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President’s Message		Mid-April saw our coach heading for Essex Junction for a three-day weekend planning session for NEAR 2010. Together with NMA’s 1^st Vice President Ed Hoag and his wife Lori, and 2^nd Vice President Bob Mills, we got a great deal accomplished, which should make the Captains’ meeting at the end of May go more smoothly. This year, we will be missing Grant and Joan Bamberger, who will be spending the summer touring the West. We will sorely miss Joan’s musical contributions, Grant’s endless hours of prep work helping Ezra, and the terrific contributions of both Joan and Grant to the social functions of our pre-rally. We wish them a marvelous summer, with safe travels and happy trails – and we expect them back “on duty” next year! As you already know, May 4^th was a dark day for our musical family. We lost Jean Eckhardt, Pete’s wife, whom we have known and loved for many years, and whose strength and grace throughout a long period of illness served as an inspiration to us all. At this writing, I do not know what Pete’s plans will be for the coming summer, except that we have been told that there will be a Memorial service for Jean in upstate NY. Let’s continue to uphold Pete and his family in our thoughts and prayers throughout this time. Charles Marston, who will be our Music Director this year, has been hard at work preparing music for our performances. At the same time, he and Roxie are now dealing with the severe damage to their home during the recent heavy rains and resultant flooding in Tennessee. Elsewhere in this newsletter you will find a tentative practice and performance schedule for both the pre-rally and the rally. This is subject to any changes Charles may wish to make, once he actually has time to think about it. There will be one definite addition – Charles plans to hold some chorus-only rehearsals in addition to the full-group ones. Understandably, he and Roxie will have to stay focused on their home for a while, before being able to devote much time to rally preparation. We certainly wish them all the best as they go through this ordeal, and we are thankful that they and their dogs are safe. A copy of the basic information sheet on the pre-rally and rally that has already been sent out via email is also included elsewhere in this newsletter.
Greetings to All YDDs! As I begin this letter, it’s May 2 -- the conclusion of a very rainy weekend in Cincinnati, and Paul and the other National Officers are getting ready for another full week of meetings. Fortunately, this gives me some time to work on YDD matters! Those of us who wintered in Florida this past year had an exceptionally cold season – so much so that Paul and I gave up and headed home right after the Brooksville rally. It was not much colder in upstate NY when we arrived home than it was in Florida. (We had actually had snow one morning in Ocala!) YDDs held a business meeting at the Brooksville rally, primarily to address the need for revisions in both our Bylaws and our Standing Rules. The minutes from this meeting appear elsewhere in this newsletter.

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Prez, continued: The family registration form for the rally is being printed in the April, May, and June issues of FMC magazine. Be sure to check off the appropriate Frustrated Maestro block when you register. During NEAR 2010 we will of course hold our main business meeting of the year; it is scheduled for Thursday afternoon, July 1, by which time everyone should be present, including those who were not able to attend the pre-rally. Our most important item of business will be the election of a Nominating Committee, whose duty it will be to secure candidates for election to our chapter offices next year (2011.) If anyone else has an item for discussion at the meeting, please email it to me, and I will include it in the agenda. In addition to our morning performances and additional appearances at such venues as the ice cream social and hot dog roast, we will want to be represented at the Chapter Fair. If some of you would be interested in helping to set up and decorate our table, please contact me. This is a great chance to introduce other rally attendees to the fun they are missing by not being a part of our group! Let’s remember to keep introducing new folks to FMCA as well. Note that the May FMC magazine includes a reproducible coupon, good till September 30^th, for $10.00 off the price of a new membership. Paul just learned that during the month of April, the Northeast Area added 68 new members! We want to keep up the good work! Taking all of FMCA’s areas into account, we have finally reached the point where we are gaining more members each month than we are losing – something that has not been the case in quite some time. Finally – as soon as you sign up for the pre-rally and/or rally, would you please email me (diplomatlady2002@yahoo.com)? Please indicate (1) whether you will be attending both events or only the main rally, (2) whether you sing in the chorus or play an instrument, and (3) in the latter case, what instrument you play. This information will be of great help to Charles as he plans our programs. We will have solo request forms available for you when you arrive at Essex Junction. We’re looking forward to a great rally, and hoping that a great many of you will be a part of it! Sincerely, Diane DuBois
				Photos from SEAR 2010 courtesy of Roxie Marston
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Secretary’s Report Frustrated Maestros Northeast - Yankee Doodle Dandies Chapter Meeting – Feb. 2^nd, 2010 – Brooksville, FL President Diane Dubois called the meeting to order at 4:44 PM Ricki Toppe was appointed to be Temporary Secretary for the meeting. Attendance was taken and 17 coaches were represented at the meeting. A motion was made by Bob Toppe to dispense with the reading of the minutes (from the Essex Junction meeting of August 11, 2009) and to accept minutes as printed in last newsletter. This motion was seconded by Bob Benac; all in favor; motion passed. The following items were circulated: 1) Sign-in sheet 2) Current roster – check for accuracy 3) Blank roster form (if your name is not on current roster, pay Joan Webb 2009-2010 dues ($10) and print your roster information legibly on this blank form.) 4) New member applications (if you are a new member, complete application and return it, with your $10 dues, to Joan Webb.) 5) Dave Ricketts moved to accept the Treasurer’s report (see Treasurer’s Report below); motion seconded by Bob Toppe; all in favor; motion passed. Old Business – none New Business Amending YDD Bylaws 30 day notification is required. Notification was made by e-mail on Nov. 7, 2009. Passage requires a 2/3 vote of those members present and voting. Proposed amendment to YDD Chapter Bylaws: Article VI .2 currently reads: 2. ORGANIZATIONAL YEAR: The fiscal and membership year of the Chapter shall commence on January 1 and end on December 31. Jim Kitchens moved (and Bob Toppe seconded the motion) to amend Article VI.2 of the YDD Bylaws as follows: 2. ORGANIZATIONAL YEAR: The fiscal year of the Chapter shall commence on January 1 and end on December 31. The membership year of the Chapter shall commence on July 1 and end on June 30.
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Secretary’s Report, continued… Discussion: The January 1 – December 31 membership year conflicts with two sections of Article III.6, which state that renewal dues are payable July 1^st and that if an initial application is accepted after March, the dues shall be regarded as covering the next membership year. Quorum for a bylaws amendment was discussed; a quorum is in attendance. VOTE: All in favor; Motion passed. Amending YDD Standing Rules Advance notification is not required, but was made for members’ convenience. Passage requires a simple majority vote of those present and voting. Proposed amendment to YDD Standing Rules: Bob Toppe moved and Bob Hadley seconded the motion to amend the YDD Standing Rules as shown below: Three changes are proposed to the YDD Standing Rules (adopted Oct. 8, 2005) 2) The election of officers shall take place in odd numbered years at the Annual Meeting. The election of officers shall take place in odd numbered years at the Annual Meeting. The Nominating Committee Chairperson shall serve as the presiding officer conducting the election. 9) Notification to members may be made by email or regular postal mail. Members who receive email shall send back confirmation of receipt. Notification to members (including balloting by mail when deemed necessary) may be made by email or regular postal mail. Members who receive email shall send back confirmation of receipt. 10) Each year a second business meeting will be held east of the Mississippi, at a Rally to be determined by the Executive Board. If needed, a second business meeting may be held during any given year. This meeting may be called by the Executive Board or by 20% of the family units in good standing. This meeting shall be held east of the Mississippi River, at a rally to be determined by the Executive Board. VOTE: All in favor; Motion passed. The group discussed the possible purchase of one copy each of the 5 (C, Bb, Eb, F, and Bass) volumes of the “New Red Book.” Price will be $50.00 plus shipping. We may be able to avoid the shipping charge if Paul can pick the books up from Tom Rothdeiner at Albuquerque. Dave Fuller suggested that, if we are going to purchase the books, we make copies from those Dave Ricketts has, rather than ordering them from Tom. Dave has copies that were made after a number of corrections were made to the originals, and therefore his copies are the most accurate available.
