Jane Austen Society of North America
Metropolitan Kansas City Region
Annual Planning Meeting
Saturday, August 19, 2023
Wornall Plaza Cooperative
Kansas City, MO
Nineteen members in good standing attended, providing a quorum needed to amend the JASNA-KC bylaws, to elect Co-Regional Coordinators and a Regional Secretary, and to conduct other business. Executive Committee members attending: Leah Wilson and Christie Kennard, Interim Co-Regional Coordinators, and Kristen Woodbury, Regional Treasurer.
Attending Members: Cate Bachwirtz, Becki Bardin, Cathy Blake, Joy Brooks, Gaye Stevick Foutch, Julienne Gehrer, Beth Hampleman, Marcia Hall, Valerie Hodges-Sporn, Christie Kennard, Diana Kornfeld, Jan Lewis, Sherry Lockwood, Becky Malomo, Jennifer Mulsow, Kinberly Murphy Kimberlea Rauzi, Leah Wilson, and Kristen
Woodbury.
Amendment: An amendment to the JASNA-KC Bylaws allowing for either a Regional Coordinator or Co-Regional Coordinators was introduced. It was moved by Diana Kornfeld and seconded by Julienne Gehrer to vote by acclamation to approve the amendment. Motion passed.
Election: It was moved by Joy Brooks and seconded by Cathy Blake to vote by acclamation to elect Marcia Hall Regional Secretary. The motion passed.
It was moved by Julienne Gehrer and seconded by Kristen Woodbury to vote by acclamation to elect Leah Wilson and Christie Kennard Co-Regional Coordinators. The motion passed.
Minutes: Valerie Hodges-Sporn, Past Regional Secretary, presented the minutes.
Financial Update: Kristen Woodbury, Regional Treasurer, passed out copies of the August 2023 financial report. In summary, the checking account balance is $3,402.19 and the CD account balance is $29,383.60 for a total balance of $32,785.79. There are no planned upcoming expenditures at this time.
2023 Remaining Events
- September 9: Regency Tea at 3:30 pm followed by a Musical Performance by Opus 76 at 5 pm, at the Polsky Theatre, Johnson County Community College.
- September 30: Boxhill Picnic, Erfurt Park Pavilion, 24135 W. 71st Street, Shawnee, KS 66227 from 11-2 although we have the pavilion for the entire day. Members and spouses/partners are welcome. This is a potluck. Dress casually and bring games, puzzles, etc.
- October 21-22 (Saturday & Sunday): Midwest Tea Festival, Overland Park Convention Center. We will have a table where we can visit with attendees, promote JASNA, and sell items. On Saturday from 6-8, an English Country dance demonstration will be held.
- November 3-5: JASNA Annual General Meeting in Denver, CO. Our region will be well represented.
- December: Jane Austen Birthday Tea with Jenny Rytting as a possible speaker. This is a members only event. Date, time and place still to be decided.
The 2024 JASNA theme is Austen, Annotated: Jane Austen’s Literary, Political, and Cultural Origins. The Region will plan to focus on this theme.
Tentative 2024 Programs and Events
- January 27, 2024: “Jane Austen’s Piano Lessons,” hosted by Linda Mannering at the Kawaii Gallery at Town Center, 2:00 pm. This event is confirmed.
- February: One About Jane: A biography about Jane to be selected for reading and discussion. Date, time, and place pending.
- March: Member Melanie Hayden to present her AGM breakout session, “From Old Friends and New Fancies to Fire Island: Why We Keep Coming Back to Lizzie Bennet.” Date, time and place to be decided.
- April: Possible late date for Jane Austen Regency Ball, probably at Immanuel Lutheran Church, date and time to be decided.
- April: Possible early date for Vicars and Tarts party suggested by Julienne Gehrer.
- May: Zoom meeting with Devoney Looser, faculty member at Arizona State University, with a probable discussion of Sister Novelists or could discuss Making of Jane Austen. Date, time and place to be decided.
- June: Possible date for One by Jane (a novel) or One Because of Jane (Godmersham Park by Gill Hornsby)
- July: Open – Whist? Speaker? Other?
- August 3, 10 or 17: Annual planning meeting. Time and place to be decided.
- August: Georgette Heyer novel, discussion lead by Gaye Stevick and Valerie Hodges-Sporn. Date, time and place to be decided.
- September: Boxhill Picnic. Date, time and place to be decided.
- October: AGM Cleveland, OH.
- November: Open
- December: Jane Austen Birthday Celebration. Date, time and place to be decided.
Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Marcia Hall
Regional Secretary