Board members in attendance:  Lisa Woodruff, Larry Hinken, Kim Bernstein, Ruth Best, Ken Mertens, Heather Clark, Ed Griffith, JoBeth Cruz, Karin Albright, Mark Ladd Viewers in attendance: Kathie Rosdil, Stephanie Naumoff, Eric Best, Becky Fox, Sondra Hinken, Anne Nicholls, John York, Fred Margison, Christine Parry, Cathy Mertens, Martha Sass. Representative from Member Theatres: Betty Howe: GG, Earle Howe: HCT, Angie Lowe, LCTG, Jeff Casey: TCT, Christine Wiegand: FP, David Pifko: FST, Donna Blanchard: CTG, Alan Bowley: HP  Total of 29. ((10 of these Board members)

II. Opening remarks: Lisa thanked everyone for attending then gave the floor to Larry to start the Board elections.

III. Board Elections: Larry informed everyone of the procedure and asked for volunteers to tally the votes. Jeff Casey and Karin Albright volunteered.

With no opponent for the position of President, Lisa Woodruff was elected. (Approved and seconded with a unanimous decision)  Larry Hinken was elected as Vice-President.  With no opponent for the position of Treasurer, Ruth Best was elected. (Approved and seconded with a unanimous decision)  With no opponent for the position of Recording Secretary, Kim Bernstein was elected. (Approved and seconded with a unanimous decision)  Ken Mertens was elected as Musical Nominations Secretary   With no opponent for the position of Play Nominations Secretary, Mark Ladd was elected. (Approved and seconded with a unanimous decision)  Eric Best was elected as Development Chair.  Anne B. Nicholls was elected Marketing & Public Relations Chair. Ed Griffith was elected as Outreach Chair.  Karin Albright-Coleman and JoBeth Cruz were elected as Members at Large.  Lisa will appoint another Board Member by the end of the 2005.  The elections were closed at 6:48 PM and Lisa thanked those who attended and asked for those persons who could, to stay for the open part of the Board Meeting.

Ken Mertens had a question for the Musical viewers before they departed about Scrooge at LaPorte Little Theatre. It was determined that Scrooge would not be eligible for viewing. (Approved and seconded, motion passed)

IV. Open Meeting - Began at 7:05 PM
Still in attendance: All board members listed above and John York, Kathy Mertens, David Pifko, Stephanie Naumoff, Christine Wiegand, Martha Sass, Sondra Hinken.

Ceremony Review - Lisa asked for comments on the Gala.
There was much praise for the caterer and the video presentation. The closing number was seen as a little self indulgent. Acceptance speeches for Outstanding Achievement and Project Cast seemed a little long. It was asked that we limit the acceptance speech and make of the recipient in the program for Outstanding Achievement and for Project Cast just do a check acceptance and the information that led up to the monetary award. Also noted that the Deadline for applications for Project Cast seemed short. Board agreed the deadline in getting the information out to theatres was missed.

New Ideas -
It was asked if the orchestras could be acknowledged. In the past "ensembles" have been in Viewers Choice but could they have their own category? This will be put on the agenda for the board and viewers to discuss in the future. 

Would it be possible to have each person gets a plaque when there are multiple people in 1 category. Our practice is that one plaque is awarded for each category due to the cost of the plaques. However, award recipients are able to purchase a duplicate plaque at their own expense. This information will be published on the website and award recipients can contact Ed Griffith. 

Location, location, location. The question was raised as to what other locations have been looked at for the Gala. The positive with the LaPorte Civic Center is the fixed stage and the large room for tables, hors' d'oeuvres, and dancing afterward. High schools - cannot have alcohol, Star Plaza - pricing, and would not be able to set a date till too late along with either a portable stage or hosting the food and dancing at the Radisson and the ceremony at the Star Plaza. VU- Theatre is too small. If anyone has more locations for consideration feel free to email the board.

