GREYSNOTES
The sometimes-read newsletter of the Boise Highlanders
April 2012
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CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS:
Check the Gig Book YES or NO. Some of these do not have sign-up sheets yet; just for planning purposes.
YES / NO
_____/_____ Apr 4: WEDNESDAY night practice (NOT Thursday Apr 5)
_____/_____ Apr 10: Board of Directors meeting
_____/_____ Apr 19: Nominations close for Band elections
_____/_____ Apr 26: BAND ELECTIONS (P/M, Board of Dir); Annual Meeting
_____/_____ May 12: Race for the Cure
_____/_____ Jun 2: Global Village, Ontario OR, parade 11:00am, perf TBA
_____/_____ Jul 4: Parade, 11:00am, Boise
_____/_____ Jul 14: Athena Caledonian Games, Athena OR
_____/_____ Jul 21: Vets Welcome Home, Boise
_____/_____ Aug 20 - 21: Western Idaho Fair (see below)
_____/_____ Sep 22: Women’s Fitness Run, 8:30am, Boise Depot
_____/_____ Sep 29: Treasure Valley Celtic Games (see below)
_____/_____ Sep 29: Museum Comes to Life, Boise
_____/_____ Oct 13-14: Trailing of the Sheep, Hailey/Ketchum
From Ron: Additional info for above items:
Apr 26 BAND ELECTIONS: AT-LARGE BOARD MEMBERS and NEW PIPE MAJOR selection. PLEASE all attend and vote!!! Please re-elect Don for weatherman. [Editor’s note: I have been trying for years to get out of this while I’m still ahead. Somebody??? Please???]
Aug 20 Mon Eve. and/or Aug 21 Tues Eve Western Idaho Fair. We barely have enough for this -- we need more strong pipers and drummers before we can commit.
Sep 29 Treasure Valley Celtic Festival and Games (unconfirmed....... Date changed to not conflict with BSU Football games !!).
Uniforms will be selected by the new P/M. In times past, we would wear the St. George for the 4th of July Parade and Welcome Home Vets performance. The others would be summer uniform with the addition of sweaters for Trailing of the Sheep.
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From P/M Ron:
Since this is my last contribution to the Greysnotes as Pipe Major of the Boise Highlanders, I want to thank all those who have supported me all these years. It has been very gratifying, frustrating, annoying, happy, and all the emotions you could think of describing my feelings over the last 40 years. Everything positive I have accomplished for the last 40 years was only possible by the support of many band members who have been there willing to help. I am indebted most to Joyce who as always supported me even at times when she did not agree with me; to Ryan and Sara who have a deep feeling for the band as an extension of their family. To George who made me get out of my comfort zone many, many, times and was ALWAYS there for me. Some of you may have thought and some have expressed in emails to me that it must be hard for me to make the decision to retire. It was not. I have thought for a very long time the band needed young leadership. I feel very good about the future of the Boise Highlanders and will remain active as long as I can be a productive member. Sincerely, ~Ron(old)
From the BOARD of DIRECTORS:
The next meeting of the Board is Tuesday, April 10, at Don and Carolyn’s house.
Nominations for Pipe Major and the at-large Board members will close on Thursday April 19 to allow contact with all nominees for acceptance. The elections and Annual Meeting (and Pizza Party) will be on Thursday, April 26. There are nomination sheets at practice all weeks leading up to the election – you can complete them there, or email a nomination directly to Carole, President of the Board, at cklungle@syringabank.com.
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From Bill Earley:
All pipers who are interested in becoming a Dance Piper, please contact Bill for further information. He will be setting up some orientation and training sessions soon.
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From Band Manager Ron:
WE did it ! Our goal for this St. Pats Performances was to make $10,000. Our performances, 40 @ $200 = $8000, CD sales 108 @ $15 = $1620, T_Shirts sales, 36 @ $15 = $540, 2 @ $10 = $20 and $95 in "Keep the change" for Ts and CD sales. This totals up to $10,275 for Friday and Saturday.
I am not aware of any other Grade IV band that does this for St. Pats Day. We had 3 places cancel for reasons beyond our control. This would have put us near $11,000. The only limit I can see for the amount of money that can be made by the Boise Highlanders is how many teams we can field. The City of Trees, I believe, had 11 gigs.
I estimate, from what little information I have, that each of our teams received about $700 in tip money. While I certainly am reluctant to have our teams "milk" for tips, people were crowding in to give us tips.
As usual I, and am sure all of you, received "Thank You"s from the management as well as from many people who came to see us. This is especially gratifying to me. We have found the perfect fee when management is happy and we make as much money as we do.
The money we made is what we grossed. In business the net profit is what counts, and since we have expenses involved in St. Pat's performances, our net will be somewhat less. The van rental is something like $400 plus each van needs to be gassed up before the return which may be around $50 to $100. We bought 50 St. Pat's Ts for $575.58, we gave 10 to the T_shirt and CD sellers and sold 38. Our profit on the Ts this year was about $3.50. There was a $60 set up fee but for any future order over 30 we will not be charged this fee and should be able to make a $5 profit. Since I do not know at this time what the gas expense was or the complete van rental expense, I can only estimate the costs involved in St. Pat's. I think it would be roughly $1100. This would be an approximate net of $9,000.
In order to make St. Pat's successful for us, we have to plan ahead. I have asked Don to send out a letter to all our loyal followers letting them know next year St. Pat's will be on Sunday, and that we will be available on Friday evening, any time Saturday and Sunday. We are only asking them to be aware and deciding what they want and let us know as early in 2013 as they can. Our folk who are involved in their church activities will certainly not be expected to perform on Sunday. ~Ron
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NEXT GREYSNOTES: The May issue is tentatively scheduled for May 3. Please have your material, announcements, notices of meetings, good recipes, etc, to me before Wednesday, May 2, 6:00pm. Thanks! ~Don
