AMICA Minutes 2006 AMICA Board Meeting

Roll Call and introductions

The meeting was called to order on Tuesday July 25, 2006 by President Mike Walter. Board members present:

Mike Walter

John Motto-Ros

Wes Neff

Florie Hirsch

Frank Nix

Liz Barnhardt

Holly Walter

Dianne Polan

Marv Polan

Richard Reutlinger

Gary Craig

Arlo Lusby

Philip Baird

Bob Hunt

George Wilder

Ron Connor

Carl Dodrill

Hallie Dodrill

John McCall

Suzanne McCall

Bill Chapman

Dan Brown

Approval Of Minutes from 2005 Board Meeting

Motion to approve the minutes as published in the November/December 2005 AMICA Bulletin was made, seconded, and passed.

Officer’s Reports
1. President’s Report-Mike Walter

AMICA continues to be a vibrant organization that is growing in a positive way. Through the utilization of our web page, prospective members can easily see what our organization is about from the web page and immediately contact a representative close to their home.

A few members have started distributing recent bulletins and brochures in high traffic areas of their community (doctor’s offices, subways, businesses) to promote our organization. This simple act places valuable information about our organization in the hands of potential members. We need more people to actively participate in the promotion of our organization. We must attract the general population through more traditional means.

The Bulletin is being produced with a greater variety of articles than before. Many thanks go out to those members who have submitted these fine articles for publication. And I would especially like to thank the publisher for his dedication in producing such a fine bulletin.

Thanks to AMICA member Hal Lipman, who works at NFL Films in New Jersey, the entire collection of AMICA U-Matic films from earlier conventions have been converted into the DVD format. These films have been saved from further deterioration and can now be edited (table of contents, chapters, etc.) and sold to individuals who are interested in seeing and hearing some of the great recording artists of the 1920s as they appeared in the 1970s. AMICA is in need of someone to assist in the editing procedures.

The AMICA Test Roll project is a reality. The modest first run (7 copies of each of three Ampico titles) has been sold and sent out. By June 1st, between 10 and 21 copies of each roll have been back ordered. Hopefully by convention time, the new cut of rolls will be ready to be shipped. I am hopeful that other test rolls will be able to be added to the test roll list in the near future.

I have also had a few (about 15) parties interested in having “new” reproducing rolls made for their pianos. This is a disappointing figure. New music might attract a younger generation to our older pianos and it would be one way to renew interest in our hobby. But such a project has to be financially viable to become a reality. A list of 150 people interested in new reproducing rolls would be a greater incentive to produce new rolls than a list of 15 people.

This is the end of my tenure as president of AMICA International and I wish to thank all of the wonderful people who have assisted and advised me along the way, especially the Executive Board, and also the other Board Members, whose guidance has been extremely valuable in carrying out my duties. To all of you I offer a humble and sincere “Thank You”.

Respectfully submitted,

Mike Walter

Past President’s Report/Nominating Committee Report-Dan Brown

This was to have been a quiet year for the Nominating Committee, but President Mike Walter, Secretary Florie Hirsch, and Treasurer Wes Neff did not choose to run for re-election, so the Nominating Committee was busy for more than half a year seeking candidates. The Committee consisted of:

Dan Brown, chair, Washington State

Don Barton, Minnesota

Janet Tonnesen, Texas

Maury Willyard, Washington State

Dee Kavouras, Florida

Mary Wilson, Missouri

Roger Stumfoll, Kansas

Committee members, Chapter officers, and current and past officers made suggestions and helped recruit members to serve. The slate of officers is:

President: John Motto-Ros, California

Vice-President: Timothy Baxter, Georgia

Treasurer: Robbie Tubbs, Missouri

Secretary: Marlene Beckman, Kansas

There were no expenses involved in the Nominating Committee work.

Respectfully submitted,

Dan Brown

Past President

Vice President/Award Committee Report- John Motto-Ros

One of the duties of the Vice President is to chair the Awards Committee. To help in this process, I selected long-time members Janet and Richard Tonnesen and Liz and Mike Barnhart. Chapters submitted several nominations for each award, and the committee submitted the names to the Executive Committee for final selection. The winners are:

Leo Ornstein Award: Yousuf Wilson

AMICA International Award: Blaine Thomas

Mike Walter selected Karl Ellison for the President’s Award.

As liaison to the chapters, it is important that all chapters send meeting information to the Vice President. Communication is vital to a healthy organization, and e-mail makes this much easier. I also encourage all board members to communicate through the Yahoo board members site.

I would like to commend my fellow international officers and committee heads. They perform numerous tasks each month in order to keep AMICA International functioning smoothly.

Respectfully submitted

JOHN MOTTOROS

Vice President

AMICA International

Secretary’s Report-Florie Hirsch

In preparation for the Board Meeting I emailed officers, committee chairs, chapter presidents, and chapter board reps requesting reports. After receiving the reports, I reviewed them and re-formatted as needed. A disc with the information was taken to a copy place for printing and binding. The information was also posted to the files section of the Yahoo group for Board members.

I participated in the awards voting and communicated with other officers and committee chairs during the year.

I will be taping and transcribing the minutes of this meeting and the business meeting for publication in the AMICA Bulletin.

I will pass on copies of Report to the Board to the new secretary.

Respectfully submitted,

Florie Hirsch

Treasurer’s Report-Wes Neff

January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005

And Fiscal Year 2006 Projection

INTRODUCTION

AMICA National had income in fiscal year 2005 of $92,821.40. This was 48% more than the average for the prior 4 years with the 2001 Australian gross convention receipts excluded. The expenses of $55,210.77 were down 17% from the prior 4 - year average, excluding the Australian gross convention expenses in 2001. Income exceeded expenses in 2005 by $37,610.63. Since the fiscal year ends on December, 31 each year which is right in the middle of the annual membership renewals, the large income variance is caused by the timing of membership dues receipts.

