SWPAP MEMBERSHIP MEETING Professional Development Workshop Galveston, Texas Wednesday, May 28, 2003 Attendees Present: Hilarie Benedetto, Arts Council of NETC Maureen Patton, The Grand 1894 Opera House Cynthia Quinn, UT Austin Susan Thomae-Morphew, Cowan Center, UT Tyler Jim Clark, Lutcher Theater Maureen Patton, The Grand Opera House, Galveston Ruth Ellen Whitt, Texarkana Regional Arts Council Anne Black, Texas A&M University Jennifer Ross, Walton Arts Center, Fayetteville, AR Anita Scism, Walton Arts Center, Fayestteville, AR Toby Mattox, Society for the Performing Arts, Houston Fred McMurry, Montgomery Co. Performing Arts Society, TX Sandi McMurry, Montgomery Co. Perf. Arts Society Jim Hewett, Montgomery Co. Perf. Arts Society Susan Schnoor, UTB/TSC, Jacob Brown Auditorium, Brownsville Nanci Decker, Cypress Creek FACE Nita Fran Hutcheson, TRAHC, Texarkana Brian W. Goesl, TRAHC, Texarkana Carolyn Franks, Northeast Texas Community College Fred Blitz, Navarro Council of the Arts, Corsicana Leah Blackard, Navarro Council of the Arts, Corsicana June Christensen, Society for the Performing Arts, Houston Chree Boydstun, Society for the Performing Arts Lydia Baehr, Society for the Performing Arts Dottie Kabo, Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre, New Braunfels Ann Young, Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre Janet K. Allen, Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre Patty Thompson, Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre Jan Kotylo, Brauntex Performing Arts Theatre Amy Ehrman, Lutcher Theatre Blake Poutra, Lutcher Theatre James Edmunds, Performing Arts Society of Acadiana, Lafayette, LA Jackie Lyle, Performing Arts Society of Acadiana, Lafayette, LA Gina Carline, Lutcher Theatre Janey Miller, Angelina Arts Center SWPAP Chairman-Elect Cynthia Quinn called the meeting to order at 1:15pm. Cynthia welcomed attendees and introductions were made. Approval of Minutes The minutes of the January 12, 2003 meeting at APAP in New York City, NY were presented. Janey Miller made a motion and Maureen Patton seconded the motion to approve the minutes. Financial Report Treasurer-Elect Jim Clark reported showing an account balance of $6,684.65 with 57 active members. 2003/2004 Proposed Budget was presented for a total income of $10,000 and a total expense of $9,300 with a net income of $700. It was pointed out that more contributions have come in since the last statement. Former treasurer, Peggy Jernigan, will be forwarding all financial information to Jim and he will send out a balanced budget to the list serve by mid-summer. The 03/04 Budget was approved. Election of Officers The nominating committee proposed the following officer slate: Chair – Cynthia Quinn, TX Vice Chair – Jenni Taylor/Swain, AR Treasurer – Jim Clark, TX Secretary – Hilarie Benedetto, TX MAAA – Jenny Tritt Members – Maureen Patton, TX, Kass Prince, TX, Susan Thomae-Morphew, TX and Ruth E. Whitt, TXAR. Anne Black moved approval of slate presented by nominating committee and Jennifer Ross seconded. Cynthia Quinn called for an election. The vote carried. SWPAP Agent Reception Discussion continued on the annual agent reception. The budget is $3300. A little research has been done but we are here to discuss it again. Toby Mattox will be communicating with SRO in regards to their already scheduled party at the baseball game on the same night as the SWPAP traditional party. Anne Black presented some alternatives including several locations that may be close to the Hyatt hotel in downtown Milwaukee: Harley Davidson place, Miller Brewery, Pocawatonee Bingo Casino, Pabst Mansion. Discussion continued with important points raised such as we always like to do something different, need to be careful that is not cost-prohibitive and the first invite postcard needs to go out early summer. Anne Black and Maureen Patton agreed to research the matter further and communicate final options to the sub-committee then in a couple of months and an email invite will be sent out. Website Update James Edmonds thanked everyone for letting him know any changes in email addresses. If you ever think you are out of the loop, email James at webmaster@swpap.org. James recommended that everyone be encouraging and help each other out with advice and remember not to say in any email what you want read aloud. The SWPAP listserve is of great value to its members. Cynthia Quinn thanked James for keeping this together and making it completely effortless for us to communicate with each other. 2004 Spring Workshop Jim Clark reiterated his idea about a possible program for the 2004 spring workshop. Recently, he attended an education workshop at the Kennedy Center. He was very impressed with their educator workshops, staff training and helping organizations develop study guides for programs. We could have a two-day workshop on education at a cost of $200/person with a $3500 fee. It could be housed at any KC IC partner site such as A&M, Orange or Fayetteville, AR or Lafayette, LA. Cynthia Quinn would like to see further workshops on theatres focusing in on box office issues as well as development and marketing. New ideas are needed for smaller organizations. Janey Miller would like to see some inspirational and motivational workshops for the members. It would be neat to work with an artist to empower our selves. Jackie Lyle takes it one step further and recommends a couple seasons from now, to work with an artist and then present the work. The NEA is not getting many applications from presenters. The NEA is very encouraging to a group like ours with our block booking efforts. The Challenge America application is very simple; one is due June 2 or August 18 for a $10,000 fast track grant. Ruth Ellen Whitt suggested setting up a SWPAP/NEA model project with a touring component as Richard Huff suggested. James Clark mentioned that we are in our 20th anniversary this year and the dots are connecting. Several artists were suggested as possible motivational speakers such as Liz Lerman, a non-traditionalist dancer or Michael Rhode out of Portland, OR or Roadside Theatre who does story circles. This type of project may take five years so throw it out to the airwaves and keep a running commentary of ideas. The discussion will continue in September. Other Business None The meeting was adjourned at 2:00pm.