2013-2014

MEdUSA Executive Council

Wednesday, April 23, 20:30

8th Floor Lounge

Minutes taken by: Kathleen Booth (VP Professional Development)

Minutes to be made available: by request to VP Communications (medusa.mcgill@gmail.com)


Present:

✓President (Rebecca ‘tMannetje)

✓VP Social (Chris Middleton, David Peretz-Larochelle)

✓VP Academic  (Naomi Garrett)

✓VP Professional Development (Kathleen Booth)

✓VP Finance  (Gillian Chen)

Future VP Academic (Douglas Giroux)


Absent:

First Year Representative (Wes Dunham)

VP Communications (Heather Warning)


Welcome: Meeting begins at 20:30 motioned Chris by seconded by Becky


Announcements:

Last Meeting! Year is over! Thanks for a great year!


Approval of Minutes: Chris motions to approve, Becky seconds.


Approval of Agenda: Chris motions to approve, David seconds.


Agenda & Proceedings:


Social

  • Showcase: It was fun! Concert ended up going well with enough material. A lot of food left over because not many people attended the after party or the showcase. It had a good atmosphere though, despite the low attendance. Low attendance may have been the result of a conflict of events (through MGSS and MUSA), low promotion, people who usually perform weren’t there. We also felt very rushed and doing things last minute for this event. 5:30 was a good time, but later than last year. Not many people stayed to the end. Maybe next year we could be more proactive in promotion, especially to the first years, for ALL events, including workshops. First Year Rep next year can be tasked with more promotion to first year classes. Can MEdUSA be more involved in music frosh (some promotion?). A certain number of people attended. There was a confusion regarding the guest list, but it was rectified.

  • Drum Circle: The first session there were only three people, even though 11 signed up. Sara Laimon showed up nearing the end of the first one and stayed for the second one. The Deputy Provost of Student Life and Learning also attended and insisted that the group drum in the SSMU cafeteria to promote the second circle. The second circle had 23 attendees, 26 registered. Student Life and Learning loved the initiative and would like to do it again next year during exam period. They were considering during one during orientation week, but nothing has been finalized. Perhaps next time take attendance and create a pamphlet for the leaders to have a guideline about where to start for future reference. Overall, a success! Payment is through a PDF “casual employee timesheet” that will be filled out by leaders and helpers/movers and sent to Student Life and Learning.


Reports

  • FEWG: OST is going to be called the ISA (Internships and Student Affairs), merging offices. They are moving to one giant office for ISA. They are going to attempt to “humanize” the supervising teachers and give the students a chance to meet them before their stage. B.Ed in Music program always has an overlap between Stage 1 and 2. Next year, ISA is going to deal with the advanced placement students and give them a calendar in January. Naomi talked to them about solutions for making FE1 easier for Music Ed students - spring is when the teachers are preparing for concerts and it’s awkward to have student teachers in the classroom. Long term goals were discussed. Classroom management course for music teachers - FEWG suggested meeting Carolyn Riches. FEWG is solidified and it will happen 4 times a year! Fall beginning and end, Winter beginning and end.

  • QBA: Reminder that on May 9th at 7pm at Sacred Heart School, QYWE is performing, led by Carol Kay. They commissioned a piece, so they are premiering Scottish Cap Overture.   

  • End of Year Reports: Because Stage is starting next week, reports are going to be due at the end of May. Becky will email out a template. This is for special projects and for specific roles in the council.

  • New Horizons: Success, and it is still going on. The members of the band were excited to play with the Lab Band and had fun doing it! It will continue next year. If enough growth, a second beginner band will be established. Pursuing the option to include the techniques classes to get involved to run sectionals and whatnot. David has agreed to be the MEdUSA liaison and attend  2 meeting per semester to update us on the progress. They are actively seeking funding and may offer paid positions should they receive funding.

  • Budget:  Way to go Gill!! Now that we’re getting more funds from EdUS and MUSA, we could do more and next we could go bigger! Suggestions: an only-first-year event, first year hang out after advising (bonding and brunch!) - Naomi suggested that we all have pizza for lunch in the advising room after advising is over and all hang out! . Budget is not finalized yet, there are still some transactions in process.  Will be approved next year!


Academic

  • Meeting with Lisa: Reminder that meeting is tomorrow for Becky, Heather, Naomi, Doug and David. The meeting will include Audrey, Lisa, Shawn Mativetsky, Joel, Peter, Trevor Dix, Pat Abbbott, Isabelle Cossette, Irene Feher, Garry Antonio, Alain Cazes, Helene Boucher. MEdUSA will support New Horizons and propose changes to FE2 (i.e. sectionals in schools/New Horizons). It is at 11am in the 7th floor council room.

  • Advising Session: Becky was thinking about it. We should add a section of the website for informal, electronic advising including all the documents and the footbook.


General

  • First Year Buddies: Heather is going to be heading the project. Must be done ASAP - hopefully for the end of the week. Last year was the first year. We had trouble with follow up and Heather suggested that MEdUSA always be BCCd on the emails so that we always know they emailed. We should offer a template of what should be included in the emails. Recruitment loves us because we are doing that.

  • Music Monday:  happening May 5th at noon. We were asked if we could perform a French version of the song that will be on their website across the country. It will be recorded on Thursday (tomorrow) at 3pm in room 1115 in 550 Sherbrooke.

  • Transition of Council: Naomi will brief Doug about his new position. Current members will advise the people in their new positions as they see fit.


Adjournment: Chris motions to close the meeting at 21:43, Becky seconds.