AMICA International income (National and Chapters) in 2005 was $154,220.53. Total AMICA International expenses (National and Chapters) in 2005 were $115,544.55. Total AMICA income exceeded expenses by $38,675.98 in fiscal year 2005.

INCOME (National Only)

A new category is included in the income and expense summary starting in 2005, “adopt-a-piano”. This fund was established at the request of AMICA member Richard Reutlinger for the restoration of instruments in the Nevada City Music Hall. This fund is temporary while the work is in progress. $3,700.00 in donations were received in 2005 for the “adopt-a-piano” fund. Income is expected to match expenses in 2006.

Income from bulletin advertising in 2005 was up 72% from 2004 levels. It appears that advertising income will continue at this level for 2006. A Directory is planned for 2006, with an expected income from advertising of $1750.00.

Net (income less expenses) Minneapolis Convention income was $1,499.00. The projection for net income for the 2006 convention in Chicago is $2,000.00.

Interest received in 2005 was up slightly compared to 2004 due to a small increase in interest rates. The interest projection for 2006 is up about the same amount. Currently AMICA has $20,000 in a one - year certificate of deposit earning 3.15%. This CD matures in July, 2006, and will likely be replaced with a CD earning a similar amount of interest. Additional monies as available are shifted into and out of a passbook savings account, currently earning 1.07%.

Total National dues collected in 2005 were $76,694.55, up $38,622.28 from 2004. Most of this increase is due to the earlier start of membership renewals in 2005 as compared with 2004. The projection for 2006 shows dues of $58,500.00, which is near prior year levels when compared on an “April to April” basis. The membership dues were increased $5.00 per year to $47.00 for 2006.

Memorial fund donations in 2005 were $4,560.00, and included the sale of a piano which was a bequest to AMICA from Sandy Libman. The projection for the Memorial Fund in 2006 is $1000.00.

Bound bulletin sales in 2005 were $16.00. No sales are expected in 2006.

Sales of technicalities and leaders were $73.50 in 2005, and are projected at $100.00 in 2006.

Mike Walter has taken on a test roll project. Sales expected for 2006 are estimated at $100.00

Total income for 2006 is projected at $70,850.00, about $2000.00 more than the prior 5 year average.

EXPENSES (National Only)

$55,210.77 of expenses were incurred in 2005.

The largest single item was the cost of the “Bulletin”. Counting the costs of the publisher, printing, handling, postage, and inserts, the “Bulletin” costs in 2005 were $37,236.84 (about 67% of the total expenses). This equates to $6,200.00 per issue. Projecting year to date expenses for 2006, the “Bulletin” is expected to cost about $43,600.00 this year, which includes two reprints. Publishing of the “Bulletin” is an essential part of maintaining AMICA’s tax exempt status.

It has been 3 years since the last Membership Directory was published. $12,250.00 is included in the 2006 plan to cover the costs of an updated Membership Directory.

The next group of expenses include postage, copies and miscellaneous office supplies used by the officers; and, mostly associated with membership renewals. Telephone costs are negligible due to E-mail and reduced long distance rates used to conduct AMICA business. The total of these categories in 2005 was $1,878.44, and is projected to be $3,650.00 in 2006. No officer other than the publisher and membership secretary receives any fee for his or her time.

Other Expense Notes:

The insurance company for AMICA’s general liability policy was changed. The coverage is better at 60% of the cost of the prior policy. The premium is expected to be around $1600.00 in 2006.
The Membership Secretary did not receive a stipend in 2004. The 2005 costs reflect a 2 year stipend payment.
Nearly all of the bank charges in 2005 are for credit card payment handling, amounting to $529.14. Fees average about 3.5 % of the payments made by credit card, and are expected to be about $600.00 in 2006. AMICA’s bank, Fifth Third Bank of Northwestern Ohio, does not charge banking fees to non-profit organizations.
Award expenses in 2005 were $1,631.33, and are expected to be around $2,000.00 in 2006.
AMICA “Join Us” Brochures were printed in 2005 at a cost of $1,420.96.
$195.20 was spent on the test roll project in 2005.

MEMORIAL FUND

The Memorial Fund balance was $9,250.28 at the end of 2004, and $12,678.44 at the end of 2005. During the year AMICA received $4,560.00 in donations and added $289.12 in interest. The Brochure printing mentioned above was paid from the Memorial Fund.

ADOPT-a-PIANO FUND

The Adopt-a- Piano Fund balance was $3,708.90 at the end of 2005. During the year AMICA received $3,700.00 in donations and added $8.90 in interest.

CHAPTERS

At the end of 2005 AMICA had fourteen chapters. Chapter income is mostly from dues and interest. The Northern Lights Chapter hosted a convention in Minneapolis, MN with a net profit of $4866.38. AMICA International received 35% of the convention proceeds, or $1,703.24. Expenses for the chapters are mostly related to printing, postage and expenses for chapter meetings. The end of year 2005 balance for the chapters of $58,980.18 is up about 2 % from the beginning of year balance.

SUMMARY

AMICA International continues to be financially sound due to a steady income from membership dues, donations, convention profits, advertising and interest.

All required informational forms for 2005 were filed in a timely fashion with the IRS, the California Secretary of State, the California Franchise Tax Board and the California Registry of Charitable Trusts. Since the gross receipts for 2005 exceeded $100,000.00, filing of Federal Information Form 990 was required. As in the past, the Chapter Treasurers have been very helpful in providing the necessary Chapter information. Thanks again to all of the Chapter Treasurers for their support.

