Annual General Meeting
Oct. 3, 2010
The President's Report is at the bottom of this page.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: Sunday, October 3, 2010
Hello and welcome to our 2010 Annual General Meeting. It is nice to be surrounded by people who share a love of, and enjoy the fellowship of, community theatre, especially as we celebrate the 35th year of Four Seasons Musical Theatre Society.
I have been the President of Four Seasons since May 2009, thus approaching a year and a half. During this time I have had the very good fortune to be able to work with such a strong and dynamic group of musical theatre lovers. The Executive board has been fantastic. Leah Burley is a Vice President with determination, energy and drive. And I thank her. The rest of the board, Marie Rowsell – Treasurer, who somehow has managed to organize our finances and pester that poor fellow from Gaming to make sure we got the grant originally promised to us, but then taken away and given again, but with who knows the actual amount, and so forth. Thank you Marie for not allowing an opportunity for an easy out in giving us money! Leanne Teron – Secretary, who somehow has time to also make costumes and wrangle kids, and etc., and who always has a down to earth viewpoint that considers people first. John Cave – Member at Large, who, along with Leanne, is another valuable down to earth voice reminding us really why we do this. And finally Dale Hitchcox – Member at Large, who knows how to get the words just right, how to consider and value other viewpoints, and who is a natural at web and graphic design. These folks have kept Four Seasons strong.
It would be remiss of me not to thank board members that have left the board in the past year and a half. Ian te Kampe is a long-time supporter of Four Seasons and after a lengthy go of it needed time to take care of his health. Shera Skinner, a past Vice President, also moved on with the changes that come about in situations and life. She’s still supporting us and is our legal beagle should we need legal advice. Thus far we have not had any need of that, but it is comforting to know it is there. Barry Shaw, who moved on after so much help and so many years with the company, and so much down to earth advice. Barry brought us into the modern web age. But his kids are growing and into everything and there are only 24 hours in a day. Kim Campbell, who just recently stepped down to continue following the ever evolving interests of her children. Kim has done a lot for Four Seasons as evidenced recently by our well organized involvement in the recent Victoria Day parade – all organized by Kim. Who will do it next year? Cary Chui has also left the board. I have rarely met a nicer person and also one so chocker block full of natural talent. But family comes before all and our thoughts are with him while he is a comfort to his father.
Three other people need pointing out as well. Zoe Brimacombe has become our social media guru. She is young in years but really is an early teen going on 24. Jim Goodman has been devoting a lot of his time as a special advisor to the board. His voice of reason and experience has been welcome. Roger Travis has gone beyond merely being the manager of the theatre we work out of. Much beyond. Ever helpful. He even robs Peter to pay Paul on occasion to benefit us. He has become part of the Four Seasons family.
Since I became president of this wonderful company, as a group we have accomplished the following. Let’s take a moment to really reflect on what we have done:
- Done a further clean, cull, and organization of our costume room, set area and props.
- Re-introduced full-length shows.
- Moved to six performances over two weekends for the main stage shows. Surprisingly the Friday evening performances for Willy Wonka are selling the best so far.
- Update the website to the latest in design.
- Were successful in keeping a cancelled grant from the Gaming Commission.
- Participated twice in the first and second Victoria Arts Expo.
- Build closer relationships and ad-sharing/marketing opportunities with other community theatre groups.
- Returned again to the Victoria Day Parade.
- Modernized our constitution and policies.
- Held a first for Victoria 24-hour play, which now that word is around about the experience has garnered lots of interest for a second annual event of its kind.
- Strengthened both our ties to the community and our financial situation through performing only at the Isabelle Reader Theatre.
- Introduced a season based on two main stage musical shows with one smaller Christmas show for littler kids, plus the option of other ad hoc shows that need not even be musical.
- Held a successful summer theatre camp.
- Held continuing classes for dance, singing and acting.
- Ramped up corporate partnering within the community.
- Eliminated the administrator position.
Currently we are in the midst of preparing Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory for the stage. This is a big show with a big cast but we are ready for the challenge. What is heartening is the flood of volunteers that have been coming our way. Word is out that Four Seasons is a place to be!
On a personal note the greatest thing for me in that past year and a half was meeting so many new and wonderful folks, from people new to theatre, to people who have been around Four Seasons from its very beginning. I’ve made great friendships that have enriched my life. Yes, doing community theatre is not always easy. Yes doing community theatre often has its challenges. But it is always rewarding. Shera Skinner and Connie te Kampe invited me to become part of Four Seasons and I thank them for it.
– Terry Rowsell, President