Northwest Indiana Excellence In Theatre Foundation

Minutes of NIETF Board Meeting 06/17/07

I. Meeting was called to order at 6:43pm by JoBeth Cruz. Board members in attendance: JoBeth Cruz, Lisa Woodruff, Ruth Best, Anne Nicholls, Amanda Dietrich, Larry Hinken, Bob Ton and David Pifko.

II. Consent Agenda Approval
A motion was made to accept the submitted reports. The following reports were seconded and approved.

a)Board minutes from May 2007 -Motion made to approve the minutes. Motion seconded and approved.
b)Treasurer's Report - Motion made to approve this report. Motion seconded and approved.
c) Play Nominations - Motion made to approve this report. Motion seconded and approved. A Viewer has been removed due to percentages.
d)   Marketing Committee Report. - Motion made to approve this report. Motion seconded and approved.

III. Non Submitted Reports
a)   Musical Nominations Secretary's Report (Non-official) Viewer percentages given by Larry Hinken, due to Ken's absence.
b)   Development Report - Membership information sent out. Returned letters re-addressed and re-sent. Larry will be personally contacting each theatre to make sure that all the letters were received.
c)    Outreach - no report due to Ed's absence.

IV. Old Business
a)   Repository: Ken Mertens not present: Reminder made to sign up.
b) Scholarship was revised and posted. CTG sent info out in their newsletter. Mandy D posted information via "My Space", and Anne sent info out to contacts.
c)   The Viewers Invitation Letter was sent out. The committee will follow
up. Mark and Ken will send a letter to current viewers to sign up.
d)   Theatre Contact Search Engine (Proposed by David Pifko) was discussed. Some board members have completed the sheet. All others are requested to do so by the June meeting. Discussion on privacy of those participating; it was decided that those with access would be limited to: Member Theatres and Paying NIETF Members. Those uncomfortable are welcome to leave some information blank.
e)   Viewers / Gala.
    1.       Idea posed for a "Fan Vote" for the Awards. Decided that there
      is not a good way to make it fair, balanced and unbiased.

      2.      Question posed about Viewer Criteria; and a possibility of
                Community Viewers." Possibility of viewers with no
               "Expertise;" Patron Viewers. Decided to look into it for season
                 following the upcoming Election; not for the upcoming election.
                 Dave is to draft a proposal on this topic for July Meeting.

      3.       Viewers still having issues submitting nominations through the
                webpage.

f)    Resource Page. Dave and Ken are in discussion about style and format of resource page. The goal is to have it ready once NIETF is up and running on SimIndiana.com.
f)   Calendar reminders. JoBeth will get corrected Calendar from Steph. Reminder to Ed: Project Cast Letter Deadline.
g)    Ceremony Calendar reviewed.

V. New Business

a)   Guestbook. Suggestion made that Guestbook should be abolished. The Guestbook was created for assistance requests from one theatre to another. Postings are becoming more and more petty and useless. Guestbook needs to be policed better. Ken is looking into Membership Tracking Software; as people are logging in, they know that NIETF is aware of their identity. JoBeth will post a "Notice from the President," addressing etiquette.

b)   Purdue Theatre. Ruth mentioned that Purdue is no longer run by Coria or Tom; Patty Bird-Spillers is now overseeing the Theatre Department there.

c) Portage Community Theatre. Ruth received a letter on May 22nd from Portage requesting membership. JoBeth will contact Portage and request the additional information needed for Theatre Membership.

d) JoBeth mentioned perhaps the July meeting should be cancelled due to lack of available members; Ruth mentioned the possibilities of Viewer Slate Questions.

e) David showed the Board a letter for the "Wild Party" from the CTG in regards to reduced pricing for other theatres in the area. Donna is doing well.

f) Larry has Bi-Laws to be addressed at the next meeting.

g) Anne will check with Steph on the Festival sign up sheet.

h) July Board Meeting will be held at Chicago Street Theatre.

VI. Adjournment. The meeting was adjourned by President of the Board, JoBeth Cruz at 8:07 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Stephanie A. Naumoff
NIETF Recording Secretary 2007

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