MINNESOTA FEDERATION OF MUSIC CLUBS
Fall All Member State Meeting Minutes
St. Cloud Civic Center St. Cloud, MN
September 24, 2005

Members present: Apple Valley MTA—Betty Olson, Secretary; Pat Steege, President; Sarah Twedt, Festival Chair; Burnsville Area MTA—Kathy Wilson, Parade American Music; Central Lakes Music Club—Karen Sue Erickson, MFMC First Vice-President, Festival Coordinator; Chin Rest and End Pin—Elizabeth Ericksen, President; Club 88 RCMTA—Cathy Witter, Festivals Committee; Jan Prokosch; Duluth MTA—Carol Prohaska, Treasurer; Vicki Ott, Festival Chair; East Suburban Music Club—Shannon Jones, Vice President and Logo wear; Encore Music Club—Renee Anderson, Chairperson and President; Heather A. Hahn, Treasurer; Great River Music Club—Ann DuHamel—Co-chair of convention; Paula Heydman, Festival Co-president; Gayle Gunnerson, Festival Co-president; Lois Muelich, Mary Kovell, Jan Dahl; Hibbing Musicale—Rose Zygmanski, President; Mary Angela Strasser, National Board Representative; Nadine Berg, MFMC Treasurer; Mankato Music Club—Clayton Wolf, President; Peggy Harstad; Matinee Musicale—Sheila K Shusterich, Student Auditions Chair; Music Marshall—Bob Steen, Treasurer; Music Southwest—Dawn Carlson, Treasurer; North Suburban Music Club—Debra Henning, Festival Chair; South Suburban MTA—Mary Wescott, Recital Chair; S. W. MPLS. Keyboard Club—Cora Barr, Sharon Kaplan, President; Thief River Falls Music Club—Kristi La Salle, President; Tuesday Music Club—Ruth Wollenberg, Second Vice-President; West Central Keyboard Club—Peggy Karsten, MFMC Secretary, Mary Savelkoul, President; Cheryl Schmidt, MFMC President, Mike Crary, Judy Zylstra, MFMC Historian; West Suburban Musicians—Nancy Dierauer, Co-president; Willmar Musicale—Mary Seifert, President.

Cheryl Schmidt, MFMC State President, started the meeting with the Federation Collect, read by all.

Cheryl called the meeting to order at 9:40 AM.

A welcome was given by Cheryl Schmidt followed by introduction of all attendees. Attendance was taken.

Cheryl explained the state meeting information sheet distributed, that explains all the items listed on the agenda.

Secretary’s Report: Minutes were approved as submitted.

Treasurer’s Report: Nadine Berg reported that our balance is down significantly. She completed a full year report because a spring and fall report does not show overall where the club stands. Normally, we get a huge influx of money in the fall and have a huge outlay in the spring. We distributed money because of all the scholarships we gave out. Because of our past strength, we still have a good balance in checking accounts, savings, and other investments, but we will need to watch further expenditures in the future.

Treasurers were sent the treasurer’s form for dues. Additional $5.00 in dues will be assessed to each teacher to cover subscription required by National. Nadine Berg needs the names and addresses of all teachers so names can be submitted to national for subscriptions. If teachers have already subscribed on their own to Junior Keynotes Subscription, they would not have to pay the additional $5.00. National has some problems with distribution to members. If instructors are junior counselors of a junior club, they should already be getting this subscription and would not need an additional copy. The junior club dues should cover that subscription. Treasurers will have to make notes about who already gets the subscription when the dues are submitted to state. Since this year is the first of this requirement, Nadine stated that we should not prevent anyone from being part of festival because of this requirement. Rosters are included with the dues statement that the national has on record. When these are sent back to Nadine, those with the $5.00 included should be marked with three stars. Those who have free subscriptions could be mark “free” as they could be junior counselors or already subscribe. Correct these rosters to fix all errors.

Old Business:

NFMC Board Representative Report was given by Mary Angela Strasser.

National convention was held in Austin Texas in June. Cheryl, Mary and Nadine attended. The meeting précis is on the website and on the front of Half Notes. Another increase in cost for festival cups and the requirement of the subscriptions were the issues that affect us the most. Our delegation promoted our 2006 national convention with fishing lures (unified attractive and scaly), bottles of water and music.

