Interim Executive Director Report
August 22, 2016
Reported by Jocelyn Hale on August 16, 2016
Artistic Contracts:
“All is Calm”
We invited Jeff Reed to speak to the company at a staff meeting. Based on feedback from the singers, he continues to negotiate a few points with Peter. The key issue is that Cantus would like to hold on to a very small % of royalties for as long as the copyright holds.
Romeo and Juliet
We are very close to having this contract signed. Many thanks to Jeff Reed and Karl for their continued work on it. Jeff Reed drafted a new contract to send to Trish and Frank. They have promised a new draft by the end of this week. They have been accommodating on the payment structure to help with our cash flow issues. Frank has been talking to the Guthrie and other partners on our behalf and Chris Foss has been in touch with Frank as well.
Goal: Have both of these agreements signed by September 1.
Development & Finance
Government Grants
Thanks to an impressive team effort, Cantus submitted the MSAB touring application, the NEA gen-op, and a progress report to the MSAB. We had budgeted hiring Hannah Holman for 15 hours but the project took 23 hours. MillerHale Associates subcontracted with her for these hours and paid her directly.
Joey and Carly have created a grants deadline calendar and we now have a system in place to regularly review opportunities with the artistic council. We’ve identified a few new grants for which Cantus will apply.
FY16 giving and including the bridge fund
Carly and the board met their goals! We celebrated with a “Happy (fiscal) New Year party” on August1. Wendy kindly hosted the party at Bev’s Wine Bar. Go team!
FY17 budgeting, low-hanging fruit like sponsorships
Cantus has paid off all of the 401 (b) debts and Chuck Peterson personally called all impacted employees (less Mary Lee). Carly is working on a few active sponsorship opportunities.
I’m attempting to negotiate a late payment to Chanticleer for their $25,000 fee. If they do not accept, we’ll have to ask a board member for a short-term personal loan (two weeks?). They are currently offering $15,000 on the day of the show and $10,00 on the 15th.
Public Relations
We’ve signed contracts with our two PR contractors and are moving forward on publicity plans. Anne and Carly are coordinating Cantus being featured in the Fall Arts Preview for the Star Tribune.
Internal Structures and Management & Search
Executive Director Search
After feedback sessions with the staff and singers, I wrote a draft position description. David and Wendy pulled together the search committee and we had a first meeting last week. David will be presenting the position description at the board meeting for approval. Next steps are to compile the list and costs of posting options, and decide on the best application portal. Joey has been providing excellent support on the process.
Goal:
Post the position description September 1.
Staff job descriptions
I’ve started the process of updating staff job descriptions and goals for FY17. Meetings have been set with the three staff members.
Goal:
Have all staff / singer job descriptions written by October 1, 2016.
Employee Handbook & systems
The administrative staff has started looking at Cantus Central portal which serves as an employee handbook.
Goal:
Complete by November 1.
My Hours:
I’ve just submitted my Month #2 hours I was able to keep my hours at 80. MillerHale Associates subcontracted with Hannah Holman for 23 of last month’s hours.
Reported by Jocelyn Hale on August 16, 2016
Artistic Contracts:
“All is Calm”
We invited Jeff Reed to speak to the company at a staff meeting. Based on feedback from the singers, he continues to negotiate a few points with Peter. The key issue is that Cantus would like to hold on to a very small % of royalties for as long as the copyright holds.
Romeo and Juliet
We are very close to having this contract signed. Many thanks to Jeff Reed and Karl for their continued work on it. Jeff Reed drafted a new contract to send to Trish and Frank. They have promised a new draft by the end of this week. They have been accommodating on the payment structure to help with our cash flow issues. Frank has been talking to the Guthrie and other partners on our behalf and Chris Foss has been in touch with Frank as well.
Goal: Have both of these agreements signed by September 1.
Development & Finance
Government Grants
Thanks to an impressive team effort, Cantus submitted the MSAB touring application, the NEA gen-op, and a progress report to the MSAB. We had budgeted hiring Hannah Holman for 15 hours but the project took 23 hours. MillerHale Associates subcontracted with her for these hours and paid her directly.
Joey and Carly have created a grants deadline calendar and we now have a system in place to regularly review opportunities with the artistic council. We’ve identified a few new grants for which Cantus will apply.
FY16 giving and including the bridge fund
Carly and the board met their goals! We celebrated with a “Happy (fiscal) New Year party” on August1. Wendy kindly hosted the party at Bev’s Wine Bar. Go team!
FY17 budgeting, low-hanging fruit like sponsorships
Cantus has paid off all of the 401 (b) debts and Chuck Peterson personally called all impacted employees (less Mary Lee). Carly is working on a few active sponsorship opportunities.
I’m attempting to negotiate a late payment to Chanticleer for their $25,000 fee. If they do not accept, we’ll have to ask a board member for a short-term personal loan (two weeks?). They are currently offering $15,000 on the day of the show and $10,00 on the 15th.
Public Relations
We’ve signed contracts with our two PR contractors and are moving forward on publicity plans. Anne and Carly are coordinating Cantus being featured in the Fall Arts Preview for the Star Tribune.
Internal Structures and Management & Search
Executive Director Search
After feedback sessions with the staff and singers, I wrote a draft position description. David and Wendy pulled together the search committee and we had a first meeting last week. David will be presenting the position description at the board meeting for approval. Next steps are to compile the list and costs of posting options, and decide on the best application portal. Joey has been providing excellent support on the process.
Goal:
Post the position description September 1.
Staff job descriptions
I’ve started the process of updating staff job descriptions and goals for FY17. Meetings have been set with the three staff members.
Goal:
Have all staff / singer job descriptions written by October 1, 2016.
Employee Handbook & systems
The administrative staff has started looking at Cantus Central portal which serves as an employee handbook.
Goal:
Complete by November 1.
My Hours:
I’ve just submitted my Month #2 hours I was able to keep my hours at 80. MillerHale Associates subcontracted with Hannah Holman for 23 of last month’s hours.