Board Meeting Minutes August 2022

MINUTES

Colorado Music Business Organization Board of Directors Meeting

Sunday, August 7, 2022 – 7:00 p.m.

1. Called to Order at 7:06 p.m.

2. Present: Barb Dye, David Barber, Tracey Chirhart, Annette Cannon

Absent: Excused: Johnnie Johnson, Jamie Krutz (proxy to David), Alex Teitz (proxy to David), Tony Molina, and Maurice Avatar.

Guests: Todd Caron (3^rd meeting)

3. Approval of the Minutes of July 10, 2022: David moved, Tracey 2^nd. Approved.

4. Treasurer’s Report:

Income received:

Memberships (Paypal): $ 240.00 (See Membership Report)

Song Contest: $ 510.00 (51 songs paid) (“Free songs” are not income)

Interest on Savings: $ .04(July 2022; note the increase from .01!)

Total: $ 750.04

Expenses paid (Ck = check; PP = Paypal; BW = bank withdrawal, checking acct.):

Bank Fees for July: $ 2.00 (checking fees)

Facebook ad (Meta): $ 51.80 (ads for Songwriting Contest)

Paypal fees (PP): $ 42.41 (See David’s accounting below)

GoDaddy (PP): $ 41.34 (2 domain renewals for 2 years each; see below)

Zoom acct. for July (PP): $ 16.30

Mailchimp for July (PP):    $  33.00

                                Total: $ 186.85

Paypal Fees: (8 x $1.54) = $12.32 (for memberships)

Paypal Fees: (51 x $.59) = $30.09 (for songwriting contest entries)

Checking Balance: $ 1,268.21 (as of 7/29/22)

Savings Balance: $ 1,453.42 (as of 7/29/22)

PayPal Balance: $ 1,207.77(as of 8/02/22)

Grand Total: $ 3,929.40

E. Membership Report:

Current Paid Members: We decided not to worry about these stats until we get a Membership Chairperson.

Renewed Members in July:

Supporter(s): None

Individual: Joel Ashmore, Steve Son, John Riger, Jesse Droddy

Band(s): None

Business(es): None

New Members in July:

Supporter: None

Individuals: Angela Perry Smith, Jerry Nelson, Zachary Weld, William Emery

Band(s): None

Business(es): None

Up for Renewal in August: (6 individuals)

Supporter: None

Individuals: Rob Roper, Jim Seeley, Tom Chelston, Dave Fairbrother, Norma Pfaff and Paul Fiorino

Bands: None

Business(es): None

David sent out renewal reminder emails to the above Individuals on Aug. 7^th.

Membership “Welcome Surveys”: 5 (Ashmore, Perry-Smith, Nelson, Weld, Droddy)

F. Unfinished Business:

1. Bar Code requests: None.

1. Upcoming Programs:

a. August 2022: Cancelled for Summer Recess.

b. Monday, September 26^th: Working on a “Marketing” program, suggested by Dean McCall & Todd Caron. Storm Gloor confirmed for Sept. 26^th and said he could get a couple of other people who have some knowledge of Marketing. At this time, we’ll go with the Marketing program via Zoom.

c. Monday, October 24^th: No suggestions

d. Saturday(s), November 12^th or 19^th – Songwriters Showcase at ??? No. 38 ?

3. Web & Social Media Reports – David Barber (as of 8/07/22):

1. Current Email Subscribers: COMBO has 2,413 subscribers which is upfrom the 2,395 reported at the last meeting. As of the 7/28/22 newsletter, we had 28% opens and 5% click thrus.

2. Twitter Account Followers: COMBO has 7,635 followers which is down from the last report of 7,642.

c. Facebook Analytics: Reach: 5,197, up 353%; Page Visits: 67, up 22%; New Likes: 32, up 78%.

Reminder – Our Facebook address is:

http://www.Facebook.com/ColoradoMusicBusinessOrganization

d. LinkedIn: 146 followers up from 142.

e. Google Analytics Report: In July 2022 there were 4717 sessions, which is down 28% from July 2021 when we had 6557 sessions. There were spikes in traffic last year in July. The most viewed article in July was “Man accused of killing Greeley musician Scott Sessions Going to Trial” with 1278 views (he was found guilty); 2nd most popular page was for the songwriting contest.

4. Ombudsman Program – Annette Cannon: Nothing in particular mostly people commenting on great that the music scene is coming back.

5. Promotion/Advertising: Barb passed out several guitar picks at Amy Whitesell’s birthday party on July 31^st. Amy is with A Music Company in Colorado Springs and puts on several blues events each year. Barb also took down a box of SESAC bags and lanyards (leftovers from previous Durango Songwriters Expos) and COMBO business cards for her to pass out at her Blues on the Mesa event on Saturday, October 1^st. Amy wanted us to have a booth there but it is the same day as this year’s DSE to which Barb had already committed.

David – ad re songwriting contest: Facebook (a/k/a Meta) ads during June = $51.80.

6. COMBO Organization By-Laws: Barb has updated the revised By-Laws and sent them to the Board of Directors for Ratification.

7. Open Mic Night with Tony: No report.

8. Songwriting Contest – David: We have a total of 105 songs submitted as of the end of the contest on August 1^st at 11:59 p.m. 82 paid $10 each = $820 less PayPal fees of $30.09. We received a $30 check from one contestant. We ended up with 4 judges plus Barb’s scores to break any potential ties.

