Minutes From Fall Meeting 2009

FLORIDA MAGICIANS ASSOCIATION, INC.

Minutes of the Annual Meeting

November 8, 2009

The Annual Meeting of the Florida Magicians Association, Inc. was called to order on November 8, 2009 at 8:50 a.m. by President Dan Stapleton.  Secretary-Treasurer Robert M. Schvey was also present.  Vice President Jeffrey Silver was unable to attend the meeting.  Website Manager Simone Marron was also present.  Eleven delegates were present in accordance to the sign-in sheet.

A motion was made by Tony Chaudhuri and passed to accept the minutes of the last Annual Meeting as previously distributed.

The Secretary-Treasurer’s Report was presented and a motion was made by Chris Dunn to accept the report.  The report included recommendations that: 

    a. The Treasurer be authorized to change the account and/or bank of the Association at their discretion after exploring the possibility of receiving meaningful interest.

    b. The By-laws be reviewed and, if necessary, revised.

The motion carried unanimously.

The Website Manager was complimented on maintaining the site.  Several clubs have been giving activity information to Simone, but we need more participation.  A member who is recently re-invigorated in magic has offered to assist in dressing up the site.  People searching for the FMA are having some difficulty locating the official website, and the Webmaster will explore ways to make it more findable.

The President emphasized the importance of communications.  He sends out at least four emails a year to the constituent clubs and other interested parties.  We need to have current email addresses, which is difficult because even some of the information on the IBM and SAM main sites is outdated.  Ian Sutz suggested that Ring and Assembly reports be copied to the FMA Webmaster to be included on our website.  Moreover, these “e-reports” will be more timely than publication, since there is a two-month delay for production in the magazines.

It was emphasized that improved communications can and has improved club participation. 

In an effort to support magic shops and our members, the President has contacted all of the clubs and many magic shops to establish member discounts.  Generally, he has been receiving good support from the shops.

Future FMA Ideas

It was recommended that we publicized that one may join FMA in addition to automatic membership through attendance at the State Convention. 

Regarding the hosting/sponsorship of the Annual Convention, the Association should establish guidelines for bids.

Benefits of FMA membership should be pursued.

We should be considering dues from clubs instead of, or in addition to, individual dues.

What are the guidelines for publicizing events and activities other than club activities (i.e. individuals or private groups)?

2011 Convention

Since the five-year agreement with Daytona Magic will end in 2010, a motion was made by Phil Labush to authorize the Board to prepare guidelines/RFP for “bids” for hosting the 2011 Annual Convention and make decisions as necessary.  That convention, if not held in conjunction with the Daytona Magic Festival, might be held during the former Memorial Weekend timeframe.  The motion passed unanimously.

Election of Officers

The following members were nominated and elected unanimously to serve as officers and members of the Board of Directors:

President                              Dan Stapleton

Vice President                       Robert M. Schvey

Secretary/Treasurer               Simone Marron

Two of these officer/board members are from the same club.  The body agreed that this would not be considered a conflict of interest, even in regards to decisions the Board may have to make regarding the 2011 Convention that could involve their club.

With no further business appearing, the meeting was closed at10:25 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Robert M. Schvey

Secretary-Treasurer