August 1, 2008

President Lonnie Sewell called the meeting to order at 7:49 p.m.

The following members were in attendance:

Nancy Costello

Tina Kozlowski

Ann Mehl

Steve Mehl

Andrea Sewell

Lonnie Sewell

Vicki Thompson

Jeff Thompson

Janet Wells

Jim Wells

Approval of previous Board Meeting Minutes: (Lonnie)

Attendance at our dances has improved over last year but we can still do better.

Mae Stott has indicated that she would like to continue on as the Sunshine lady but wants to take a short break. I told her that the job was her’s until she didn’t want it.

Donna (and Tom) has accepted the fireworks stand. Thanks to Donna (and Tom)! Please give Donna as much help and support as you can next year.

Steve will be working with each of the local “Reporter” newspapers hoping to get notices of our beginning square dance lessons in appropriate issue for best exposure. Additionally the Mehl’s will be taking handouts to various establishments that cater to farm and “western” trade. We need to get suggestions for locations to advertise our lessons.

Andy Garboden has compiled a list of local square dance lessons and has been distributing that information at various community events that he has been involved with.

There was an extended discussion regarding how and where we should advertise our lessons. When we begin lessons, each person/couple is asked how they learned about the Wagon Wheels lessons. The majority indicate that they were invited by a club member to the lessons.

Vicki reported that the income from the Fireworks Stand was $5,257.94, which was much better than last year.

The Wagon Wheel’s currently have $12,830.79 in our checking and savings account. That amount will increase as the 2008-09 dues are payable again. Vicki presented a detailed list outlining the Wagon Wheel’s monthly expenses and income. She volunteered to provide an expense/income report for the year, rather than monthly.

The 2007-08 Roarin’ 20’s Dance was cancelled because of our inability to get sufficient time to decorate for the dance. Nancy Costello and Lonnie Sewell said that they had heard through the “grapevine” that some members were becoming tired of the Roarin’ 20’s theme. After a discussion, those present agreed that it was time for changes.

The Board agreed to recommend to the membership that the Roarin’ 20’s dance be dropped and in it’s place our special dance would be “a movie theme or ‘red carpet’ dance.”

T he Board agreed that we need to change the date from May “back” to February and scheduled the “Movie” dance on February 21^st.

The Wagon Wheel Square Dance Club was “Federated” in May of 1968 so we will continue to celebrate our club’s anniversary in May of each year.

The Live Music Dance with Dave and Bonnie will be the first Saturday in March again. This is a very popular and fun dance. Our level dances will be both dances in December and the 3^rd Saturday dance in January. The Cinco de Mayo Dance will now be a “May Day” Dance and we’ve also added a “School Daze” and “Welcome New Dancer’s Dance.”

Janet reported that Vicki’s books are clear and well kept and that everything looks good.

Nancy reports that a couple of clubs have signed up for caravans but others are waiting for us to finalize our dance schedule. We will Caravan to the West Side Wheeler’s last dance on October 24^th. The Caravan schedules will be finalized soon and be ready for the newsletter and Web Site.

Don and Elaine called prior to the meeting and said that they continue to sell Cookbooks. They only have 5 copies left and ask if they should print more Cookbooks. The Board recommended that we see if they have enough recipes to print a “new” Cookbook.

The Dream Weaver’s will be celebrating their 5^th anniversary this fall. We continue to be active dancing approximately 8 times a year. This year we dance at the State Festival and will be dancing at the Puyallup Fair on September 21^st.

The Dream Weaver met and discussed their future. We all want to continue and are going to be working toward a performance at the National Convention in 2012.

We have 3 routines and will begin working on another new one. We’re still having fun.

As reported previously, Donna and Tom Rohde will take over the operation of the Fireworks Stand in 2009. I have agreed to be close by to help when asked.

The 2008 Fireworks Stand made around $5,200.00. The inventory is less than last year so our expenses next year will be greater which will impact the profit.

Jim and Janet have not agreed (yet) to doing next years Mystery Caravan. Jim and Lonnie have been investigating some possibilities. Janet is on a “need to know basis.”

Don and Elaine called prior to the meeting and said that they had input that some members would prefer to have the Wagon Wheel Phonebook updated at the beginning of the year rather than after the class graduates. They asked for direction.

The Board agreed that the Phonebook should be updated and published in mid November with an insert published after the class graduates.

The Web Site still has a number of hits and is doing will. I need to make more of an effort to keep the site updated and interesting.

Some members have mentioned that they don’t think the “Sheriff” is appropriate for our club. After some discussion, the BOD agreed to “lay the Sheriff off” for this year and discuss a permanent dropping of the Sheriff next year.

Theresa’s status has not changed. As it stands now, the agreement between the Wagon Wheels and Theresa is that she will be the Wagon Wheel Cuer until the 1^st Saturday Dance in June 2009. It is my hope that changes.

It is my expectation that Theresa and I will meet in January 2009 and confirm the agreement or modify the agreement for a longer period of time.

If Theresa will NOT be able to continue on as our cuer, the Wagon Wheels need to determine it’s course of action at that time.

Washington State has been awarded the National Square Dance Convention for the year of 2012. The Convention will be held in Spokane, June 27 – 30, 2012. The Wagon Wheel will be asked to participate in fundraisers and other 2012 National Convention assistance.