BCO Board Meeting - September 11th, 2005

Members Present: Gretchen, Mary Ellen, Lee Ann, Tom, Kyle,

Agenda

1) Review of Minutes of 7/24/05 meeting.

Minutes reviewed and approved by

2) BCO Policy Statement on Accessibility

Buffalo Community Orchestra, in accordance with Minnesota Statute 2004 and Independent School District 877 compliance therewith, rehearses and performs concerts in handicap-accessible building, rooms and auditoriums, with wide-passage doorways, designed parking spaces close to entry points, and entry ramps as required by law. Buffalo Community orchestra will make reasonable accommodations of its rules, practices, and services when necessary to afford disabled persons equal opportunity to enjoy BCO rehearsals and performances.

Confirmation of BCO Affirmative Action plan - American With Disabilities Act (Access Plan)

BCO formed an Access Advisory Task Force after initial board decisions were taken regarding individual concerns (primarily parking access at BHS side door and transporting our disabled musicians to rehearsals). Advisories from MN Human Rights Commission and VSA Minnesota were consulted by the task force and existing facilities were analyzed for accessibility by musicians and audience members. The Policy Statement on Accessibility was formulate for board members to review. On-site reviews of performance and rehearsal sites were performed. Needed improvements of the

sites were noted in discussion with relevant city officials.

A) Current Accessibility of BCO facilities, programs, services: Rehearsals space- Ground level entrances for band and orchestra rehearsal rooms, rest rooms, extra practice rooms, exterior entrances, and light fixtures. Performance space- Ramp access to stage and to audience seating; wheelchair spaces are available; Parking area with handicap spaces reserved; BCO additional request by e-mail and announcement to members to leave special spaces by side entrance for our disabled members to use spaces closest to sidewalk and side door. Sturge Park Bands shell - Ramp sidewalks provide access for audience members.

B) Accessibility goals yet to be addressed: Summer music venue at Sturge Park Bands shell - Ramp access to stage and loading area needs to be completed; discussions with Buffalo Park and Recreation Board have been initiated and a temporary ramp of gravel will be constructed immediately, with a permanent concrete rem to be built when city funding permits. Special policies on ticketing and provision of ASL have yet to be formulated.

C) Projected costs and timeline of action to complete accessibility goals: by summer of 2006, when the next BCO concert is offered at Sturge Park Bands shell, a more permanent ramp is needed connection to the side entrance of the Bands shell, so that indiviuals in wheelchairs may access the stage.

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3) October 29th - Concert Publicity and Marketing:

A) Concert Poster - Decided to have the names of the key people in this next concert on the posters - Kenneth Stockard: Peter and the Wolf; and Maria Jette: Green Eggs and Ham. Grant information to be added to the program if we've got back by then. Rosie is to copy the Poster if she is back from vacation by then.

If possible to use the BCO Logo on all items (designed by Howard Burgdorf)

Wording was discussed for the description of Green Eggs and Ham - a "staged musical production" was agreed upon.

B) Website and Local Newspaper Articles - Tom will be making changes/updates to the BCO website.

C) Collaboration with public schools/ libraries - Rockford Elementary Music would like to partner up with music students and Rockford Library would like to use their display case in the library for advertising concert; Gretchen to email them back asking for details.

Materials available: Coloring contest - members of the Buffalo Arts Board offered to be the judges for the contest they should be available at the concert to announce the winners.

Prizes: Dunn Brothers certificates, Buffalo Books certificates.

Events Planned: to get other schools involved- getting basic information out to the schools about the concert. Information to the Lions, Rotary, Civic groups, and Suzuki Kids.

D) Collaboration with BAAC: Regional issues- reach all communities

E) Materials Available: "Insider" - get an ad in this newsletter for October; Journal Press and Drummer - motion by Tom seconded by Kyle to spend $91.90 (2"x2") to place an ad in the Wright County Journal Press for this performance.

The Journal press will create the advertisment. Would like to get some pictures in the paper of Brendan and of our featured guests if possible to help promote our concert.

Events Planned: Brendan to be on the radio.

4) Concert Staging/ Special Effects: Black out during Green Eggs and Ham

Orchestra will need stand lights - Gretchen to talk with Mike Walsh about use and how many we will need - about 25

5) Rehearsal Dates for Guest Artists: Maria Jette - 2 or 3 rehearsals + dress rehearsal

6) Finance/ Budget report: Checkbook - not balanced due to a check not in. Requested to have a "pie chart" from

8/2004 - 8/2005. Mary Ellen to email forms for the Central Minnesota Arts Board.

7) Demo CD and new member recruiting: Mike Walsh to make a demo CD (Walt and Diane) of the March and May concerts. The CD's will be sent to music instructers in the surrounding communities and to anywhere we may draw more new members to BCO. Special Thanks To Walt!!

8) Principal positions: Oboe - Lonnie quit; Anita?? need to recruit oboe player

Brendan added: We need to be aware of who the principals are. The principal players are to rotate parts within their sections so everyone has an opportunity to play. This should be left up to the section leaders.

9) September 18th - Pot luck supper.

Christy will not be available - Gretchen volunteered to help set up. Brendan would like everyone to say something about themselves during the mealtime.

10) Katrina victims: discussion about money to be donated to the victims of hurricane Katrina. Mary Ellen mentioned that

she needs to check if this will be an option for our group to do. Collecting money for the victims may interfere with our grant money.

11) Grant money: has been obtained from:

Central Minnesota Arts Board; Wright Hennepin Electric; Great River Energy

Mary Ellen has written for and received $ 7,600.00 in grant money.

Christy motioned and Gretchen seconded the motion to adjorn the BCO board meeting.

submitted by: Lee Ann Carlsted, Secretary.