Minutes: 18th January 2010

STaG Board Meeting

18^th January 2010

In attendance: H. Sloan, A. Blundell, R. Jones, S. Gregson, P. Mannion, M. J. O’Neill, J. Dyer, K. Nesbitt, T. Mackay, F. Andrew, A. Ralston, L. Fenwick, T. Eaton.

Apologies: E. Burckhardt

Agenda

1. Becoming a Charity
2. Festivals Update
3. New Writing Festival
4. Studio
5. Burns Supper
6. AOB

1. Becoming a Charity

After a brief discussion of the pros and cons of being a charity, it was noted that:

• we, perhaps, do not fit the criteria for becoming a charity, even though we can be seen to be furthering the arts for art’s sake. We can cater for many different kinds of people as our membership is ‘open to all’.
• it is a decision that could have repercussions on future boards that may have a detrimental effect, however, anything that we had over to the next board, they will have to deal with.
• the charity trustees i.e. the President and the Treasurer could have much more additional work and responsibilities that could put them in a compromised position. It will also mean that they have additional duties, which might overstretch them.
• our financial accounts would need to be in the best condition, which they are not at the moment, as there are ‘thorny’ elements.
• it is additional work on top of our studies to deal with the administration of being a charity.

It was agreed that the Board did not have enough information to make a informed decision, and the majority voted against not continuing with this venture.

2. Festivals Update

R. Jones reported that No Wasted Education’s visit to Edinburgh for the tech/dress had gone well. Half of the seats in the Bedlam had already been filled. In terms of budget, the production should hopefully break-even. The play will also appear at St. Andrews Festival on the 21^st April, and R. Jones is hoping to take the minibus up to St. Andrews to save on transport costs. F. Andrew is making a facebook event in an attempt to encourage as many members to come to Edinburgh as possible.

3. New Writing Festival

A. Blundell is meeting Susan at the Ramshorn Theatre this week, with H. Sloan, to agree a contract with the theatre. The New Writing Festival committee pushed back the deadline for submissions, as there was not enough entries, in the hope that they would receive more. A. Blundell, with the help of M. J. O’Neill, has emailed more judges and is hoping to hear back soon. She also hope to ring Fran at the Bedlam to ensure STaG has a slot at the Fringe.

Once the plays have been selected, H. Sloan will liaise with the QMU to see if they can be performed at the ‘A Play, A Pie and A Pint’. There will also be a need to start on publicity.

K. Nesbitt suggested that there should written-down criteria for submissions, as people were disallowed from entering devised work this year. The Board agreed that this was unfair, and that maybe a name change for the event to New Works Festival might be useful. It was suggested that the remit for submissions could be broadened.

4. Studio

A. Blundell has spoken to Minty at the Theatre Studies Dept. and she has agreed to let the Studio for free again. It was agreed that 15^th - 20^th March and 3^rd – 8^th May were suitable dates, and A. Blundell is enquiring whether STaG can have those dates.

5. Burns Supper

The QMU has invited STaG and all affiliated societies to a Burns Supper on Monday 25^th January. It is £15 and includes a three course meal, minimum two drams of whisky and a ceilidh. H. Sloan and P. Mannion think that it looks like a ‘jolly good riot’ and maybe some board members should go, maybe they shouldn’t, who knows?

6. AOB

R. Jones – would like to float the idea of BAST [working title] (British Association of Student Theatre). It was agreed that this was a good idea, and R. Jones and the touring No Wasted Education were going to discuss the idea with EUTC. The initial aim would be communication with the hope of expanding this to include collaboration and so forth. It would be a network where different societies can chat and see what the other societies are doing.

F. Andrew – it was brought up in last week’s meeting that casting for No Wasted Education may be a source of contention. Amy Conway M.A.(Glasgow) M.A. (RSAMD) had been given the lead role in No Wasted Education without auditioning, which was a matter of concern. Ciaran McHale had held two open auditions and there had not been enough people attending, particularly girls. What he did was thorny and against the spirit of the constitution, however there were circumstances that led him to conclude that this was the best course of action. It is something we should keep an eye on, but needs to be addressed case-by-case, as P. Mannion thinks there are other people who cast their shows with biases and nothing is done about it, including herself.

SNACK ROTA is E. Burckhardt and F. Andrew.

Minutes: 11th January 2010

STaG Board Meeting

11^th January 2010

In attendance: H. Sloan, A. Blundell, S. Gregson, P. Mannion, M. J. O’Neill, K. Nesbitt, J. Dyer, F. Andrew, T. Mackay, L. Fenwick, T. Eaton, E. Burckhardt

Apologies: A. Ralston, R. Jones

Agenda

1. Reflection

2. New Writing Festival

3. Workshop Fridays

4. Community Reflection

5. Registering as a Charity

6. Social

7. AOB

1. Reflection

H. Sloan congratulated everyone on a great first term, but wished to reflect on improvements that could be worked on this term. Each board member outlined their achievements and improvements. These are outlined at the end of this document.

