Dear  Band,

I hope this letter finds you with your shopping finished, the cooking plans completed and you’re ready to share the good news about Jesus’ birth.  It is an exciting time of the year.

I am also glad that we are wrapping up the 2016 band season and excited about some of the new things that are planned for the band.

Several of you have contacted me about a list of music for January 2017.  A portion of that list follows.  I will have more in a few days.

The band did get a nice Christmas surprise last week.  During my meeting  with John La Forge and our new GFUMC Business Administrator, Betsy Eubanks,  I was glad to learn the band still has great support from the preacher and staff.  During our meeting I also learned that the church accounts had been audited and our Believers Band account was one that the auditors felt needed attention.  They pointed out that the church is responsible for making the decisions on how church funds are spent.  In reality, the band’s Board and the band are making the decisions on how to spend those funds.  The auditors suggested that the situation be resolved by having the band secure a nonprofit status.

John and Betsy were very helpful and reviewed several options with me.  I contacted Warren Almand, the band’s Treasurer, (as a CPA, Warren has experience in these matters) , Alana Rochester, band Secretary, ( Alana also serves on different committees at Lakewood Baptist church), Richard Hunt (a former bank president, and has served as chairman of the North Georgia Community Foundation), Jerry Butler, (has used the North Georgia Community Foundation and has just completed a nonprofit incorporation with the new ITN Lanier organization)  Karyl Evans (is Secretary/Treasurer of The Northwinds Symphonic Band and presently uses the North Georgia Community Foundation for their nonprofit status).  This group has met and weighed the advantages of different options that would meet both our timing needs and our nonprofit status.  The North Georgia Community Foundation was unanimously selected as our best choice.  Because Warren responded so quickly, we were able get our application submitted to the North Georgia Community Foundation just before their last meeting for December, 2016.  I am happy to say that we have been approved!

How will this change affect us?  John and Betsy have assured me that nothing will change as far as rehearsing in the choir room or our performing concerts at GFUMC and participating in Lakeside worship services.  I assured John that we would continue to support GFUMC as we have for the past fifteen years.  What will change is who we send our donations to and what insurance we may need.  We will send our donations to:

Believers Band

C/O North Georgia Community Foundation

615 Oak Street, Suite 1300

Gainesville, GA  30501

We will also have donation envelopes.

As we get further into this, we may find some other adjustments and if we do, we will keep you informed.  We will have a full report ready for Tuesday, January 3, our first rehearsal in 2017.

We can be thankful that these talented individuals would help out so quickly.

Some other good news, the new chimes should arrive before Christmas.

I am excited about next year.

Miss seeing all of you.  Rita and I hope you have a Merry Christmas.

Richard

Following is a partial list of music for 2017

2017 January songs list

153 The Last Ride of the Pony Express

595 Cumberland Cross

624 Way Out West

632 American Images

620 Portrait of the American West

633 Along The Western Trail

480 Sundance

594 Down In The Valley

531 An American Spectacular

578 Man Of LaMancha

626The Streets of Laredo

624 Way Out West

643 Tara’s Theme

645 American Tribute

593 American Folk Rhapsody

500 West Side Story

650 Power and Glory March

649 America the Beautiful – 2