Meeting Minutes – April 23, 2026…at Kiwanis Park

Members Present (36): Beasley, Blueford, Board, Charlton, Cox, Dobbins, Duncan, Earp, Fite, A. Glynn, G. Glynn, Hunter, Keesee, Kennan, Lauer, Lewit, Lilly, Lucas, Mathews, Miles, G. Morris, Painter, Parrish, Perry, Scaggs, Simmons, Sutphin, Thompson, Vanhoozier, Vissani, Wade, Westerhaus, Williamson, Winters, Witten, Yearout

Guests (7): Montgomery Junior Appalachian Musicians, (MJAM) Jason Dilg (Director/Bass), Jane Whetten (Fiddle), Grant Whetten (Dulcimer), Hannah Whetten (Guitar), Craig Whetten (Board Mbr/Banjo), Jenette Whetten (Mom), Emily Winters
Community Service Hours:

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Call to Order

President Perry called the meeting to order. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a prayer led by Charlton.

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Approval of Previous Minutes

The minutes of the April 16, 2026, meeting were submitted for approval.

• Motion: Earp
• Second: Miles

The motion passed unanimously.

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Program

MJAM Director Jason Dilg introduced the MJAM members and explained the organization. MJAM started in 2000 in North Carolina due to no music programs in public schools emphasizing music and Appalachian culture. It has now spread to 6 states with 65 affiliates within Appalachia. This local affiliate started in 2018. Theu meet every Monday at the Montgomery Museum of Art and History during the school year. They are currently teaching banjo, guitar, fiddle, bass, and dulcimer. MJAM is a non-profit and they really appreciate our support. Some of their funding sources include Kiwanis, International Bluegrass Music Association, The Community Foundation of NRV, Mid Atlantic Arts Council, Wayne Henderson Foundation, and many other sources. Jason said they will take any instrument you may have around the house. Depending on the instrument and the condition it is in, they will be put in the instrument library for kids to use, or if expensive will be sold to help fund program. If the item has historical interest, it will be donated to museum. Quality instruments in need of some attention will be repaired. Great Q&A followed. As a side note, the kids put on a wonderful performance prior to the meeting and following Jason’s presentation.

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Committee Reports and Floor Comments

• President Perry opened floor for nominations for officers and directors see proposed list of nominating committee recommendations. This list was previously submitted to the membership.
• Backpacks-Simmons noted we had 4 people there tonight and everything went very smoothly in Boards absence (LOL)
• Simmons-Town Events sat at Huckleberry Park starting at 4 and selling beverages from 5-8. Meet at Kroger at 2:30 to help with getting ice and beverages. Wear your blue hat and shirt.
• Simmons-May 9 at uptown mall in the parking lot near Kohls-Rocking Uptown Mall from 5-9 probably.
• Board recommends everyone wander through the park and note how everything has been cleared. Will probably turn that area into a flower garden.
• Board-Sleep in Heavenly Peace this Saturday from 9-1 in front of Ed and Ethels
• Cox-After the Easter Egg Hunt, a young man gave the bike he had just won to another child that needed a bike. There is a Face Book article on this and G. Glynn will post a link to the FB article about this on our website.

Upcoming Speakers and Events

(Please share suggested guest speakers with the Board for scheduling.)

• May 7, 2026: Author Diane Gray
• May 28, 2026: Boys Home

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Meeting Location Changes (2026)

Meetings moved from the Holiday Inn to Kiwanis Park on the following dates:

• May 14, June 18, July 16, August 20, September 17, October 15

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Canceled Meetings Due to Holidays

• November 26
• December 24
• December 31

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Additional Comments

Members are reminded to check the weekly attendance roster and record any community service hours completed.

Submitted by:
Bob Lewit
Assistant Secretary