Respectfully submitted,

Wesley Neff

Attachments:

AMICA National 2001 thru 2005 Actuals and 2006 Plan

AMICA International 2005 Income and Expense Summary

AMICA 2005 Chapter Accounts

AMICA National 2001 Thru 2005 Actuals and 2006 Planned

AMICA International 2005 Income and Expense Summary

Discussion: Liz Barnhardt recommended reprinting some of the older articles on pianists and composers.

New applications have been numerous during 2006 and appear to be on a very positive uptrend. Many applications were in response to the Chicago convention and to the gift membership offer.

Membership Statistics:

July 31, 1999 - 1551 members

June 1, 2000 - 1494 members

June 1, 2001 - 1459 members

June 1, 2002 - 1375 members

July 15, 2003 - 1354 members

June 1, 2004 - 1341 members

June 1, 2005 - 1315 members

June 1, 2006 - 1233 members*

* This total includes – Affiliates, Founding Members, Honorary , Utility , and “Dual Households” which are non-paying members.. The adjusted total for paid memberships is 1136.

Applications approved during the reporting period: 80 (1 year). Net loss of memberships is 82, as compared to 26 the previous year. There were an unusual number of applications from January to June 2006 numbering 72, which offset the large number of non-renewals.

Non-renewals is unusually high at 149. A brief analysis indicated that 21 were members for only one year, while 52 joined prior to 1990. The short term members dropping off was greater than that of previous years. Long-term members (52) are most probably older members who no longer sustain activities in the field. Follow-up reminder letters numbering about 300 were sent to non-renewals. Approximately 90 more dues were paid.

Piano Technicians’ Guild: Reciprocal ads were implemented in both the Bulletin and the PTG publication. Some negotiations were necessary because of the difference in frequency of publication and size of the ads. However agreement was reached to the satisfaction of both organizations.

Arrangements are being made with the Theatre Organ Society to trade ads. Initial communications with TOS appear promising.

Gift Memberships: I included a sign-up sheet for giving a $42 membership as an incentive to add new members. I had letters printed with the payer’s name included on the gift information page. This was done to make it possible to identify giver and receiver among the hundreds of payments received. Each recipient was mailed a letter informing them of their gift and identifying the giver’s name, address and phone number. This was quite successful resulting in 19 new memberships.

Printing: Difficulties arose in getting out renewal letters because the regular printer’s new printing machines had less memory than his old machines. The computers would simply lock up during printing. Files had to be reformatted for use at another printer (Kinko’s) but they had trouble handling the files efficiently. New employees and faulty folding machines resulted in having to do parts of the job over 3 times, however AMICA was not charges for this. Faulty envelopes (never glued together) from Staples resulted in having to return envelopes to Staples where they gave two free boxes of #10 envelopes to make up for the inconvenience. When the printer operator applied the logo and return addresses to the envelopes it was found that each box of 500 envelopes was shorted by at least 10. I have begun using a different supplier of envelopes. The costs of renewals was considerable higher this year. It should be noted that in the Palm Springs area the cost of living is very high and there is only one reasonably priced company that has been found to be dependable. That printer is adding memory to his machines that will enable him to print the larger printing jobs.

U.S. Postal Service: Enough problems have occurred that mention should be made in the annual report. Both local postal service and that of members at large have had problems. Pre-addressed envelopes were returned to some members who mailed their dues checks. Some renewal letters sent to members were returned to myself instead of being sent to the members. Consultation with the post office never completely resolved the problem, but it may have been that the machines reading the envelopes accidentally read the return address. Complaints of not receiving the Bulletins were received, but it later turned out that the Bulletins were delivered very late. Most of these instances were in the Southeast states.

Mis-delivered mail has been a significant problem in the La Quinta area. Twenty items belonging to other neighbors were delivered to me. Over the months three written complaints were made to the Regional Post Office followed by phone calls. The carrier for my mail has been put on notice and I received a written note that they will make special efforts to deliver AMICA mail. A notice will be put in the Bulletin cautioning members to report missing or very late Bulletins to their post office.

Dues Increase: Little concern was shown by renewing members on the increase of Bulk Mail from $42 to $47. It should be noted that there was a very large number of non-renewals.

Other Activity: Arrangement was worked out with the organizers of the Chicago convention to make it possible for attendees to pay using credit cards. Most of the foreign members took advantage using this lower cost of payment. Address labels were printed and mailed to the convention organizers for use in informing on the current members of the convention. Mel Septon contacted me to verify that member’s dues were current. In some cases members had over looked or forgotten to pay their dues.

Because of the need for further efforts directed to membership drive, some of the materials developed from the Member Interest Survey have been printed for reference at the board meeting.

It has been a pleasure to serve as Chairperson of the AMICA International Memorial Fund. During the period of time listed above, we have received $3,650 in memory of individuals who were honored by our chapters and we have received $539 as gifts when membership was renewed for 2006. This is a total contribution of $4,189 to the Memorial Fund during the period from June 1, 2005-May 31, 2006.

No official report. Mike Walter reported that the U-matic films have been converted to DVD. There are two copies of each of the eleven discs. He would like a volunteer to edit, add information and duplicate for sale. It was recommended this be announced at the Annual Meeting.

I am pleased to report that Technicalities VII is now complete, embracing the years 1994 through to end of 2005. It is available in a single Ready-For-Camera format should AMICA choose to publish it in paper form. It is also available on a CD in PDF format.

I am also pleased to report that all Technicalities have been converted to PDF format, a computer format in widespread use, a logical standard format. All are contained on a single CD. Its contents:

This single CD is a self-starter that should work on most contemporary desk-top computers. It has been successfully tested under WinXP, WinME, Win98SE, Win98, Win2000 and Mac OS 9.2. It requires Adobe Acrobat Reader, version 5 or better, a free utility available off the internet.