2. New Writing Festival

A. Blundell noted that the New Writing Festival is progressing well. The ticket prices have been agreed as £6/£5 a night, or £18 for a festival pass. The plays will be performed on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. There has been no word from any of the judges, but there is still time for them to respond, and A. Blundell is going to call or email them for a response. She will also keep an eye on the Bedlam website to apply for a slot for the Fringe. The SRC Top Up Grant form has been submitted. It is unlikely that we will receive the Arts Faculty Grant, from emails. A. Blundell and her New Writing Festival Committee will be choosing this plays this week and will be starting to consider fundraising options.

3. Workshop Fridays

The first instalment of PlayGroup went well, and there is hope that there will be a showcase soon. Improvised Teatime will resume in February. A blurb will be in the newsletter this week to remind members.

4. Community Reflection

L. Fenwick thought that community schools project went well and thought that her group did well in conducting the workshops. Connections have been made and schools will be keen to have us back. L. Fenwick is going to liaise with E. Burckhardt in the hope that L. Fenwick might run a workshop in the coming term.

5. Registering as a Charity

P. Mannion and F. Andrew have been reading up on this and there are points of contention. Next week, the board will be discussing the pros and cons of registering after the board has had a chance to peruse all the information.

6. Social

F. Andrew is going to place a blank rota on the STaG noticeboard and would now like 3 board members at every Social, so please sign up this. There will be a buffet every week, and STaG will cover the £10 cost of this. There will be a STaG Theatre Trip to see No Wasted Education in Edinburgh, and another performance at 1pm. This is to be arranged.

7. AOB

S. Gregson – Present Laughter borrow props and costume from Vintage Guru. Two items are still to be returned – a scarf and a white, fluffy hat. The hat has been 'stolen/taken' by a girl from Flatrate's The Zeros Keep Going. S. Gregson will attempt to contact her, but is going to speak to Vintage Guru about the situation

P. Mannion – the snack rota has been arranged and will be sent out in an email.

A. Blundell – wants the Board to consider better signage, and J. Dyer and her will look into the situation.

F. Andrew – when R. Jones is present, there is a need to discuss the methods of casting in No Wasted Education.

SNACK ROTA – next week – M. J. O'Neill & T. Eaton.

Minutes: 6th December 2009

STaG Board Meeting

6^th December 2009

In attendance: H. Sloan, A. Blundell, R. Jones, S. Gregson, P. Mannion, M. J. O’Neill, K. Nesbitt, F. Andrew, A. Ralston, L. Fenwick.

Apologies: J. Dyer, T. Mackay, A. Ralston, T. Eaton, E. Burckhardt

Also attending: B. Myers, R. L. Murby, J. Maitland

Agenda

1. Present Laughter Post-mortem/Reflection

2. Registering as a Charity

3. STaG Christmas cards

4. Grants

5. Social – Pantomime

6. AOB

• New Writing Festival

• Website

1. Present Laughter Post-mortem/Reflection

B. Myers reported that he felt that the production had ran very smoothly and felt supported by STaG throughout the process. However, there were some logistical hitches that should be highlighted:

• Due to the ongoing ‘war’ of who owns the studio, there was a problem with the storage facilities being used by STaG. Directors need to be encouraged to use smaller sets to minimise this problem

• It will be good to inform the Duty Mgr, Lee and the Technical Team of STaG being in the studio to maintain a good working relationship with the G12.

• There is a need to ensure that the capacity of the Studio is kept at 50, and that the board should be very strict about letting more than that into the room.

• People who have pre-order tickets need to be informed that if they do not collect their tickets by 7.15pm they will be sold on.

• We need to ensure that people become members before they go onstage and that this should be strictly enforced.

P. Mannion will update the director’s pack with a list of dos and don’ts when people are working in the Studio. Present Laughter should make more than a £200 net profit.

2. Registering as a Charity

P. Mannion and H. Sloan have been doing some researching into the process of STaG becoming a charity, and it looks likely, however there are a few points that will need to be clarified:

• STaG will need trustees to become a charity and whether they need to become permanent or not, is an issue. F. Andrew will contact the Office of the Scottish Charities Regulator to discern this information.

• The legality of our Studio membership and selling alcohol ‘in an unlicensed’ fashion will probably be called into question as we have to declare everything financially.

P. Mannion and H. Sloan will work on this throughout the Christmas break.

3. STaG Christmas Cards

L. Fenwick has designed the STaG Christmas card and H. Sloan will sign them. The cards will be delivered on Wednesday 9^th December at noon by H. Sloan, K. Nesbitt, R. Jones and F. Andrew.

4. Grants

It was agreed that we will apply for the SRC Top-Up Grant for the venue hire of the Ramshorn Theatre for the New Writing Festival. P. Mannion will submit this to the SRC over the Christmas break.

5. Social - Pantomime

Because F. Andrew ‘hates’ pantomimes, L. Fenwick will be the board rep for the STaG trip to the pantomime. It will be on the 17^th December.

6. AOB

A. Blundell – is going to sit down with T. Mackay to arrange technical slots and performance times with the Ramshorn for the New Writing Festival.

M. J. O’Neill – the website committee is going to meet on Friday 11^th December at 3-4pm in the Library. The committee will be building the website with the help of Tessa Flannery, Stewart Archibald and Tom Pennock.

Have a good Christmas! And New Year!