Ring 258 Minutes

Meeting Minutes

I.B.M. Ring #258 – Thursday, October 22, 2009

 

   The meeting was held in a small room at the Perkins Restaurant on Hwy 27 near Hawthorne, due to our never ending search for a new permanent location.  This room did not fit the bill either.  President Magic Ian brought the meeting to order, a little later than usual, at 7:26 as members were still finishing their meals.  Guests were: Lyle Richard (former member), Pat Maxwell and Ed McGowan.

     The secretary's minutes were approved as e-mailed.  There was a question concerning things printed in the minutes and how things are actually being done.  It was noted that the "mentalist" lecture by Devin Knight was voted down last month, yet now appears on our schedule to take place on Sunday, Nov. 22.  President Magic Ian explained that due to additional information and time constraints he made an executive decision to book the lecture.  The Treasurers report was approved showing a balance of $6974.18, as of 9/30/09 and membership of 47 Magi.

     Old Business - The lecture bookings for November were brought up again.  Nathan Kranzo was to have been in January.  Ian explained that the January date had already been taken by the time we contacted him, but since we had approved this lecture last month he chose to book him for Wed., Nov. 4, or we would lose the lecture entirely.   Both lectures noted above will take place at the Howard Johnson's, 20329 RT. 27, Clermont, FL 34715.

     There was also extended discussion of our meeting location again.  Numerous places were brought up and recommended, Golden Corral @ the Villages among them.   Golden Corral has a hard minimum of thirty diners and $15 minimum per plate.   Allan Konstan re-introduced the idea of using "The Retreat" camp that we met at a few years ago.  There are a number of restaurants within a mile of there where members could meet for dinner before the meeting.  A final recommendation from the "Meeting Location Committee" will come before the end of the year.  Out of necessity, the November meeting will take place an hour and a half prior to the Nov. 22 lecture, as our regular meeting night falls on Thanksgiving.  Our December meeting will take place at the Holiday Party on Sunday, Dec. 27, at Royal Highlands, as our regular meeting night falls on Christmas Eve.

     Tickets for the Hawthorne show, coming up this Sunday afternoon at 3:00 PM were offered for sale. All members were again asked to participate on stage, back stage, doing close-up or acting as ushers and distributors of programs.  Those working are entitled to 1 "freebie" ticket.

     New Business – Frank Martin brought up what seems to be a lack of adherence to the rules and votes taken.  He asked that "Roberts Rules of Order" be used during the formal part of the meetings and that decisions made by vote of the membership be enforced.  President Ian rebutted that sometimes there are extenuating circumstances that make changes necessary.  It was recommended that the club go to a Board of Directors format with current officers and 3 past presidents making up that Board.  That was tabled for the new slate of officers to decide on.

     The "Goals" of the club also came into question.  George Smallwood read the written goals from our corporate papers in to the record.  (Ask George for a copy if you have not seen or heard them.)  The reading seemed to satisfy all parties.

     George also suggested that the Officers and/or Executive Board take a lesson from Ring 170 and meet prior to the general meeting of the Ring.   Decisions made there would help move the Ring Business meeting along and leave more time for magic.

     There was some discussion of "bickering" between members that had been going on for some time and the President overstepping his bounds on occasion. 

     Elections for the officers of Ring 258, for the calendar year 2010, were held.  The new officers are: President – Frank Martin, Vice President - Bryan Weller, Secretary – Ian Sutz and Treasurer – George Smallwood.  President elect Martin appointed George Shield to be Sergeant at Arms.  The new officers will assume office as of January 1, 2010.

     The 50/50 Raffle was won by Anna Marie Faye in the amount of $7.  And the meeting was adjourned.

 

     The after meeting entertainment, with dual themes of "Spooky Magic" and "Trick Decks" was MC'd by Magic Ian.  Since this was not a "show and tell" night, effects were performed and not explained.    

     Magic Ian performed first using two trick decks performing "The Haunted Pack" and "Brain Wave" combining them into a nice routine.

     Wally Libenson named cards "Lucy" and "Leah" before they were even chosen.

     Jack Palumbo used a deck of cards with 52 different backs to do "Rainbow Miracle".

     Greg Solomon showed us "Knot a Card Trick" and "Flash Cards".

     Bryan Weller used his band saw and then performed "Split Deck".

     Roger Reid created the routine "Laser Card" out of a jumbo deck of cards, a ray gun and "Deely Boppers".  The "alien assistant" from the audience shot a hole through the chosen card with the laser gun.  Roger also showed a spooky magic "square circle" effect created using a plastic pumpkin and a tube that looked like a castle.

     Dandy Dan Dyer used a brightly colored sun and moon hank to display "The Haunted Hank".

     George Smallwood began an effect, but retired back to his seat, when the "audience assistant" cut too many cards.  Oops.

     And Ring President Elect, Frank Martin, closed the evening's festivities with a "true story" about the "Tokoloshi" spirits in Africa and how they affected his "Haunted Match Box".

     Respectfully Submitted,

          Roger L. Reid

          Secretary, IBM Ring 258