NFMC Fall 2006 Board Session Update: Mary Angela Strasser, chair

Convention committee is meeting after the board meeting, so anyone who would like to be involved should stay. Dates are Tuesday, August 1 to Saturday, August 6. Tuesday evening, a program will focus on international folk music and dance. For Wednesday evening performance by Pas du Duo, Ellis Duo Piano prize winners. Thursday, morning committees will meet. The official opening is in the afternoon. Other items included reports by national officers. Available is a tour to downtown Minneapolis and a Sommerfest concert. Friday includes a general business session and regional luncheons/regional business meetings. That evening the program will be by Garrison Keillor. Saturday is the presidents’ council. Living American composer, Stephen Paulus presents his work and accepted a commission to write a piece for our convention. Various workshops are planned. Mary indicated that participants will get a tote bag with little goodies in it. She requests that each club provide 250 of a practical and packable items to include. These items will be needed a day or two before the meeting starts. Mary distributed a form for clubs to complete so she can keep track of the various types of items to assure variety. We will have a convention page on our web site for updates.

North Central Region Federation Days. Karen Erickson reported that NCR days was held in Roseville as part of the Junior Composer’s Institute. Mary Prudy Brown was the national guest. A free Sommerfest concert was part of the program. The region decided to make the Junior Composer’s Institute an annual event, possibly moving from Northwestern College to Augsburg as the facilities are not adequate, especially with computer needs. Everyone is welcome to attend/held each July.

MFMC Constitution/Bylaws Revision: Betty Olson explained the by-law changes are intended to clarify our purpose and how we conduct business:

Article III is amended to simplify the process of elections and to coincide with national elections. “These officers shall be chosen by the vote of active membership assembled in conventions. These elections shall occur in the years that coincide with NFMC elections. No member may hold the same office for more than two consecutive terms of two years, except the treasurer.” Kathy Wilson moved Sheila Shusterich seconded acceptance of this motion. Vote taken, passed.

Article V, Amendments: “The constitution may be amended at any MFMC meeting by a simple majority vote of all active members present, a copy of proposed amendments having been mailed to each active senior club of MFMC and all senior individual special members and life members prior to the meeting.” The motion was made by Mary Wescott and seconded by Mike Crary.

A motion was made to change the “simple majority” to “two thirds” vote by Sharon Kaplan, Cora Barr seconded. The amendment to the amendment first did not have the required votes to pass, another vote was taken. “Two Thirds” got 27 votes and “simple majority” got 12 votes. A friendly amendment was made to add “mailed one month."

The wording now reads “The constitution may be amended at any MFMC meeting by two thirds vote of all active members present, a copy of proposed amendments having been mailed to each active senior club of MFMC and all senior members and life members one month prior to the meeting.” Amendment passed unanimously.

The next changes are in Article III, #6: “In order to be eligible to participate in any Federation project, senior active clubs and groups of senior individual special members who function collaboratively on MFMC projects must be represented at all state meetings by the club president or a designated qualified member of that group. This representative shall not be a current MFMC or NFMC officer.” Mary Strasser moved to accept the amendment, and Pat Steege seconded it. After discussion about the difficulty involved in attending all meetings, Mary Wescott amended, Sarah Twedt seconded to change the wording from “all” to “one of two state meetings per year.” Passed 34 to 5.

Further amendments were discussed with no passage.

Final wording: In order to be eligible to participate in any Federation project, senior active clubs must be represented at one of two board meetings per year by the club president or a designated, qualified representative.

Click to review the Revised Constitution and By-Laws.

MFMC Web Site: Cheryl Schmidt reported on the web site developments. Mike McClure is the administrator, and Louise Lundin is the content editor. Update requests should be sent to Cheryl. The site includes the membership roster and other reports. Online registration for meetings and events is being planned.

State Convention: May 5 & 6, 2006 in St. Cloud. Workshops, Honors Recitals, and performances are planned. Great River Music Club hosting.

MFMC Scholarships and Awards Chart – Developed to outline and easily access the scholarships and awards given by MFMC. On the MFMC web site.

