Date: 19 September 2010
The meeting began with prayer by Charter member Sis. Demaris Wooten. There were a total of 14 callers who participated on the call. A total of 34 minutes were recorded for review. Members are encouraged to call in each week to take care of the business of the ISA in an efficient manner.
Roll call produced the following member activity.
Members present:
1. Timothy D. Wilson, President – Washington DC **
2. Anissa L. Guyton, Vice-President of Membership – Romulus, MI **
3. Demaris Wooten, Upper Marlboro, MD **
4. Buford Collins (Education and Training) - Ferndale, MI *
5. Bonita Williams (Education and Training) – Detroit MI *
6. Patricia Alexander - Detroit, MI *
7. Donna Crite (Education and Training) - Odenton, MI
8. Samuel Parker – Los Angeles, California
Members absent:
1. Crystal Johnson, Treasurer - Virginia Beach, VA **
2. Mary Laidler, Secretary, Atlanta GA (Chicago IL) **
3. Zakeeyaw Toney, Vice President of Public Relations - Las Vegas, NV (Chicago, IL) **
4. Andrew W. Smith, Sergeant of Arms - Miramar, FL (Chicago IL) **
5. Sarah Teagle – Atlanta, GA **
6. Tracey Sisco - Boston, MA *
7. Anthony Dunn - Olney, MD (Chicago IL) **
8. Darryl Wilder - Miramar, FL **
9. Deborah Hunt (Business Development) - Virginia Beach, VA
10. Jim Berry (Corporate Sponsorship) – Miami, FL (Chicago, IL)
11. Seanta Williams (Scholarships and Awards) - Melbourne, Florida
12. LC Henderson (Education and Training) - Chicago, IL
13. Pamela Dunn – Olney, MD (Chicago, IL)
14. Oswald Cooper – New Orleans, LA
Guest callers:
1. Richard Henry – Detroit, MI
2. Derrick Ross – Detroit, MI
3. Steve Johnson – Detroit, MI
4. Andre Jones – Detroit, MI
5. Anthony Dease – Baltimore, MD
6. Larry Collins – Detroit, MI
* Charter Member
** Life Member
Officers Report:
Treasurer’s report (pre-written): We've had an auspicious week this week so far...the ISA received $350 in membership donations. To date the ISA has raised over $3000 in less than nine months. Praise be unto God for honoring our efforts in supporting the Steppin Community by providing all that we have needed.
Our Operating Fund Balance is now $614.12
Our Scholarship Fund Balance is now $475.00
The International Steppers Association has obtained its Federal Identification Number on Sept 14, 2010 from the IRS. This number will be used in all financial transactions as required. I, Treasurer for International Steppers Association opened a checking account with Bank of America at a Virginia Beach Branch on Sept 14, 2010 using the letter from the IRS (Fed ID#), Corporate Certificate from Virginia SCC, Articles of Incorporation, and a check in the amount of $50 (Deborah Hunt's membership). This account allows for Online & Mobile Banking, 2 Check Cards, with no monthly fee.
Signers on the account are myself, Treasurer and Timothy D. Wilson, President
ACTION: Treasurer, I mailed the signature card to Mr. President to take to the branch to sign.
Unfinished Business:
- All of the Legal Framework for the ISA has been established...Constitution, Articles of Incorporation, State Corporate Certificate, and ByLaws
- Non-profit filing/cost. The ISA has been established as a non-profit organization with the State of Virginia. Our next step is to file for Tax Exempt Status with the IRS under code 501(c)3. This will allow all donations incoming to be tax deductible to each donor.
ACTION: Crystal Johnson, Treasurer
Public Relations report: No report was provided: ACTION: Zakeeyaw Toney, VP of Public Relations
Membership report: Sis Anissa Guyton reported that the ISA will begin to utilize the website as the formal means of registering members. A registration form will be attached for members to review and complete prior to membership. She continues to encourage perspective members to participate in the activities of the ISA. A membership pamphlet is being developed and should be available in 2011. We continue to encourage new members to join and help support the International Steppers community goal to provide standardization, education and scholarship programs. ACTION: Anissa Guyton, VP of Membership
Education and Training report: Bro. Collins and the President provided a brief review of the Steppers Only intensive hosted by the ISA and the Golden State Dance Teachers Association. The exclusive intensive was attended by four ISA members, Buford Collins, Crystal Johnson, Anissa Guyton and Zakeeyaw Toney. Likewise, the GSDTA provided the expertise of Skppy Blair, Mary Ann Nunez, and Lance Shermoen and other staff members. The event was an overwhelming success. Bro. Collins and Sis. Guyton both commented on how the teaching methodology has already improved the dance application of existing class members and personal understanding. The education and training team continues to develop the ISA Training Manual for release in 2011. Once completed this will be the first written documentation of a standardized format for Steppin. The training manual will be released to all Steppers for their education, training and future development. ACTION: Buford Collins, Bonita Williams, Donna Crite and Darryl Wilder
Committees: There were no committee reports due to the absence of committee chairperson on the call.
