MINUTES OF THE MARATHON COMMUNITY THEATER

BOARD OF DIRECTORS – August 22, 2006

 

Meeting was called to order by Executive VP Claudia at 6:09 pm. Present were Rita Irwin, Suzanne Terpos, Terry McBroom, Arnie Steinmetz, Christine Leird, Claudia McEwen, Paul Buckley, Sylvia Rickett, Tom O’Neil, and GM Loretta Geotis. Absent were Natalia Gimmer, Dona Beckman, Ginger Michael, and Fred Hundhammer. Also in attendance was Laura Hutt.

 

Approval of the Agenda:  Approved with addition of appointment of 15th board member.

 

Minutes:  Motion to approve, seconded and passed.

 

Staff Reports:  The General Manager’s report was made to the Directors:

 

1        BOX OFFICE REPORT

 

a)     A total of 292 tickets were sold for Jake’s Women.

b)     A total of 373 people used the theatre during the month of July, 2006.

 

2        CINEMA

 

3        Other stuff

 

a)     The garage sale is planned for September 30.  A notice has been sent to the members.  A press release will be written and distributed.  I will get signs from the Keynoter and put an ad in the Keynoter classifieds.  I will schedule a brief meeting with volunteers after auditions are completed.  It was decided to have it inside. Notice to membership to ask for donations has been sent, but we cannot receive till after auditions.

b)     I am attaching a separate schedule of events for the theatre outside our own production schedule. Will be put on calendar format.

c)      The playbill advertising is going well with responses coming in.  Follow-up phone calls have been made to our current and previous advertisers.  I need help with contacting potential new advertisers, NOW!  There are many. $5300 has already been made, plus additional commitments. Brief discussion about asking help from membership, but Board would need to manage. Decision made to have each Board member look at list and find people they know to call a few at a time.

d)     I have scheduled Marathon Rotary Club for a community project work weekend on September 23 and 24th.  Paul and I have created a list of projects for that weekend.  We need only supply the paint etc.  (List of projects available at the board meeting)  This work will be done by professional adults for free.  We would like to request permission to order pizzas and provide drinks and water for lunch for these workers. Pressure wash, paint outside and railing, landscaping, etc. Insurance policies are to be checked for safety. This will also provide additional positive publicity.  Depending on the number of people to come it may be cost effective to order pizzas, otherwise Sysco may be contacted for platters.

e)     The brochure is designed and waiting on a few pieces yet.  I went to the Blue Water printer in Summerland Key to talk about printing costs, etc.  They are higher on the brochure and a bit lower on the playbill.  I plan to talk to Denny this week about our working relationship. Add to brochure that Clouds Over The Sunshine Inn is a world premiere. Loretta is going to work with the new person at Denny’ with respect to getting brochures ready in a timely manner. The artist that made the artwork on the brochure cover is interested in doing a 50/50 raffle/silent auction. Despite the need for an extra volunteer, the decision was made to hold raffle since this will likely make more revenue for MCT.

f)        I attended the City Council meeting in KCB regarding waiving the fees for the use of the room for OWO.  They have granted that request with a stipulation that we leave the place, especially the kitchen, as clean as we find it.  I assured them that would happen.  I have supplied them with a “Hold Harmless” agreement and a Certificate of Insurance as requested.  I will make posters for distribution for this event.

g)     I have recorded a radio spot regarding auditions that will begin August 30 and run periodically through September 15.  Stations are US1 and Keys Radio Group.  I have also scheduled it to run in the Weekly, Keynoter and Free Press.  I will also make flyers for distribution for auditions.

h)      The roof project is on-going.  Thank you, Fred, for helping with this project.  As a courtesy, the City of Marathon building inspector, Bob Welsh, has taken a special interest in the project as well to ensure that it is completed properly and passes inspection as it should. Roof still not done, all working hard to get it done. Leaks occurring because tarp was removed and MCT was not given notice of this. The company continues to ask for more money, Fred has already politely declined by letter.

