MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL SANTAS
MEETING MINUTES
APRIL 8, 2025
Present: Michael Howe, Kathy Norred, Mel Rickard, Chris Terry, Shawn White
Absent: Michael Beurer, Roger Minton, Ted Flynn, Billy Howarth, Jim Jordan
The meeting was open to any MAPS member. Kathy Fick also attended.
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM and was recorded.
Vice-President Mel Rickard led the April meeting, as President Michael Beurer had family medical issues to attend to. Treasurer Kathy Norred will take minutes for this meeting.
Meeting minutes from March 11 read by Mel Rickard. Michael Howe has made a motion to accept the minutes as read. Shawn White seconded the motion. Minutes approved by the board as read.
Roger Minton was not able to attend, but Mel indicated that the board was working on the membership numbers. We dropped approximately 30 members and added 30 more, so our numbers stand at 502 members. Calls will continue to prospective members. Roger is working on increasing the speed of the website.
Treasurer’s report: The beginning bank balance at the beginning of March was $10,945.92, with the addition of $4,379.85 from Stripe and the Withdrawal of $580.00, which reflects the return of two tickets purchased for the Jingle Joy Retreat. The ending balance for March was $14,745.77.
The Federal N-9 has been submitted for our tax year ending in March of 2025, and the Michigan Form will be completed shortly and submitted.
Chris Terry and Michael Howe reported on the status of the Jingle Joy Retreat. So far 30 people have signed up, and Michael is hoping for 40. A member of MAPS asked if the outdoor pavilion at the hotel is available for usage. On Thursday night the program will include
returning to the Reindeer Farm for singing and smores after dinner at Ponderosa. They will investigate the possibility of using the pavilion on Friday evening as an alternative gathering place (weather permitting). They will also purchase some items to give away at the class in case the reindeer farm does not provide anything.
A MAPS member questioned if registration was open yet for the Red Suit Conclave. Typically registration does not open until after the Jingle Joy Retreat. Chris has been working on the Saturday schedule.
Saturday will start with a Ted Talk by Ted Flynn, followed by a presentation by Nanette Clatterbuck, a special needs teacher. After lunch, Nanette will be holding a class on child behavior. This will be followed by a session with Jumbo (TBD), and the day will be concluded with Mel Rickard, Keeping the Magic in Christmas. Kelly Mitchell will also be contacted as she has expressed an interest in teaching a Mrs. Claus Class.
Mel has been asked to lead a service on Sunday morning. Chris is looking to use the lower room for Mrs. Claus’s events but has to check on its availability. The day will end with a Santa and Mrs. Claus roundtable for each group. Several names were suggested.
Chris will check to see if a deposit on the rooms is required for SVRC.
Open Discussion:
Lisa Heileman has expressed interest in the Secretarial position and the Board will vote on this at the next meeting.
Mel asked if the receipt for Rooftop Reindeer Farm had been received and taken care of. Kathy Norred confirmed that it had been paid.
It was suggested that any time we attend a large group function such as Santa Family Reunion, we should get a group picture of Michigan delegates.
A thank you to Kathy Fick for attending and for Mel stepping up and leading the meeting.
A motion to dismiss was made by Michael Howe and seconded by Shawn White. The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 PM
The next meeting will be held on ZOOM on May 13, 2025 at 7PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Norred
Treasurer