Board of Directors
Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Theater Administration
Forum Name: Running Your Theater
Forum Discription: General questions about how to make it work
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3354
Printed Date: 5/16/24 at 6:00am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Board of Directors
Posted By: tonyboling
Subject: Board of Directors
Date Posted: 8/14/08 at 4:06am
Well I was just elected to our board of directors last night at the annual meeting. I don't think it's huge or anything. There were 4 slots and 5 people up for election so I knew my chances were good.
First meeting is next Wednesday and so far my plan is to keep quiet and just really listen to everybody and get a feel for how they operate. Who is more business and who is an artist, who's a leader or follower, who flip flops on positions and stuff like that.
I have no idea what committees I'm on yet but I do have a range of abilities from creative to technical so I guess it's a free for all.
I'm definitely the youngest on the board at 30 years old. Average age has got to be around 45 or so. I'm wondering if I'll be treated any differently due to that.
Our CT feels like it's tanking. 06-07 season made decent money. 07-08 season tanked. Tanked to the point the board decided in the spirit of being fiscally responsible to slash the upcoming season from 4 mainstage shows to two. There will still be a fundraiser cabaret and a youth theatre show next spring though.
So any advice?
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Replies:
Posted By: jayzehr
Date Posted: 8/14/08 at 8:21am
I think you have the right idea to keep quiet and listen at first.
Hey, tell me about your fundraising cabaret!
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Posted By: tonyboling
Date Posted: 8/14/08 at 8:28am
Well it's not until the end of the season which would be around next May. I don't have the details of it like what songs and such. When i find out I'll let you know though.
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Posted By: skoehler
Date Posted: 8/14/08 at 4:14pm
Watch your back. As a Board Member you can be held liable for some debts should the theatre continue to have financial difficulties, such as payroll taxes. Does the company have Directors and Officers insurance?
Taking your time to get the feel for the Board is a good idea. We elect 3 1 year Board Members every year (in addition to 5 3 year termers). The idea is to "audition" them and allow them to "audition" the organization. Like any job, it takes at least a year to really begin to get a feel for how to do everything.
Good luck, have fun and remember why you are all there, to support the theatre.
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Steven Koehler
Managing Director
Civic Theatre of Greater Lafayette
www.lafayettecivic.org
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Posted By: tonyboling
Date Posted: 8/14/08 at 4:41pm
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Our president is a lawyer and our treasurer is a retired financial office for a large clothing store (Jacobsons) so I'd assume all the tax and legal stuff is handled. We don't have anyone on any sort of payroll yet though although they did "hire/appoint" an executive director last night who was president of the board for quite a few years. She's coming on as an unpaid E.D. for now until we get in a position to pay her.
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