9. Re-Do on 501(c)(6) Status: Barb sent out a description of the requirements for a 501(c)(6) to the Board, none of which matched what our organization does. She suggests that we, as a group, request that someone in the IRS reevaluate our application, preferably someone who knows something about music, copyrights, and music education. (Barb means everyone will sign a ‘please re-evaluate’ letter) The board did not think this suggestion would work. Better to just re-apply.

In scanning some documents that David found in his storage, Barb noticed a problem with the IRS letter and our Articles of Incorporation, specifically Article III. The IRS posed a question and this Article definitely needs to be rewritten:

You stated in your Articles of Incorporation that you are formed for the benefit of songwriters, musicians, performers, recording studios, agents, managers, nightclubs and all other individuals in business associated with the music and recording community in the state of Colorado and to develop a mutual understanding, appreciation and interaction between members of the public and the business and arts communities… Information submitted indicates you may be better described under ‘501(c)(6) as a business league instead of under ‘501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. An organization described under section 501(c)(6) is an association of persons having some common business interest and its purpose is to promote this common business interest. If you agree, please complete enclosed Form 1024 and your Form 1023 will be automatically withdrawn.

Article III – Purpose

The corporation is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes for the benefit of songwriters, musicians, performers, recording studios, agents, managers, nightclubs, and all other individuals in businesses associated with the music and recording community in the State of Colorado, and to develop a mutual understanding, appreciation and interaction between members of the public and the business and arts communities by promoting and producing artistic creations in the nature of musical compositions, recordings and live performances, as well as promoting, producing and causing to be produced workshops, seminars, and performances relating to music, and by taking part in activities having that end in view, all within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3)¹ of the Internal Revenue Code of the 1954 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law) and to that end to exercise any and all powers conferred by law upon nonprofit corporations organized under the Colorado Non-Profit Corporation Act of the State of Colorado; to do any other act or thing incidental to or connected with the forgoing purposes or in advancement thereof, but not for the pecuniary profit or financial gain of its directors or officers except as permitted under the Colorado Non-Profit Corporation Act.

G. New Business

1. Resignation of Alex Teitz: Alex’s business(es) are picking up again due to the pandemic winding down so he feels that he is too busy to continue with COMBO at this time. Discussion and vote to accept Alex’s resignation effective September 1, 2022: So approved.

Dear Barb & The Board:

I started with the COMBO Board just as COVID lockdown began. At that time I had time to spare. Now that the world has re-opened my schedule has become busier and busier. After 2 years I’m no longer able to balance life with COMBO. As of September 1, 2022 I will be stepping down from the Board. I will be leaving both my Secretary and Director Outreach positions and invite anyone to take them on. It has been obvious to me this summer that my schedule is too full to dedicate the needed resources to COMBO. My duties and responsibilities outside of COMBO have grown and may grow more. 

When Sheena resigned there was the scramble to try to re-offer her duties as a subset of the Board. Those subsets were never defined i.e. 

1. Stay on the board as a member with no assigned duties (membership and internship directors, program committee, and all those other duties that you so graciously took over would be assigned to other people);

2. Stay on the board as an “at large” member — much like Tracey (who does help out when we run information booths when she can);

3. Take a two-three month leave of absence to give you some free time; or

4. Tag-team — maybe share the duties with someone else and on an every-other-month basis or a schedule that you and your co-chair would work out that would be compatible to your needs.

For the foreseeable future I do not see that I will have time, nor resources to commit to COMBO. I’m sure I will be kept appraised of the Board through David. It was known that before I joined the Board I was willing to make suggestions. I will work with David & Jamie to provide my letters of introduction and survey templates for speakers. If you can think of anything [or] other resources in my care that I need to pass on, please tell me. 

Sincerely, 

Alex Teitz 

Barb did write Sheena with the suggested options but she declined to take any of them.

2. Acceptance of Todd Caron as a Board Member: Annette, Tracy, David with proxies approved Todd. He will officially start at the Board Meeting on September 11, 2022.

H. Reports

1. July 2022: Maurice e-mailed his contact at the Glendale Concert facility but they were not able to work out a date for a tour before the end of July. He also checked with Dave Fox of Alley Studios to see about holding a social or program there but Dave said ‘not available’ until later in the year. We’ll keep that on the “possible places to meet.”

2. Women in Music have started up their programs again. They will hold a Picnic in the Park on Sunday, August 21^st at 1:00 p.m. in Washington Park. If anyone is interested in attending, please RSVP. Members: $5; non-members $30. Let Barb know and she will send you the information. Discussion & vote to pay $30 fee: Annette, Todd — 1

3. Sound Girls: Join us for a little get together on Sunday, August 21^st at 1:00 pm! (same time as the WIM meeting). In addition to hanging out and reconnecting, we’ll be hearing about the joys of Stage Management from Chloe Carroll of Z2 Entertainment (music venue stage management) and Madeline Hull (theatrical stage management). To be held at Anna Frick’s new studio, Ally Sound, 614 Kimbark Street, Longmont, CO 80501. RSVP to Anna@allysound.com (apparently Anna has never heard of Alley Studios in Denver as they have a similar name but with different spellings!)

I. Next General Meeting: Monday, September 26^th at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom. Announce winners of contest

J. Next Board Meeting: Sunday, September 11^th at 7:00 p.m. (Sunday, Sept. 4^th is Labor Day Weekend). Sign in time 6:50 p.m. via Zoom.

K. Meeting Adjourned at 8:42 p.m.

/s/ Barb Dye

___________________________________

Barb Dye, President

1^ After application in 2007, the IRS deemed the Colorado Music Association to be in the category of a 501(c)(6).