Members present:
Lucie Searle, Laura Travis, Robert O. Jones, Bob Arellano, Erminio Pinque, A. J. Crenca, David Newton, Steve Durkee, Norma Anderson, Manny Vales, Gerry Heroux

Members not present:
Sean Daly, Kristina Wasserman, Elizabeth Wylie, Steve Dubois, Keith Munslow

Staff present:
Bert Crenca, Shawn Wallace

Guests present:
John Kelly

(1) Lucie called the meeting to order.

(2) Secretary's Business

The minutes of the September meeting were not mailed to the members because the secretary broke his elbow a few days after that meeting. The minutes were distributed and their passage was tabled until the November meeting.

On a motion by Steve Durkee, seconded by Erminio Pinque, the Board unanimously

VOTED to elect Jay Coogan and John Kelly to the Board of Directors.

John Kelly reported that he was reviewing Robert O.'s draft revisions to the bylaws, and that he would report his recommendations in November, for voting in December.

The chair, with the Board's concurrence, changed the order of the agenda.

(4) Space allocation in the Empire-Arnold-Potter Block (AS220 Complex)

Staff reported that money was coming in on contracts with the City of Providence and the Greater Providence Convention & Visitors Bureau to create and maintain WWW pages for those organizations, and that it was necessary to use the old office as a computer center. Laura again expressed her concern that AS220's foray into cybertechnology diverged from the organization's original mission. Manny observed that income-generating activities, insofar as they support organizational operations, do help AS220 to sustain its general mission. Someone questioned whether the Board was getting too micro-managerial by getting involved with space usage, and whether such decisions were better left to the executive director. Robert O. noted that insofar as building use affects rental income, and the Board must approve and monitor the budget, that certain types of building-use changes must be board-sanctioned. Bert explained that creation of the computer center was not intended to move AS220 into the "computer consulting business," but was part of a broader endeavor to explore how technology can serve the arts and culture, through projects such as cultural mapping and storytelling on the Internet. He also reported that use of the old computer lab in the basement for the music program was generating income for AS220. Laura insisted that a policy be adopted that a "major priority" of the Capital Campaign should be the creation of at least three new studio spaces at AS220. Considerable discussion followed about the prudence and efficacy of affirming such a detailed policy when the results of the Capital Campaign are far from clear.

On a motion by Manny Vales, seconded by Steve Durkee, the Board unanimously

VOTED that there be no more reduction of studio space at the AS220 Complex;
that activities quartered in the old office be reviewed by the Board in twelve months, and that if said activities were not generating income, then the old office should be converted to studio space; and
that it be a primary goal of the Capital Campaign to see that three new studio spaces are created at AS220.

(5) Capital Campaign Update

Preliminary meetings continue with city officials, banks, and the Perishable Theatre staff and board. If things go as planned the banks should be able to get CRA "points" for participating, which makes this an attractive proposition for them.

(3) Treasurer's Report

Monthly budget-to-actual comparisons for July and August were distributed (see copies). Our annual RISCA grant for operating support was received in September.

Manny Vales said he was interested in devising creative fundraising strategies, and he volunteered to report on a few ideas at the November board meeting.

(6) Coalition for Arts & the Revitalization of Downcity Update

Lucie reported on CARD's efforts to get the city to hold the Providence Place developers to their promise to site a cinema complex downtown, and noted that an important city council committee hearing was coming up on the issue. The Board decided that AS220 would not take a position as an organization, but board members were encouraged to make their personal views known, if they wished.

(7) Director's Report

Since the hour was late, two board members had left, and all substantive business had already been discussed, the Director made no additional report.

(8) On a motion by Gerry Heroux, seconded by David Newton, the Board unanimously

VOTED to adjourn the meeting.

Recorded and submitted by

Robert Owen Jones
Secretary

AS220 Board Meeting Minutes -- 1996/10/08 page 3

1996/04/16

Members present:
Lucie Searle, Robert O. Jones, Gerry Heroux, Steve Durkee, David Newton, Erminio Pinque

Members absent:
Laura Travis, Keith Munslow, Richard Welch, Madolin Maxey, Sean Daly, Elizabeth Wylie, Susan Souve

Staff present:
Bert Crenca, Shawn Wallace, Sheri van Antwerp

Guests present:
Steve Dubois

(1) Lucie Searle called the meeting to order at 6:52 PM.

