In attendance: H. Sloan, A. Blundell, R. Jones, S. Gregson, P. Mannion, M. J. O’Neill, J. Dyer, K. Nesbitt, T. MacKay F. Andrew, E. Burckhardt.
Apologies: A. Ralston, L. Fenwick, T. Eaton.
Agenda
Peribanez
Financial Situation
STaG Nights
Community Schools Project
Improvised Teatime
AOB
1. Peribanez
People are required for selling of programmes on the performance nights of Peribanez. The following people have agreed to help:
Thursday – E. Burckhardt and M. J. O’Neill
Friday – A. Blundell and J. Dyer
Saturday – T. MacKay and F. Andrew
There has been significant changes in the production team and T. MacKay highlighted the need for a stage hand. It was agreed that E. Burckhardt will assist in the production.
There will be a Peribanez podcast to be added to the subcity Radio website, to be arranged by M. J. O’Neill and Ruth Wells
The Board is encouraged to come and see the production.
2. Financial Situation
The mystery £700 has been given to STaG, thanks to S. Gregson. There was a discussion about claiming back money off STaG. A policy has been agreed that receipts must be submitted at Board meetings within a month of the end of production. Emzy Wisker is still claiming money off STaG, but S. Gregson will sort this out with her.
3. STaG Nights
There has been a technical meeting and the lighting will be agreed this week. T. MacKay and R. Jones have spoken to Tony at the G12 to arrange all these technical matters. The drinks have been ordered. A mock-up of the posters and flyers has been made and they are going to print on Wed 28th October. R. Jones has booked the 13th Note in town for the STaG Nights Launch Party, twinned with Initial Itch Scratch Night.
4. Community
The community project has started. And is still going well.
5. Improvised Teatime
B. Watson and F. Andrew are proposing the return of Improvised Teatime on the 1st Friday of every month, 5 -7pm. H. Sloan suggested the return of PlayGroup as well. E. Burckhardt is going to liaise with A. Blundell and P. Mannion in the hope of resurrecting PlayGroup on the 3rd Friday of every month. H. Sloan and the Board hope to begin a workshop series every Friday by the next term.
6. AOB
T. MacKay – asked if we have a staple gun.
J. Dyer – is looking into a lock for the store ‘booze’ cupboard and is also arranging a STaG Room clear up soon
S. Gregson – wants the posters to go back up and they shall.
A. Blundell – wants a board photo board. This shall be done soon.
F. Andrew – the theatre trip went well and there will be more to come.
In attendance: H. Sloan, A. Blundell, R. Jones, S. Gregson, P. Mannion, M. J. O’Neill, L. Fenwick,T. MacKay, J. Dyer, K. Nesbitt, F. Andrew, A. Ralston, E. Burchhardt, T. Eaton.
Welcome everyone, esp. the First Years!
Agenda
Proposals
First Year Responsibilities
New Talent Nights De-brief
Community
Peribanez
STaG Nights
Website
Executive Meeting
AOB
1. Proposal
Brett Myres proposed Noel Coward’s play Present Laughter for the Studio. After much deliberation, it was agreed that Present Laughter will be performed in the Studio. A. Blundell will act as the Board Representative, and will make sure that the production flows smoothly. P. Mannion will write up the Board’s feedback for Brett in the coming week.
2. First Year Responsibilities
The First Year Ordinary Board Members and Ordinary Board Member were assigned responsibilities for the coming academic year. T. Eaton will explore different channels to find sponsorship, as STaG has not had a sponsor for a while now. E. Burckhardt will be responsible for arranging workshops and seeking out workshops that our members might be interested in. It was agreed that A. Ralston should also have some responsibilities too, and it was suggested that this could be communicating with other universities.
3. New Talent Nights De-brief
H. Sloan felt it was important to have a New Talent Nights De-brief to reflect on the positives and negatives of New Talent Nights and obtaining new members. The general opinion was that it had done well, but there were various problems and grievances that were flagged up:
There was not enough social cohesion between casts. To remedy this, perhaps there could be a group warm-up, more emphasis on the After-show party, designated backstage area, run-through of the running order on the night.
The technical benefits of Qudos were great, but the acoustics of the space need to be addressed.
It was hard to keep Freshers to stick around after the evening had concluded. The small projects were useful for organising, but not for bonding between groups.
