SAA Board of Directors Meeting
Homewood Suites, Boulder, CO
January 13-15, 2006

Present: Pam Brasch, Teri Einfeldt, Christie Felsing, Beth Goldstein-McKee, Dave Madsen, Dee Martz, Carrie Reuning-Hummel, Paul Salerni, Betty Wahlig, Carol Waldvogel

The meeting was called to order on Friday January 13 at 9:10 a.m. by Paul Salerni, Chair. Betty was welcomed to the Board.

Motion No. 1: to approve the minutes as distributed.
M Carol S Dave Carried

Pam reported on the status of the Annual fund drive including information about current pledges and the overall positive effect of the campaign. She also reported on the status of the Katrina Fund and the need to take time to decide the best use for these donations.

Pam guided the Board through the budget and a draft of the audit report.

Affirmation of Receipt and Reading of monitoring reports. Unanimous.

Carol Waldvogel reported on the work of the Nominations Committee and the recommendations for the spring elections.

The Board charges the Nominations Committee re-examine the term of service for Board members.

Motion No. 2: to accept the slate as presented by the Nominations Committee.
M Carol S Dave Carried

The discussion returned to the Annual Fund. The Board shared feedback from the Fund Drive Volunteers as it evaluated the campaign. With a focus on the success of this year’s drive the Board turned to options for the 2006 Annual Fund.

Chair charges the Development Committee to consider the incentive gift for the 2007 Annual Fund.

Teri and guest Kathleen Spring brought the Board up to date on the work of the Teacher Development Committee, especially as it relates to the Practicum.

The Board discussed its roles and responsibilities at the SAA Conference in May in Minneapolis. Pam gave the Board a preliminary timeline for the main conference events to assist the Board in planning its activities.

The Board discussed nominees for the Learning Community Awards.

The Board discussed space needs for the SAA office, including the possibility of purchasing a building in the Boulder area.

Discussion began on refining and reprioritizing policies 1.4 and 1.5.

Break for dinner at 6:50 p.m.

Reconvene Saturday January 14, 2006 at 8:40 a.m.

Pam told the Board of the history of the SAA and SmartMusic including the relationship between Warner Brothers, SmartMusic and the Suzuki materials. Guests Kathleen Spring and Winifred Crock spoke of their experiences with SmartMusic, pointing out areas of strength and concern.

John Paulson, Founder and president of MakeMusic, the company which owns SmartMusic and Finale, gave a demonstration of SmartMusic. During the presentation Board members became aware of the educational features in SmartMusic and developed significant concerns with some of the options. Mr. Paulson indicated that the software is developing rapidly and that his company wants and needs input from the string teaching community.

Mr. Paulson also presented three partnership models for the SAA to consider, pointing out the benefits and added values for SAA members who subscribe to SmartMusic. The Board thanked him for his presentation.

Discussion of the Paulson presentation and possible SAA responses were influenced by the existing relationship MakeMusic has with the publisher of the Suzuki materials. Several books of Suzuki pieces are already part of SmartMusic and the presence of Suzuki materials will increase whether or not the SAA joins into a relationship with SmartMusic.

The Board turned its attention to evaluating possible Learning Community Award recipients.

At 4:00 p.m. Board members went on a field trip to view an office building that is currently on the market in the Boulder area.

Work on a response to the Paulson SmartMusic proposals continued after dinner.

Reconvene Sunday January 15, 2006 at 8:35 a.m.

The Board discussed it plans to make a video of part of the April Board meeting with the goal of using the video to give SAA members a clearer idea of the role of the Board and how it functions.

There will be Focus Groups at 2006 Institutes. The Linkage Committee is charged to consider the nature of the focus groups.

The next Board is meeting in Chicago in April 6-9. A review of the timetable for the April meeting and responsibilities for the May Conference clarified when Board members need to arrive for both events.

The Board charges the Ad Hoc CD Committee to decide during the next month whether or not to offer a second CD as a premium for the 2006 Annual Campaign.

The SAA Policies were reviewed to determine if potential relationships such as the one proposed by SmartMusic are covered well enough. Winifred Crock read a draft of a response to SmartMusic presentation. With this input from the Board Pam will continue to pursue the relationship with SmartMusic.

Committee Assignments

Nominations Committee: Paul, Carol, Diane, Beth, Pam
Development Steering: Diane, Christie, Dave, Pam
Linkage Steering Committee (ad Hoc): Carrie, Christie, Gail, Pam, Betty
Audit Committee: Dee, Teri, Pam
CD project (ad hoc): Teri, Paul, Dave, Gwendoline, Pam,
Board Education Committee (Ad hoc): Dee, Christie, Paul, Pam
Honorary Board Committee: Teri, Carrie, Gail, Pam

Motion No. 3: to change policy 1.4 to:

1.4. Suzuki Education is known as a highly successful approach to realizing human potential.

  1. Families understand and appreciate the value of Suzuki education.
  2. Suzuki approach is understood and valued in the field of education.
    1. By administrators and music educators
      1. Music pedagogy courses include accurate basic information about Suzuki education.
    2. By researchers and theorists
  3. Suzuki approach is understood and valued by professional musicians.

M Dave S Teri Carried

Motion No. 4: to adjourn.
M Carol

The meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Dee Martz, Secretary