(2) On a motion by Steve Durkee, seconded by David Newton, the Board unanimously

VOTED to approve the minutes of the meeting of 1996/03/12.

Before proceeding to the next order of business, Robert O. Jones pointed out that he was not sure who to list in the "members absent" roster included in the minutes because there was some confusion regarding exactly who were active board members. In the ensuing discussion it was learned that Dennis diBattista had tendered his resignation verbally but not in writing and that Madolin Maxey intended to let her term expire in June. The position or intention of others who are often or regularly absent is in question. Lucie and the staff agreed to contact Dennis to ask for a letter of resignation, and Susan Souve to inquire about her intentions. Action regarding the terms of other board members was referred to the Nominating Committee.

(3) Finance Committee report

In Sean Daly's stead, Shawn Wallace and Sheri van Antwerp presented a brief informal report on our financial situation. The Fool's Ball grossed $24,400 and expenses came to $12,250, leaving a profit of $12,150. Centerpiece sales brought $780, the auction $980, and ticket receipts $7,640, including about 150 @ $10. Of the $15,000 sponsorships pledged, $4,500 from NYNEX was outstanding, and $100 was outstanding from the auction. Sheri noted that income, though not as much as budgeted, was up from last year, and expenses were down. She thanked the board for their hard work to make the ball a success.

On a motion by Robert O. Jones, seconded by Steve Durkee, the Board unanimously

VOTED to commend the staff for their tireless efforts on behalf of the Fool's Ball of 1996.

In the discussion that followed, board members generally agreed that the auction could be conducted better and more profitably in the future, and suggestions were offered for correcting acoustical and logistical problems, if the Casino is used again next year. David Newton asked whether thank-you letters had been sent to table-buyers, especially Roger Mandle. Bert responded that sponsors had received packets including a video of the Ball public service announcement, a poster, and advertising tear sheets, but that thanks had not gone out to patrons who bought tables. The staff agreed to address the matter.

(5) Director's & Staff Report

Bert made an extensive report on NEAT business. Work on Congress III in Portland is proceeding and an NEA grant application has been written (largely by Sheri) for $200,000 for Congress IV in Newport, N.H. The NEA grant includes stipends for residencies for artists, some for up to a year before the Congress, funding for a community lighting project, and murals, among other things. It is intended to open an office in empty commercial space on Newport Common which will become a permanent Office of Cultural Affairs after the Congress. There will be a meeting with NEFA the week of 04/22-26 to secure support for the Congress.

Robert O. asked Bert whether NEFA had paid the full amount of the $7,500 promised for AS220 administration of NEAT, and whether AS220 had received all the documentation of the preceding Congresses. Bert reported that 75 percent of the grant had been received, and that the other 25 percent was being held until an interim report is filed by AS220 staff. AS220 has received all the documentation of previous Congresses except for video footage of the North Adams conference. To date AS220 staff are under budget in expenditures for travel for NEAT-related meetings. A meeting of the NEAT Advisory Board is scheduled at AS220 on Friday 1996/04/26.

AS220 received a one-year contract for $8,000 to administer the arts and entertainment section of the City of Providence's Web page. About 10 percent of this will probably go to overhead.

Bert noted that Richard Goulis was continuing to bring in income over budget from the gallery and Wall-Art Mart.

On a motion by Robert O. Jones, seconded by Steve Durkee, the Board unanimously

VOTED to commend Richard Goulis for his devoted efforts as gallery manager and television producer for AS220.

Steve Dubois raised the issue that promotional efforts by and on behalf of AS220 are deficient. The Providence Journal-Bulletin's decision to eliminate club listings from the paper has reduced the opportunity to disseminate information. Steve suggested that AS220 post more flyers around downtown about events at the space. Lucie inquired whether a student intern could be found to work on advertising and promotion. Bert replied that it is difficult to get student volunteers, and that flyer-posting was not being effective because Keep Providence Beautiful has adopted a program of aggressively tearing down handbills downtown as soon as they are posted. This is hurting us and the clubs like Lupo's. Steve Durkee and Lucie both wondered if some visually pleasing or striking kiosks or bulletin boards could be designed and installed around downtown, and if there might be some sort of grant money to pay for that, or maybe it would be a good design class project. Steve Durkee and Bert agreed to ponder the kiosk issue, and Steve Dubois and Sheri agreed to investigate how AS220 can improve its media visibility.

