Minutes of the Michigan Association of Professional Santas
(M.A.P.S.) Board of Directors meeting
October 14, 2025
Time: 7:00 P.M.
1. Call To Order: Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Michael Beurer
Present: Michael Beurer, President; Melissa Rickard, Vice President; Lisa Heileman, Recording
Secretary; Kathy Norred, Treasurer; Chris Terry; Ted Flynn; Michael Howe; Jim Jordan
Absent: Billy J Howart, Roger Minton, Shawn White. All are excused.
2. Reading of the Minutes: Heileman summarized the Minutes for the meeting held Sept. 9th,
2025. These minutes have not yet been posted on the MAPS website due to technical troubles.
Approval and Amendments to the Minutes: The date of the wrap up, according to Mike
Beurer, will be January 17th 2026. There being no other corrections, minutes were approved as
read.
3. Committee Report.
a. Financial: Kathy Norred reported that for the month of September the beginning balance
was $11,427.84. Spangle’s room and miscellaneous Red Suit Conclave expenses were
$844.06, for an ending balance of $10,583.78 and there were no deposits in September.
One more bill for the RSC has come in for the rental of the banquet room at Four Points
Sheraton, which will reflect next month for $381.00. This brings our expenses for Red Suit
Conclave to $1,835.06.
b. Technology Report/ Website: Roger Minton has resigned by email as IT person effectively
immediately due to circumstances. He will send the master email list and other website
information and passwords. Melissa Rickard is well qualified, and stated that she will take
over the IT responsibilities. We need to move the web site to another server. Melissa
Rickard will research a FB group page, Wix site and use RegFox for e-commerce. Norred
mentioned we owe Minton for photo booth rental and web items and we will have him
send a written bill.
4. Wrap Up Dinner will instead be held January 10, at the Century Banquet Center, and the
theme for attire is Charles Dickens. There will be a Dicken caroling group, and more info in
forthcoming. Come in Dickens apparel for fun. The Center is the same location as last year.
There is a $55 dollar price point. Staci Beurer has a block of rooms being reserved. Head
count max is 125. Mel Rickard will market this event.
5. Jingle Joy: Micheal Howe reported Steve Gillim cannot do the event as he is staying close to
family, and home studio. Howe is talking to Bruce Kotowich with Claus Connection. This group
of Christmas performers, Bruce Kotowich, Myke Hutchings and Betsy Modrzejewski of Texas
(Tooth Fairy and Mother Goose) talk about elves, and Mrs. Claus and touch base with every
area of Christmas. Chris Terry and Mike Howe will think tank this next week and make a list
and hack this out. Howe stated we try to break even at 40. In reply to a question by Rickard,
what is their draw? Could we ask the Kringle Bros. a great local group of people? asked Terry.
The Board believes there is a bigger draw there, and a history, and Claus Connect is still
working out their shows. The Board discussed keeping a breakeven point and interaction. We
could ask Jeff Mullin for a price. Howe noted we will have to research who would draw. It is
getting harder. Beurer mentioned that Santa True has a third class about energizing your Claus
Community and other special things as well. We might hold a special meeting in November to
discuss. We need to finalize for January. New attendees are 20 to 35 percent. Claus Connect
might be too broad, thought Flynn. We are looking for the best people to teach Santa skills,
and if it is our local Kringle Bros., that is fine. Ted Flynn suggested we look at two presenters,
Kringle Bros., and someone else the second day. Discussion continued regarding budget and
draw, and order of Jingle Joy, with classes as a Saturday and Sunday timeline to draw new
Santas who work to a weekend class instead. Jim Jordan wondered about the hotel with
changing the order of socializing versus class time. Santa Randy was sincere about providing a
Jingle Joy scholarship, said Jordan.
6. Old Business:
a. Norred shared printing costs for Red Suit Conclave. It was $156.46 for programs only.
Next year, the conclave is the first weekend of August, on August 1st, and 2nd. 2026.
Jordan found a less expensive printer (around $50.00 for 100), if we fold them
ourselves. The event fee is free.
b. Server: It was noted that the Vice President role includes communications in the By
Laws, like a newsletter or web site. Mel Rickard stated she will step down from IBRBS
to do this and focus her IT skills locally. It means a lot to her.
7. New Business: Beurer thanked everyone for a great year, hopes all your Seasons are magical
and full of Christmas Spirit and Cheer, and all your visits are successful. Next meeting will be
before the wrap up dinner January 6th at 7 p.m.
8. Adjournment: There being no further business, Mel Rickard moved to adjourn, supported by
Jim Jordon and the meeting adjourned at 7:31 p.m. EDT
Respectfully submitted,
Lisa Heileman,
Recording Secretary
