In attendance: Hanan Bell, Joan Fairbanks, Jackie Kirn, Charlotte Hotchkiss, Teresa Metzger-Howe, Bora McAteer, Steve Marx, Koko Morgan, Gennie Winkler, and Samantha Young
Approval of Minutes
The December 3, 2024 Board Meeting minutes were approved as amended.
Music Director's Report
The Symphony needs two trumpeters for this quarter. Teresa has been talking to a choir that is interested in performing with us next year. The size of performance hall would be able to accommodate both a choir and the Symphony. The church also has risers we can use.
Relationship with Music Center Northwest (MCNW)
A meeting will be set-up with the MCNW in response to the termination letter once Chas is back. The goals are to reestablish our relationship with the Center and renegotiate a rental fee. A new memo of understanding needs to be reached as well. Gennie, Jackie, and Teresa will represent the Symphony during the negotiations.
Finance
The thank you notes to Jane Buckner and Marj Graf will be sent out by Koko by next week. Bora will gather the 2024 tax information and get letters sent out to the qualifying members. Jackie and Bora will talk to the bank about designating them as the official signers for the accounts. Bora is working on compiling financial reports which include a budget that will need Board approval.
Strategic Planning Retreat
We are anticipating a substantial amount of money from grants in the following years. What can we do with the additional funds? Below is a list of ideas:
1. Add to the rainy day fund
2. Hire professionals to: design a website for non-profits, maintain the website, provide financial strategies and policies, guide us in a strategic planning process and help with visionary planning
3. Fund scholarships
Sectionals
Sectionals are set for this quarter. The French horns will have their own session. A motion was made and passed to pay the Wedgwood Community Church $100 for the use of their hall for the cello sectional.
Grants
King County has grant money from new taxes that is available. The amount of money is between $13,000 and $18,000. Jackie, Charlotte, and Bora will work together to apply for the grant.
Membership
Most of the members have donated money this quarter. Teresa will contact people who said they were interested in joining us, but have not shown. Samantha sent out a great welcome letter to the returning members.
Venues
Joan will begin looking for a new rehearsal venue if an agreement is not settled with the MCNW by March 1, 2025. She will check with the First Free Methodist Church to see if there is a space for a us to have a reception after the Spring Concert.
Publicity
Charlotte will be publicizing our concerts on Face Book, and Live Music Project's website. She will also try to get KING-FM to include our concert in their local concert's segment. The next concert will be dedicated to Doug Potter. An insert will be added to the program.
Music/Equipment
Hanan has the Spring Concert music rental setup. He is looking into the cost of streaming this music.
Teams
Bora will organize the information.
2025 Draft Work Plan
The draft work plan below is from an email attachment from Jackie.
DISCUSSION DRAFT ----Items for 2025 work plan:
Intended to be a look ahead at the annual calendar to help us manage initiatives and tasks, and who’s doing what by when.
1. Meeting with MCNW – awaiting scheduling from MCNW, Alida Skold
2. Strategic / budget planning
3. Schedule board meetings – one in February once we know date of MCNW meeting?
4. Webpage and publicity improvements – consider hiring consultant
5. Establish Microsoft Teams – train board members
6. King County 4 Culture application and payment request awaiting schedule
7. Office of Arts and Culture C.A.R.E. application and grant request awaiting schedule
8. Concert dates
2024-2025 Dates - March 19 and June 11
Arrange for reception following concert June 11
Schedule board retreat
Set 2025-2026 concert/rehearsal dates
9. Schedule Summer picnic
10. Teresa’s bonus
11. Schedule check in meetings w/MCNW
Next Board Meeting
The next Board meeting was not scheduled.