Steve Durkee reported that the City was likely to give AS220 $5,000-10,000 for facade improvements as part of a concerted program to gussy up downtown. Steve noted that while it's nice to get any type of funding, what we really need to do is fix the cornice and some roof leaks more than deal with mere cosmetics.

RICH is funding another Action Speaks forum this year, to focus on electoral topics and politics and the media. A list of potential panelists is being compiled and there is discussion about doing a companion publication, something which RICH loves to do. WHJJ radio is talking about possible sponsorship.

(4) Nominating Committee

Lucie noted that it was time to activate the Nominating Committee to prepare for the upcoming annual meeting in June. Someone pointed out that information packets for prospective board members need to be prepared. Gerry Heroux agreed to chair the Nominating Committee and consult with Lucie and Bert regarding who should serve.

(6) Other business

Lucie made an impromptu Chair's Report. She reported that Joe Chazen had convened representatives from important arts organizations and venues--PPAC, Trinity Rep, RISD, R.I. Philharmonic, AS220, and the Music School--to work on getting RISCA cuts restored and finding alternate funding sources to establish a supplemental local endowment for the arts.

Lucie also noted that she had been thinking about the importance of eliminating AS220's $700,000 debt, which is the chief cause of our budget woes every year. We should be thinking about how to run an effective capital campaign to do that.

The next board meeting was scheduled for Tuesday 05/14.

On a motion by Steve Durkee, seconded by David Newton, the Board unanimously

VOTED to adjourn the meeting.

Recorded and submitted by

Robert Owen Jones
Secretary

AS220 Board Minutes -- 1996/04/16 page 3

Members present:
Lucie Searle, Sean Daly, Robert O. Jones, Elizabeth Wylie, Gerry Heroux, David Newton, Steve Durkee, Erminio Pinque

Members absent:
Laura Travis, Keith Munslow, Richard Welch, Madolin Maxey

Staff present:
Bert Crenca, Shawn Wallace, Sheri van Antwerp

Guests present:
Scott Lapham

(1) Lucie Searle called the meeting to order at 6:42 PM.

(2) Minutes

On a motion by Steve Durkee, seconded by Sean Daly, the board unanimously

VOTED to approve the minutes of the meetings held on 1996/02/13 and 1996/02/20.

Lucie and Steve commended the secretary on the comprehensiveness of the minutes.

(3) Treasurer's Report

Sean Daly reported that funds from Citizens Bank, Providence Journal-Bulletin, and McLaughlin & Moran for underwriting the Fool's Ball had been received. The cafe is not pulling in sufficient income; it needs to generate a gross of $12,000 a month but it is averaging less. Consequently some staff cuts will be made and prices will be raised to make the cafe more profitable. Sean noted that there is a continuing trend of expenditures increasing unexpectedly. Steve suggested that maybe the board needed to reconsider what we are charging for rents, but there was no further discussion of that topic.

(4) Scott Lapham's Darkroom Proposal

Scott Lapham presented a report on current and projected darkroom management, usage, and income. The darkroom has been open since February. Scott has donated or lent most of the equipment being used, and has been managing the darkroom as a volunteer. Despite the fact that little to no effort has yet been made to advertize the darkroom, it is generating an income of about $285 a month. Scott figures that with more aggressive marketing and by offering classes, it would be possible to triple usage and income. However, this would mean an increase in workload, which Scott is willing to undertake if darkroom management were made a paying position. Scott presented a plan and budget for generating enough business to cover the expense of darkroom materials, a part-time darkroom monitor, and health insurance for Scott. As income rose, Scott would receive a stipend out of income until he was making a regular full-time salary, and any income above that would be profit for AS220.

During the discussion following Scott's proposal, board members generally expressed support for the concept of marketing and promoting the darkroom, and of providing equitable compensation for work on darkroom responsibilities. However, Steve Durkee and Robert O. expressed reservations about creating another salaried position with benefits at AS220 in light of the organization's current financial situation.

By consensus, the board agreed to authorize Scott to proceed with his plans to promote and manage the darkroom for a trial period of three months to see if income can be sufficiently raised to cover the expense of darkroom operations and the proposed darkroom personnel. All proceeds from the darkroom for that period will go to Scott, with the proviso that he must cover darkroom operations expenses out of that income. After three months Scott will report back to the board on the outcome of this experiment.

(5) Staff Report

Bert, Sheri, Elizabeth, and Shawn all presented different sections of the Staff Report (see copy).

