Board Meeting Minutes

The Imperial Sovereign Empire of Arizona

 

 

Meeting Date             December 17, 2006

 

Minutes Prepared     December 18, 2006

 

Attendees       Steve LaFata, Don Hilton, Joe Kunkel, Craig Van Deen, Michael Gaffney, Ron Caputo

Absentees      Cris Cringle

 

Guests            Joseph Brumley, Liz St James (Mark), Justice Prevails

________________________________________________________________________

 

¨       Call To Order:  Meeting called to order at 12:10

 

¨       Meeting Minutes from October: Motion by Joe to approve the minutes with second by Steve (passed).

 

¨       Treasures Report: On hold until next meeting, Treasurer not present at this meeting.  Prior report Checking: $753.19  Savings: $2002.36

 

Three new members mailed in checks and applications.  Sylvia and Kelly each one year memberships ($100 each), Paul one month $10.00, Michael paid two months for dues. 

Check from Leather Sock Hop was delivered to Sandy LaFrance to give to Leatherlords for $1,061.00.  They were very happy with the money given from the Court.

 

Old Business:

 

¨       IRS 1023 Form/Filing: We have received official notification of acceptance for the IRS number.  This will be good until May 31, 2010.  We will be treated as a Public Charity.  FYI – Arizona paperwork must be filed in April to the Arizona Corporation Commission.  All of our paperwork will be placed in a safety deposit box for safekeeping.    

¨       Grants:  We will start looking into the writing of Grants to help out the Court financially after the first of the year.

¨       Winter Wonderland: Held at Kobalt, thank you so much for stepping up and helping the court by using your facility.  This show was hosted by Count Cris and Countess Ebony and was a fantastic show.  Everyone seemed to be having a wonderful time.  We raised $1,760.00 for Phoenix Children’s Hospital.  Congratulations to both Cris and Ebony.

¨       Bios: We still need a photo and biography for Cris Cringle.

¨       Gay Pride Parade Float or Convertibles: Ron mentioned that the parade again is free this year.  Michael Emery is still checking into the use of convertibles for the Court.  Updates to follow but we may look into sharing a truck or cars with either Flavaz or Heatstroke magazines.

¨       Turkey Drive: The Court raised $1,210.00 for Agape with this year’s Turkey Drive.  The grand total for all that helped this year was $16,000 and still counting.  Apollo’s was the high seller with approximately $5,200.00.  Congratulations to Agape on a very successful year.

¨       Internal Turkey Contest: The high seller within the court was Michael Emery, selling $165.00 worth of tickets (33 tickets).  He will receive a Coronation packet for the weekend less hotel cost plus $100.00 cash, from an anonymous donor.  Second place was decided by drawing out of a hat, since there were 6 individuals that sold $55.00 each or 11 tickets.  The winner is Allen Hall, he will receive a free Coronation ticket plus the anonymous donor will purchase a second ticket for them also. 

¨       Pamphlets and Frames: Joseph Brumley has completed new information about the Court.  They look very nice.  The frame was for a copy of the poster to be placed so people can see that this event is sponsored by The Imperial Sovereign Empire of Arizona. Ron offered to work with Joe Kunkel on bids to print the pamphlets at a better cost to the Court.  5000 would cost approximately $259.00 plus shipping and be printed in color.  We will also get bids for 1,000 and 2,500 from Ron   

¨       Membership Drive: We have to keep trying to get people involved as members. 

¨       Membership Update: Michael will be asking all members for update information including address, telephone, email addresses.  This list will be emailed to each member as is only for member use, no one outside of the Court will have this list.

 

  

 

New Business:

 

¨       Coronation Committees: We have begun setting up the following committees.  A board member will head each committee with help from anyone else interested.

1.      Hotel – Joe and John Nelson

2.      Hospitality – Michael & Craig

3.      Sponsorship – Steve

4.      Set – Don (Ken Barker from Denver)

5.      Program, ad sales, ticket sales and printing _

6.      Protocol – (Joe asked John Nelson to be in charge and to train us to take over ourselves)

7.      Bus Tour –

 

Joe has made up signup sheets for everyone to volunteer for.  There are many committees and some that everyone will be helping with.  There will be a mini-website within our own website for Coronation.  This will be setup with Paypal so that out of state and in state individuals can get online to order tickets.  This will give us a good idea on how many people plan to attend Coronation II.  Paypal can also be used for membership renewals and new memberships.  There is a per transaction fee when using Paypal or a percentage per transaction.  This will be looked at closer in the future.  We are planning to use the Phoenix Ballroom this year and possible the Crescent Room.  Both are larger than last year’s venue.  The Phoenix Ballroom holds approximated 250 – 300 people, the Crescent is much larger.  Coronation will start on time this year whether everyone is ready or not.  Joe and John Nelson will be meeting with the Hotel after the holidays.  Room reservations may go directly to the hotel this year instead of through the reservation center. 

