NORPAC Santas met on April 7, 2018, at Billy McHales Restaurant in Federal Way.

Greetings Santa Trever Waltos began the meeting at 12:00 noon and welcomed everyone in attendance. A total of 46 people were present including Santas, Mrs. Clauses, and other friends of NORPAC.

Meal Blessing Santa Gene Sanders gave a blessing for our time together and for the food which we were about to enjoy. Following the blessing, Trever recessed the meeting while we enjoyed the food and fellowship.

Santa Claus & Mrs. Claus Oaths The meeting resumed at 12:55 PM at which time Trever asked Santa Pat Costello to lead us in The Santa Claus Oath. Pat also shared a new toy he’d built, a clear plastic walking stick with various glowing lights. Following that, Tami McKinley led the ladies in the Mrs. Claus Oath.

New Attendees Trever asked if there were any first time attendees. There were none.

Minutes from Previous Meetings Secretary Dale Scott reported that since the last meeting, minutes have been posted to the NORPAC website for the executive board meeting and the general membership meetings of Feb. 3, and for the executive board meeting of March 5. Dale also noted an error which has been corrected in the Feb. 3rd general membership meeting. Santa Jerry Galland builds and sells Santa chairs. The minutes had said Jerry sells the plans for the chairs, but it is the actual chair that Jerry sells. Please contact Jerry for further information concerning the chairs.

Treasurer’s Report Treasurer Dennis Gorley reported a balance (as of Apr. 3, 2018) of $8,189.93. That total includes $431.53 in Savings, $7,708.40 in Checking, and $50.00 in Petty Cash. Dennis also had a year-to-date report of “Budget vs. Actual” for 2018 as well as detailed information regarding year-to-date revenues and expenditures. Dennis welcomes questions at any time regarding NORPAC’s finances.

Dennis further reported on the following additional topics:
• As of Apr. 3rd, we had 25 paid members which include 9 paid Background Checks secured through NORPAC. Some additional memberships were paid at today.
• Tickets for the Tacoma Rainiers baseball game on July 22nd are available for $15 each. Purchased tickets will be distributed at our meeting on June 2nd.
• As of today, about 16 individuals have paid to attend Santa True’s Christmas Performer Workshop on June 9-10.
• It’s now an option to pay membership fees, buy Rainier tickets, and/or pay for Santa True’s workshop through Pay Pal.
• Dennis also mentioned that Dennis Simpson has contacts through which to place an order for the red NORPAC jackets or for the magnetic name tags. Let Dennis Gorley know if interested. The approx. cost for these items is $35 (jacket) and $9 (nametag).

Upcoming Santa Gatherings

* IBRBS,Denver, Apr. 18-22 (5 people indicated their intent to attend this national conference. Trever encouraged them to “Represent NORPAC well!).

* Tacoma Rainiers Baseball Game, July 22

* Seattle Mariners Baseball Game, July 30. This is a “Photos with Santa” opportunity in support of Rick Rizzs’ Toys for Kids program. Those wanting to attend this event need to contact Santa Bob Partlow to let him know of their participation.

* “School4Santa” workshop, Portland, OR, June 30/July 1.
Contact http://www.school4santas.com for registration information.

* 9th Annual Northwest Santa Workshop, Oct.4,5,6 @ the Great Wolf Lodge, Grand Mound, WA

* Christmas Performer Workshop, June 9/10 @ the Holiday Inn Express, Sumner

Old Business

Surveys Trever called on Santa Randy Cook to say a few words about the recent surveys that were developed and sent to NORPAC members. Randy thanked everyone who had responded to the surveys. As a result of the survey feedback, Santa True is planning to present a workshop that will be unique for NORPAC and among other things, will help each participant become more effective by developing their “back story” and improving their “improv” skills
Randy went on to explain that “Google Surveys” is a program that can be used free of cost. He apologized to the few members who had problems accessing the surveys. The alternative is to subscribe to “Survey Monkey” which costs $28/month. The executive board has agreed with Randy that we shouldn’t spend the money for this service.

Dry Cleaning for Santa Suits In response to a question about reliable cleaners for Santa suits, several suggestions were made:
* Sumner — Quality Cleaners
* South Tacoma — Parkland Cleaners
* Federal Way – Crystal Cleaners
* Burien – Martini Cleaners
* Aberdeen – Valley Cleaners
* Olympia – Howards Cleaners
Karen Hayes offered the suggestion of having a dry cleaner with which you’ve not worked clean just the Santa hat to start with. If that work is satisfactory, then take them the rest of the suit for cleaning.

Website/Computer Support Santa Russell Albright shared information about website hosting and computer support that he can provide. Today he also sent out further details via NORPAC’s Message Board Notification. Contact Russell for further information on these topics.

Booking Agencies Discussion took place about the use of professional booking agencies such as Gig Master, Gig Salad, Pro Entertainment, or Live Wire. It seemed to be the consensus that such agencies will provide booking opportunities. For those looking for additional Santa work, becoming connected with such agencies is one way to do that.

NORPAC Car Decals Jerry Galland makes these and because he already has a quantity of the materials, he’s able to make them available at no cost. He said he’ll make some more and bring them to the fall conference at the GWL.

Book Recommendations Pat Costello recommended some books he’s really enjoyed by author Jeff Guinn. These include The Autobiography of Santa Claus, The Great Santa Search, and How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas. Each is available through Amazon and they are also sold as a 3-book set called The Christmas Chronicles.
Santa Buzz Jones recommended a book which his daughter has recently written titled Letters to Claus, by Holly Smith. Buzz presented a signed copy to Trever. This book is also available through Amazon.
Buzz also mentioned that he and his wife belong to a group called Bedrock Prospectors. In October this organization will hold a gold, gem, and treasure show at the State Fairgrounds in Puyallup with the proceeds to benefit Toys for Tots. Buzz will be Santa Claus during the show and he invites suggestions on how to make this event a big success.

New Business

NORPAC Website Trever asked how many of us are members/followers of the NORPAC website. He encouraged all of us to make frequent use of that website in order to access the information available there such as calendar of events, announcements, links to other helpful sites, etc.

Vocal Training Trever introduced NORPAC member Kirby Taylor (“Mrs. Claus”) who spent several minutes sharing ideas for strengthening/improving our “Santa voice” for talking and singing. She emphasized the need for warming up, for taking care of our voice through such things as hydration and diet, and the need for practice, practice, practice. This was just a brief introduction to what appears to be a very large and important topic.

Santa Boots for Sale Santa Gene Sanders has a beautiful set of Santa boots for sale. They are a tall, motor cycle style boot with a shiny gold buckle and a full zipper up the back. Size 10.5, D width, $200.

50/50 Drawing Dennis reported that $238 had been collected. Santa Pat Oster had the winning ticket and collected $119 with that same amount going to the NORPAC treasury.

Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 2:15 PM, followed by a group photo.

Upcoming Meetings
June 2 Billy McHales, Federal Way
Aug. 4 NORPAC Picnic @ Santa Ernie and Ginny’s home in Lakewood
Oct. 5/6 Great Wolf Lodge, Grand Mound

Respectfully submitted,
Dale Scott
NORPAC Secretary