These 1,000+ pages consume ~250megs of a CD capable of containing 650 megs. This means that this single CD can contain all Technicalities into the foreseeable future, by simple addition as they emerge.

AMICA now has the opportunity to phase itself out of the publishing in paper format of Technicalities that are bulky, heavy and costly to ship. Blank CD’s, labels, padded envelopes, postage, etc., should not cost AMICA more than $5 per CD, assuming that the CD is duped by whomever becomes responsible for administration and distribution into the future.

This single CD consolidates all Technicalities going back 36 years. The early years contain much useful information, as valid today as when they were authored many years ago. They also contain occasional bits of invalid data, now well know such as the unfortunate endorsement of Perflex. Our members simply need to be cautioned that the contents should be viewed as informed guidance, not absolute direction.

The CD contains a consolidated index in reasonably useable form. It does not yet contain fully clickable links to all articles. That is a future enhancement.

From time to time, AMICA includes a reprint of a historically significant document of some kind within occasional issues of the AMICA Bulletin. Under the same concept, this CD presents an opportunity for AMICA to include one within a future issue of the AMICA Bulletin as a benefit to all member.

Yes, there are some AMICA members who do not have a computer. That is not an impediment, as the CD can be taken to most any neighborhood office supplies print shop and have the individual issues printed locally. In my area, Staples and Office Depot both charge 8 cents per page for this service, done while you wait.

As an example of cost to a member, Technicalities VI, containing 289 pages, would cost $23 to print, comparable to current cost to members, including postage of the paper edition. If the member so directs, these commercial print shop services will print a document 2 pages up on a single page, basically cutting the cost in half to $12. It is also possible to print the document 4 pages up on a single page, but a magnifying glass would be needed to read it.

I am still in receipt of 2 additional copies of each issue of the AMICA Bulletin. These additional copies are made available to facilitate the primitive, labor intensive “Cut and Paste” of technical articles into Technicalities format. Possibly this need not be sustained if I had access to the computer files that create the AMICA Bulletin, something I have recommended several times in recent years. Basically, what I am doing is taking articles that initially emerged from a computer, got printed onto paper, and now I am converting them back into a computer file.

This primitive labor intensive process also cascades into a primitive, equally labor intensive process to number all the pasted up pages, character by character by character using LetraSet, a product that is basically no longer available. The finished Technicalities document must have its pages numbered for easy access.

With access to the computer files that generate the AMICA Bulletin, AMICA has an opportunity to phase out these additional 2 copies of the Bulletin, phase out the primitive labor intensive Cut and Paste process, phase out the primitive, labor intensive process of page numbering, and phase itself out of the administration, warehousing, and distribution of technicalities in paper form.

1. That AMICA make this CD the sole source of Technicalities when current stocks of paper Technicalities are exhausted.

2. That AMICA authorize limited access to the computer files that generate the AMICA Bulletin, in an editable format.

3. That AMICA seriously consider offering a copy of this CD to all members within a future issue of the AMICA Bulletin.

4. That AMICA give to all new members a copy of this CD within a Welcome! Package.

We have some fine conventions planned over the next several years. This year in Chicago is always a favorite, with good attendance, and we thank the convention committee under the capable guidance of Mel Septon, for taking it on.

2007 This year will find us in Germany and Holland. Our limit is 100 attendees, and those attending should find it extremely enjoyable.

2008 We will be hosted by the Southern California Chapter, another favorite destination, with good collections to visit and lots of exciting things to see and do.

2009 We will find ourselves in Ohio, hosted by the Mid Am Chapter. We haven’t been there for a while, and it should be a fine convention.

2010 Buffalo, New York will be our convention site, with the S.O.W.N.Y. chapter as our hosts.

There have been minor upgrades to the website this past year. I average 1-2 hours of work a month creating and implementing small changes and additions, and the same for keeping the MMD website updated - many pages to which we directly link. I change the music that's played on the main page approximately every 6-8 weeks to keep it fresh, coupled with useful links to its author, performer, and the brand of the piano roll.

As of mid-May we've had 24,500 unique visitors, which averages to approximately 42 visitors per day. AMICA webpages are visible in all of the major search engines. I periodically receive email solicitations asking for "links" to other websites, ranging from inappropriate commercial products to piano lessons (all of which are politely denied), which tells me that we're being seen. A GOOGLE search for the term "Player Piano" lists 3-4 appropriate and popular pages (QRS included) followed by AMICA - which is respectable. However, using the search term "Mechanical Music" we get noticed only way down on the list. I'm investigating ways on how to increase our ranking with this and other similar search terms.

The AMICA website had one day of down-time this year (its first ever) as the machines serving the website in Canada crashed one Sunday afternoon. After several phone calls the following Monday to the service provider - MTS Allstream Inc. - by Terry Smyth who manages the administrative details of maintaining our account and web-address, the Canadian computers were back up, and so was www.amica.org. Other than this isolated event, MTS has been proven a most reliable and cost-effective service.

I have asked that the AMICA Board discuss how to make the AMICA Website more prevalent in our publications. One way to entice people to visit the web is to announce events at a high-level, and invite people to visit the website for details (e.g. the Convention). This will be discussed briefeily at the meeting. I would even suggest that the Bulletin cover banner be slightly redesigned to include "Visit www.amica.org" somewhere on it.

Engler Printing has been very proactive in providing me with Bulletin images to place on the website. After each publication date I receive the images via email. It is a pleasure to see the technological progress this small business has made over the last few years. They are nothing but friendly, knowledgeable and punctual.