 

¨       Coronation Committees Detail List:

  1. Corporate Sponsorship
  2. Ad Sales (Program)
  3. Set Build and Tear Down
  4. Hospitality (Liquor and Food)
  5. Printing (Tickets and Programs)
  6. Ticket Sales
  7. Out of Town Show
  8. Bus Tour (Bar Sponsors)
  9. Protocol
  10. Vendors
  11. Centerpieces
  12. Coronation Night (point person)
  13. Victory Brunch
  14. Gifts and Awards
  15. Victory Show

 

¨       Coronation Voting: Voting for the new Emperor and Empress will be done by community vote this next year and be done one week prior to Coronation April 28th.  This will be held at MCC Gentle Shepherd if this does not conflict with their schedule.  This will be a Saturday and voting will run from 10 – 6.  We will be in contact with Tory to have this put on the Church calendar.  John Nelson and Joe Kunkel will be working on ballots, candidate applications, questions, etc.  We will also need to come up with a locked box.  Doug Giffore may be the person in charge of tabulating the votes and keeping them secret until the night of Coronation.

¨        

¨       RoadRunner Regional Rodeo: To be held at Rawhide on the weekend of January 12th – 14th.  Joe will submit the applications for booth and entertainment to Michael Butts.  We have approved $50.00 for the booth rental for Saturday and Sunday (Steve proposed Joe second, passed).  Saturday may be the whole Court involved doing a group number.  Steve and Joe may perform on Sunday individually. 

¨       Ads for Coronation: Need to go over what was approved from last month.  We have paid for Southwest Leather Conference $75.00.  Seattle’s Coronation just need the amount for the ad and Long Beach ad we have approved up to $100.00 without having to bring it to the Board.  

¨       Paypal update: This has been set up on the Court’s website for the Empress’ Ball for February.  We will see how this goes.  Joe had already sent out prior emails to Cris and Joseph on how to view or pull up the information.

¨       Empress’ Ball: Joe has made up signup sheets for people to volunteer for different duties.  Paypal is live for this event so everyone needs to go to our website to purchase their tickets.  There will only be 200 tickets sold for this event.  Advance prices are Single: $25.00 Couples: $40.00 at the door Singles: $30.00 and Couples: 45.00.  There are 8 tables of eight and other tables for standing.  The Legion has donated the hall and will have bartenders and waiters/waitresses.  Tip well since these are volunteer positions and no one gets paid.  Easley’s is giving the Court a discount and decorations for the event.  We will have masks for sale for either $5.00 or $10.00.  Jeff Muir has volunteered to take care of the food and will have items that don’t require utensils.  There will be silent auctions consisting of wine, hotel stays, and other donated items from the community.  Beth at Lomaki is helping out with the centerpieces.  Joe will have three command performers for this night.  Anita Richman, Henry and Marie Tank, and one spot left open for possibly someone from out of town.  The opening number will be a production number for everyone on the Court; this will be Masquerade from Phantom of the Opera.  Paul Pederson will be in charge of choreography.  There will be a 50/50 raffle; ˝ will go to the Legion and ˝ to the Court.  Joe has someone from his bowling league coming to help with selling of the 50/50 raffle.  She is very good at getting money from people to donate.  There will be some certificates and proclamations handed out along with best-dressed male, female, couple awards.  We will need to look into the cost of a spotlight.  We will need this for multiple events. 

¨       Publication of our Books in January: Once again we will be publishing our books in the local magazines showing what has been raised and where the money was disbursed.  Cris will need to get the financials together for Steve so he can submit them.  Most of the publications need this information by the 10th or 12th of the month.

¨       Church Agreement: Craig has signed this agreement and gave a copy to Tory at the Church.  I was also given a copy for safekeeping. 

 

¨       Upcoming Events:

January: Turnabout Shoe to be held on Saturday January 27th at Charlie’s.  This will run from 7 – 9 with a suggested $5.00 cover charge.  This will be hosted by Duchess Lady Joy. 

February: Cupids on Fire at the Cash Inn February 10th.  Prince Royal Don Hilton and Princess Royal Justice Prevails host this event.  The beneficiary will be for Breast Cancer.

February: Empress’ Ball Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball. To be held on February 24 at the American Legion at 35th Ave and Thunderbird.  Regine and Ashley will be working closely with Jennifer on this event.  There will be 3 commands done that evening. 

 

Open Forum:

¨       Miss Gay Pride Pageant at Charlie’s: Both Jennifer and Steve were asked to perform.  Claudia B won the title.

¨       Marquis – held a benefit at Charlie’s along with the American Express Gay group to raise money for Valley 1N10.  Steve that everyone had fun and he performed. 

¨       Steve Lafata has a new cell number 602-579-0354.

¨       Ron Caputo has given his resignation for both the Board and his Line Title.  He will concentrate on his work.  Best of luck to you Ron and thank you for all of your help.  

¨       Community Events: We have added this to our website to link up with other organizations so we can go and see what they are doing and to possible help out. 

¨       Valley 1N10: One Voice to hold a Net meet for coffee and tea on January 27th to meet other organizations in the city. 

 

¨       Adjourned: Motion by Joe second by Don