BOARD MEETING MINUTES

September 12, 2003

CALL TO ORDER: President Lilah Crowe called the meeting to order at 6:53 p.m. at the site.

Present were Jody Allen Crowe, Lilah Crowe, Jill Evans, Bob Nelson, Naomi Anderson, Dave Anderson, Donna Benson, Blenda Hagberg, Darlene Hendrickson, Katy Matich, Anthony Wiese, Stephanie White, Mary Barthel, Sharon Hartley, Kim Johnson, Barb Matich, Josephine Crowe, Gina Hill and David Allen Pundt.

The meeting was preceded by a visit to the property in front of Brainerd International Raceway to view

as a relocation possibility.

CONSENT AGENDA:

Secretary’s Report: Minutes for the meeting had been e-mailed to Board Members. Bob moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Dave, motion carried. Minutes were later amended to eliminate a portion of the attendance line.

Treasurer’s Report: Bob reported the bank balance remained unchanged and there were a few bills remaining to be paid. Jill moved to approve the Treasurer’s Report, seconded by Donna, motion carried.

Producers Report: Jody reviewed the August and September sequence of events, meetings regarding the Paul Bunyan donation with Don McFarland, Executive Board meetings and meetings with the Rademachers. He commented that we were being used as a tax shelter, with no philanthropic motive whatsoever. Jody felt that the bottom line was that Rhythm of the Rails received a “ton” of publicity and that many more people, locally, State-wide and across the country through the Associated Press pieces became aware of who we are. This has resulted in a positive end, and now we move forward with some possibilities in the works. Jody submitted a letter to Crow Wing County, and at the last Planning and Zoning Meeting, they removed the two conditions, involving Rhythm of the Rails, stipulated for the public zoning of the Rademacher property.

OLD BUSINESS

Board New Vision: Rhythm of the Rails is moving forward with renewed enthusiasm. Crow Wing County had offered the use of the County Fair Grounds, but Jody declined as that site would not fit our vision. Jody commented that if the City of Brainerd wants us to stay in town, they would have to make us a better offer than what we potentially could have at BIR.

Potential Site: Jody decided to go up to Brainerd International Raceway to possibly talk to Bill Singletary, BIR manager, to see if they might entertain thoughts of working with Rhythm of the Rails. Since they had never met, Jody introduced himself and told Bill about the troupe and our history. Bill was very interested in not only working together, but in an effort to improve the “family friendly” image of BIR realized what each organization could contribute to the other.

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Board Meeting Minutes – 9/12/03

Potential Site (Cont.)

Bill offered the use of the 9 acres in front of the enclosed BIR property, and expressed his interest in possibly adding an amusement park to our show needs. He virtually asked, “what are your needs?” Jody indicated that we needed an area with exposure to the public, which this property affords. He also outlined our building plan, and our philanthropic plans to the community and in the “arts” areas. Jody commented that we would be able to control what we do at this site.

Committees New Focus: Upon visiting the site by a number of Board Members, they felt that we should move ahead with this possibility. A proposal for our needs along with a presentation of who we are and what we envision will have to be submitted to the BIR Board in Michigan. The Board Members were queried as to whether the rest of the group agreed, and they did. Katy Matich spoke about what Race Weekends are like. Possible problems with security, fencing, hours of race operation and event weekends were discussed. Kim Johnson and David Allen Pundt also have connections with BIR and know management personnel. Mary moved that we investigate the possibility and look into the site at BIR, seconded by Dave A. Jill moved that we authorize travel expense money up to $500.00 for gas, for a Presentation Committee to go to Michigan and make the presentation, seconded by Donna.

Jody commented that one of the new ideas for our new location would possibly be a “Casey Jones” theme, possibly with a large animated, talking train engineer (Casey Jones) and will be checking into the interest and maybe involvement of the Roger Awsumb family.

A Presentation Committee was formed to include Jody, Katy Matich, David Allen Pundt, Kim Johnson, Dave and Naomi Anderson.

Committee Reports:

Bus Tour Committee: Darlene inquired about attending the Minnesota Office of Tourism Bus Tour Convention at the State Fair Grounds at the end of September. It was felt that either attending or presenting at this particular show was a bit premature at this point. We will still plan to participate in the Jack Rabbit Tour Convention in South Dakota in late February, 2004.

Radio Show Committee: (This committee is for promotion, concessions and programs) Members are Donna, JoLynn Crowe, Sharon and Mary.

Radio Show Program Committee: (This committee is for the show itself) Committee Members are:

Darlene (Chair), Dave, Blenda, David Allen Pundt and Jody. The show will be Thanksgiving weekend with performances on Nov. 29, Saturday and Nov. 30, Sunday at Franklin Jr. High. The school will need to be available on Saturday 2-10 pm and Sunday 12-4 pm.

NEW BUSINESS:

Tourism Workshop Performance: The Harmony Engineers were asked to do a 15 min. show on October 9, 2003 for the Brainerd Area Lodging and Resort Owners Group. Jody wants to include some upbeat numbers by some of the Rhythm troupe members – possibly the Sheboygan girls. Jody will be calling to determine who would be available. Gina will be asked to have costumes available. Lilah will see if Jim can accompany the groups.

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Board Meeting Minutes – 9/12/03

OTHER BUSINESS:

Educational Opportunity: Naomi previously forwarded information regarding the Certified Festival Manager course to Jody. In explanation to the Board, Naomi reported that this is an accredited course offered by the University of Minnesota through their Office of Tourism. It is a $664.00 course, being offered due to a grant, for $195.00 at the Staples Technical School October 14-16 and 20-22. It is a

6-day, 40-hour course which will require her to attend during working hours, and she is able to take unpaid time off for this purpose. Jody recommended that she take this course, as it will have value to the operation of Rhythm of the Rails in the future. Lilah has taken parts of the course and reiterated its value. Jody recommended that the course tuition and a daily stipend of $50.00 be paid by Rhythm of the Rails. A report on the course would be requested. Bob so moved, seconded by Sharon, motion carried.

Adjournment: Bob moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Dave, motion carried at 7:49 pm.

Next meeting will be October 10, 2003 at 6:30 at the site.

Respectfully Submitted, Naomi Anderson, Secretary