Those local chapters that have made the effort to host their own Chapter Websites have benefited from a greater visibility than those who do not maintain a chapter website. These individual sites are all linked to the AMICA web under the 'Chapters' page. Everyone should realize that your chapter's website is highly visible in searches using "Google" and the like. By being linked to a well-known website the search engines find your chapter sites quite easily, and therefore you are very visible. My only continuing disappointment is that I continue to receive limited responses when soliciting for chapter photos or updates to officer rosters.

Looking to the future, I spoke with the manager of the MBSI website, regarding to how they were able to set up a system that allowed members to 'log in' and make changes to their instrument and contact information. The path isn't simple, but without going into details it is do-able after problems and obstacles to this process have been eliminated. No implementation of such functionality has been planned for this year. Again, if someone has had any prior experience in implementing such functionality I would like to hear from you.

My last report of this nature was submitted for the AMICA Board meeting of 2004. I am still the administrative backup for the maintenance of our AMICA web site. Our monthly rate to maintain the site on the Manitoba Telephone System server is $16.59/month ($14.93 US at current exchange rate).

My previous report included expenses to July 2004 inclusive. This report embraces expenses from August 2004 through to June 2006 inclusive, summing to $413.37.

In this period are 2 renewals of our domain name address (AMICA.ORG) at $34.99 (US) each. Our domain name is currently paid up to 18 June 2007. It is important to note that should we fail to renew our domain name, it will likely quickly evaporate into the grasp of a like-named insurance company AMICA that has a similar web site domain name (AMICA.COM).

Our current arrangement for maintaining our web site on the Manitoba Telephone System server is working well. Our Webmaster, Karl Ellison, keeps a watchful eye on trends and opportunities for something better, possibly less costly. For now, no changes appear necessary.

In addition to taking care of official business, each meeting features a Mini-Mart, a Show-and-Tell Session, a talk by the host about the home and collections, and time devoted to questions and answers.

The chapter has $2,053.46 in the bank, with 62 households as members for 2006, which is 5 more than last year. All six New England states are represented.

Members are pursuing an ongoing a project to provide a player piano to the Charles River Museum of Industry in Waltham, Massachusetts. On May 15, 2005, member Sandy Libman of Billerica, Massachusetts passed away. Sandy had been a Board Representative for the Chapter for many years, and during that time attended every annual convention. He was a founding member of the Chapter.

By the time this gets read everyone will be ready to enjoy the 2006 Chicago Area AMICA Convention.

Chicago Area Chapter is doing great. At our Christmas meeting, hosted by Jasper and Marion SanFilippo we added some new members and enjoyed the additions to his collection. Our current membership stands at 88, one for every note on a piano keyboard!

It's now time to enjoy the hospitality of we AMICA members in " The Windy City" and hope you all enjoy yourselves.

The Founding Chapter has 56 paid up members to date. We have had four membership meetings in the past year. One was particularly interesting when Bay Area members journeyed to Fresno in the Central Valley to visit Mike Argain’s shop and collection and also Stephen Kent Goodman’s collection. We have also had some lively meeting discussions about roll operated instruments vs Midi or electronic operations,

The Founding Chapter contributed $3,000 to the Adopt-a-Piano fund this spring as the Wurlitzer DX Orchestrion made its journey from Nevada City, Montana to Art Reblitz’s restoration shop in Colorado Springs. We are looking forward to the completion of the project and the Wurlitzer’s return to Nevada City.

One of our long-time members, Tom Fryer passed away this year; JoAnn Parks also passed away in January. Both of these members will be missed. Contributions to the Memorial Fund were made in their memory.

Our active members are down to 23; however we have a couple of go getters in our chapter who will help revitalize the chapter.

The problem we are having is finding people to be officers. We keep having the same people as officers because no one else is willing to be an officer.

As to meetings, we have had three meeting this year with a high of 41 and a low of 10 people at each meeting. We held an organ rally at St. Charles, Mo, and had 41 people come. We added four new members from that rally. We seem to add new members each time we have an organ rally. We will have a fourth meeting sometime in December.

The first meeting we had after the last convention was a joint one with the Gateway Chapter. This was held in conjunction with the St. Charles, MO. Octoberfest and we brought band organs and monkey organs to the party. We began on Friday evening at the home of Yousuf and Mary Wilson where we had a nice supper and enjoyed the Wilson's collection. In the morning we set up our organs and entered the parade with a float that consisted of a flat bed truck carrying monkey organs being cranked (one at a time) by members dressed in traditional German costume. It won the trophy for best ethnic presentation. 0n Sunday some returned to play some more and in the afternoon began heading for home. This type of meeting gives AMICA good exposure to the public.

The next meeting was our Christmas party at the home of Doug and Barbara Cusick. It began Saturday afternoon with a tour of the extensive Cusick collection featuring the just restored Weber Maestro Doug found in its original location in Belgium. Not only does this instrument sound great but it has a very unusual facade that is carved in several types of wood in natural finish, no paint. This was followed by an excellent dinner and our usual raucous gift exchange. We returned to Cusick's next morning for a belt-busting brunch followed by the last business meeting of the year.

Our April meeting was supposed to be in Joplin MO. but unfortunately our host, Gerold Koehler, had to undergo surgery which required a quick change of plans. The meeting was moved to the C. W. Parker Carousel Museum in Leavenworth Kansas. We began the meeting Saturday morning by visiting the museum and playing monkey organs outside the museum. Lunch was at the High Noon Saloon in a historic building a few blocks away. In the afternoon the museum gave us a program that included a ride on the 1913 Parker carousel. Then on to dinner at the Corner Cafe in Liberty MO. followed by an organ recital a 160 year old Baptist church nearby. On Sunday a brunch and business meeting was held at the home of Charles and Dee Tyler in Kansas City MO. This is always a fun place to go as the have a very extensive collection of phonographs

Our next meeting will be too late to get in this report as it will be held in mid July in historic St. Joseph MO. and hosted by Greg Filardo. Down the road we will be going to Omaha NE. in October for a band organ rally.