As of this meeting 30 of the 150 $75 tickets for the Fool's Ball have been sold. Again the necessity of board members pushing sales of $75 tickets was stressed.

Elizabeth Wylie reported on a meeting about NEAT held earlier that day in Boston, attended by Bert, Sheri, Sam Miller, and she. AS220's responsibilities under the Phase 1 proposal for NEAT management were outlined at that meeting. In the current political and economic climate, it is necessary to organize a strong and vocal constituency to prevent additional governmental funding cuts to the arts. One of AS220's primary roles is to organize a grass-roots arts constituency in New England. Local and regional efforts will have national import. Elizabeth feels that AS220's management of NEAT will give us a visibility that will be very beneficial in the long run. AS220 staff has already started a "What's NEAT" campaign to get the word out about what NEAT is. The NEAT Advisory Board scheduled its first meeting at AS220 in Providence for Friday, March 15. AS220's voluntary liaisons to NEAT will not be able to attend the day-long meeting, so Robert O. volunteered to attend as an observer.

In addition to the topics listed in the written report, Bert noted that work was under way to produce another Action Speaks forum. He also reported that Dr. Joe Chazen, anticipating his dis-appointment as chair of the R.I. State Council on the Arts, had resigned. The proposed state budget for next year includes a 36% cut for RISCA, which is bad news for AS220 since we receive general operating support from them, and it is expected that this will be affected proportionately. Dr. Chazen is looking into establishing a privately funded non-profit arts support organization to cover such losses.

(6) The next board meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, April 9.

On a motion by Steve Durkee, seconded by Elizabeth Wylie, the board unanimously

VOTED to adjourn the meeting.

Recorded and submitted by

Robert Owen Jones
Secretary

AS220 Board Minutes -- 1996/03/12 page 3

Members present:
Lucie Searle, Laura Travis, Sean Daly, Robert O. Jones, Gerry Heroux, Erminio Pinque, Elizabeth Wylie, Keith Munslow, Steve Durkee

Members not present:
Dennis di Battista, Richard Welch, Madolin Maxey, Susan Souve

Staff present:
Bert Crenca, Sheri van Antwerp

Guests present:
Lizzie Araujo

(1) Introduction

Lucie Searle called this special meeting of the AS220 Board of Directors (hereafter the Board) to order.

(2) AS220 Proposal to Manage the New England Artists Trust

Bert Crenca led off with an overview of the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), the New England Artists Trust (NEAT, alias the Trust), and the AS220 Proposal to Manage the NEAT (hereafter the Proposal) for board members that missed the meeting of February 13th.

Discussion ensued on funding sources for NEAT programs and on the impact that NEAT administration would have on AS220 staff. Since NEAT management would probably be primarily the responsibility of Bert Crenca and Sheri van Antwerp, Lucie Searle asked Sheri how she felt about undertaking the additional work. Sheri responded that the work would be hard but "invigorating," which the Secretary duly noted at the Chair's express request.

The Board reached a consensus that it was possible, perhaps even desirable, to undertake Phase 1 of the project outlined in the Proposal, and that there was little risk in doing so, leaving the question of pursuing Phase 2 until assessment of the success of Phase 1. In response to a query regarding funds to cover AS220's administrative expenses for Phase 1, Bert replied that it was his understanding that NEFA would convey $7,500 (seven thousand five hundred dollars) to AS220, the amount budgeted as "NEFA funds for Trust administration" in the Proposal, upon NEFA's receipt of a letter from AS220 that the Board had voted to approve the Proposal. Lucie Searle stated that a letter of agreement between AS220 and NEFA should be signed, and Robert O. Jones recommended that it include an explicit scope of work.

The Board agreed that representatives from the NEAT Advisory Board should attend AS220 Board meetings as observers, but that appointment of NEAT Advisory Board members as voting members of the AS220 Board would not take place during Phase 1. The Board also determined that three AS220 Board members would act as a liason to the NEAT board, and would furthermore take the responsibility to evaluate Phase 1 at its completion.

Robert O. Jones remarked that the Proposal had exciting possibilities but that he also had some reservations about it. He suggested that, in addition to documenting monetary expenditures, the staff be directed to keep a careful accounting of staff time devoted to Phase 1 to allow for proper appraisal of the impact of NEAT administration on staff resources.

On a motion by Steve Durkee, seconded by Keith Munslow, the Board unanimously

VOTED The Board authorizes AS220 and its staff to undertake the work identified as Phase I of the project outlined in "AS220's Proposal for the Management of the New England Artists Trust," submitted to the New England Foundation for the Arts on January 30, 1996, with the understanding that AS220 will receive a grant from the New England Foundation for the Arts in the amount of $7,500.00 (seven thousand five hundred dollars), paid in full upon the New England Foundation for the Arts' receipt of notification of the AS220 Board of Director's vote of approval.

The AS220 Board of Directors and the Advisory Board of the New England Artists Trust will exchange observers during the execution of Phase I of the proposal, to extend from receipt of the grant from the New England Foundation for the Arts until the end of the Congress of the New England Artists Trust to be held in Portland, Maine in June, 1996, in order to facilitate communication between the organizations.

The observers from AS220 shall include three board members hereby named a committee charged with the responsibility of evaluating the success of Phase I after the Congress.

The staff of AS220 is charged with documenting financial expenditures and staff time related to the execution of Phase I in a manner that will facilitate the evaluation to be made by the committee heretofore mentioned.

Lucie Searle reported that David Newton, who could not be present at the meeting, had telephoned her and indicated that he wanted to vote in favor of AS220 undertaking Phase 1 of the Proposal.

(3) Personnel

Bert noted that income from gallery and Wal-Art Mart sales had increased under Richard Goulis's direction, and that Richard also was supervising production of the cable TV show for which AS220 recently assumed management. Bert reminded the Board that Richard was employed as part-time staff, and reported that lack of group health insurance was proving to be a hardship for Richard. Considering Richard's productivity and the fact that he had undertaken additional responsibilities not originally anticipated at the time of his hiring, Bert requested that the Board make a special exception to the rule excluding part-time employees from health insurance coverage and obtain such coverage for Richard. Bert reported, and Sean Daly concurred, that the extra income from the gallery that Richard was bringing in would cover the amount necessary to do this.

On a motion by Elizabeth Wylie, seconded by Steve Durkee, the Board unanimously

VOTED to provide health insurance coverage for Richard Goulis.

(4) Financial Report

Sean Daly presented revised projected cash flow statements for the upcoming months. He projected that we would have a deficit in March, but that income from the Fool's Ball should correct the cash flow situation for the rest of the fiscal year.

(5) Adjournment

On a motion by Keith Munslow, seconded by Sean Daly, the Board unanimously

VOTED to adjourn the meeting.

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, March 12th, 1996.

Recorded and submitted by

Robert Owen Jones
Secretary

AS220 Board of Directors Meeting -- 1996/02/20 3

Members present:
Lucie Searle, Laura Travis, Robert O. Jones, Keith Munslow, David Newton, Madolin Maxey, Gerry Heroux, Steve Durkee

Members absent:
Sean Daly, Dennis diBattista, Richard Welch, Susan Souve, Elizabeth
Wylie, Erminio Pinque

Staff present:
Bert Crenca, Shawn Wallace, Sheri van Antwerp, Joe Auger

Guests present:
Patryc Wiggins, NEAT; Sam Miller, NEFA

(1) Introduction

Lucie Searle called the meeting of the AS220 Board of Directors (hereafter the Board) to order and welcomed Patryc Wiggins, a representative from the Advisory Board of the New England Artists Trust.

(2) Minutes from last meeting

On a motion by Steve Durkee, seconded by David Newton, the Board unanimously

VOTED to approve the minutes of the Board meeting of 1996/01/16.

The Board agreed by consensus to change the order of the agenda pending the arrival of Sam Miller.

(4) Fool's Ball Update

Sheri van Antwerp reported that to date sponsors had pledged $15,000 toward expenses for the event. The invitations should be mailed by next Friday or Saturday. The need to sell $75 tickets and tables (10 seats @ $75 each) was stressed since this is where the money is to be made, and Board members need to help with this. Laura Travis agreed to call Board members and remind/encourage them to pick up tickets and sell them. Plans are moving ahead successfully for the auction component of the evening's festivities. The staff recognized the efforts of Diana Johnson in securing sponsorship from Fleet Bank and Edwards & Angell.

(5) Selection Committee

The staff and David Newton, current Board representative to the Selection Committee, reported on the meeting to select tenants to fill the two apartments on the third floor which will be vacated by March 1. A poet and a photographer have been accepted. It was reported that both applicants are women, which should prove beneficial to the mix of occupants on the third floor. The reporters acknowledged the contributions of Chris Horschak, Princess Pearl, and Neal Walsh as tenant representatives to the committee.

