Management Committee having fun
From left to right
Max Borchardt – Vice President
Steve Sandilands – Events and Gigmeister
Simon Carter – Treasurer
Sylvia Hunt – President
Peter Grace – Secretary
Increase in BUMS Inc membership fees
A motion was passed at the Annual General Meeting on 17 September 2020 to increase the annual membership fee from $50 to $60 for the 2023-24 financial year. The motion was passed unanimously by the members present at the AGM. Four proxy votes were received – three were in favour of the motion and one was against.
The new fee will apply for the financial year from 1 July 2023 and will cover membership up to 30 June 2024. Remember you will be paying for the 12 months from 1 July 2023 so even if you pay in June 2023, the fee is still $60.
The membership fee for new members joining or lapsed members re-joining after 31 December 2023 will be $30.
More information about the increase was published on the website prior to the AGM. You can find it here.
The impact of inflation
The $50 annual membership fee has been unchanged since BUMS was incorporated in 2010. You may be interested to know that because of inflation (*), $50 in 2010 is worth $64.60 in 2022.
(*) using the “All Groups Consumer Price Index” published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Increase in the fee for non-members at jams
A motion was passed at the AGM, to give the Management Committee authority to increase the fee for non-members to attend a jam from $5 to a figure not exceeding $10.
In setting the new fee we are juggling two competing priorities – we want to provide an incentive for non-members to join BUMS but at the same time we don’t want to discourage non-members from coming to our jams.
The Management Committee will announce its decision in the November newsletter. Note however, that the increase will only apply from jams held after 1 July 2023.
f you would like to see a copy of the minutes of the AGM, please ask the secretary at .
Outcome of the AGM – new committee
We are bound by our Rules of Incorporation to
- Have our financial records reviewed by an auditor.
- Hold an Annual General Meeting open to all financial members within six months of the end of our financial year.
- Have the financial records approved at the AGM.
- Appoint an auditor for the next financial year, and
- Elect a new Management Committee.
All these things were done at the Annual General Meeting held on Saturday 17 September 2022.
Management Committee
The outgoing Management Committee had decided to adopt a different business model with a smaller Management Committee and using BUMS Inc members to take on volunteer tasks and projects. For more detail see here.
The five members of the Management Committee for 2022-23 are
President – Sylvia Hunt
Vice President – Max Borchardt Secretary – Peter Grace
Events and Gigmeister – Steve Sandilands Treasurer – Simon Carter
We welcomed Simon Carter to the committee. He replaces Lesley Allan who has been Treasurer for the last two years. We will still see her at jams though conducting raffles and selling BUMS merchandise.
Thanks
Sylvia Hunt thanked past committee members for their work for BUMS Inc. David Pedler (IT support) and Andrew Hunt (Property) will continue their roles but will not be on the committee.
Special mention was made at the AGM of Jo Kunde. She retired in July as Media Manager after nine years in the role. Her energy, capability and initiative meant the job kept getting bigger and bigger. She has been amazing for BUMS, and we have truly valued her work.
Many BUMS members have accepted roles to support our smaller Management Committee – and we thank them. We are sure there are many more skilled, capable and reliable people in the BUMS community. We will be looking for more help with special projects and small routine tasks. It will be good to spread the work around, so we all feel ownership of BUMS Inc.
Vision
The new committee wants to simplify the way BUMS operates by eliminating non-productive tasks, using new technology or software, and integrating the many systems we use. We want to run BUMS like a small business focussing on how we provide services to our members and meet the aims set out in our Rules of Incorporation.
In case you’ve forgotten, these are:
1. To have fun (or better still in the words of our President fun, fun, fun and more fun).
2. To develop our member’s ukulele playing skills.
3. To promote the ukulele, live music, music appreciation and ukulele-based entertainment in the Greater Brisbane community.
All members of BUMS Inc will surely subscribe to those aims.
If you would like to see a copy of the minutes of the AGM, please ask the secretary at .
The September raffle has been drawn.
First prize
And the winner is
Laura Jellicoe, a regular visitor at our Ferny Grove jam.
Here she is with President Sylvia Hunt and her prize (not the umbrella).
This is what she won.
Hercules triple Ukulele (Guitar) Stand. Supports three instruments safely and with ease of access. Perfect for the ukulele player who has more than one ukulele
Peak Collapsible Professional Music Stand. Tough construction and comes with a carry bag.
And – an Eno finger exerciser
Value over $200.
Second prize
Won by Dennis Brown (a member of our community band Out on Bail).
Sam Muir Fingerstyle Work book
Review of membership fees
BUMS Management committee is proposing to increase the Membership Fee and the casual jam attendance fees from $50 to $60, and from $5 to $7, respectively. These changes would apply from 1 July 2023.
