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MINUTES AS220 Board Of Directors Meeting 1996/08/13
Members Absent: Staff Present: Guests Present: (1) Welcome & IntroductionsLucie Searle called the meeting to order and invited all present to introduce themselves.On a motion by Steve Durkee, seconded by Keith Munslow and A. J. Crenca, the Board unanimously VOTED to elect Steve Dubois to the Board of Directors. (2) Secretary's ReportLucie referred the draft minutes for the June meeting and the draft revisions to the bylaws prepared by the Secretary to the Board.On a motion by David Newton, seconded by Steve Durkee, the Board unanimously VOTED to approve and accept the minutes for the meeting of 1996/06/12. (3) Financial Committee ReportThe Treasurer did not present a formal report. AS220 is currently solvent, thanks to proceeds from NEAT and the contract for the city's WWW page. A grant for $11,000 is forthcoming from RISCA. It's time to prepare the new budget, which Sean will be doing with Shawn.(4) Report on the New England Artists Trust (NEAT)Bert Crenca, Robert O. Jones, and Elizabeth Wylie offered three perspectives on AS220's interaction with NEFA and administration of NEAT since January 1996, to help the Board determine whether AS220 should continue administrative functions for NEAT after the extended deadline of 1996/09/30 authorized by the AS220 Board (see copy of the written report by Elizabeth Wylie). All three independently concluded that, despite the high visibility and prestige accorded to AS220, the burden of ongoing administrative duties for NEAT would most likely impede the staff's ability to carry out the mission and business of AS220, especially in light of the new initiatives emerging (such as plans for a major capital campaign). It was the consensus of the Board that it was in the best interests of AS220 not to renew its agreement with NEFA for the administration of NEAT, provided that circumstances were at a point at which our withdrawal seemed reasonable and honorable, and could be accomplished without impairing the partnerships formed over the past few months.(5) Director/Staff ReportBert presented the Director's and staff's report (see copy). A wrap-up meeting with the NEAT Advisory Board is scheduled for August 19. AS220 is negotiating to create and maintain a WWW page for the Greater Providence Convention & Visitors Bureau (GPCVB). To date GPCVB has agreed to a one-year contract at $2000 per month for AS220's services to create and maintain a web page. In addition, AS220 has prepared a proposal to install a server and hire an administrator, to be funded initially by GPCVB and supported by additional contract Web projects. Steve Durkee and Robert O. Jones expressed reservations at creating another staff position in light of AS220's ongoing cash flow problems.On a motion by Manny Vales, seconded by Elizabeth Wylie, the Board unanimously VOTED to authorize the staff to execute a contract with the Greater Providence Convention & Visitors Bureau (such contract subject to review and approval by attorney John Kelly) for AS220's services as consultant for the preparation and maintenance of a Web page for the GPCVB, for which AS220 would receive compensation in the amount of $2000 (two thousand dollars) per month. Bert reported that Tracy Brown is vacating her studio on the second floor, and the staff would like to move the AS220 administrative office (which desperately needs more space) to that space, and use the former office for the proposed Web server equipment. Laura Travis objected to the proposal, considering that studio space in the building is at a premium, and one of AS220's primary missions is to provide affordable studio space for artists, not to conduct a computer consulting business. Others noted that allocating the former office for a computer room was premature, since it was not clear that the plans previously outlined would in fact transpire. In accordance with a suggestion by Manny Vales, the Board by consensus approved the staff's plan to move the AS220 office into the former Brown studio, and decided to leave the former office vacant pending discussion of its use at the next meeting. Bert reported that, largely through the efforts of Groundwerx co-director Donna Meierdiercks, the Rhode Island Foundation was prepared to award the AS220 complex partners (AS220, Groundwerx, and Perishable Theatre) a grant of $19,000 to hire a consultant to prepare long-term education, marketing, and development plans for the organizations. Bert gave an update on ongoing plans for the capital campaign. He also noted that RICH had decided not to fund our proposal for the second annual Action Speaks forum, but that plans were proceeding for a smaller scale production. (6) Other BusinessLucie Searle, with the hearty concurrence of Steve Durkee, commended the Secretary on the "sublime" draft revisions to the bylaws. Robert O. explained that the draft was subject to further discussion, and that a final version would be presented for a vote, in accordance with duly established procedures, in the future. The Chair requested John Kelly to review the draft revisions to ensure that they conform to proper legal form and terminology.The next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, September 10. On a motion by Steve Durkee, seconded by Keith Munslow and Steve Dubois, the Board unanimously VOTED to adjourn the meeting.
Robert Owen Jones
AS220 Board of Directors Meeting - 1996/08/13 page 4
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