(6) Financial Report

Sean Daly's absence from Providence as a result of business obligations prevented the completion of a full financial report for the present meeting. Bert reported that arrangements for the City of Providence to pay off the loan from the R.I. Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission had been finalized but that AS220 staff had not been able to arrange a meeting to get the signatures necessary from RIHPHC staff for release of funds from a CD account needed to complete the payoff.

(7) Artistic Director/Staff Report

Bert presented the Staff Report as of February 1, 1996 (see copy) without additional issues or items.

(3) AS220 Proposal to Manage the New England Artists Trust

Sam Miller, executive director of the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), Patryc Wiggins, board member of the New England Artists Trust (NEAT), and Bert Crenca, also a NEAT board member, made an extensive presentation on the organization, operations, and history of NEFA and NEAT and on a proposal prepared by AS220 staff for AS220 to assume management of NEAT.

Sam Miller reported that NEFA had been started by the six New England state arts councils at the urging of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) as an agency to receive public and private funding for efforts to build and maintain partnerships among the varied constituents of the arts community, including producers (artists), presenters (museums, galleries, theatres, etc.), community groups, and public agencies (state and local arts councils, etc.). NEFA has a board of twenty-four and a budget currently in the $3.5-4 million range, forty percent of which comes from public funds, primarily (in descending order) NEA, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and the five other New England arts councils. In general, the public funds cover the operating expenses of NEFA, while privately raised funds are used for programs and grants. Historically NEFA has been involved chiefly with managing traveling exhibits. It also has funded cultural initiatives to demonstrate the importance of the arts to local socioeconomic vitality and development.

NEAT was founded by NEFA to be an artist-led and -governed organization to provide outreach to and communication and connection among New England artists. NEAT has an Advisory Board of fifteen members. In addition to producing a newsletter, its primary activity has been to convene a regional conference for artists approximately every eighteen months, known as the Congress. Two Congresses have been held, in Providence and in North Adams, Massachusetts. A third is scheduled for Portland, Maine, June 20-23, 1996, and an enthusiastic bid has been received from Newport, New Hampshire to host the fourth Congress in 1997. Conference registrations and memberships serve as an important information base for networking area artists and arts organizations, and have generated some income. However, NEFA has provided the majority of NEAT's funding (approximately $30,000 to $50,000 for the Congress, and an equal amount for miscellaneous other expenses), as well as administrative functions. Staff changes and reductions at NEFA over the years and ongoing communications problems between NEFA and the NEAT Advisory Board have adversely affected NEFA's administration of NEAT activities, and the NEAT Advisory Board is concerned about NEAT's survival.

NEAT and NEFA have both looked at the viability of separating NEAT from NEFA. Independence for NEAT could be risky in this current era of dwindling resources. Conversely, NEAT would have more opportunities to raise funds for itself as an independent organization than it does as a program of NEFA.

With the support of the AS220 Board, the AS220 staff prepared "AS220's Proposal for the Management of the New England Artists Trust" (hereafter referred to as the Proposal), submitted to NEFA with cc to NEAT on January 30th. In Phase 1 of the management proposal as outlined, AS220 would contract with NEFA and NEAT to administer NEAT programs for the period from February to June 1996 (i.e., until the completion of the Portland Congress) with funds already budgeted by NEFA. AS220 staff would facilitate funding of the Portland Congress; conduct regional meetings with artists and state agencies regarding NEAT business; set an agenda for NEAT business at the Congress, including a final outline of NEAT programs for approval at the Congress; investigate funding sources that could be employed to undertake NEAT programs; proceed with planning for Congress IV in Newport, N.H.; and evaluate the success of Phase 1 with input from Congress III in June. The AS220 Board would recognize the NEAT Advisory Board as the governing authority for NEAT program activities. Phase 2, to be undertaken from June 1996 to June 1997, would procure funding, implement, and manage NEAT programs, including Congress IV in Newport, N.H., and develop a five-year plan for NEAT. (Additional details including phase budgets are included in the Proposal, q.v.).