Background
The fee for BUMS Inc membership has been $50 a year, since BUMS was incorporated in 2010. Membership gives you many benefits including entry to jams for free, discounted prices on workshops, access to BUMS Online, the ability to join any community band for free and more.
If you join after 31 December, a fee of $25 is payable for a half year to 30 June. A two- month period of grace applies to renew membership. Your membership will expire on 31 August but can be reinstated at any time by paying the appropriate fee.
The annual fee can be varied at a General Meeting of members. We have usually confirmed the fee at the AGM. For example, in October 2021, we agreed the fee would remain unchanged at $50 for the 2022-23 financial year.
BUMS Inc is a not-for-profit organisation and all monies are used to further the objects of the association:
(1) To have fun
(2) To develop our members’ ukulele playing skills
(3) Amongst the greater Brisbane community to:
- promote ukulele and music playing
- increase ukulele and musical appreciation
- provide ukulele-based entertainment.
What does it cost to run BUMS?
The following figures come from the 2021-22 accounts presented in a simplified form.
In 2021-22 total adjusted expenses were $12,130. The most significant expenses were
- venue hire (for jams and community band practice) at 22%
- insurance (public liability and equipment) at 18%
- software (accounting, webhosting) at 15% and
- catering at 11%.
This means we need to have 243 members to collect enough in fees to run BUMS. In the current financial year, 195 members so far have paid $50 (18 August 2022).
Where does our income from?
In 2021-22 total adjusted income was $16,025.
Most of our income – $12,575 – comes (78%) from member fees. Last year 2021-22, we had 257 members at 30 June. (some who paid $25 as they joined after 31 December).
The remaining income comes from for the fees guests pay to come to jams, as well as profits from workshops and raffles.
What assets does BUMS have?
At the end of June 2022, BUMS Inc had assets of $80,748. This comprised $35,869 in equipment, laptops, PA equipment and merchandise/raffle stock. We held $44,879 in cash.
The cash provides:
- a buffer if we have a fall in membership,
- funds to replace or upgrade equipment,
- money to fund projects (like festivals) and
- a protection against rising prices.
The cash buffer has been falling. In 2018-19 it was $55,447.
Proposals
We increase the annual fee to $60 from 1 July 2023. The half yearly fee would be $30.
We increase the fee for guests at jams to $7 from 1 July 2023.
We investigate whether we can run SPRUKE on the Square again in June 2023. We will seek out grants available to NFP community groups again. We spent a $30,000 grant to run the 2022 SPRUKE and can probably trim that figure in 2023. If we are not successful in achieving as large a grant in 2023, we will need to access our cash reserves to run the festival.
Restructure of the BUMS Inc Management Committee
Overview
The BUMS Inc Management Committee will comprise five positions – President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Events Manager & Gigmeister.
Tasks and projects required to run BUMS Inc will be ‘contracted’ out to BUMS members with the skills, training and resources so that we ‘spread the workload’ through the BUMS community. The Management Committee will remain responsible for the operation of BUMS Inc in line with our Rules of Incorporation.
Background
Typically, volunteer organisations find it difficult to recruit members to serve on the committee that runs the organisation. Everyone wants to play bowls, eat at the tuckshop, play ukulele or whatever the organisation exists for – but fewer people want to get involved in organising it. The reasons for this include:
- An aversion to being on a committee,
- Fear of getting involved in politics,
- Worrying about not having the necessary skills.
- Unwillingness to commit for a long period of time,
- Not having enough spare time.
BUMS Inc is no different. In recent years BUMS has relied on the amazing and sustained efforts of a few committee members to manage BUMS and deliver the services and activities that BUMS provides to you. The current committee does not believe this approach is sustainable and has been exploring alternative models.
A new model
The committee will be a small executive comprising the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Events Manager/Gigmeister. They will be responsibility for managing BUMS according to the Rules of Incorporation.
The committee will delegate tasks and projects to volunteers within BUMS. To work effectively these volunteers must have clear roles (tasks, deliverables, timeframes) and be provided with instructions, training, and reporting obligations.
The aim is to reduce the workload on the committee and involve the wider BUMS community in running BUMS. This model can be implemented progressively and capture the skills and experience of many BUMS members.
Ideally, we can create a pool of members who can acquire the skills and experience to complete the tasks and projects. In this way we can share the workload and knowledge, so we don’t become over reliant on a few people.
The committee will comprise five positions. Their roles and responsibilities are described here. The management of our IT requirements and control of our equipment and other property will be contacted out to BUMS members.
Delegated tasks
Our aim is to delegate tasks and projects to BUMS members. Here are some examples of tasks, time commitments and skill requirements. Delegating needs careful preparation so we can ensure the tasks are done properly.
| Task | Time required | Skill requirements |
| Collecting money and forms from new members and renewal payments at jams. | Once or more a month at a jam. | Explaining BUMS membership.
Collecting and accounting for cash and EFTPOS payments. |
| Processing new member applications and renewals. | A weekly administrative task usually after jams.
