MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL SANTAS
MEETING MINUTES
MAY 13, 2025
Meeting called to order at 7 PM by Melissa Rickard
Present:Michael Howe, Kathy Norred, Melissa Rickard, Chris Terry, Shawn White, Ted Flynn.
Absent: Michael Beurer, Billy Howarth, Roger Minton.
Kathy Norred will be the recording secretary for this meeting.
Melissa Rickard read the minutes from the April 8, 2025, meeting. Motion to approve minutes made by Kathy Norred, seconded by Chris Terry.
Executive report: Michael Beurer could not attend tonight due to his father-in-law’s funeral today.
Financial Report: Kathy stated that she originally believed we had 501(c)(3) status from the Federal Government, but upon careful study of the documents, realized we had been granted 509(a)(2) status, a specific sub-classification under the 501(c)(3) category. This status was determined by the Federal Government upon looking at our application.
The 509(a)(2) defines “a public charity which receives substantial revenues from a combination of contributions, membership fees, and gross receipts from activities that further its exempt purpose.” She explained it as a classification that might be held by a zoo, where revenues are
Achieved through ticket sales. We are still classified as an educational charity.
After the Michigan taxes were filed, she received a deficiency notice from the State of Michigan, stating that we were not registered with the State of Michigan as a Charitable Trust. Kathy will be working on the paperwork to have it reinstated. It’s possible that the registration expired because we were late in filing the 2024 tax forms.
The beginning balance for the April 2025 bank statement was $14,745.77, with a deposit of $3,715.61 less the $1200.00 check deposit to the reindeer farm. Ending balance of $17,261.38.
Technology Report: Roger is unable to attend. The committee will continue to call people waiting for membership.
Education Committee: There are 44 students attending Tim Connaghan’s class at Jingle Joy, 27 new attendees, some of whom have not portrayed Santa yet. A request has been made to have pre-printed name tags available for the board members. There will be stick on name tags for the participants. The brochure is finished and waiting to be printed. There will be a couple of sheet cakes available at the Meet and greet on the first night and then there are cookie donations. Steph Boys will be at the Reindeer Farm on Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM for photography sessions, there will be a reindeer lecture at 1 PM. A food truck will be available for lunch. Flyers for Red Suit Conclave will be available at the end of Jingle Joy and registration will start immediately afterwards.
The date has been changed because the venue booked a wedding on the first weekend. Chris is also looking at the possibility of doing the classes next year at the Four Points Hotel. The SVRC center mentioned that if they held our deposit ($200) for the event, the first weekend in August would be guaranteed. The first day will start with a Ted talk, Nanette Clatterbuck on caring for Special needs children, followed by Lunch, and then Nanette will have another class on Child Behavior. Jumbo has a class, and at the same time Kelly Mitchell will present “Books for Mrs. Claus” in the basement room. The last class of the day will Mel speaking on “Keeping the Magic in Christmas.”
Sunday will start with a non-denominational service by Mel Rickard, followed by a class by Erica Minton “Empowerment and Getting over fear”. It will be followed by a round table for an hour and then concluded with the business meeting.
Old business: None
New business: 5 groups have contacted Mel for suggestions on a Mrs. Claus to teach classes at schools. Shawn White, Kathy Norred, Kelly Mitchell and Erica Minton have bee suggested candidates.
Michael and Staci Beurer send their love and express their appreciation for the MAPS support during the death of her father.
Ted Flynn made a motion to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Shawn White.
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM.