[membersonly]
Minutes of the annual Board meeting of the Midwest Bookhunters (DBA Midwest Antiquarian Booksellers Association) December 3, 2023.
The meeting was called to order by President Hank Zuchowski at 11:24 a.m.
Present were board members: Yolanda Butts, Peter Dast, Beth Garon, Kurt Gippert, Patricia Martinak, Jay Platt, Ted Twyman, Hank Zuchowski, and MWABA coordinator and book fair manager, John Montes.
The secretary, Patricia Martinak, reported that the minutes for the previous board meeting of 2022 had been circulated and no corrections or additions had been offered. A motion to accept the 2022 minutes was made and seconded, voted upon and approved.
MWABA coordinator, John Montes, gave his report. He stated that the one thousand 2023 membership directories printed had been too many—there were many left over; he advised that only 500 copies of the 2024 directory be printed. They can be distributed at the Ann Arbor Book Fair, the Chicago Book & Paper Fair, Printers Row, and possibly at the Akron book fair. After the last Chicago book fair, there were a few requests from the public for printed directories. Kurt Gippert made the motion to print only 500 copies of the 2024 directories. This motion was seconded, voted upon, and approved.
Membership Chair Kurt Gippert reported that one former MWABA member, Glover’s Bookery had rejoined our organization.
MWABA Treasurer, Jay Platt, gave his report in a slightly different format than in the past: Income vs Operating Expenses. He pointed out that we are losing money every year. Membership has declined from previous highs. Another reason reserves have fallen is that fees have been paid to book fair managers when no book fairs were held due to the coronavirus. Also due to the coronavirus, attendance at the newly re-opened fairs has dropped.
John Montes, as book fair manager, reported on the 2023 book fair. The gate count at the fair was 650 people. There were numerous problems with the venue management, that delayed set-up.
In the past, charges for booth cases were pass-through. MWABA had only charged vendors what the cases cost to MWABA. However, since MWABA has to pay union electricians to hook up the cases, an increased fee may be needed. Also, an increase to the base booth fee may need to be made, as the venue rental charge goes up every year.
A motion was made to increase the case costs by $35 above our costs; to increase the table fee at the book fairs by $25 per table, and to increase yearly membership to $85. The motion was seconded, voted upon, and passed.
Hank Zuchowski, MWABA Board president for many years, announced his retirement from that position and nominated Peter Dast as the new President of the Board. The nomination was seconded, voted upon, and unanimously passed.
As the incoming President of the Board, Peter Dast asked if the current Treasurer and Secretary would be willing to continue through 2024. Jay Platt agreed to remain Treasurer and so was reinstated in that capacity for 2024. Patricia Martinak agreed to remain Secretary, and so was reinstated in that capacity for 2024.
The Board meeting was adjourned at 2:23 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted,
Patricia Martinak, Secretary
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