Introductions

Announcements (continued)

Dee welcomed the new district presidents to the meeting, thanking them for their commitment to KMEA. 

Dee welcomed Mike Quilling to today’s meeting as the new Small School Chairman. 

Dee shared Gary Gackstatter has accepted the position as the new composition chair. She shared how important this position is and asked everyone to encourage their students to enter if they are interested in composing. The KMEA web page has the as well as the forms to print off to enter.

ii. MENC National Convention

Dee and Jean shared what a great time they had at the MENC National Convention in Salt Lake City in April, 2006. They praised David Circle’s marvelous national leadership. A couple of main issues David has had to deal with during his presidency are communication issues with some states and undertaking partnerships with other major corporations. David took the initiative to make this a very positive experience. 

Dee shared data from a survey held at the national conference. The mission is to advance music education. Kansas is well represented and well respected on the national level. Survey was very revealing. She encouraged everyone to share this information with their colleagues.

iii. Communications

Dee encouraged everyone to sign up to receive the KMEA Electronic Newsletter, noting how easy it is to signup and how valuable this service will be to all. When the State Legislature is in session, the Newsletter will keep you up to date with happenings within. 

Dee reminded everyone that any communication additions / changes regarding the Kansas Music Review (KMR) always needs to be submitted to Troy Johnson, Webmaster and Harold Popp, KMR Editor. Contact information should be sent to Troy and KMR sidebar information goes to Harold. Mentoring and Advocacy Chairs should be added to the sidebar information.

Troy will inform new district presidents how to access email via their alias web addresses.

iv. On-going Activities:

2005-2006 Strategic Plan – Dee encouraged the district presidents to look at the goals and establish what they want to achieve during their presidency. It is important to lay out these goals. Dee noted that we have accomplished/ met a lot of goals this past year. Jean informed those that will still be in office March 2007, a date will be set for the next Strategic Planning Meeting which will include a facilitator for this project. 

The next KCOMTEP (Kansas Conference Of Music Teaching Education Professors) Meeting will be held September 24-25 in Wichita. This meeting was initated over 20 years ago, which within a few years later we brought in CMENC students. 

Recognition of Ken Jones retirement – The board directed John Taylor to create a document praising Ken Jones’ professional contributions to KMEA.

v. ISW 2007 Announcements:

John noted he has copies of the KMEA Handbook for those who did not pick one up at the February 2006 Board Meeting. He shared he has an “e copy” of the KMEA logo which he will send to each district president to use on their letterhead. 

The KMEA Hall of Fame display is on permanent display at Friends University. It can be loaned out to travel to other locations for special events. If interested, please check with John Taylor at Friends University. 

John reminded everyone again that the KMR sidebar information needs to be correct. Deadlines must be met for the KMR: Fall issue - August 1, Winter issue - Oct 1, Convention issue - January 1, Spring issue - March 15. The October 1^st deadline is very important for the district presidents as this is the issue that shared information about their mini conventions or any other noteworthy information regarding their district.

Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser will be a clinician at the 2007 ISW. 

Dee and John are working on the logistics to have M-PACT, an internationally known vocal jazz group to perform at the 2007 ISW.

Standards 8-9: Technology/History/Culture will be highlighted at the next ISW. 

vi. Kansas Arts Commission Grants

Dee shared KMEA has again applied for an Operations Grant, which is totally based on the organization’s budget. The annual due date for this grant is March 15. Dee encouraged district presidents to look into and apply for this grant as this is an excellent way to help with the expenses for clinicians for district conventions. Contact the State of Kansas IRS website for more information. Dee also noted KMEA also applied for the

Technical Assistance Grant. Neither one of these grants are competitive grants. The monies from these two grants equal about $10,000 a year, which helps out tremendously with the KMEA budget.

President, Dee Hansen noted her report stands as written. Read report in full on page 34-35 of the Board Book. Dee and Jean shared their experiences at the MENC conference at Salt Lake City. 

President-Elect, Jean Ney reported her report stands as written. Report on page 36. Jean stated 82 audition recordings were submitted for the ISW 2007, which was down form last year. She encouraged everyone to share with their colleagues to submit audition tapes for future years. The National Convention in 2010 will be in Kansas City. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the site for the 2008 convention. 

Vice-President, Rick Ives gave a brief verbal report, noting he not had to deal with many vice presidency issues other than the normal emails.

Executive Director, John Taylor reported his report stands as written. Full report on page 40. He shared names of some of the clinicians set for the 2007 ISW. At the August Board Meeting, John will give the Annual KMEA Financial Report. John verbally thanked everyone on the board and KMEA paid employees for all of their hard work.

b. District Presidents

Northeast District - Avian Bear announced her report stands as written. Page 41-42. She shared the matter of the huge amount of growth in the Kansas City metro area schools, and how it is becoming more difficult to find host schools for events because of the enormity of the district. Their district has begun looking at changing their mini convention format to three different sites, each one hosting and entire vertical structure of band, or choir or orchestra, from K thru 12. She noted this is a work in progress, with many logistics to access. Financially the Northeast District is solvent.

There was discussion amongst everyone regarding the possible need to evaluate the division of districts. The KMEA Executive Committee will address this issue. 

Southeast District – Gary McCarty, President Elect filled in for Jo Nell Delacour who was unable to attend today’s meeting. He stated her report stands as written. Page 43. No big issues at this moment. Changed venues for some of their events. 

North Central District – Dennis Brooks reported his report stands as written. Page 44. Dennis was happy to announce his district awarded their first North Central Scholarship. They are still in the process of raising funds to get this scholarship permanently endowed. 

