Minutes, October 22,2025

 

 Minutes of the COTMD Board Meeting on October 22, 2025, submitted by M. Frongillo
[The agenda is italicized.]

The 10/22/25 COTMD Board meeting began at 7:27 pm. 

Virginia, John, Dianne Britton, Dianne Palmer-Quay, Gail, Maris, and Marguerite were present.
 1]  The August meeting minutes were approved by vote.

2]   Dianne Britton’s treasurer report indicated that we have lost $464 between August and October, despite some donations. We have a lot of expenses including insurance, monthly use of the hall, and cost of bands and callers. Our 2026 liability insurance will be $634. A formal motion was made proposing to keep the liability insurance, seconded and voted yes. Because Venmo is good for donations, a motion was made to continue having Venmo, seconded, and voted yes.

3]  Victor was unable to attend the October meeting. It was agreed that Sherlock’s Meow could be our band for January 2026.

4]  Comments on our most recent dance.
    A]  The potluck and lesson are both good for socializing and encouraging people to dance. Usually experienced dancers help beginners, but occasionally an experienced dancer may unknowingly confuse a beginner. It helps when the caller is alert and guides with positive professional energy.
    B]  Some experienced dancers are encouraging us to advertise with frequent posts about upcoming dances. Spreading the word in person also works well.
   C]  We need an agreement about naming the two partner roles in our dances. The available terms are Ladies and Gents, robins and larks, and right and left positional. No decision was made and no vote was taken as to what terms should be used permanently. Presently the terms are up to the caller.

5] Decide on potluck (or not) for our local dances (decide thru December?) We decided that we want to keep the potluck going through our last dance this year! 

6] First Thursday event at Boyd Plaza on November 6, 2025: Discuss who needs to do what when.
A] through G] 
Our treasurer is handling the intake and dispersal of funds for this event. The two callers, Victor Gascon and Dianne PQ are local and board members and will teach simple dances. Dianne B. Dianne PQ and Maris will handle marketing for this event. Parking is available at a big city garage on Taylor between Main and Assembly. We did not discuss making a list of dancers. Most people at the 10/22/25 board meeting planned to attend the Boyd Plaza event. We were encouraged to bring our friends. No motion was made and no vote was taken on this Boyd Plaza First Thursday event.

7] There were no additional agenda items.

8] The next Contra Board meeting will be Wednesday, December 10. We voted to adjourn the 10/22/25 meeting at 8:50 pm.

 MEETING AGENDA associated with the above minutes:

 1] Review/approve meeting minutes (August 13, 2025).  Those minutes are available at:     https://cotmdboard.contracola.org/
2] Treasurer's report.
3] Booker's report 
4] Thoughts and comments on our most recent dance, attendance etc.
5] Decide on potluck (or not) for our local dances (decide thru December?)
6] Discuss who needs to do what, as regards the special first Thursday dance event:
A] Someone will need to bring cash to pay the band ($260) and callers ($200??).  First Thursday is not paying these fees directly.
B] Can someone create and maintain a list of board members and experienced dancers who will commit to attend AND actually dance?  
C]The dance event details are nailed down, and we need to make a marketing effort, who can and will do what? The first Thursday event should be heavily promoted at our next regular Saturday dance, to bring out experienced dancers.
D] How do we get as many of our experienced dancers as possible to come help ] out (this overlaps with the marketing effort)?
E] How do we plan to pull "curious onlookers" into this dance, which is otherwise no more than a demonstration?
F] Since we are going to be paid $600 for this, we will have some "profit" to bank after all expenses.  How (and when) will we collect this $600?
G] What (if any) parking arrangements are there that we can push out to anyone who wants to attend this event?
7] Any additional agenda items should be introduced here (time permitting).
8] Set the next meeting date and adjourn.