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.