Some discussion ensued to clarify various points regarding organization, administration, and funding. Sam Miller indicated that NEFA would remain committed to providing funding for the Congress commensurate with past funding levels. Shawn Wallace suggested to the Board that, if they felt more comfortable doing so, they could approve only Phase 1 of the Proposal, for which funding was already committed. With the Fool's Ball upcoming, Board members sought to determine whether managing both the Fool's Ball and the upcoming Congress III would overtax the staff, and concluded that the majority of work for the Ball had been or shortly would be completed. Board members agreed that it was important, as outlined in the Proposal, for the AS220 and NEAT boards to arrange for representatives at each other's meetings.

Board members Madolin Maxey and Keith Munslow departed during the long presentation and discussion, and when Gerry Heroux indicated that he had to leave, the remaining Board members expressed reluctance to endorse the Proposal without the participation of a greater number of Board members than the number currently present. Lucie Searle suggested scheduling a special Board meeting before the next regularly scheduled meeting to address the Proposal.

(8) Adjournment

By consensus, the Board agreed to adjourn the meeting until Tuesday, February 20th, at 6:30 PM. Laura Travis agreed to call all Board members to remind them and encourage their attendance.

Recorded and submitted by

Robert Owen Jones
Secretary

AS220 Board of Directors Meeting -- 1996/02/13 page 4

MINUTES
AS220 Board of Directors Meeting -- 1996/01/16

Members present:
Lucie Searle, Laura Travis, Sean Daly, Robert O. Jones, Keith Munslow, David Newton, Madolin Maxey, Gerry Heroux, Elizabeth Wylie, Erminio Pinque

Members not present:
Dennis diBattista, Richard Welch, Susan Souve, Steve Durkee

Staff present:
Bert Crenca, Sheri van Antwerp

Guests present:
Steve Dubois

(1) Lucie Searle made a few introductory remarks to open the meeting.

(2) Review and passage of the minutes of the November meeting was postponed.

(3) Sean Daly reported on behalf of the Finance Committee. AS220 had a shortfall in December and shortfalls can be expected for February and March, until our major fundraiser, the Fool's Ball, at the end of March. Revenue from programming and the cafe was down, presumably due to massive snowfalls, and one tenant was behind in rent. Major expenses included a Christmas bonus for staff and payments owed to the Workmen's Compensation Commission. Paperwork for the city's assumption of payment of the loan from the RIHPHC was executed improperly and had to be redone, causing additional delay in resolution of that issue. Fleet Bank has agreed to a fixed rate of 7% on their loan until 1999.

(4) Two vacancies will be occurring on the third floor and the Selection Committee is being convened, under the supervision of Richard Goulis, to see to filling those vacancies. Bert reported that there has been an ongoing problem with housekeeping on the third floor, and he requested authorization to raise the rents for apartments, as they become available, to build a reserve that could be used to hire someone to do basic housekeeping chores.

On a motion by Elizabeth Wylie, seconded by Madolin Maxey, the board

VOTED that the Artistic Director be authorized to raise the rents for rooms on the third floor, as they become open, for an amount up to but not more than ten dollars per month.

(5) Bert ran through the items enumerated in the Staff Report (see copy). Board members received a reminder to pay up their membership dues. Preparations for the Fool's Ball are the numero uno priority right now. The staff and officers stressed the need for board members to actively sell tickets, especially the $75 ones, and a goal was set for each board member to sell two $75 tickets. There was some discussion about whether to proceed with an auction as a ball event this year. Several speakers noted that the auction has never particularly been a programmatic or financial success, but several other speakers maintained that the auction could be organized and presented in a manner that would make it both great fun and lucrative. Laura, Madolin, Keith, Steve Dubois, and Sheri formed a subcommittee to plan the auction, and Robert O. offered to forage for objets. In addition to the items in the written report, Bert reported yet again on the ongoing situation between NEAT and NEFA.

(6) Lucie Searle raised the possibility of holding a board retreat to develop a sense of long-range organizational goals. She suggested the theme "AS220/2000" for this endeavor. The board generally agreed that it was a good idea to investigate pursuing this further.

(7) As a gesture enabling the secretary's obsessive/compulsive proclivities, on a motion by Laura Travis, seconded by Keith Munslow, the board

VOTED to reconfirm the election of Elizabeth Wylie, David Newton, and Erminio Pinque to the board of directors.

(8) The next board meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, February 13.

(9) On a motion by Sean Daly, seconded by Laura Travis, the board

VOTED to adjourn the meeting.

Recorded and submitted by

Robert O. Jones
Secretary

AS220 Board of Directors Meeting -- 1996/01/16 page 2