FY19 January BOD Meeting Minutes

Cantus
Board of Directors Meeting
1201 Marquette Avenue, Suite 100
January 28, 2019

Present: Katie Berg, Pete Cochrane, Jim Dorsey, Chris Foss (phone), Katie Gabriel, Nancy Gaschott, Jonathan Guyton, Patricia Kirkpatrick, Jeff Reed, Paul Scholtz (phone), Kevin Stocks, Beth Anne Thompson
Absent: Brock Metzger, Francie Nelson, David Niles, Craig Shulstad
Staff: Joe Heitz, Joey Hillesheim, Kelsey Sieverding

BOARD AGENDA

Call to order 5:31pm
1. Approve: Minutes of FY19 November Meeting

Motion: Nancy Gaschott, 2nd Katie Gabriel; approved.

Chris/Paul: Artistic Report
1. Reported successful touring performances in NM, despite elevation.
2. Provided update on eOne album and Graphite Music publishing selections.
3. Described Composer Competition project for 25th anniversary.
4. Reported recent influx of video content which will be used for social media.
5. Provided status update for this year’s audition process.
Joe: Executive Director’s Report
1. Reported NEA disbursement delayed due to government shutdown.
2. Described recent complications with Voices of Hope MSAB arts access grant – funds not reflected in cashflow since funding is no longer guaranteed.
3. Described change of funding priorities within the Target foundation.
4. Reported All is Calm profit sharing agreement recently came to light, new expense is reflected in cashflow.
Nancy: Treasurer’s report
1. Reported cashflow looks very strong through end of FY.
2. Described new characterizations of fiscal categories.
3. Board discussion re: self-bookings budget vs actuals.
4. Accept: December financials

Motion: Nancy Gaschott, 2nd: Jon Guyton; accepted.

Jon/Joey: Engagement Committee Update
1. Described discrepancy in categorization of end-of-year gifts.
2. Reported ticket sales for Christmas With Cantus fell short of goal.
3. Board thanked Patricia Kirkpatrick for contributions to CWC poetry.
4. Provided status update on Cantus Idol committee planning.
5. Jon thanked board members for pledge contributions.
6. Board discussion re: implications of changes in tax incentives for individual giving.
Pete: Governance Committee Update
1. Described new strategies and priorities for identifying/recruiting new members.
2. Requested BOD suggest new members, esp. from artistic and education communities.
  1. Currently assessing interests of old BOD members to return.
3. Board discussion re: capacity for new BOD members next season.
Beth Anne: Update on Focus Groups
1. Described first focus group: valuable insights, excellent discussion.
2. Reported second session will take place on Feb 9.
  1. Will compile results from both sessions and present executive summary to singers and staff, as well as BOD at upcoming meeting.
3. Board discussion re: demographics, format of focus groups.
Jeff: Board Evaluation
1. Identified common themes identified in results.
2. Described plans to bridge perceived gaps in understanding between board, singers, staff.
3. Board discussion re: perceptions of results, how to utilize moving forward.
Jeff/Joe: Strategic Planning
1. Described recent strategic planning session.
  1. Committee has fleshed out goals; staff will develop plan to accomplish them.
  2. Board will revisit strategic plan biannually, will be provided with regular updates.
  3. Board discussion re: goals vs strategies, outcomes vs tactics.
    1. Make sure all priorities are worthy of staff time, organizational resources.
    2. How valuable is brand elevation? What will it achieve? Is it measurable, worth prioritizing over other goals?
    3. Timeline of priorities? How will “improving our brand” impact our local patrons, who are the majority of our donors.
  4. Board discussion re: strengths and challenges of current programming model.
Executive Session 6:52p
Adjourn 7:12p

​FY19 January BOD Meeting Minutes

FY19 January BOD Meeting Minutes