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Secretary’s Report, continued… Chapter membership applications are available. The form is also on our website, www.YDDFM.com, so you can print out copies as you need them. New order forms from Mr. Ken for YDD badges are now available on our website, www.YDDFM.com, as well. (I also have some hard copies here.) FMCA member recruitment news: New free membership forms are available. “A Dozen Does It” Program. (Free membership forms will count toward our chapter’s dozen but not a member’s personal account.) Remember, too, that we have a contest going on for the top recruiter in the entire Northeast Area. That person will have free use of a golf cart for all of NEAR 2010. NEAR 2010 update – Paul DuBois If the town of Essex junction were to have a block-party type celebration, would Maestros be interested in playing and singing for it? Members expressed interest. Planned attendance of NEAR 2010: Members in attendance were asked how many planned to attend 2010 NEAR: 6 band members and 10 chorus responded. Future NEAR rally dates: NEAR rallies will be the 3^rd week of July for the next 5 years, beginning in 2011. Meeting was adjourned at 5:10 PM Respectfully submitted, Anne Gould, secretary (thanks to Ricki Toppe)
Treasurer’s Report Balance as of Dec., 2009: $1,097.70 Income $ 60.00 (+$30 just collected but not included in balance) New Balance $1,157.70 (+$50 in petty cash) Respectfully submitted, Joan Webb, Treasurer

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Calling All Maestros Come Celebrate the 18^th Anniversary of the Northeast Area Two Nations…One Family FMCA July 2-5, 2010 Champlain Valley Expo Center, Essex Junction, VT Join us for the Maestro Pre-Rally -- on site at the Expo -- Monday, June 28 - Wednesday, June 30.  We will have the same sites for both the Pre-Rally and the Rally, so we will not have to move. Price will be $18.00 per night for Monday through Wednesday nights, including water and 30-amp electric.  (The parking fee for Thursday night will be covered by the rally fee, since we are volunteers.) To register for the Pre-Rally, send a check, payable to YDD, for the appropriate amount ($54.00 if you will be joining us for all 3 days/nights) to Joan Webb, 5 Hullihen Drive, Elkton, MD 21921. Put “YDD Pre-Rally” on the subject line of your check. Joan needs to receive your check by Wednesday, June 23. I will try to have at least a preliminary Pre-Rally schedule prepared for you soon. Volunteers (including Maestros not attending the pre-rally) will arrive on Thursday, July 1. NEAR 2010 will run from Friday, July 2 - Monday, July 5. The "getaway day" will be Tuesday, July 6. Please note: If you plan to perform with us, you do not necessarily have to attend the Pre-Rally, but you will need to be there for final rehearsals on Thursday, July 1. Morning and evening entertainment are both held in an air-conditioned, acoustically enhanced building, which is used by the Vermont Symphony for its rehearsals. Our parking area is directly adjacent to this building. In addition to our morning shows, there will be several performance opportunities for Maestros at other venues. Vendor and seminar buildings are also air-conditioned for your comfort. All attendees will have water and 30-amp electric hookups. To celebrate the holiday, there will three different fireworks displays within the area. We have been told that two of these will be visible from our rally site. The family registration form is being published in the April, May, and June issues of FMC Magazine. Please note the list of rally highlights and the two menu options (Yummmmm!) for the Dinner Cruise on Lake Champlain. We had a great Maestro group last year, and we’re hoping for an even larger one this year. Please plan to join us!
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Pre-Rally Monday, 6/28 Arrive and set up by 1:30 pm 2 to 4 PM – Jam Session 4 to 5 PM – Happy Hour 7 to 9 PM – 2^nd Jam Session? Tuesday, 6/29 9 to 11 AM – Practice Afternoon free to explore the area 4 to 5 PM – Happy Hour 7 to 9 PM – Jam Session Wednesday, 6/30 9 to 11 AM – Practice 2 to 4 PM – Practice 4 to 5 PM – Happy Hour Note: Some pre-rally and rally practices will be chorus-only or band-only, at the discretion of our music director. This may mean that additional practice sessions will be added to those already listed on this schedule. Regarding pre-rally social activities, our chapter officers are working on scheduling some group meals – a night out at a local restaurant, a pot luck, etc. – which will be added to the above schedule when plans have been finalized.			Rally Thursday, 7/1 -- 10 to 12 noon – Practice 2 to 4 PM – Practice 4 PM – YDD Business Meeting, then Pizza Supper and Happy Hour Friday, 7/2-- 9:30* to 11 AM – Performance * Note the departure from our normal performance time for this day only. Friday is move-in day for the majority of our rally attendees, and we are again going to offer a later, more relaxed coffee hour for those who arrive early and would like something to do during the morning. 1 to 3 PM – Final Practice, if needed Saturday, 7/3 7:30 to 9 AM – Performance Sunday, 7/4 7:30 to 9 AM – Performance Monday, 7/5 7:30 to 9 AM – Performance We will have additional performances for the Ice Cream Social, the Hot Dog Roast, and possibly other events. Tuesday, 7/6 is the “get-away” day. We must leave the grounds by 12 noon.
	SEE YOU IN ESSEX JCT !!!