South Central District - Mike Connell shared Todd Hollis’ report stands as written. He attended for Todd as he is fulfilling his duties with the military. Page 45. Mike shared how the district is working on logistics for their mini convention due to the student growth increase within their district. 

Northwest District - Johnny Matlock stated his report stands as written. Report on page 46. Johnny shared his district is financially stable. He shared the district is striving to make sure all teachers are touched and their needs are met. 

Southwest District – Shawn Martin stated his report stands as submitted. Report on page 47. Their District Honor Band audition materials will now me in line with the state audition material. 

c. Webmaster, Troy Johnson – Report on page 48-49. Troy shared how to navigate through the KMEA Membership Directory on the internet. Members have the option to opt in, but cannot be listed on the directory if they are not on the official KMEA list. This directory will include CMENC members. District Presidents need to encourage all members to opt in to the KMEA Membership Directory. Working on revising the school list to reflect the recently approved school district consolidations and dissolutions announced by Kansas State Department of Education.

Troy presented a revision proposal of the KMEA website policy to the board. Since this policy was originally approved at the August 2002 board meeting, there have been many changes to the technical and practical operation of the site. 

d. Festival Ensembles Manager Report, Randy Filmore –

Live auditions were announced: January 6, 2007. The alternative (snow) date is January 13, 2007. Location: Salina Central High School. The results will not be posted at the site to give those tabulating the results time to assure accuracy especially when a student has tried out for more than one area/instrument. When the results are finalized, Troy will post them on the website.

Randy thanked John for providing box lunches to state wide participants at last year’s ISW. Discussion was held regarding the cost of the lunches and the need to possibly raise the participants fees a little bit to help cover the expense. John shared how much KMEA spent on this perk. Everyone in attendance agreed to again provide a box lunch for the state student participants.

Randy shared the committee is working on the philosophy and purpose of state-wide festival ensembles. Randy explained that KMEA is following the KSHSAA guidelines regarding virtual students and home school students. Virtual school students must be passing five solid subjects as outlined by KSHSAA, and must be in attendance in the class they are auditioning for at the KSHSAA approved school. Home school students must be passing five solid subjects, however they are not permitted to participate in state/district festivals. 

e. KSHSAA Festival Committee Report, Dana Hamant / Jean Ney

Jean explained the difference between the Festival Ensemble Committee and the KSHSAA Festival Committee. Jean is a member of the KSHSAA State Board. As Dana was unable to attend today’s meeting, Jean gave a brief report. The new forms in rubrics format have been approved by the KSHSAA Executive Board at their June meeting. This new format will be in effect for the 2006-2007 school year. Everyone (including school administration) need to be educated about the new Rubrics format. There was discussion about having clinic sessions at KMEA about Rubric judging. Jean shared how very fortunate KMEA is to have Reggie Romaine in the position he holds as he is a very fine administrator. Memorization will be reviewed within this committee. 

f. CMENC President, Nathan Dane

Nathan shared his report stands as written. Board Book pages 37-39. Nathan shared CMENC is looking into changing the structure of the elected officers. It would be tremendously beneficial for a president to be in office for two years; however Nathan explained the downfalls of this action. The Southwest Division of MENC is adding elected CMENC officers into their executive board. The board discussed the pros and cons. Nathan thanked Sara Stecklein for the mentoring she has provided him in his office.

g. The Mentoring Guide outlining what timeline to follow, giving helpful hints for new teachers will now be available on the KMEA website under the link, “New to Kansas/New to Teaching”.

Mike Connell moved that KMEA change its current format to include two State Festival Honor Bands, each to perform beginning at the 2008 In-Service Workshop; that one band shall be comprised solely of class 1-4A students, and the other band comprised of class 5-6A students; and that selection to these bands shall be determined by live audition of the state audition materials. Avian Bear seconded the motion.

Motion passed. 

During Saturday’s Board Meeting, the board directed the KMEA/KPTS Committee to further study other possibilities. Dee made a statement that KMEA values the relationship between KMEA and KPTS and wants to pursue finding a way to get more value from KMEA’s investment.

Johnny Matlock will be the District Board President representative to work on the KPTS project.

The Board directed Dee to respond to KPTS regarding KMEA’s position.

Campaigning (continued)

Avian moved to put the By-Law change for Page 10, Section 3, concerning political action / campaign, to the KMEA membership on the President’s ballot at the ISW in February 2007. Nathan seconded the motion.

The statement reads as follows, “KMEA strongly opposes political action within the organization by candidates for KMEA office. Specifically, this includes any action which involves campaigning or any action which might require financial support. 

Candidates may respond to direct questions from other members but may not initiate conversations in regards to specific issues other than their leadership philosophy. Initiating contact of any type (e.g. telephone, mail, e-mail) regarding a KMEA election is prohibited. Only authorized biographies approved by the Executive Committee will be published by KMEA”.

This By-law change will be voted on by the entire membership at the 2007 ISW.

This is an addendum to the official Board Book for review.

Gary made a motion to approve ISW Music Reading Sessions proposal as outlined by KMMA and Dr. John Taylor, Executive Director as amended: 4C to read: “The KMMA dealer, in cooperation with the clinician, host, and the publisher, will select the contents of the Music Reading Sessions packets. Mike Connell seconded the motion. 

John was directed to notify KMMA.

Dee announced she is moving to Conneticutt to take a position with the Harrt Conservatory of Music. The Board congratulated on this prestigious opportunity and thanked her for her contributions within the KMEA family.

Due to this announcement, KMEA By-laws require that the Vice President returns to the Presidency office. At which time,

CMENC chapter representatives present were introduced.