The Lady Liberty Chapter is "blessed" to have so many experienced and skilled volunteers who give hours and hours of their time to our cause. Some of our more active volunteers include: Dianne and Marvin Polan, Vincent Morgan, Ira Malek and Keith Bigger.

Keith Bigger our Membership Chairman reported that he is concerned about renewals. We have some new members but our total is a few less than we had last year.

We have four meetings per year, most of which are in homes and sometimes other events. September 17th, we had a combined meeting with MBSI at the Polans and visited the Hutters and the Hanulecs home, On October 15th we visited the home of the Syriac's who own 36 of the 38 Orchestrelles made. On December 8th we held our end of the year meeting in New Jersey at the home of Gail and Dee Clark. At this meeting in particular, Bob Sthumer gave a presentation of his new Halloween #165 Roll and a presentation on orchestrelles by Walter Kehoe. The event that was most exciting was our Band Organ Rally in Coney Island, Brooklyn. Hundreds of people came and we had coverage from the media. Many people now know about AMICA. We had a few new members sign up from this rally. We then went to Ira and Norma Malek's home to view his collections of many pianos and we were treated with a delicious dinner meal. We plan to have another Band Organ Rally in the Spring.

The Chapter supported the Adopt-A-Piano program and donated $500. At the present time we have a balance of $2853 in our treasury as of March 1st, 2006.

The Midwest Chapter has 65 memberships. Our officers remain the same except for Secretary. Hilda Merchant is taking over for Sherrie Neff after her several years of service to the chapter.

The Midwest Chapter had 22 members attending the Minneapolis Convention so we held a business meeting. We discussed future meetings as well as the sales of the "Mechanical Music" book written by Kevin McElhone. As of May 2006, we have sold 435 copies and we will have them for sale in Chicago. When our 600 copies are sold we may have a profit of $100.+, but this had been presented as a way to encourage future AMICA membership and information about our hobby and not as a money making project.

In October we held an Oktoberfest hosted by Don Johnson and Bob Anderson in Rochester Hills, MI. After a Bocce challenge, we were ready for an authentic German buffet with each dish labeled in German. We received official German songbooks and accompanied by Don on his Schumann pumper-electric piano we sang "Ist das nicht eine Schitzelbank" with charts to help us remember the verses. Some members were in Bavarian costumes and now our chapter is really prepared for AMICA's Germany-Holland Convention in 2007.

Sunday morning we toured the Eleanor and Edsel Ford estate in Grosse Pointe Shores. They owned a Bauhaus inspired grand piano designed by Walter Darwin Teague and an art carved Steinway Duo-Art as well as a foot pumped upright piano. After brunch at the Visitor's Center, we went to the Senate Theater in downtown Detroit for a piano-organ duet by Dick Kroeckel and Patti Simon. They had performed for all of us at the Denver Convention.

In April, we were in the Cincinnati area. Saturday afternoon we drove to Batesville, IN to the home of Lois and Hayes MacClaran where we heard his fantastic collection including a Hupfeld Phonolist Violano, Hupfeld Helios, Encore Banjo, Seeburg Model H, etc. After dinner we went to Ron Wehmeier's to hear his 4 manual Wurlitzer Pipe Organ and several Duo-Arts and Ampicos.

Our Sunday meeting was at the home of Harry Garrison, owner of The Player Piano Shop. His Double Mills and 1932 Steinway entertained us before and after our brunch. During the meeting, we reported on the progress of how our $1200. donation is being used in the Montana "Adopt a Piano Project". We had such a great time in Cincy. that we voted to volunteer to have the 2009 AMICA Convention in Cincinnati with Bob Anderson and Liz Barnhart as co-chairs.

In the early afternoon we had a chili lunch at Alvin Wulfekuhl's. We enjoyed his Duo-Arts, Welte and Ampico pianos and also his antique cars and other collectibles.

As of June 1, 2006, the Pacific Can-Am Chapter membership consisted of 54 individuals who come from 36 households. Although these figures are up about 10%, the number of members which are actually involved in the chapter has remained relatively constant.

In March 2005, we had $823 in our checking account, $2,117 in a certificate of deposit, and a savings account with a balance of $2,723. The chapter has authorized that some of these funds be used for specific projects to advance the objectives of AMICA in our area.

Each year we have four meetings with 25 to 40 people in attendance, and our meetings occur on Saturday or Sunday afternoons. Members and visitors come to the hosting home at around 2 PM and there is approximately two hours of visiting with other members while the instruments in the home are viewed and played. This considerable period of time for interaction with other AMICAns has proved to be one of the most valuable features of our meetings, and people become well acquainted with others during this time. At approximately 4 PM, we have our Business Meeting and show and tell time. At roughly 5 PM, we share our potluck meal together. This schedule works very well for us. People come from considerable distances to the meetings, including from British Columbia.

In addition to our quarterly meetings, we have had several other activities of interest. Kurt Morrison and Ron Babb continue to ably represented AMICA in their work at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle. When the theatre opened in 1928, it had not only a large Wurlitzer pipe organ with a piano in the organ, but also a Knabe grand piano with an Ampico player in it. Neither one of these pianos has played very well in many years. Kurt and Ron spent the hours that it took to get both them up and going, and both are now in regular use, with full credit to AMICA. For example, the Knabe is played routinely during the regular tours of the theatre and also before and after selected events at the theatre, including their twice yearly silent film series.