i)        The Conch Color (Tom Oosterhoudt) is stepping up coverage of Marathon as obvious with the spread on Jake’s Women and Jackie O’Neill in the last issues as well as other Marathon events.  I expect him to cover all our events and production season.

j)        Chorus budget is  $100, which goes to Dick for accompaniment. They are currently making large volume of copies and there is concern for equipment and cost of ink. It may be cheaper to have them done at Office Depot. Kathryn will call Jorg, since he has offered to make large volume of copies. Ongoing problem over the years, will attempt to adjust budget again next year.

k)      A green necklace was forgotten in the Theater. If you have heard about this, please contact Loretta.

 

Committee Reports:

 

Finance:  Gail left financial statements for all to see. Save any questions for next meeting.

 

VP Production: Rita reported as VP of Production that the meeting with directors and producers has occurred. They are prepared for auditions. Jorg is still having difficulty with the music, and Midi professionals have not returned calls. John Bartus will be contacted, as well as other musical options to be explored. This is a worrisome problem as we move into season, and while there is the possibility of resolution, we need to have back-up plans. If Gigi cannot be done, we may need to move Cloud up (or move Jake’s to stage). More about OWO to be learnt at rehearsal on 8/23. Two the shows have been designed. All seem excited and working hard.

 

Building: Paul reported that roof had been discussed and that the emergency lights have been checked and are fine. Rotary project sounds promising.

 

Membership: Terry reported that renewal letter to be sent out his week. The package contains a lot of good info about the Theater, with the goal of gaining more renewals than only the people that are in current productions.

 

Entertainment: Christine asked about the possibility for a budget for food and beverage for General Meetings since there are fewer of them now, and refreshments are appreciated and provide the opportunity for socializing after the meetings. Since likely to be inexpensive, Gail will be approached to see if this can be added to budget.

 

Sunshine Lady: Ruth was delighted to accept being the MCT Sunshine Lady. Thanks!

 

One Weekend Only: It is unnecessary to meet about menu. Must plan site visit for tech group, including number of tables and seating. Details must not be overlooked since we will need to have everything we need onsite. Loretta needs exact seating and how seating will occur, for program and ticket sales, as well as seating chart. She will also need to know how we will handle liquor sales.

 

Old Business:

Insurance review necessary to ensure policies are good and coverage appropriate. This is difficult to obtain, Terry is going to make initial contact with Jerry on this issue.

 

Additions to committees: All board to help with Advertising, especially calling a minimum of 5 people for playbill advertisement sales. Historical: Arnie and Claudia. Entertainment: Tom and Jackie. Stage and Sound: Paul and Rita.

 

New Business:

Replacement of the board member that resigned is necessary; the person with the next most votes (CJ) is to be approached by Claudia tomorrow.

 

Arnie makes the motion that: Whereas the task of the recording secretary is indeed daunting, and whereas the recording secretary is seldom equipped with extrasensory perception, be it resolved that all motions should be submitted in writing by the proposer to the recording secretary. The motion was approved, following discussion about how some motions can be planned ahead and that the wording “should” allows for unplanned for subjects to be brought up.

 

Arnie makes a motion that: Whereas the MCT must meet its financial obligations, and whereas the sales of tickets of admission to performances is MCT’s primary source of income, and whereas a highly significant amount of tickets are sold to people who attend performances primarily to see friends and acquaintances on stage, be it resolved that all advertising of performances should include names of all on-stage performers. Overall, discussion surrounded the subjects of lack of space for big productions, the question of backstage volunteers names’, and that good PR coverage seems to achieve that goal. The motion failed to pass.

 

Good of the Order: Laura talked to Ann recently. She misses us all, is doing well and traveling a lot. She sent her regards to all. We miss her too!

 

Upcoming events: September 6th: General Meeting, September 26th: next Board Meeting.

 

Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 7:30pm

 

 

Submitted by Sylvia Rickett