Date: April 24, 2008
Time: 5:45-6:55 p.m.
Location: Perkin’s Restaurant at Germantown Road and Wolf River Boulevard
Attendance:

• John Schultz
  
• Kathy Schultz
  
• Debbie Sellmansberger
  
• Mary Ann Lucas
  
• Jackie Garner
  
• Sue Malone
  
• Mary Clausi

Reading of Minutes and Treasurer's Report

Sue moved that the minutes of the last board meeting be accepted as they were submitted to the Board on the website. It was seconded by Debbie and was unanimously approved. Debbie volunteered to call all past members who have not paid their dues. The Board also approved the Treasurer’s Report as submitted at the evening.

Discussion of the Scholarship Program

Debbie led a discussion of the MSSI scholarship program, who was eligible, how applications were made, concerns in the past, how payments were made, etc.

Christmas Party

The MSSI Christmas Party will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Neshoba Unitarian Church on Raleigh-LaGrange Road near Trinity. Members are asked to bring a pot luck dish, decorate their tables, and a $5 for the gift exchange plus a toy for Toys for Tots drive. Volunteers are needed for setup and cleanup and to supervise the line. The cost of renting the space is $40/hour.

Grace Notes

The Grace Notes will be issued shortly due to the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. All articles need to be submitted to the Grace Notes staff by the 15th of the month.

Check to Lyon College

The check submitted to Lyon College last spring for an MSSI tent space has not been cashed. Tom will check on this matter.

Scholarship Committee

The Board discussed a suggestion that Lyon College recommend students who are studying pipes and Scottish dancing for possible scholarship monies. This idea was tabled until a later date.

Programs

Can grants fund an honorarium to cover food and gas for a speaker? Mary moved that the Programs Vice President be given a budget of $100 per month and if he/she needs to spend more for a particular month, then they would need Board approval. Sammy seconded it and it was passed unanimously.

Banner

Debbie submitted 3 drawings for the new MSSI banner but the drawings have been misplaced. She will redraw them and Mary will contact several local flag companies to check on the cost of a new banner.

Burns Nicht

Kathy and Jackie requested a copy of the tax number to help with expenses for Burns Nicht. Mary Ann and Sammy discussed the TV appearance, possibly cooking several Scottish foods and as of yet we do not have anyone to do this demonstration. It was suggested we ask the chef at Crumpets Tea Room. It would be on Alive at Nine on Channel 3 with Mary Beth Conley. Bud and Lore were on WKNO today taking about Burns Nicht. Can we get on Robert Campbell’s show to talk about Burns Nicht? There were several complaints on last year’s Burns Nicht and the Board discussed how their problems could be remedied. January 19th is the last day to accept reservations. Lore has also invited Michael Donahue from the Commercial Appeal. So far the reservations are as follows: 54 total reservations, 13 Patrons, and 6 Benefactors. Several calls were made to round up all of the decorations. Tom and Cheryl will handle the silent auction. Mary Ann is planning the seating chart for the event.

New Business

The Board revisited the idea of name tags for every member, who would be in charge, etc.

Next Board Meeting

The next MSSI board meeting will be held on Thursday, February 24, at Perkins Restaurant at 5:30 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,
Mary E. Clausi, Secretary, MSSI

Date: April 14, 2008
Time: 6:55 p.m.
Location: Jason’s Deli at Poplar and Highland
Attendance:

• 41 members and guests

Pledge of Allegiance

Prayer: Ken Letterman

Call to Order: President John Schultz

Introduction of Guests: Richard McAden, Gus White, Mike Taylor, Mike Macey, Carl Ryan, David Peters, and Brad Randall

Announcements

• The Spring Picnic will be held at the Sellmansbergers on Saturday, May 17, from 11 a.m. until - ??? Bring lawn chairs, pot luck dish, tents, etc. Games will be provided. A map is available on the website.
  
• The Celidth will be held in the summer indoors with the date to be announced.
  
• The Batesville Scottish Festival and Games will be held this weekend, April 18 – 20. Three local bands will perform and/or compete: Wolf River Pipes and Drums, Sgt. Singleton Pipe Band, and the Northeast Arkansas Caledonian Band. MSSI has decided to not have a tent available at the games.

Announcements from the Grace Notes included:

• The Birdsong Harp Center and the Irish Harp Orchestra will perform April 19 at Immaculate Conception Church. The New York Choir of Men and Boys will perform at St. John’s Episcopal Church on the evening of April 25; tickets are $20.
  
• The Celtic Fest will be held November 1, Saturday, in Jackson, Tennessee.
  
• Debbie discussed the results of the survey that she passed out at the last meeting concerning programs and location of the monthly meeting.

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Program – Flintlock Rifles

The program this evening was presented by Brad Randall, a local gun maker, on flintlock rifles, the history and works of such weapons. It was an excellent program.

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Door Prizes:
The door prize was won by Gavin Anderson.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m.