Announcing Board Positions

Elections January 2024

Membership has voted, and additional exceptions have been made by the board to accommodate positions for which there were no candidates. You can still get to know the candidates by viewing the December 13 at 7pm: Zoom “Town Hall” (Meeting Link, Meeting Recording).

Meet the new additions to MMEA’s Board of Directors:

VP-Elects*:

Michael Bjork: Elementary Classroom VP-Elect

Seth Freundschuh: Orchestra VP-Elect

Ruth LeMay: Middle-Secondary Ensemble+ VP-Elect

Jacob Kempenich: Choir VP-Elect (and provisionary 5-6A/AA Region Representative for ONE YEAR)

Abigail Van Klompenberg: College Chapters VP-Elect (and provisionary 7-8 A/AA Regional Representative for ONE YEAR)

Joel Pohland: Jazz VP-Elect

*There were no candidates for Band VP-Elect or Middle-Secondary Classroom Music VP-Elect.  MMEA Board of Directors approved an extension of the terms of current VPs Andy DeLuca (Band VP) and Aaron Lohmeyer (Mid-Sec Classroom VP) for the 2025-2026 term. We thank them for their willingness to continue service for an additional term!

 Region Representatives**:

Gunner Aas: 7-8A/AA Region Representative

Abigail Van Klompenberg: Provisionary 7-8 A/AA Regional Representative for ONE YEAR

Rachel Gorden Mercer: 1-2 AA Region Representative   

Eric Songer: 1-2 A/AA Region Rep

Jacob Kempenich: Provisionary 5-6A/AA Region Representative for ONE YEAR

**There were not enough candidates to cover both VP-Elect positions and all region representative positions. MMEA Board of Directors approved an extension of the terms of current Region Representatives Christoph Dundas (1-2A/AA) and Ben Bussey (3-4A/AA) for ONE YEAR provisionary term.  MMEA Board of Directors additionally approved a ONE YEAR provisionary term allowing Abigail Van Klompenberg (7-8A/AA) and Jacob Kempenich (5-6A/AA) concurrently to their service as VP-Elect. Due to the nonvoting nature of the positions of VP-Elect in which they also serve as mentees to the VP, the Executive Board recommended (and the full Board of Directors approved), the concurrent service for one year while MMEA redraws regions independent of the MSHSL competitive divisions and revises bylaws to support alteration of regional representation. We thank them for their willingness to serve in an additional capacity.

Description of General Responsibilities of Board Service – Responsibilities include partnering with the other Board members, the Executive Board, and the Executive Director. Every member of the Board of Directors is responsible for leading the organization and representing the mission of MMEA – high quality music education for every student. Board members should:

  • Attend FOUR board meetings annually, typically a Saturday from 8am-12pm with dates released at the start of each year;
  • make every effort to attend occasional shorter special board meetings are called to address urgent business between regular meetings;
  • check MMEA email weekly to respond to issues requiring feedback or calls to action;
    Review materials for board meetings and committee meetings and attend prepared to actively participate;
  • and, COMMUNICATE regarding project responsibilities – ask for help when needed and provide help when able.

Additional Information:

Elections take place annually in January for openings on the MMEA Board of Directors. Regional repearsentation restructure is being developed with supporting by-law revisions for a vote in January of 2025. Please review the following information about MMEA.

  • Board Leadership Structure Approved Januarry 2022
  • MMEA Staggered Terms for Board Service
  • MMEA Bylaws: Revised and Passed by the Membership January 2022
  • Board meeting dates for 2024 (typically 8am-12pm):
    • Jan 6, 2024 – In-Person 9am to 2pm (for members of the current BOD)
    • February 17, 2024 (at Midwinter Convention, required annual meeting of the general assembly)
    • March 9, 2024 – Install New Board members
    • May 18, 2024
    • Sept 7, 2024
  •  

Email: info@mmea.org or execdirector@mmea.org for help.