Unapproved Minutes

Present: Winsor, Mary Ann, Steve, Marlaine, Michael, Alan, Sean, Stuart, Manny

Staff Not present: Shawn
Staff: Bert, Lucie, Robin

Guests: Adam Reich, Clay Rockefeller


1) Called the meeting to order: 6:05 pm
  Amended item 5) from previous month's minutes (the amount is 170,000, not 75,000)
  minutes amended and approved

2) Nominating committee report (Bert)
  * Two invited guests are present: Adam Reich, Clay Rockefeller
  * One invited guest is not present (Jonathan Bonner, something came
    up, will come to the next board meeting)
  * Marlaine mentioned Mike Shore as a possibility. Mike is interested,
    Bert, Robin, and Steve will meet with Mike.
  * Bert mentioned Rich Lupo as a possibility, discussions are ongoing.

3) Board Chair report
   * Next month we'll be talking about committees; critical ones vs. ad-hoc ones

4) Fiscal report (Sean, Mary Ann)
   * Letter from the auditor will be available in final form soon
   * Come to the finance committee meetings to get a sense of what's
     going on.
   * Last meeting, went through financials, changed accounting firm's focus
     from reporting mode to more active mode (regular reconciliation, regular
     review of AP/AR)
   * Finance committee started looking at how to address the $37,000 shortfall. 
     Sean provided a summary report.
   * Bert asked for specific recommendations from the Fiscal Committee for 
     addressing the shortfall. Mary Ann responded with, among other things, 
     more targeted fundraising
   * Bert mentioned that we were approved for $300,000 from Lila Wallace, which
     helps.
   * Steve and Bert are discussing ways to reduce the losses associated with
     the gate ($28,105) and the gallery ($10,325)
   * In order to balance the budget, Sean put $37,000 in fundraising.
   * Fiscal committee will try to continue reporting in a way that's broken
     out by program.
   * Michael motioned to approve the budget, Alan seconded, motion passed
 
5) Personnel Policy
   * Bert reported that there will be a form that employees will need to
     sign to acknowledge their acceptance of policy.

6) Capital Campaign report (Lucie)
   * Refinance is complete
   * Update: RI Historical Preservation and Heritage Commission approved $100,000.
     We have to match this by the time we want to get construction under way.

     The Commission received 46Êproposals statewide, totaling over $4.1 million 
     in requests.Ê Awards totaling $1.5 million will be made to 26 organizations, 
     ranging from $5,000 to $200,000.

     They want to hold their press conference announcing this at AS220.

     Lucie asked for us to think about people who could help with the match. 
     This grant will go toward building improvements (primarily the facade);
     bring those people in for Lucie and Bert to present the story.

     Steve suggested an event where we invite potential donors to get the story.

  * We do have $170,000 ask into the Federal appropriation process.
  * Meeting two weeks ago with AS220, Perishable, and Gordon Fox, RI House
    Majority Leader re a line item in the State budget.  Discussions are
    ongoing.  We would go forward as an Arts Cluster (Black Repertory, Perishable,
    AS220). Bert proposed splitting received money three ways.
  * US Representative Langevin will be coming through for a tour.
  * Alan asked if the plan for the building exterior had been developed;
    mentioned that there may be some credit from the city for some of the work we
    are planning to do.  Steve replied that it will develop further, and the board
    will see it as it develops.

7) Fool's Ball Report (Winsor)
  * Bert: Theme is Harlem Renaissance.
  * Street will be closed noon to 3am
  * Robin will call the companies on our target list and present a package
    to them to encourage their sponsorship
  * Got 100% printing costs covered
  * Meeting 2nd and 4th Friday of each month (right here in the gallery)

8) Director's Report (Bert)
  * Bert reminded us about Explosion (Thursday night, 7-10 pm)
  * Things are great overall
  * Exploring Federal training money (Workforce 2000) with Broad Street Studio

9) Old Business
  No old business

10) Adjourned at 7:37
    * Manny motioned 
    * Sean seconded