The busiest period is June to August. |
Commitment to respect member’s privacy.
Updating a spreadsheet. Sending confirmation emails to members. |
| Applying for financial grants. | A week or two periodically to complete online forms, liaise with committee and submit applications. | Experience of grant administration.
Ability to ‘sell’ BUMS and its community involvement |
| Monitoring and posting on our social media accounts | Daily monitoring of Facebook sites and Messenger.
Posting updates of news and worthy events. |
Social media familiarity.
Responding to requests to develop and make posts. Creating attractive posts. |
Here are some more examples.
- Running raffles – sourcing prizes, promoting the raffle, selling tickets and drawing winners.
- Creating lists of financial members for jams.
- Maintaining records of attendance at jams for insurance and statistical purposes.
- Proof reading of planned communications and web pages.
- Overseeing our community bands.
- Maintaining our music library.
The committee will provide training and documentation and set out reporting requirements and deadlines.
Another tumultuous year for BUMS Inc with SPRUKE on the Square, COVID cancellations and some great performances to name but a few of the highs and lows.
BUMS is your society and you can be involved in ensuring it continues to grow, be successful and meet your needs.
We’d love to see you at the Annual General Meeting, and REMEMBER to bring your UKE.
- Venue: Coorparoo Bowls Club, 32 Riddings St, Coorparoo QLD 4151
- Time: 2:00 pm start
- Format: Welcome jam, AGM, finger-food refreshments, closing jam
- Date: 17 September 2022
- No need to get a ticket, just come.
The afternoon will start with a 20 minute jam followed by the formal business we must conduct as an incorporated body. It won’t take long and there will then be a chance to socialise with the committee and other BUMS members over some finger food. The afternoon will conclude with some more ukulele fun.
A formal notice of the AGM will be emailed out in the next couple of weeks.
It’s that time again when we ask you to renew your BUMS membership. Fees remain at $50 a year and for that you get free entry to as many jams as you like, discounts on workshops, access to BUMS Online and the opportunity to join any of our community bands.
Membership Benefits – BUMS – Brisbane Ukulele Musicians Society Inc
Understandably, some people let their membership lapse whilst COVID restrictions applied. Now’s the time to re-join and enjoy all the benefits of BUMS.
And if you been thinking about joining BUMS, pay your $50 now and get a whole year of benefits and fun from BUMS.
The easiest way to join is to come to a jam The membership desk will have all the paperwork required, assistance in filling it out and will take cash or EFTPOS payments.
For more details of how to join BUMS, re-new your membership or re-join BUMS can be found on our website. Your membership will lapse after 31 August 2022.
Ukulele can be challenging for beginners. Redcliffe’s August Beginners Ukulele short course will be held at 2:30-4:30 pm on Thursday 11 & 18 August, 2022 in the Snooker Room at the Redcliffe Senior Citizens Centre, 401 Oxley Avenue Redcliffe 4020.
Each 2-hour session only costs $5. (Please note: The RSCC has waived the requirement for membership for the time being.)
If you missed Absolute Beginners in July, you’re still welcome to attend.
We’ll cover mastering new chords, choosing finger placement and moving efficiently between chords in common chord progressions.While the focus will be on fingering for D, D7 and G, we’ll briefly revise songs using Am, C, F & G7. We’ll also give you tips for joining in at jams.
To register for Redcliffe’s August Beginners Ukulele short course email to let Keryn know you’re coming. Include your full name, email address and phone number.
No uke? No problem! Borrow one of ours.
To keep up-to-date with new developments, visit the Brisbane Ukulele Bootcamp Facebook site, or the Redcliffe Senior Citizens Centre website.
Basic details for the September short course are in the graphic below.
New raffle with more great gear to win.
First prize is the Aroma AG-15A Acoustic Guitar Amp which features 15 watts of power, perfect for practice, street performance, karaoke, band performance, outdoor playing, and a variety of other activities where you require a portable acoustic amp. Rechargeable via 5V USB, the AGA-15A also features Bluetooth functionality, an ultra-efficient Class D Amplifier, and powerful energy storage via a lithium battery, in a compact size that’s easy to carry. A fabulous portable acoustic amp, with Bluetooth functionality donated by Binary Music.
We also have two other great prizes if you miss out on the amp. Total Value RRP $315.15
Tickets 3 for $5
Tickets available at June Jams Wynnum and Northside, and July Jams Coorparoo, Westside, Ferny Grove and Wynnum.
On sale at Wynnum Jam 24 June 22
Drawn at Wynnum Jam 22 July 22
PRIZES
First: Aroma AG-15A 15W Acoustic Amp $210.09
Second: Aroma AUS08 Uke Stand $38.36, Daniel Ho Strings Tenor $26.85
Third: Ukulele Club Songbook 2 $39.95
