FY16 June Special Session Minutes

Cantus
Board of Directors Meeting—1201 Marquette Avenue, Suite 100
June 13, 2016
5:00-7:00 pm
 
Present: Katie Berg, Pete Cochrane, Liz Cutter, Jim Dorsey, Chris Foss, Martha Graber, Wendy Holmes, Patricia Kirkpatrick, Noel McCormick, Brock Metzger, Marit Smaby Nowlin, Chuck Peterson, Jeff Reed, David Ranheim, Karl Reichert
 
Staff: Jeff Bina, Joey Hillesheim, Carly Thornberry
 
Singers: Zac Colby, Adam Fieldson, Matt Goinz, Sam Green, Paul Scholtz, Matt Tintes
 
Absent: Julie Carver, Libby Larsen, Paul Rudoi, Craig Shulstad
 
 
 
BOARD AGENDA

  1. Wendy: Call to order                                                                                        5:07pm
    1. Wendy Holmes presiding
Motion: Katie Berg; 2nd Jeff Reed; meeting commenced.
  1. Chuck: Review Financial Projections through July 31, 2016
    1. Updated the board on budget, cash flow, and financial outlook. 
    2. Draft budget will be presented at the regular June 27 meeting.
    3. Finance Committee, CLA, and staff met to review financial processes going forward.
    4. Chuck and Jeff will meet weekly to review cash flow.
      1. Revenue is expected from the NEA, the McKnight Foundation, and potentially Target. The end-of-year giving campaign should also help immediate cash flow.
    5. Chuck and staff met with Tim Peterson to discuss next year’s budget.
  2. Karl/Paul/Chris: Romeo and Juliet Update
    1. Due to the Executive Director transition, the Romeo and Juliet project will be postponed until Spring 2018.
      1. This will also allow more time to leverage fundraising potential.
    2. Collaborative partners have been contacted and understand the postponement.
    3. Trish Santini, formerly of the Guthrie Theater, has been suggested as a project manager. She has agreed - though Cantus will need to consider budget implications.
    4. Artists have assembled a Spring 2017 program to replace Romeo and Juliet this year.
    5. The 2016-2017 Season announcement will take place as soon as possible.
    6. Rehearsal time previously dedicated to Romeo and Juliet will need to be reallocated. This could include additional touring through AAM or chamber music performances in the Twin Cities.
    7. Contracts with publicists Rebecca Davis and Anne Ulseth will be reviewed.
  3. Wendy: Recommendation for Transition Leadership
    1. Executive Committee looked for someone who could manage some day-to-day operations, make suggestions for the organization regarding operations and structure, and help advance the search for full time Executive Director.
      1. Two potential interims were approached.
    2. Reviewed proposal from Joceyln Hale.
      1. Discussed her fit for Cantus.
    3. Cantus may be eligible for special one-time grants for this transition period.
  4. Approve negotiating a contract with Joceyln Hale.
Motion: David Ranheim, 2nd Liz Cutter; motion carries.
  1. Carly and Noel: Engagement Committee Updates on Fundraising
    1. Engagement Committee met prior to the full board meeting.
    2. Approx. 40 major donors and close friends of Cantus have been updated about the Executive Director transition.
    3. Updated board on Cantus Idol.
      1. The committee discussed all possibilities and agreed to stay at ARIA next year.
      2. The committee will meet again in the next couple weeks to discuss tweaks to the event.
    4. The committee plans to budget flat revenue for Idol with the hope that we will also pick up sponsorships.
    5. Discussed likelihood of sponsorships.
    6. Discussed bridge-fund progress.
  2. Jeff/Jim/Chuck: DOL Update
    1. Tracking ensemble hours presents a number of challenges for singers and reduces capacity for administrative staff.
    2. Recommended to move singers to the new DOL minimum (roughly $47K) effective on December 1.
      1. In this scenario, singer salaries would stay flat for the first four months of the fiscal year.
    3. The goal is to continue to increase salaries every year in an amount that the budget allows.
    4. Singers have created a backup plan if salary increases are not financially possible.
  3. Brock and Carly: Communications Update
    1. Talking points about Executive Director transition were distributed and discussed.
    2. A public announcement about the leadership transition will be made when the interim director is in place.
  4. New business
    1. Meetings will be moved to 5:30-7pm.
  5. Wendy: Adjourn                                                                                                           6:37pm
Motion: Chuck Peterson; 2nd Karl Reichert; meeting adjourned.
 
 
EXECUTIVE SESSION