.00, and that we have this time slot here at least through the following three years, after which avoiding other calendar conflicts may require adjustments.
Finally, Rex announced that the Wednesday evening spaghetti dinner at the American Italian Club in Phoenix, and the subsequent quartet festivities with the Arizona Quartet Chapter, have now been made an official part of the BQPA Spring Festival.
Shel Rosenthal appealed for the return of everyone’s plastic name-tag pouches by the end of the evening, as they represent a significant expense to the BQPA, costing about fifty cents apiece.
After thanking volunteers staffing the registration table, Rosie Rosenthal asked members to consider volunteering to assume responsibilities in the organization, such as organizing the registration desk, running for various offices, etc.
Gerry Carroll spoke about the Fall Festival, scheduled – as usual – for the weekend following Labor Day, 2011, at the same venue as last year, near O’Hare Airport just outside of Chicago. He reported that the room rate will again be $59.00 a night, and said that he has been assured that the restaurant and bar there will both be open. Asked if he could guarantee the latter, he paused, and then said, “Well, they told me they SHOULD be open…” Applause, and laughter…”
Jim Gallagher reported that the BQPA is comfortably solvent. He emphasized that BQPA shirts can be purchased through the link on the BQPA website; he has sold the last couple of shirts that he had pre-ordered and brought with him to this Festival.
There was some discussion regarding a suggestion that Charlie Bauder be asked to reproduce his book of song lyrics. He indicated that if BQPA requested it, he would consider the task, but that it would be a considerable undertaking, as he produced that booklet on his own presses, printing from handset type.
Rosie asked for a volunteer to clean up her lyrics book, so that it might be offered to the membership by some means; Tom Noble volunteered to attempt the cleanup.
Montana Jack asked about the BQPA’s current affiliation with the BHS. Jack Martin replied that we had finally withdrawn our petition to become a full-fledged affiliate of the Society, since there were a number of sections of our bylaws with which the Society was not satisfied, especially including the fact that the BQPA permits and encourages women to be full, participating members. BHS still, however, publishes notices announcing our Festivals, and photos of our activities have appeared in the Harmonizer at least twice in recent years.
Pete Tyree asked – in light of the fact that we would not have insurance coverage from affiliation with the Society, what the insurance status of the BQPA is. The topic was discussed and Barb Bialis is to be contacted by the board for discussions if/when the topic is to be followed up; she has been familiar with the business and can help with contacts who are currently involved.
Dave Lowerre announced that a greeting card for Marcheta and Virgil awaited our signatures at the registration table. In addition, he appealed for the preservation of historical BQPA and barbershopping materials in general, and volunteered to act as a repository of such materials. This would include music, programs, LPs, etc. Send ‘em to Dave Lowerre, 1757 N. Mountain View. Pl., Fullerton, CA 92831. (714-335-9861). A volunteer for the eastern part of the country was solicited…
Jim Gallagher was identified as the BQPA’s nominations officer, and again members were requested to consider volunteering for offices or positions. It’s hoped that within the year some additional folks will be working alongside the current administration, preparing to assume the burdens of helping to run our organization.
Finally, no motions having been made and no votes having been taken, the meeting was adjourned.