The way in which we frame and present the society on these social nights is important. We need to appear professional. There should have been more board members on hand throughout both nights to make sure that people are supported and enjoying themselves at STaG events.
We need to be careful that people have a similar kind of STaG experience and keep more of a check on directors to make sure that rehearsals are not too chaotic and that people have fun. We need to make sure we present a good image.
It was suggested there could be more of a theme – have plays picked, then find people to direct them. We need to have people involved sooner, and we need to make sure we are picking the directors that know how STaG works. We need to make sure that the STaG directors are supported throughout the process.
There needs to be a bigger team involved in planning the New Talent Nights, as the amount of work involved cannot be underestimated. More help should have been asked for.
It might be a good idea to plan New Talent Nights before people go on summer break.
It was suggested that we should still consider the GUU as a venue, due to our financial viability at the moment.
Overall the Nights made £100 profit on the doors, and the membership fees are still to be counted.
These criticisms should all being taken into account when the new Board begin to plan New Talent Nights. H. Sloan will type up some advice for the future Board.
4. Community
The community project is starting this week, and L. Fenwick stated that everything was going great!
5. Peribanez
There is a fundraiser on Thursday 22nd October to raise funds for Peribanez. The bake sale on Friday made £58.48. The production is going as planned as well.
6. STaG Nights
To quote R. Jones, ‘bit of rock and a hard place’ in terms of finding casts for the last final plays of STaG Nights. However, the majority of plays have been cast. The committee are still continuing to meet and organise the festival. H. Sloan reminded R. Jones to explain to directors that they are only allowed 6 hrs in the STaG Room a week. Email policy is being over-looked to help for plays to find casts, but this policy will try to be observed at all other times.
7. Website
H. Sloan wished to check-in with the Publicity Committee, regarding the status of the Website. M. J. O’Neill admits that he will need to be more authoritarian with delegating things to his committee. A group to ‘found’ the website will hopefully be found by this week, and this can be started.
8. Executive Meeting
An executive meeting has been arranged for 5pm, 1st November at A. Blundell’s house. [12 Kelvingrove St, 2/1]
9. AOB
J. Dyer – wants to make it clear that there will be a clean-up after Peribanez, so please let her know when you are available that week.
A. Blundell – suggested for next year’s STaG Nights that there could be more of a build up for the auditions.
T. MacKay – wanted to know if we still want to pursue buying lights for the society. It was agreed that we do.
K. Nesbitt – is meeting with someone from GU Amnesty International to arrange a time that we could perform with them at an event. Hopefully, a piece of new writing will be performed at said event.
P. Mannion – asked whether we should think about making/buying more t-shirts. E. Burckhardt is going to look into making the t-shirts.
M. J. O’Neill – highlighted the problem of there being too many newsflashes and emails going to the Faculty Departments. This issue needs to be address.
This is the current amendment of the constitution of the Glasgow University Society known as Student Theatre at Glasgow (STaG).
The amendment is issued on this date, 12th October, 2009, and incorporates the changes to the constitution approved by all of those members attending the STaG AGM on 5th October, 2009.
1. The Constitution
This STaG constitution represents the governing principles of the society. Any board or ordinary member of the society must adhere to these principles. It is the responsibility of all members to ensure the society fulfils this constitution in the circumstance of a serious breach of these commitments the board reserve the right to remove membership from any offending member.
2. Name
2.1 The society shall be known as Student Theatre at Glasgow, STaG for short.
3. Objectives
The objectives of STaG are:
3.1 To create an environment in which members can take part in and enjoy all aspects of theatre, its production and creative process.
3.2 To encourage new work and develop new talent wherever possible.
3.3 To have a large and active membership drawn from as wide a background and experience as possible.
3.4 Not to exclude anyone, who meets the conditions of this constitution, of their right to be a member.
3.5 To produce challenging, thought-provoking, and relevant theatre.
4. Role.
To meet these objectives STaG will:
4.1 Produce theatre of all kinds.
4.2 Encourage members to produce theatre, providing appropriate 'support' for such 'affiliated' productions.
4.2.1 To be considered 'affiliated' a show must be: made up entirely of STaG members, acknowledge STaG by including our logo on production publicity, include a STaG board member as adviser to the production team, keep appropriate financial records, hold open auditions unless there are exceptional circumstances (deemed by the board), meet the requirements of this constitution and any contract between the said show and STaG.
