All answers given by Wendy Newman

What group is running the Frank Venables Theatre?

Answer: The Society is called the Oliver Community Theatre Society.

Who are the Society Directors and Members?

Answer: Jack Frank, Wendy Newman, Bob Park, Christine Rothwell, Carol Sheridan, and Midge Wyse.

How many Directors and Members?

Answer: If the referendum and RDOS budget approval is successful we will begin to expand the membership. Our very first AGM (and therefore the first board elections) will be in the spring of 2015 and we intend to have an expanded membership by that time.

How many salaried Members, Managers and Secretaries?

Answer: The Society Act of BC does not allow members of the board of any Society to be paid for the work they do – so all six board members are volunteers. We have hired an Interim Theatre Manager who is working part-time – 3 days per week – and is currently on contract until mid December. Theatre technicians are engaged to run sound and light — some are volunteers and a few are paid an hourly wage by the user groups. All ushers, ticket-takers etc. are volunteers.

Our Interim Theatre Manager is the only paid position. If the referendum and RDOS budget approval is successful we hope to hire one full-time Theatre Manager, who would be the only paid staff member for the Theatre.

How many people in the membership?

Answer: As a new Society, incorporated in April of this year, we followed the Society Act on the process of our formation. This means that the six founding members of the Society become the Board of Directors. None were “appointed” by any other agency, though the current Regional Director, Mayor and Council and School District Superintendent and Secretary Treasurer suggested names and all vetted the list of individuals proposed.

Selection Criteria:

Looking for up to eight individuals with a mix of the following skills, experiences and expertise:
Expressed interest/passion for the performing arts as an artist and/or audience member
Experience with not-for-profit organizations as an active volunteer, director, or member of staff
Background in marketing, business, entrepreneurship, legal, financial, or arts and entertainment which would contribute to the leadership team needed to animate and operate a vibrant community theatre
Familiarity with communities in the South Okanagan, especially the Town and District of Oliver
Knowledge of local affairs, especially school/School Board/Town/RDOS relationships
Demonstrated financial development and leadership skills
Willingness to volunteer

How many of the Society Members live in or represent the Rural Area C and how many live in or represent the Town?

Answer:  Three live in the Rural Area C, two live in Town and one lives in Osoyoos.

Does the manager live in the Town, Area C or neither?

Answer: Our Interim Manager is from Penticton. If the referendum and RDOS budget approval is successful and the Society is in the financial position to hire a full-time theatre manager in 2015, we would certainly hope that they lived in the Town or Area C.

Will the Area C RDOS Director and Town Mayor be automatic ex-officio members?

Answer: No. There are no ex-officio members in the Society’s bylaws.

What is the society membership criteria or can anybody join?

If the Society is in the position to continue to manage the Theatre we would open up the membership. Though we have yet to set down the criteria, it would likely be something like anybody living within the Town, RDOS Area C and the boundaries of School District #53 could join. We have not yet set a membership fee.

Do many or any current members have any proven Community business management experience and what is the projected annual budget?

Answer: The members of the Board have a mix of backgrounds – there is a lawyer, a businesswoman, a recreation manager, an arts manager along with two teachers — one teaches drama the other taught band.

The projected budget for 2014 (a partial year) is $68,000 and for 2015 the budget is close to $140.000. FYI, our request to the RDOS for the Theatre Service for 2015 is anticipated to be $100,000, but obviously that depends on a successful referendum.

If you have other questions – this is a good time to ask. ODN will supply as much information to the public as possible.