On August 20 and 21, 2005 our chapter sponsored a band organ rally in Leavenworth, Washington. Leavenworth is a Bavarian town in the Cascade Mountains east of Seattle, and it is ideally suited for an attraction of this type. Rob Wilson took the lead on this event, and it turned out to be a truly enjoyable experience with the opportunity to share our automatic musical instruments with a large number of people from the general public. We had instruments ranging from table top organs to a large instruments on a trailer. Maury and Fran Willyard managed a series of small instruments, giving hourly demonstrations and mini-lectures on their backgrounds. The event was topped off with a dinner at the home of AMICA member Lydia Ann Dodrill who lives just a few miles south of Leavenworth. A great time was had by all who came, and we hope to have a rally each year in Leavenworth.

The greatest problem our chapter has faced is filling the officer positions. Some members are in declining health and do not feel that they can take on these responsibilities. Others seem reluctant to respond generally, as is true in all similar organizations. Occasionally, we do have new people coming to our meetings, but the number coming in and the number going out are typically not significantly different from each other, and our chapter remains about the same size. On the positive side, our chapter President's planning of the meeting dates and sites up to a year in advance has proved to be a real asset to our chapter.

Our 2006 meetings continue with a diversity of locations to accommodate the out-of-state members. We will again have our Holiday Party at the new museum of Bill and Rosanna Harris. Friends of Bill and Rosanna who are members of MBSI, phonograph and car clubs joined us after the Chapter meeting.

We had 35 households pay Chapter dues in 2005; so far in 2006 we have 33 households. We expect several new members before the end of 2006

Since we have been quite frugal in the expenditure of Chapter funds, we voted make a donation of $250 to the Adopt-A-Piano fund for the restoration of the first instrument at Virginia City, Montana.

Our membership is steadily gaining with a total of 25 households. We have six meetings each year on the third Saturday of every other month. We have future meetings in August, October and December, so please come visit us. Our activities are varied from house meetings to theaters and wineries—with music. We have something for all members.

Our chapter has been invited to this year’s West Coast Ragtime Festival held in Sacramento November 17, 18, and 19, 2006. We will have a Wurlitzer Pianino in the main lobby of the Red Lion Inn playing ragtime music. What an opportunity for AMICA to showcase an instrument to people who love ragtime music! Chapter members will hand out AMICA membership applications and copies of old Bulletins—win, win.

The SOWNY Chapter of AMICA is alive and well. Our numbers have diminished over the past few years due to illness and death. Our latest loss was Stan Aldridge, one of the founding members of our chapter. His enthusiasm for automatic musical instruments and AMICA will be missed by all of our members.

Financially our chapter is sound with a current bank balance of $896.01 in our savings account and $3508.46 in a CD to bring our total balance to $4404.47.

Last year we had a total of four meetings throughout the year and we anticipate having another four or five this year (at different venues, of course).

We have gained a few new members in the past year or so, and also have a couple of prospective members “looking us over”.

A chapter member has spoken with representatives at QRS Music Technologies and they have agreed to place AMICA brochures with their mailings and also place recent issues of the AMICA bulletin on display in the “Green Room” where visitors to the factory may take home copies to peruse.

Our chapter is alive and well, with membership hovering slightly over the 90 mark. We have gained some new members, but unfortunately have lost some due to age, health problems, loss of interest and death.

We have a meeting usually every even-numbered month, and have had some really good meetings over the last year.

Last July we had a barbecue at the home of Frank and Shirley Nix, with lots of food and good music.

In October we took a bus trip to Fresno to visit Mike Argain and Patty Kane at their lovely home, and enjoyed their fine collection. It was a weekend trip and on Sunday we visited Stephen Kent Goodman and his wife Kelly. We enjoyed listening to their instruments and their hospitality.

December found us again at the home of Frank and Shirley Nix for our Christmas party, with the local MBSI chapter also invited.

January found us at the home of John Ledwon, where we enjoyed a fabulous concert on his theater organ. John is very talented, and really put on a show for us.

April was time for a visit to the home of Terry and Reese Banister for a super program arranged by Josh Rapier on the various pianos. We even were presented with very professional programs, thanks to Tawnya Rapier.

We will have a repeat of the barbecue at the home of Frank and Shirley Nix on June 24^th.

Our treasury is solid, and Lloyd Osmundson, our treasurer, has a good hand on our money.

We did lose our organ rally in Descanso Gardens due to a change of management, but we are looking for new venues that would suit a rally.

Our president is Jerry Pell, our vice-president is Frank Nix, treasurer is Lloyd Osmundson, and secretary/reporter is Shirley Nix. Frank Nix also serves as international board representative.

The Texas Chapter has 56 memberships representing 90 persons this year. Six of these of these memberships are new. We lost 4 memberships this year for a net gain of 2. Since last years convention, we have had 5 excellent meetings with attendance varying from 21 to 35 persons.

In October, we visited the home of Gordon Kelley, who is an authority and restorer of the Ampico System. Member, Bill Flynt, entertained us on Gordon's beautiful Mason-Hamlin Ampico Grand and a Hammond Organ.

The December meeting was held at the beautifully decorated lakeside home of Michael and Maureen Barisonek in Arlington. Members enjoyed an excellent Holiday buffet dinner and gift exchange. The Barisonek's newest acquisition is the Aeolian Orchestrelle, Model W, circa 1912 with the addition of a MIDI system. Mike shared the history of it with the members and a demo. They also have a Weber Duo-art upright piano and an Olympia Music Box.