Other - David Pifko expressed concern with the Board election process of accepting nominations from the floor as he did not have information beforehand to go over with the theatre board. It was explained that in being Democratic the elections have always been done this way by allowing nominations from the floor. Lisa asked if David would allow the board to add it to the agenda later in the Closed Session. This was agreed to. Also adding more fill in slots to the board/viewer election form so nominees would be forced to give more information. So many nominees believe everyone knows them. This is not always the case.                                                                                                                                                                                   

Closed Session - Board meeting Called to order at 7:50 PM
V) Consent Agenda Approval - Request made to pull the Ceremony Comparisons from the Treasurer's Report and review under Old Business.
Motion brought to accept the submitted reports. The following reports were approved and seconded. Motion carrier to accept these reports:

September minutes
Treasurer's Report (minus Ceremony Comparisons)
Musical Nominations Secretary's Report
Play Nominations Secretary's Report
Outreach Committee Report

VI. Non Submitted Reports
Development Committee Report - Request made for follow up phone calls to request monies still owed.

Marketing Report - Website has been updated as far as calendar and shows.

VII. Old Business
a)  Website - Discussion about adding the Webmaster as a separate Board position. This would be an at large appointed position??? Would need to be based on technical skill. Need to work on criteria for this position.
b)  Bylaws, P&P - Need to make sure the newest Bylaws are published on the website. Just need the newest copy emailed to Karin and it would be done.  The newest version of the P&P is Oct. 31st. 2005. Ed to write policy about ordering of additional award plaques to published in the P&P. Motion to publish the P&P on a member page with a password for member theatres/viewers/and members. (Approved and seconded).
c) It was noted that the following Theatres have not paid membership fees. Memorial - the funds have been requested but take up to 60 days or longer for a check to be cut. They requested an extension. LaPorte, Dunes and Purdue are given till end of year since this is the first year for the dues. Final notice will be given to all 3 theatres. Discussion that a timeline for membership fees be made and sent out. Fees need to be paid by July 31st for the upcoming year which is 2 months in advance of end of year.

Gala Comparisons - Noted that there is still $360.00 outstanding in sponsorship from 2004. Send out invoices again and Red Flag these for next year. Cost was down for the Facility as no red carpet was used since it was raining.

Posters - Do they do any good? They are provided Free from Memorial Theatre Company and are given to each Member Theatre to post.

DJ - Provides music before and after the Awards Ceremony. 6 to 7:30 and then from approximately 10:30 to Midnight.

VIII. New Business
Gifts in Kind - Question posed as to the membership application. Both Karin and Lisa would look for membership information. This is needed for software purchase.  

Nominations from the floor for Board/Viewer elections as stated in the Open session by David Pifko. Discussion concluded the deadline for applications (both viewer and Board) would have to be 3 to 4 weeks prior to the elections. This would have to include the applications that are mailed. Wording would have to consider postmark date. Motion carried (approved and seconded) to eliminate nominations from the floor and to review the issue of time constraints on applications. The Board will put the time frame issue on the agenda for the retreat in January.

Ken will have information about a grant writing session to talk place at Calumet College next year. It would be on Tuesday nights probably at 7 PM. More information to follow.

Dates for Board meetings and viewer elections discussed. See below for list of Dates. Locations to be determined except for the Retreat which will be at Purdue Calumet.

IX. Adjournment.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM.

2006 Important Dates:
1/14/06 Half Day Retreat at Purdue Calumet:
                        Open Meeting 11AM to Noon
                        Board Meeting Noon/Lunch to 5 PM
2/19/06 Board Meeting 6:30 PM
3/19/06 Board Meeting 6:30 PM
4/23/06 Board Meeting 6:30 PM
5/21/06 Board Meeting 6:30 PM
June Open - To be determined
7/16/06 Board Meeting 6:30 PM
8/13/06 Election of Viewers - 5:30 PM
8/27/05 Introductory Meeting for New Viewers
9/10/05 Viewer Initial Ballot - Time???
9/17/05 Board Meeting 6:30 PM
10/28/05 2006 Foundation Award Ceremony

Respectfully Submitted,
Kim Bernstein
NIETF Recording Secretary 2005


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