BOQUETE COMMUNITY PLAYERS: General Meeting Minutes - 10/7/2007

President Jeff Simon called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m.  Board members present were:  Jeff Simon,  Jerry Hedrick, Anayansi Menendez, Beverly Stearns, and Erin Ross.  Ellie Simon took the meeting notes for Stephanie Brockman.

General members present were:  Jim and Shirley Maffitt, Penny Barrett, Jack Bute, Cheryl Johnson, Ruby McKenzie, Annette Preston, Mickey and Sharon James, Terry Zach, Nikki Steele, Mary Lloyd, Tom Stearns and Ellie Simon.  Seven attendees who were not members made application for membership:  Patricia Esther Rovira, Ilsia Guerra Soldana, Rosemary Caballero, Victoria Van Pelt, Mary Speer, Dixie Elwell and Patricia Mains. 

Minutes of the September Board meeting were read by Ellie and approved as read.

President Jeff Simon summarized the accomplishments of the Board to date and mentioned upcoming events.  The report is attached.  He encouraged all members attending to get involved in the organization, in whatever way they could.

Treasurer Jerry gave the Treasurer’s report for the period August 5 through October 7.  He reported that the current balance is $3,998.52.  The BCP Foundation has opened a bank account and transferred $2,000 to the new account.  He thanked Anayansi for her assistance in providing legal research and other services, that lowered the cost of forming the Foundation.  BCP had income of $1,018.53 and expenses of $2,161.28.  The Treasurer’s Report is attached.

Jerry also reported on the By-Laws Committee.  He said Mary Feldbruegge prepared an initial draft of the bylaws and the Committee has begun a review of this draft. The Committee hopes to have the new bylaws ready to submit to the general membership for approval at the first General Meeting in 2008.  Jerry clarified that what is being discussed will be the bylaws document for the new BCP Foundation  This is legally required as part of the formation of the foundation.

Director Beverly Stearns reported on the results of the Member Survey.  We've had 48 responses to date.  Someone stated that the results might be skewed because the survey form did not have a check box next to the “Theatrical Performances” item.  Beverly provided a brief discussion of the survey results (copy is attached).

Special Events Chair Anayansi thanked all members who helped with the member party.  She suggested that another member party would be scheduled before the end of the present Board’s term.  On the New Venue Committee matters, she reported that the principal of the Josefa Montera School was given a draft agreement to be reviewed by her,  her superior and the school's attorney.  She has not gotten a response from the principal yet.  She also reported that three guests were in attendance from the UNACHI English School.  They brought an invitation to their Wild West Theater Sketch program on October 19th, for which BCP members would serve as judges.   

Anayansi presented an Events Proposal that outlined potential events for each month through next August.  This proposal is attached.  She indicated that the previous discussion of the Food and Wine Festival would continue upon Amelia Stroup’s return, but that it may be moved to a different date (June instead of February, as proposed) in order to get the greatest cooperation from the local restaurants and providers. 

Membership Chair Erin reminded everyone at the meeting that if they didn’t have their membership card, they could get one from her at the meeting.  She reported that BCP has added 66 new memberships since we began having a membership table at all BCP events (since July, 2007).  17 of the new members are Panamenos.  Six people attending the meeting signed up as new members.  Erin indicated that there is high interest among the community in having children’s theater productions.  She thanked Beverly for her work on the member survey.  The date for the Christmas Pageant is December 20th and the location will most likely be the Josefa Montera School. 

Jeff gave an update on the production of God’s Favorite, which will open on November 7th at Snoopy’s.  He thanked Stephanie for her hard work as the producer, and called attention to the fact that she has been working essentially alone.  He called for assistance in a variety of roles such as stage manager, cueing actors, concessions, ticket sales, etc.

Jerry reported on the deconstruction activities at the BCP Theater.  A lot has been accomplished to date, and one final move should get everything into storage or to Snoopy’s for current usage.  Thanks were given to Jack Bute for spearheading the deconstruction and for building a stage at Snoopy’s, which will begin immediately. 

Jeff introduced Dana Applegate’s proposal for a mystery dinner theater production.  Since the script has not been read  by two Board members, as required, any further action on the proposal was tabled until that could be accomplished.  Jeff indicated that the Mystery Theater proposal could be approved prior to the next Board meeting.  Erin Ross and several members of the audience indicated enthusiastic support for a Mystery Theater production.

Jeff introduced the concept of Readers Theater Productions (plays).  He briefly outlined what a Readers Theater production would look like and asked if there was support for further development of the concept.  The Board members and members of the audience all offered support.  Jeff said the Board would begin looking into potential scripts and seeking directors interested in producing Readers Theater plays.  Ellie Simon and Nikki Steele both indicated their desire to direct such a production.  Erin gave her opinion that this might be an interesting opportunity for English speakers to try to perform in Spanish, and for Spanish speakers to try to perform in English.

Anayansi introduced a proposal from Talia Velasquez de Taliaferro (copy attached) which was read in its entirety.  The proposal deals with Project Hope’s concern about domestic violence.  It was not clear from the proposal what Sra. Talia was requesting from BCP.  Anayansi said she believes that Sra. Talia wants to develop plays regarding values and containing messages about domestic violence and wants BCP support to do so.  It was the general consensus of the Board members and the audience that this proposal was not in synch with BCP’s purpose or mission statement.

Anayansi and Jack Bute reported on storage needs and venue matters.  Jack recommended that it is time for BCP to think about building a theater of its own.  BCP has a good size membership and it was suggested that we begin fundraising for the specific purpose of buying land and building a theater.  In the interim, he believes the Josefa Montera School auditorium is a good venue and it is conducive to getting things moving toward a permanent home for BCP.  Annette Preston suggested that BCP should start specific fundraising activities for that purpose.  Jerry discussed the possibility of making donations that would be tax deductible for USA taxpayers but be for BCP's use in creating a permanent structure. Jeff suggested that BCP’s goal be the creation of a Boquete Community Arts Center, not just a theater.  Jeff discussed the Boquete Community Arts Center concept as an incentive to encourage more community involvement and participation, especially from businesses. 

Mickey James addressed the Board and said that he and his wife Sharon, are continuing to write plays and they would like to work with BCP.  However, they want the bulk of the proceeds from their plays directed to charities of their choice.  He suggested, that as we write the bylaws for the new Foundation, we discuss the issue of BCP having charitable performances.  They requested feedback from the Board as soon as possible, as they need time to plan for their next performance in May, 2008.  Mickey stated that the Foundation Council would have to approve their productions without reading their scripts.  Jeff stated that the Board will discuss this at the next BCP Board meeting.  Jeff also stated at the meeting, (when the Mystery Theater proposal was brought up) that the production submission process did require two members of the Board to read a script prior to approval.

Jerry mentioned that there had been a few difficulties in the use of Snoopy’s due to misunderstandings or miscommunications.  He said the Board should get a written agreement with Roy Knight regarding use of Snoopy’s. The agreement should include items such as: usage, cleaning, upkeep and maintenance.

The next BCP meeting will be a Board meeting on November 4th at 10:30am at Snoopy’s.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of Stephanie Brockman by Ellie Simon

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