Spring was celebrated at our March meeting at the Roger Smith 's Benbrook, Texas Antique Mall. Karen Gore, owner of "The Tea" served a complimentary Bar-b-que lunch in the Tea Room. Members then were treated to a tour and demo of "Off limits" area of the mall. A Baldwin Wurlitzer Organ took center stage with guest artist, 23 year old Flint Dollar,a current applicant for Julliard School of Music in NY City. The Members were excited to see and hear a young person who obviously will promote automated musical instruments. Members John Harvey and David Spigel helped Roger Smith make this meeting so successful.

The April meeting was held at the home of talented and long time member, Dr. Bill Flynt. Bill designed his home to accommodate a 9 foot Knabe Piano originally used at the Metropolitan Opera. He installed an Ampico A reproducing system in it in 1980. In the 70's and 80's, Bill arranged and hand punched piano roll masters and put Ampico coating on them. We were entertained by the "Sorta Sisters",a trio of talented women who sing in the Andrew Sisters style. Bill also owns T43 Tangley Air Calliope, which he plays at parades.

The May Meeting took place in St Johns Episcopal Church, Dallas. This was arranged by Chapter President Jerry Bacon, who is the curator of the church's Aeolian - Skinner Organ. It was originally in N.Y. Manhattan School (formerly Juliard). Jerry played this organ,along with solo programs from member Jim Quashnock of Wichita Falls and

David Harp of Dallas. Throughout their individual performances the soloists explained the technical aspects of the organ. Much learning took place while being entertained at this meeting.

Our next meeting will meet in San Antonio, in October, at the home of a former Chapter President, Ken Long. He has a fabulous collection of instruments, including a 1931 9' Knabe Ampico B, a 1929 6'4" Knabe Ampico B, a 1927 6'5" Steinway Duo-Art and many other musical memorabilia. We will have dinner on the "River Walk" and attend a program at the historic Majestic Theater Saturday evening. On Sunday Morning, wewill have a demo of the recently installed Wurlitzer Theater Organ at the Aztec Theater. This Organ is a 3 manual, 23 rank originally used to accompany silent movies.

This has been a great year for our chapter. Credit for originating and arranging the wonderful meetings should be given to V-P Bill Boruff.

Mike Walter stated he would like to see more promotion of AMICA. Currently QRS is sending AMICA brochures out with query responses, he is going to suggest that the brochures be included in all of their roll shipments.

Liz Barnhardt suggested paid advertising in magazines. Magazines suggested were Antique Trader, Popular Mechanics, Popular Science and similar cross interest magazines. After extensive discussion it was decided that an ad promoting AMICA would be written and placed in several national magazines. Bill Chapman and John Motto-Ros will coordinate and communicate with the Board to authorize the final expenditure.

Carl Dodrill proposed a plan to use general and memorial funds to subsidize membership for chapter members who were not National members for 2007 only and to make 2007 an enhancement year with special meetings in each chapter to bring in more members and special Bulletins for that year. After much discussion, it was decided the focus was too narrow and the funds would be better spent advertising AMICA in venues where people would not already know about the organization. It was also stressed that local chapters should encourage their attendees to join the International organization.

Mike Walter encouraged the chapters to make use of the suggestions printed in the Bulletin to encourage membership.

Richard Reutlinger presented the situation, namely the restoration will cost more that was anticipated ($10,000) and what is in the fund($6,500). Arlo Lusby moved that the balance to restore the Wurlitzer model PX be covered by AMICA, one half from general funds and one half from the Memorial Fund. The motion carried.

Mike Walter reported expenses so far of $249.25; $161.20 for perforating and $88.05 postage for mailing rolls. Income of $716.85 for rolls sold and pre-ordered giving current net income of $467.60. Three Recordo rolls and six each of the other 3 Ampico rolls have been shipped. There are 26 orders for one Ampico, 14 for the second and 15 for the third, which are yet to be perforated. There are plans to do additional test rolls.

The request for interest in reproducing rolls of new music yielded very few responses. Mike will place a notice on the Message Board in the Hospitality Room requesting information on demand and typed of music. Regarding the cost of copywrite charges, it averages .25 per roll, a nominal charge. There are existing files in Midi format that could be coded to reproducing rolls.

Mike Walter brought up the member credits for publishing of articles that was approved last year, but that no mechanism was decided. Motion was made that when a minimum one page article is published, the publisher will issue a written credit to the author/member to be sent in to the membership chairman at renewal time. One article equals one sixth membership. The motion passed.

Current seed money is $1,000. Request was made that a higher amount be allocated for larger meetings. The bylaws allow the committee to ask for more money from the Board, so no action is necessary.

Wes is concerned that no one other than the Treasurer currently has signature authority. The bank wants a bylaw change in order to add another signature. After discussion it was decided that a Board Resolution would satisfy the bank and a bylaw change would not be necessary. The Board passed the following resolution:

Whereas there is currently no bylaw provision for signature authority for the bank account of the Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors Association, hereafter referred to as AMICA, and whereas unavailability of the Treasurer would prevent funding transfers, at the Board meeting of July 25, 2006, the Board of AMICA passed the following resolution:

Be it resolved that the current President of AMICA will have signature authority on the bank accounts along with the Treasurer, to be utilized only in the absence of the Treasurer.

This resolution will be printed on AMICA stationary and sent to the Treasurer to submit to the bank.

Bill Chapman said all he needs is an email stating how many copies you want and if you also want applications for membership.

Earlier problem seems to have resolved. Let Bill Chapman know if you are aware of a problem.

Discussion ensued about legal and liability issues. It was pointed out that the International trips do not allow under age 18 at all. The following motion was made, seconded, and passed:

Policy statement- Any convention attendee under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian or parent who is also registered for and attending the Convention.