Rose Parade Book Club: Since the Lakota West marching band is marching in the 2015 Rose Parade, Mr. Snyder has recommended that every marching band member participate in a book club and read the book Unbroken by: Laura Hillenbrand. Please go here for the UNBROKEN BOOK CLUB SIGN UP. This book is about Army Air Forces bombardier Louis Zamperini, the Grand Marshal of the 2015 Rose Parade and what he endured during World War II after his plane crashed into the Pacific Ocean. This is not mandatory, but is very strongly encouraged since we will have the opportunity to meet Mr. Zamperini at the Rose Parade. Click HERE for a link to read the book summary and to purchase the book off Amazon.
FROM THE EXEC BOARD: Thanks for all the feedback provided in response to the request at the May meeting. There are a number of common themes and we are working to incorporate many of them. A summary of what our membership asked for includes:
1) Support our kids, our band, and our directors. Stay focused on this.
2) Communicate! Parents depend on information being available and up-to-date.
3) Fundraise to help students with costs AND to support the band program.
4) Involve more members.
5) Focus on moving forward, positively, and respectfully. Work together productively internal to the club.
6) Have effective and productive meetings.
7) Step up leadership/Provide transparent leadership.
8) Improve governance and understanding of rules, financial situation, and governance.
NEW CORPORATION! The Lakota West Upbeat Club will be incorporating as a separate legal entity from the Lakota Upbeat Club, Inc. based on Lakota Upbeat Club, Inc. trustee motion and approval in late April. The Lakota Upbeat Club, Inc dates back to when we had one Lakota High School; two divisions were created when the high schools split into East and West. As the two high school band programs and their booster groups operate separately, it was requested by Lakota East Upbeat Club that each division incorporate separately and apply for their own 501(c)(3) status. Once both East and West have completed this process, the Lakota Upbeat Club, Inc. will be dissolved. Please send any specific written objections to this action to president@lakotawestbands.org by Monday, June 30, 2014.
Consistent with this action and feedback we have received on improving governance, this requests volunteers to help with two actions:
1) For a Bylaws Committee for the new corporation (estimated 5 hours time commitment between June 28 and July 22 – starting from boilerplate). Updated bylaws are required to apply for our EIN/new 501(c)(3) status. Contact Jill Trygier at president@lakotawestbands.org to volunteer.
2) For a reference/operations manual committee to include key role descriptions, district policies and club policies such as background check policy, spending policy, what we can/cannot ask directors to do, audit approach, and other best approaches to ensure good governance. Dawn DiLorenzo, our freshman VP, will be leading this effort. Please contact her at freshmanvp@lakotawestbands.org to volunteer.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! The summer meeting for the Upbeat Club will be Tuesday, July 29 at 7:30pm in the Lakota West Band Room. Tentative agenda topics include but are not limited to:
1) Update on district fundraising requirements for booster organizations (no major changes) & fundraising plans overview
2) Audit results/status
3) 14/15 Budget presentation and vote, including scholarship plans and donations to district to offset any fees
4) Bylaws for the new Lakota West Upbeat Club, Inc – these are required to be approved by membership prior to being able to apply for our new EIN/501(c)(3).
Complete agenda will be set out in the e-mail blast prior to the meeting.
OCTOBER 17 ALUMNI HOMECOMING BAND! Lakota/Lakota West Band Alumni have reached out to Upbeat requesting we partner with them on a Homecoming weekend event. Tentative plans for the weekend include multiple events – a band alumni/current band halftime performance at the Homecoming game, a band alumni event on Saturday, and attendance at the Uno’s doughraiser fundraiser on Sunday. If you have a band alumni in your family, Lakota/Lakota West band alumni can join the band alumni Facebook page. Click HERE for more information!