4.2.2 Such 'support' will involve providing (as the board deems appropriate): financial support, rehearsal and performance space, props and costume, any other appropriate help and advice.
4.2.3 Financial support is given on agreed conditions and is at the discretion of the Board.
4.3 Provide theatrical training and education through teaching, workshops and collaborative learning.
4.4 Take drama beyond the context of the University, using members experience to the benefit of the local community.
4.5 Provide links between members and the professional theatre establishment.
5. Membership
5.1.1 Membership is open to any matriculated student of GlasgowUniversity, subject to the payment of the current membership fee.
5.1.2 Membership is also open to non-students and students of other educational institutions (e.g. StrathclydeUniversity), subject to the discretion of the board and payment of the current membership fee.
5.2 Membership entitles the student to take an active role in society activities, to question the activities of board members directly or through the membership secretary and to vote in the STaG elections.
5.3 Any member found bringing STaG into disrepute may have their membership withdrawn, without refund, at the discretion of a majority vote of the STaG board.
6. The Board
6.1 STaG will be run by an elected board, appointed via appropriate elections (See section 7).
The Board is structured as follows;
6.2 An Executive elected directly to their posts by the membership
·The President
·The Vice Presidents (2)
·The Financial Secretary
·The General Secretary
6.3.1 The remaining board positions are then filled by electing members and are elected to specific posts.
The remaining general board posts are as follows;
·Membership Secretary
·Social Convenor
·Publicity Manager
·Technical Manager
·Venues Manager
·Community Theatre Representative
·Ordinary Board Members (up to 2) (see 6.3.3)
·First Year Ordinary Board Members (up to 2) (see 6.3.2 and 6.3.3)
6.3.2 First Year Ordinary Board Members will be added to the general board after the first AGM of the new Academic Year. At the AGM, new members will be invited to put themselves forward for these positions. The Executive is responsible for ensuring the appointment of these positions within two weeks of the AGM. The Method as which these appointments take place will be at the discretion of the Board.
6.3.3 First Year Ordinary Board Members and Ordinary Board Members will be assigned specific duties at the start of the year and throughout by a process of discussion with the Executive.
6.4 Once appointed, general positions can be changed by the executive as and when appropriate. However, the general board member maintains the right to hold a general position for the duration of the elected period (i.e. one year).
6.5 The board will meet weekly at minuted meetings, where majority voting will take place on appropriate general issues.
6.6 Each Board member has the responsibility to carry out their duties to the best of their ability.
6.7 The president, as directly elected representative of the membership, carries the final casting vote on any issue, where s/he feels the membership’s interests are not served by an individual board decision and carries the casting vote of executive decisions.
6.8 The STaG board will be available to answer to the membership and will hold regular advertised meetings and surgeries.
6.9 The President can be removed with a unanimous general Board vote or the majority of the active membership.
7. Elections
7.1 A full annual election of the STaG board will take place on the Week after Easter break.
7.2 A general meeting will be called at this time and elections administered jointly by the Membership Secretary and Social Convenor.
7.3 All elections must be advertised sufficiently to the membership.
7.3.2 'Sufficiently' In this case being open advertisement and contact enough (as deemed by the board) to ensure 90% of active members are aware of the election and how to vote.
7.4 On the occasion of less than a 35% turn out of active membership (as deemed by the board), the process will be carried over to the next week, where those present will select new officers regardless of the turn out.
7.5 On the occasion of general Board positions not being filled then a second set of elections will be held within two weeks, the only requirement for election being a majority vote of those present at the meeting.
7.6 In running the elections the Membership Secretary or Social Convenor must not be running for an executive position (though s/he may run for a general position)*in the occasion of the membership secretary or social convenor running for an executive position the outgoing board must select an appropriate independent member to administer the elections in their place.
7.7 Those wishing to run for President must be nominated by two STaG members and the election administrator must receive their nomination at least one week prior to the election.
7.7.1 Those wishing to run for Executive Board must be nominated by one STaG members and the election administrator must receive their nomination at least one week prior to the election.
7.7.2 Those wishing to run for Ordinary Board must nominate themselves and inform the election administrator at least 24 hours prior to the election.
