Minutes 18th April 2011

STaG Board Minutes 19th April 2011
In attendance: T. Pennock, C. Felstead, S. MacDonald, J. May, L. Taylor, A. Rutherford, S. Gregson
Apologies: T. Eaton, A. McKay, H. Allan, D. Hahn, F. Bird, L. Monkman, D. Keenan, E. Burckhardt.
Agenda
1. The play formerly known as ‘Stripmine Ocean’.
2. STaG Ball
3. Mainstage production Winter 2011
4. Elections
5. Starter Packs
6. Minutes
7. ‘Tech Check’
8. G.U.U. feedback session
9. Play in a day
10. Meeting with Mature Students Association
11. Bell
12. A.O.B.

1. The play formerly known as ‘Stripmine Ocean’
S. Gregson asked S. MacDonald for an update. S. MacDonald confirmed that the text for the Fringe Guide had been submitted today (on the deadline). The play has been renamed ‘A Stone’s Throw’, and henceforth will be referred to as such. The board discussed whether this a ploy to get our production in the ‘A’ section of the guide, or to assure concerned parents there will be no stripping in the production.
The production is currently undergoing ‘team assemblage’, and S. MacDonald is aware that fundraising should start as soon as possible. STaG also received an offer from C Venues (for C Soco) today, which was very reassuring (but of concerning lateness seeing as the advert deadline was today…). S. MacDonald also says that STaG were contacted by Underbelly and that in general, they were very happy with the responses received.
S. MacDonald: A Twitter account has been created for the production, and website creation is under consideration. T. Pennock raises concern that a domain purely for one run, with a very common name, may prove expensive. J. May meant to but forgot to suggest a ‘full-time’ STaG fringe-purpose website with short, snappy URL, e.g. www.stagfringe.com for ease of advertising etc.
2. STaG Ball
In absence, F. Bird sends a message that she would like a meeting next week. The Board asks when, where, etc. and await response/further contact from F. Bird. General consensus that greater attendance at meetings is necessary, C. Felstead acknowledges that some miscommunication etc. has hindered this.
C. Felstead also reminds board about the STaG Ball prizes. L. Monkman said previously that she would create a bank of prizes, but does she need assistance from the board with this? Everything going A-O.K.?
3. Mainstage production Winter 2011
S. Gregson says that a blurb needs to go in this week’s newsletter, and S. MacDonald commits (then forgets and is reminded) to writing this and sending to L. Monkman. A deadline for submissions is set as Friday the 13th (the board ‘oohs’) May, to read the proposals over the weekend and discuss them at the board meeting on the 16th May.
S. Gregson addresses issue of G12-which-doesn’t-exist’s potential bias towards Theatre Students or lack of availability for our preferred period, and highlights the Cottier Theatre, The Ramshorn and Arches as three other possible venues. S. Gregson stresses the need for a theatre venue for mainstages. L. Taylor suggests researching other options, which is met with considerable apathy; venue searching is soul-destroying. S. Gregson emailed, phoned and will finally meet with the Cottier’s ‘man’ next week, after emailing for confirmation…
4. Elections
C. Felstead says blurb should go into this week’s newsletter, but is not to be copied and pasted from a previous edition. Need to drum up enthusiasm and fervour for said elections. S. MacDonald volunteers to write inspiring and life-affirming blurb and send to L. Monkman.
C. Felstead believes the elections to be ‘shaping up’ and ‘looking better’ now we have manfiestos and Facebook events online. Concern raised that many members are nominating themselves for the role of Ordinary Board Member. Whilst the constitution allows for 2 Ord Boards, S. MacDonald feels people should ‘go for the top!’ (whilst reaffirming her belief in the inherent importance of the role of the Ordinary Board Member).
L. Taylor raises concern with format of applying for elections; website is a little cluttered and confusing. L. Taylor originally posted her manifesto as a comment on the election page. T. Pennock says this can and should be deleted to avoid further confusion.
S. MacDonald seems agitated still; J. May feels she has ‘a general concern for life’. S. MacDonald wants ‘fresh blood’.
In the interests of good sportsmanship, the Board decides it should be common practice to ‘attend’ all election invitations on Facebook.
5. Starter Packs
S. Gregson reminds the board that starter packs are due on the 1st May, and must be electronically submitted to him. The board is invited to send round their packs for helpful hints, suggestions etc.
6. Minutes
Minutes are now available to read by the general public on the STaG website, under the ‘Board’ tab. Lucky public.
7. Tech Check
Tech check, where the tech is checked, still needs to occur. L. Taylor suggests a date after the 3rd of May to suit. G12 Technician T. Sweeten is preferred, but other people can be contacted via the Yellow Pages.
8. G.U.U. Feedback Evening
Was held this evening. S. Gregson extended the invitation to all those present, encouraging them to come and enjoy the nibbles with him.
9. Play in a Day
L. Taylor and C. Felstead bicker over exactly how many people have expressed interest via their joint email account; this number is either three or four. General concern that interest is extremely limited and niche. S. MacDonald believes the blurb should reappear in the Newsletter, as first on the agenda. L. Taylor agrees to creating a Facebook event, which will also stress the going-ahead of the event is dependent upon the interest presented (“DON’T JUST PRESS ATTENDING!”). Poster and publicity ideas were briefly discussed with A. McKay.
10. Meeting with Mature Students Association
Attended by S. Gregson and felt to be of little real worth. President of MSA to contact Estates and Buildings about getting an extra bell fitted purely for STaG use, although we have already done so. L. Taylor suggests buying our own, relatively cheap, bell and attaching it. J. May points out that the orange wood sign and chalk sign are allowed and already present, so a small bell-push would hardly provide sight pollution. J. May also suggests using temporary ‘sticky-tabs’ as adhesive, not screws, so as not to damage the building/enrage staff. S. Gregson suggests, as we have not received any SRC funding this year, that we could apply to them for a grant for the ridiculously expensive £160 fee. J. May says he will research bells. S. MacDonald plans to boobytrap the bell by replacing it with an air freshening device. S. MacDonald also to research why we are a society and not an association, and why this means we are not allowed a real University sign/location on the map.
11. Bell
The board discusses, at length, the possibilities of a launch night for the bell. This could potentially take the form of a fundraiser.
12. A.O.B.
Unsurprisingly, S. MacDonald has A.O.B.; updates the board on the STaG Archive team and their brilliant efforts (see S. MacDonald’s email ‘STaG Archive’, 18/04/2011).
J. May forgets to update board on Community Theatre Projects. After the success of the first STaG Community Theatre Production of Mavis’s Shoe at the Aye Write! Festival, a second performance was held in the Sauchiehall Street WH Smith. Two further performances have been confirmed at the West End Festival, and STaG Community Theatre is collaborating with GUST in order to film the production for use by the Scottish Book Trust as an educational resource.