The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston
Annual Meeting
October 24, 2004
The meeting was held at the house of Steve Robbins. Present were Steve Robbins,
Barbara Robbins, Alan Buck (w/Roslyn), Judy Pushkin, Ralph Katz, Carol Russell, Mary
Metz, Scott Peacock, Bill Bridges, Jenny Davis, George Eiband, Cecelia Eiband, Cathy
Comeaux-Wright, Sidney Buchanan, Dru Anne Lundquist, Jim Robinson, Joe White,
Diana Linder, Bob Linder, Alan Dalby, Pam Burney, Shelton Alsup, Glenn Taylor
(w/Martha, brother in law Lourens & his wife), Clif Evans, Patricia Bernstein, Christy
Larimer-Compson, Alan McAdams, Alix McCowan, Doug McCowan (father), Don
Towe (w/wife), Jack Porterfield, Janis Morse, Carol Gaines, Tom Sewell, Ruth & George
Schnitzer, Andy Wicke, Sylvia Chambers, Hal Gordon, and David Goddard.
Introductions & Announcements - Steve called the meeting to order at 7:15pm. He
introduced the Board of Directors officers and welcomed all were in attendance. Steve
announced that the Buxton Celebration went well and there were approximately 60
people there, including Alistair Donkin who made a special trip from England. This year
we saw several occasions to celebrate – Mary Metz turned 80 while in Buxton, Jack
Porterfield celebrated his 75th birthday, but then we were saddened with the passing of
long time supporter, Art Goddard.
Clif’s Notes – 2004 has been a great year for the Society with Mikado – the staff,
chorus, principals, and the numerous awards at Buxton with recognition to all the cast
and crew. It was a pleasure doing the show, and did not seem like work. He said a
special thank you to the Society for being so easy to work with, and special thanks to the
Board for all their hard work throughout the year and all their support of the show. He is
looking forward to next year, and years to come.
Alan Buck gave the Treasurer’s report and passed out the year end Statement of
Activity (attached). He announced that we did well this year. We reviewed the
statement, and the ending balance at fiscal year end (9/30/04) is $74k on hand. Ticket
sales are very important to this number. He gave a special word of thanks to Mary Metz,
Mary Speer and Judy Pushkin who help him out throughout the year. They have been his
Three Little Maids. George motioned to accept the treasurer’s report, was seconded by
Mary M. Motion carried unanimously.
Mary gave the Patron Committee Report.
In 2004, Patron’s under $1000 were at
$51,326 including taxes, and tickets sold with patronage were $70,833. Patrons and
Foundations over $1,000 were a total of $73,394, which is $14,000 more than last year.
The total for 2004 of Patrons Sponsors and Foundations is $144,524. Steve continued to
say that the total of ticket sales was $126k, which is not bad for a lesser show. He also
mentioned that the 2004 Mikado had 900-1000 attendees LESS than the last performance
of Mikado in 1997. We could have made much more money if the ticket sales had been
higher. Pirates sales were $165k at lower ticket prices. We know we have made enough
money this year to do what we want next year, but we have to plan for future years.
Some reasons for lower tickets sales are that we had a smaller cast this year and some
veterans were not in the show. This means we have to focus at the appropriate time on
ticket sales for next year. Patrons and sponsors are in place. The bottom line – we do
have money in the bank in order to do the show the Board had decided upon.
Jenny Davis gave the Buxton Committee report. She gave a word of thanks to all who
helped with all the arrangements, but a special thanks to Ken Robertson Scott and David
for meeting us at the plane and guiding us around Chester. Everyone did what they were
supposed to do for the show. She made a few comments about the adjudicators official
report (attached) – we were awarded Best Chorus, Best Female, Best Director, Best
Musical Conductor and of course, the International Champions. Judy Pushkin also
recognized Jenny for all her work, and extended special thanks. The trip to Buxton went
so smooth because of her. Alan B. announced that we broke even on the expenses, with
only about $50 left over.
Jim Robinson gave the Foundation Report. The Foundation was chartered in 1999 with
a $5000 infusion from the Society to get started. Its objective was to provide financial
support to the Society for productions and to provide educational support. The
Foundation now has over $37k and seven members. The President, Steve Robbins, and
Vice President, Mary Metz, are on the board from the Society. Jim is an elected member
of the board, along with Diana Linder, Jack Porterfield, David Forrest (not present) and
Louise Richman (not present).
George Eiband gave the Nominating Committee Report – The maximum number of
Board members is 20, and every other year half of the Board comes up for reelection.
The nominating committee, comprised of (Board Members) Dru Ann Lundquist, George
Eiband, and (non-Board Member) Tommy Lee, met October 8, 2004 to consider
membership of the Board of Directors in light of routine rotation of membership and the
decision of one outgoing member not seeking reelection to another term. As a result of
that meeting, the Committee offers the following for consideration by the General
Membership of the Society: The Committee notes the decision of Joe White not to seek
another term as a Director of the Society and we wish to thank him for his several years
of service to the Society and its Board. The Committee places the following names in
nomination, each for a two year term of office as a Director of the Society. The names
are submitted as a single slate, and this memo serves as the motion by the committee to
place the slate in nomination. Each has been consulted by the Committee and has agreed
to, if elected, serve another two year term – Bill Bridges, Sidney Buchanan, Cathy
Comeaux-Wright, Christy Larimer-Compson, Jenny Davis, Ralph Katz, Scott Peacock,
James Robinson and Mary Speer. Other nominations were opened to the floor, but no
other names given. Mary Metz motioned to accept the nominations as presented by
George, and was seconded by Diana Linder. The motion passed unanimously.
Steve announced Next Year’s Show – We will be performing Gondoliers in 2005.
Since Alistair was in town for the Buxton Celebration, a Production meeting was held at
Mary Metz house on Saturday the 16th with Tom Boyd, Bonnie Ambrose, Clif Evans and
Alistair to overcome some hurdles early regarding sets, costumes and music.
New Business addressed by Steve – We will be starting an Email Committee to sell our
CD’s and tout our winning in Buxton. A Madrid publishing company is using our Pirates
CD as an English learning tool, and it has been translated into Castilian Spanish. Tommy
Lee will be stepping down as head of the Auditions Committee, but will continue as a
member. Jenny Davis has volunteered to now be the head of the Auditions Committee.
Joe White will also be stepping down as the head of the Expanding Presence Committee,
but will continue to be involved. Steve brought up other people who help the Society
through out the year who make us a success - Michael Craig has our Society phone line
in his office and Barbara Robbins helps Bonnie Ambrose with costumes. All Board
members are in the process of putting together job descriptions to detail out what their
responsibilities are throughout the year. Finally, the Humphries Foundation gave a
$3500 grant after Steve returned from Buxton.
Next Board meeting will be at the home of Cathy Comeaux-Wright on November 8th.
Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by George, seconded by Jenny D. Meeting
adjourned at 7:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Comeaux-Wright
Secretary
APPROVED:
Stephen M. Robbins, President