7.8 Prospective general board members may nominate themselves as a candidate at the election meeting.
7.9 On the occasion of only 1 person being nominated for President or standing for an Executive position, the person running requires a confirmation vote of more than 50% of those attending the election. If this vote is not received or the President's post has no nominee, the position will be opened up to the membership at the election where majority voting will fill the position.
7.10 Only registered STaG members may vote in or stand for election.
8. Hand Over
8.1 Following an election the existing executive board and the newly elected board will share control of STaG for two weeks after the election to ensure a full hand over of all records (including financial), property, etc. takes place.
8.2 During this period the previous board will compile a report detailing the work they have carried out that year, including a full set of accounts.
8.3 It is the responsibility of the exiting President and Financial Secretary to ensure all funds are fully accounted for and handed over to the incoming administration.
9. Conduct
9.1 STaG exists for its membership, not for the private profit of any member. It is the responsibility of all members and particularly that of the Financial Secretary and the President, to ensure that STaG funds are used only for the benefits of STaG.
9.2 The STaG Board must make every effort to ensure that STaG is in a better general condition when they pass it on than it was when they inherited it.
10. Finance
10.1 STaG's funds will be administered by the Financial Secretary and by the President.
10.2 All shows etc., will be encouraged to make money from their productions, adding to STaG's general funds. A show’s ability to do so will be taken into account when approval for affiliated shows is handed out.
10.3 No member or Board member will be paid for their services other than for legitimate expenses incurred and approved in advance by the Financial Secretary AND the President.
10.4 The spending of any major sum of money (above £40) must be agreed in advance by BOTH the President and the Financial Secretary.
11. The STaG Room
11.1 The STaG Studio (Oakfield Avenue) must be used only with the prior approval of the Venues Manager AND the President, who reserves the right to withdraw such approval at their discretion.
11.2 Anyone using the STaG room must ensure that the room is left in a tidy condition, that chairs are stacked, and all rubbish disposed of. The person returning the STaG room keys to the main gate is also responsible for ensuring all lights are turned off, all doors are locked, and that the alarm (if appropriate) is set.
11.3 Any member found to be misusing (i.e. not meeting the above conditions) the STaG Room will have their STaG membership withdrawn without refund.
12. General
12.1 STaG exists to meet the requirements of its membership. An extraordinary AGM can be called in the event of more than 50% of the membership signing a petition requesting such a meeting. At such a meeting the board can be disbanded and new elections called by virtue of a majority vote. Such meetings will be administered jointly by the Membership Secretary and Social Convenor.
12.2 This constitution may not be amended, other than at the approval of more than 70% of the membership attending a STaG AGM, Extraordinary AGM or STaG election
13. Equal Opportunities
13.1 STaG will provide and promote equal opportunities, whatever a person's race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion, beliefs, sex, age, sexuality, HIV status, physical or mental disability, state of health, appearance, marital status or family circumstances.
In attendance: A. Blundell, R. Jones, P. Mannion, K. Nesbitt, L. Fenwick, J. Dyer.
Apologies:H. Sloan, S. Gregson, M. J. O’Neill, F. Andrew, T. MacKay, A. Ralston
[As only half the board were there, it was quite an informal Board Meeting, with R. Jones chairing.]
Agenda
Peribanez
STaG Nights
Community Schools Project
Board Trip
Studio
AOB
1. Peribanez
R. Jones wished to report back on the state of the posters and flyers for Peribanez and that they are ready to be sent to the printers. The posters and flyers are high resolution, using the new uniform poster format, which was approved by the board.
2. STaG Nights
The festival is gathering steam. The plays have been chosen, and the directors will all meet at a meeting on Tuesday 13th October to go through the full running of different shows. The auditions for STaG Nights will be advertised to Level 1 and Level 2 Theatre Studies students, in the hope of recruiting/involving new members. We are on the hunt for bands, as Washington Irving has pulled out. R. Jones is urging the board to find other interested bands.
3. Community Schools Project
The project will be entering schools next week. There are at least three people interested, but L. Fenwick hopes that more people will become involved. A. Blundell is still acting as an assistant. L. Fenwick now has a tutor to oversee the project. It is going well.
