The Board of Directors of the Albuquerque Theatre Guild convened at The Box. Present were Board Members Eli Browning, Daniel Garcia, Kristen Loree, Claudia Mathes, Linda Lopez McAlister, Preston Mendenhall, Joel Miller, Valerie Scott, and Hugh Witemeyer.  Absent were Georgia Athearn and Casey Mraz. Also present were Howie Kaibel and Doug Montoya. This attendance constituted a quorum.

1. Call to Order and Approval of Minutes

President Preston Mendenhall called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. On behalf of the ATG, he thanked Doug Montoya, Kristin Berg, and The Box for allowing us to meet in their exciting new space. The Board approved the minutes of the June 5 meeting and the agenda for the July 10 meeting.

2. Treasurer’s Report

Treasurer Claudia Mathes distributed copies of a current balance sheet and a summary of changes in net assets during FY 2009-10. She proposed a re-distribution of ATG cash assets and new policies for the management of those assets. After a detailed discussion, Linda Lopez McAlister moved that the Board approve both the redistribution and the new policies, with a second from Eli Browning. The motion passed by a unanimous vote.

Claudia then introduced a six-page statement of proposed financial procedures that she and Marty Epstein have crafted to guide the conduct of ATG financial transactions. The Board postponed action on this document until its August meeting. The Board also postponed until August action on an ATG budget for 2010-11. Meanwhile, heads of committees, circles and other ATG subgroups are asked to re-evaluate their initial budget requests and submit revised requests no later than July 26. Revised requests should include justifications of proposed expenditures in terms of the group’s mission, realistic estimates of proposed expenditures, and a lower total amount if possible. Group leaders are also invited to raise discussion points about the 2010-11 budget in general.

3. Strategic Initiatives

Daniel Garcia reported that Board outreach contacts with ATG member organizations are continuing. On behalf of the Youth Theatre outreach team, Hugh Witemeyer then presented a proposal for three outreach initiatives to APS high-school drama programs: (1) workshops in theatre skills offered by ATG instructors, (2) preview-night performances and talkbacks offered by ATG organizations, and (3) an ATG membership category appropriate to school theatre programs. Kristen Loree moved that the Board accept the proposal, with a second from Valerie Scott. The motion passed. “Ownership” of the three initiatives will belong to (1) Claudia Mathes, (2) Valerie Scott, and (3) Hugh Witemeyer and the ATG Membership Committee, respectively

4. Committee Reports

(a) Buzz Committee.
Committee Chair Linda Lopez McAlister moved that the Board approve the offer of a contract to Richard Boehler for design work in 2010-11. In addition to designing two issues of “Albuquerque Spotlight on Live Theatre” and six other ATG publicity projects, Richard will receive $2300, payable in installments, and complimentary ATG memberships for himself and his wife. The motion was seconded by Valerie Scott and approved by a vote of 8 in favor to 1 opposed.

Joel Miller then moved that the Board approve an application prepared by the Buzz Committee for a grant from the Urban Enhancement Trust Fund for a program of matinee performances by ATG member organizations for senior audiences. The motion was seconded by Kristen Loree and approved by a vote of 8 in favor to 1 opposed.

During discussion of the motion the question arose, should ATG refrain from applying for grants from funders to which ATG member organizations are applying in the same cycle. The gist of the discussion was that, as long as the applications are for different projects or programs, ATG need not refrain, since each application is judged on its own merits and therefore does not pose a threat to the evaluation of others.

(b) Web Committee.
Webmaster Joel Miller reported that revisions of the ATG website are under way.

(c) Membership Committee.
Hugh Witemeyer reported on the progress of membership renewals by individuals and organizations. He suggested that renewals would be facilitated if they could be accomplished online, and if the ATG were routinely to send invoices to member organizations.

(d) Tennessee William Festival Committee.
Preston Mendenhall reported on the current state of plans for the Festival. At present, nine ATG member organizations have indicated their interest in mounting productions of plays by or about Williams in 2011.

5. Playwrights’ Circle

Howie Kaibel reported that the Circle hopes to expand its program of readings of new work by its members to a wider range of venues in the coming year.

6. Old Business

The Board lacked adequate time to discuss two items of business brought up at its June meeting:  (1) a policy on the expenditure of ATG funds for publicity outside the Albuquerque area, and (2) how can ATG commemorate fallen members of the theatre community?

7. New Business

In response to Eli Browning’s e-mail proposal that ATG should attempt to take over the management of the Nob Hill Performing Arts Information Fair, the Board recommended that our role in the Fair be discussed in a joint meeting of the Unity and Buzz Committees to which Terry Davis is invited. President Mendenhall expressed a hope that the Board will consider changes in the pattern of its meetings that allow business to be conducted more efficiently.

8. Next Meeting

The next meeting of the ATG Board of Directors will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 7, at the Aux Dog Theatre.

The meeting adjourned at 12:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Hugh Witemeyer, Secretary