Jim L. Berry – Corporate Development – Bro. Berry will be spearheading an aggressive effort to attract donations and program funding from private and public sources.
Deborah L. Hunt – Business Development – Sis. Hunt has recently joined the ISA and
is heading up the business and vendor development which will further support ISA programs and services.
Seanta McClendon – Scholarships and Awards - Sis. McClendon is developing the scholarship and awards criteria for the upcoming 2011 submission. Applications for top scholastic performers will be available for submission by 1 January 2011.
President’s Report: Letter of Appreciation to the Treasurer
Madam Treasurer, I would like to extend my personal thanks to you in advance of this Sunday’s phone call. I have to come to realize just how important you have been to the ISA. You were on the very first phone call and were the first to sign up on this journey without hesitation. You have not wavered from your commitment to the men and women of the Steppin community and provided full support lending your accounting credentials pro bono. Your professional attention to detail is immaculate and above reproach. Without your keen eye for detail and exactness this organization would not be where it is today.
I know you will not be on the call this Sunday however I felt it was important for you to know that we as officers and members are grateful to have you on our leadership staff, as a Life Member and a Charter Member of the ISA.
Sincerely,
Timothy D. Wilson President International Steppers Association
Old Business:
Codification: This process continues as the Education and Training team develops the ISA Training Manual 1-1. The next proposed Steppin intensive will be in 24-27 June 2011 during the ISA International Convention in Oaklawn, Illinois. ACTION: Executive Body, Education and Training Members: Buford Collins, Bonita Williams, Darryl Wilder, Donna Crite ONGOING
Business meeting: The semi-Annual meeting will be held during the US Open Swing Championship weekend on Saturday 27 November 2010 in Burbank California. ISA will attend as observers in an effort to prepare for future participation. Information will be gathered in an effort for a collective package to be presented for ISA members to attend as a collective group. VP of Public Relations will look into getting a block of rooms for ISA Officers to attend together. ACTION: Zakeeyaw Toney ,VP of Public Relations
Chapter affiliations are now being accepted. There were a number of questions on the payment of Chapter membership. The fees are $100 per chapter. There must be seven (7) paid ISA members per chapter. The additional fees chapters charge will be subject to local bylaws which are approved by ISA HQ. The chapter fee is an annual fee. Fees can be raised at the discretion of local chapters (Steppin event, car wash, food sales, donations etc). Chapters are separated by 80 miles. The goal is to have one chapter per city distance and encourage local cooperation among Steppers. Each chapter will receive an associated level of delegate voting dependent on the size of each chapter membership. ACTION: OPEN Executive Members
Strategic Planning and Development, Dance Competition and Community leaders are needed to develop and execute plans for the 2010-2011 year. Plans are underway to host the 2011 ISA International Convention in Chicago. ISA will provide the strategic outlook to the over body based on your ideas and committee suggestions. ACTION: Executive BoD ONGOING
2011 ISA INTERNATONAL CONVENTION. The city of Chicago, Illinois will host the 2011 International Steppers Association international convention and business meeting on 24-26 June 2011. The event will be held at the Oaklawn Hilton. We are waiting on the final contract for signature. All details will be available on the ISA Website. ACTION: Executive Board, Awards Committee
Website development: This is on hold until more funding is acquired to purchase a robust account. In the interim, ISA will continue usage of FACEBOOK and other social websites to market and advertise activities. ACTION: Executive Board
Legal: The ISA is now a legal incorporated entity as of August 11, 2010. The ISA legal representation is CLARK & ALLEN, P.C. of Virginia. All efforts by the ISA and its members fall under the purview of the ISA and are subject to legal copyright and are not for individual use or financial gain. We are a not for profit entity and all revenue must comply with the articles of incorporation, constitution and bylaws now ratified. ISA will comply with proper filing procedures to ensure receipt of future corporate and/or charitable contributions. ACTION: Executive Board CLOSED
The meeting adjourned at 7:57pm with closing prayer lead by Charter Member Sis. Demaris Wooten. The call was recorded and can be heard by dialing: 218-862-1099 307375# , #. Please use *1 (rewind), *2 (fast forward) and *5 (pause/resume). There are 34 total minutes recorded.
The next ISA meeting will be on Sunday, 17 October 2010 at 7pm. Please dial in by 6:45pm so that we can start on time. The dial in number is 1-218-862-1000 ACCESS CODE: 307375#.
Sincerely,
Mary Laidler, ISA Secretary