Georgia Chapman Piano Study Award: Sheila Shusterich, Chair. Georgia Chapman award deadline is coming in November so if anyone knows of someone who has to drop lessons because of financial problems, the scholarship is available.

New Business

Senior club and Junior Club Rating Awards: MFMC got a certificate because of our participation. Several Junior Festival Clubs received award.

Festivals: The MFMC festivals summary report was distributed to attendees.

Festival Cup: Fee has been increased, MFMC will cover the additional expense.

Minnesota Music Scholarships for Challenged Students/Joyce Walsh Disability Awards: Cheryl Schmidt, Chair. Assists challenged students (blind, hearing impaired, etc.).

State Student Auditions: Sheila Shusterich, Chair. Motion made to change the monetary awards. Sheila moved $500 for first place and second place $400 for state winners in each category. Mike Crary seconded. Motion passed. Sheila is also our National Student Auditions Chair.

Written Reports: Since the time was 12:00, Cheryl asked all committee chairs to give her a written report to be included at the end of the minutes.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:05 PM.

Written reports were submitted as follows:

International Music Camp/Summer Scholarships: This music camp is for students in grades 9 – 12. Contact Rose Zygmanski.

Junior Composer Contest: Pat Steege, Chair

Last January we had 25 entrants in this event. This event is not just a contest, but entrants also earn Gold Cup points. Sharon Kaplan has been asked to judge the 2006 event. Mailing of notices and application form will go out to teachers around October 20. As an offshoot of the Junior Composers event, three scholarships were offered last July to the Junior Composers Institute; two accepted. These scholarships were offered to the first place winners in age categories two, three and four. Request was made after the meeting to raise the Junior Composer Contest state fee to $11.50. This was approved by the executive committee.

Junior composers Institute: Composition training is available for motivated students and the objective is to provide encouragement and stimulating instruction, motivating students to be creative. Open to students ages 14 through 18.

Rose Zygmanski Teacher Trust Grants: Karen Erickson, Chair.

Grants given to: Judith Brook of Eagan for $200 to attend the World Piano Pedagogy Conference in October 2005. Kori Peterson of Alexandria applied for $200 to help pay for the Piano Pedagogy II class at the U of M Morris, Fall Semester 2005.

Parade of American Music: Kathy Wilson, Chair

Each November NFMC clubs are asked to promote American music, to include club programs, community and school programs, library displays, recitals, signed proclamations by governors and mayors, and more. If a local senior club so chooses, participation in certain events may lead to recognition on a state and national level. Details at www.nfmc-music.org/Documents/American%20Music/AM-1-2.pdf.

Adult Composer’s Critique: Betty Olson, Chair

The Adult Composer’s Critique winner is Jeffrey Kline who will be playing at our spring convention.

Half Notes Newsletter: Louise Lundin, Editor.

We are always looking for MFMC information to use. The next issue will include all of the information regarding the MFMC Spring State Convention.

Other Items for discussion:

National Music Week Dates and Themes

May 4-14, 2006: “Music – A Great Joy in Life”, May 6 – 13, 2007:
“Music – Lifts All of Our Spirits Worldwide”

Future MFMC Meeting Dates:

2006 Spring State Convention • May 5 & 6, 2006
St. John’s Episcopal Church in St. Cloud, MN

2006 NFMC Fall 2006 Board Session • August 1 – 7, 2006
Hotel Sofitel in Bloomington - Minnesota is the host state

2006 Fall State Meeting • September 30, 2006
Twin Cities, date tentative. MFMC President requests assistance regarding location of meeting.

Planning for 2007 Fall State Convention
SW Minneapolis Keyboard Club

2007 Spring State Meeting • Spring 2007 – Twin Cities
Date pending

2007 Fall State Convention • Twin cities
Date pending, SW Minneapolis Keyboard Club hosting. Fall date and Friday evening, all-day Saturday, consideration by request from club members.

President’s Wish List:

Membership Chair: Respond to requests for membership into MFMC. Be willing to provide personal contact by phone, developing (with state president) a new member packet, helping with contact of local club. Initiate creative and active ideas to recruit new members into the organization.

Web Sites:
Minnesota, www.mfmc.net • National, www.nfmc-music.org

-End-