Music Therapy Association of  Minnesota                      

MTAM Meeting Notes

In an effort to keep MTAM members informed of the board proceeding MTAM minutes will be posted on this site after each meeting.

MTAM Executive Board Meeting Minutes

 

Saturday, October 4, 2008

9:00 Foss Chapel –

Augsburg College

 

Present:

Alisa Anderson – President

Kay Luedtke-Smith – Past President

Elizabeth Giffin – President-Elect

Barb Anderson – Vice President

Veronica Jacobson – Treasurer

Erin Fox – Job Hotline / Newsletter

Bridget Doak – Member-At-Large

Jennifer Ackland – Secretary

Melissa Wenszell – Reimbursement

 

Call to Order

9:15 by Alisa

 

President:

  1. The President announced that Erin Fox has accepted the position of Newsletter Editor. 
  2. We will no longer have a Job Hotline Coordinator as of 12/31/08.  Our webmaster, Peter Meyer, will take keep our Job Opportunities listed on our website.

Past-President:

  1. 2009 GLR Conference Budget approval will be finalized in November.
  2. Alisa Anderson, Bridget Doak and Dawn Miller are the co-chairs for the conference.
  3. Call for papers deadline is 10/20/2008.
  4. The GLR conference is the first weekend of March – let us know if you’d like to help in any way!

 

 

MTAM minutes cont.

 

President-Elect:

  1. The President-Elect stated that there are free hymnals available near the entrance, for anyone in need.
  2. Verified that our website is www.musictherapymn.com, not org.
  3. Explanation of MTAM Internship Scholarship took place.  There is a Nov.1 application deadline for students interning Jan. – June.  There is a May 1 deadline for students interning July – Jan. 
  4. Please send any pictures/info. to Peter Meyer to be included on our website.  We will check if a consent form is needed for pictures. 
  5. MTAM BBQ was a success!  We plan to do it again!
  6. Non-profit status:  Pros of being a 501c-3 would be no taxes, people who donate can write-off their donations at tax time, renting space is easier.  Cons would be the time/effort of the process to become non-profit, $$$ needed for the lawyer (approx. $1200:  $600/lawyer, $70/filing fee, $300-750/IRS).  Treasurer stated that we do have enough money in our budget to do this.  It has helped tremendously that Augsburg does not charge us for space for our meetings.  It also helps that catering is on-site.  Amy Furman congratulated MTAM for our current budget – she stated that the state currently has more money than most regions!  
  7. We have been in contact with Mimi Sinclair (Ohio) about their switch to non-profit status.  She stated that it saved money if someone had a personal contact with a lawyer to do the work. 
  8. The President-Elect also noted that many other organizations (OT, PT, GLR, AMTA) are currently non-profit organizations. 
  9. The question was raised about lobbying abilities. 5013-c’s are limited to using 20% of their budget for lobbying.  There is also no electioneering.
  10. A member asked if all money should be put into a larger fund, and then drawn upon as needed.  We will check into this.  At this point, we don’t feel this is necessary.
  11. We have talked with AMTA and they refer us to legal professionals for advice.
  12. We will have a vote on whether we should become a non-profit, if we have enough members present to make a quorum.  We need 7 more people to achieve that.  If members need to leave, please write your vote on a piece of paper, and give it to a Board Member. 
  13. The MTAM Board is remaining neutral, in regards to the vote. 
  14. St. Olaf graduates are wanted for “shadowing” experiences.

 

Vice President:

  1. The Vice President clarified the parking info.  Coupon will be needed at the parking ramp, in order to receive the discounted rate of $5 in the Red Ramp.
  2. MTAM food is right outside the entrance doors.  Augsburg Weekend College food is in the hallway. 

Treasurer:

  1. Treasurer noted membership list corrections.
  2. Currently MTAM has 74 professional members, 39 student members.
  3. Reminder that you need a lunch ticket in order to have lunch. 
  4. Any additional product suggestions should be given to Veronica.  Currently, we have guitar straps and picks available.  Please purchase!

Public Relations:

            No Report

Reimbursement Committee

  1. Survey results showed that 7 MTs have received reimbursement from private insurance companies. 
  2. 43% of respondents stated that they would have interest in helping with a grassroots effort to promote MT reimbursement.
  3. 27% of respondents receive grants (non-specific).
  4. MTAM week will be the same week as the 2009 GLR conference.  We plan to invite legislators to our conference.

 

OTHER

  1. Beth Brandt is looking for a roommate for the upcoming National Conference.
  2. A job opening is posted at the Rum River counseling/psychiatry center.  2 patients want music therapy.  They live in Mpls and the west metro.
  3. Becky Pansch is leading the Entertainment Committee for the GLR conference.  We would like to showcase groups between sessions.  No payment will be given for this.  If interested, please sign up.  Also sign up if you are interested in upcoming house concerts.  Two clipboards were sent around for sign-ups.

 

 

NEXT MEETINGS ARE:

 

TBD

 

Adjournment:

10:00 Meeting adjourned by Alisa

 

Respectfully submitted,

Jennifer Ackland