​​FY19 February BOD Meeting Minutes

Cantus
Board of Directors Meeting
1201 Marquette Avenue, Suite 100
February 25, 2019



Present: Katie Berg, Pete Cochrane, Chris Foss, Nancy Gaschott, Jonathan Guyton, Patricia Kirkpatrick, Brock Metzger,  Jeff Reed, Paul Scholtz, Craig Shulstad
Absent: Jim Dorsey, Katie Gabriel, Francie Nelson, David Niles, Kevin Stocks, Beth Anne Thompson
Staff: Joe Heitz, Joey Hillesheim, Kelsey Sieverding
Guest: Alberto de la Paz, Cantus Tenor
 
BOARD AGENDA
 
 
  1. Call to order                                                                                                                 5:31pm
    1. Approve: Minutes of FY19 January Meeting
Motion: Katie Berg, 2nd: Pete Cochrane; approved.
  1. Chris/Paul: Artistic Report
    1. Reported successful audition day with exciting, well-prepared applicants.
      1. Board discussion re: logistics of audition day, increase in quality of applicants.
    2. Reported productive HSR Festival Day; looking forward to culminating concert in May.
  2. Joe: Executive Director’s Report
    1. Reported MSAB Arts Access Grant is moving forward thanks to connection that Jeff had with Shakopee prison’s Warden for Operations.
    2. Described in-progress MSAB Arts Learning Grant application to work with another group at Minnesota Boychoir.
    3. Reported receipt of unsolicited $5,000 grant from Surdna foundation again this year.
      1. Board discussion re: Westminster connection to foundation.
    4. Updated board on 2nd round of focus groups – Beth Anne will compile results to share with singers, staff, and BOD.
  3. Nancy: Treasurer’s report
    1. Reported Finance Committee didn’t meet this month due to inclement weather but Nancy and Joe met to go through financials.
      1. Will have year-end projections to share soon.
    2. Board discussion re: shortfall in self-bookings, ticket revenue, sales trends, and marketing budget vs actuals.
    3. Accept: January financials
Motion: Nancy Gaschott, 2nd: Craig Shulstad; accepted.
  1. Jon/Joey: Engagement Committee Update
    1. Reported strategies resulting from most recent committee meeting.
      1. Targeting lapsed donors
    2. Described spring concert as tracking behind last year.
    3. Reported upcoming marketing campaigns.
    4. Brock requested board pledges, suggested inviting friends to concerts.
    5. Provided status update on Cantus Idol
      1. 107 tickets sold
      2. Updated board on new auction items
      3. Requested board support for Delta gift card
    6. Reported recent company discussion about sponsorships.
  2. Pete: Governance Committee Update
    1. Described updates to committee structure.
      1. Added Doug Affinito, Sam Green, and Susan Stuart
    2. Reported recent discussion about board skill priorities for new members: secondary educator, nonprofit leader, diversity.
    3. Discussed pros and cons of targeting former board members.
    4. Reported hope to recruit five new members by end of fiscal year.
    5. Board discussion re: recruiting from existing audience.
  3. Chris/Paul: Artist Frequently Asked Questions and Discussion
    1. Board discussion re: collaborative model, role of Artistic Council, how disagreements are handled, timline of concert program development.
  4. Jeff: Discussion of Revised Strategic Priorities
    1. Reputation, Relevance, Revenue
    2. Described intent to prioritize social media presence, leverage 25th anniversary, build more diverse audience, generate new revenue.
    3. Board discussion re: venues, geographic markets, events whose audience could increase nationwide relevance and reputation.
    4. Reported staff has been deputized to begin implementing goals. Executive committee will revise exact verbiage for use with grant applications, 25th anniversary, etc.
  5. Adjourn                                                                                                                                    6:44pm