4. Board Trip
The Board discussed team building games that we could play in Inverary – capture the flag, spider trap, drinking games, worm game. A. Blundell has emerged as the head of games. Everyone is encourage to bring CDs, iPods, Frisbees, Balls, Pack of cards etc. to make the trip a place where we can bond.
5. Studio
The Studio will cost £150 for the week. The studio proposal date is next week. A. Blundell is going to speak to Tony at the G12 to make sure we have a solid relationship with the G12 before we use their space.
6. AOB
P. Mannion – The Fringe and Bedlam Box Office Takings has arrived for ‘I Don’t Live Here Anymore’. The play made £2,223.12 in ticket sales, which means that the play will have made a smaller loss than we thought, possibly only a couple of hundred pounds.
A. Blundell – has concerns that the G12 cheque that was written to ‘ STaG Nights’ and not ‘STaG’ may have expired. She will speak to S. Gregsonabout the situation.
In attendance: H. Sloan, A. Blundell, R. Jones, S. Gregson, P. Mannion, M. J. O’Neill, T. MacKay, K. Nesbitt, J. Dyer, F. Andrew, A. Ralston
Also present: B. Clifford, C. Felstead
Agenda
1.The Constitution
2.STaG Nights
3.Peribanez
4.Amnesty International
5.SRC
6.Studio Bookings
7.Schools Workshop
8.AOB
1. The Constitution
There were six minor changes to the constitution, voted in by the STaG Board and other members present. The changes were as follows:
·5.1.2 has been changed from ‘(i.e. StrathclydeUniversity)’ to ‘(e.g. StrathclydeUniversity
·6.3.2 will now conclude with the sentence ‘The Method as which these appointments take place will be at the discretion of the Board.’
·6.3.4 has officially been removed. This point detailed the appointment of the IT Manager, and was deemed to be irrelevant.
·6.7 will now read ‘carries the final casting vote’ rather than ‘ carries the right of veto’.
·7.1 will been changed, instead of ‘Monday of Term 3, Week 3 or as close to that date as is possible.’, to ‘the Week after Easter break.’
·There are two new points added to explain the election process in detail, 7.7.1 and 7.7.2. These are to be written up by P. Mannion.
P. Mannion will amend the constitution and a new copy will be emailed to the Board in due course.
2. STaG Nights
Everything is going well. The band Washington Irving have expressed an interest in playing at the event, and many other clubs and societies are becoming involved. The photography society are interested in running a photography competition at STaG Nights, and M. J. O’Neill will email the ArtSchool and other University to generate buzz about the competition. Interviews for Asst. Floor Manager and Asst. Tech Manager are happening at Tuesday’s
Tech Meeting. There has been lots of interest and the plays will be selected by next week.
3. Peribanez
The read through went well. The publicity meeting did not happen this week, but will occur this week. From all reports, everything is going well.
4. Amnesty International
STaG has received an email from Amnesty International, asking us if we want to participate in an event after Christmas. K. Nesbitt has agreed to speak to them to discuss what might be appropriate for the event. All agreed it was a great thing for STaG to be involved.
5. SRC
The SRC has asked us if we would like to participate in Media Week, running from the 9th -13th November. There was a suggestion of a horror tour around the university on Friday 13th. As this is the same week as STaG Nights, we are asking the SRC for more information about the event we could do. H. Sloan will keep in touch, as
this was agreed to be a good idea.
6. Studio Bookings
A. Blundell has booked the Studio provisionally with Minty Donald for the week beginning the 30th November. A proposal date was suggested for the 19th October to allow for six weeks to prepare for the performance.
7. Schools Workshop
L. Fenwick was not present, but K. Nesbitt has heard that she has 4 people who are interested in taking workshops to schools. A. Blundell has been appointed as an assistant.
8. AOB
M. J. O’Neill – The publicity committee has floated the idea of having uniform publicity material. R. Jones has worked on some mock-ups for the idea. These will be emailed round this week and any major objections should be voiced to M. J. O’Neill.
S. Gregson – raised the question of posters for the New Talent Nights, and this will be looked into for next week
by M. J. O’Neill and H. Sloan.
S. Gregson – There has been a problem booking rooms for the QMU, so it was agreed that they would only be three people who were allowed to book rooms – J. Dyer, P. Mannion and H. Sloan. All room bookings for the QMU will now go through them.
