USITT-SOUTHWEST

BOARD MEETING

January 18, 2004

USITT-SW Symposium

Austin, Texas

1. The meeting was called to order at 4:00 p.m. by Richard Denning, Chair.

Seven board members and two section members attended.

2. Copies of the minutes of the Board meeting at the USITT National Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, were circulated and approved as presented.

3. Symposium: Richard recognized Texas Scenic Company for the generous donation of $3000 to make Jay Glerum’s rigging seminar possible. Special thanks were extended to Rick Stephens for his work and coordination of the P.A.C. staff and facilities. Thanks were also extended to our presenters Jay Glerum, Jim Glavan, Anne Nesmith and to LaLonnie Lehman for her help in scheduling Anne for the wig sessions. Richard will send thank you letters to these individuals and to Texas Scenic Company on behalf of the section.

33 attended the rigging sessions, 16 attended the make up and wig sessions, and three presenters make a total of 52 for the Symposium. All expenses for the Symposium have been met and an estimated profit of nearly $500 is expected. Richard will prepare a complete report to be presented at the national conference in Long Beach.

It was moved and seconded to pay an honorarium of $150 to Anne Nesmith. Motion carried.

On behalf of the section, Elizabeth Lewandowski will purchase a gift for Jim Glavan for his contribution to the Symposium.

The Board weighed the pros and cons of two symposia per year versus one. After much discussion it was agreed that our efforts would best be served in one symposium per year. Douglas Gilpin, Henderson State University in Arkansas, is willing to host the next Winter Symposium. The Board suggested a possible topic of properties presented by a professional from a large regional or commercial company. Design Southwest should be a part of the symposium. Richard will contact Douglas to confirm these ideas.

Leslie Thomas, Texas A&M University, suggested that when any section member hosts a workshop or guest speaker at their respective institution, which might be of interest to others in our section, invitations, be extended to all. The Board agreed that these additional opportunities would be highly beneficial to our membership.

4. Richard presented the Treasurer’s Report submitted by past treasurer Diane Simons. 12/31/03 year-end balance in the primary account is $4,381.66 and $2,603.12 in the sub account. Records were transferred to our new treasurer Elizabeth Lewandowski.

5. Membership: As a result of the Symposium we have 2 new Organizational members, National Stage Equipment Co. and Theatrical Solutions, 15 new Individual members and 17 new Student members.

Tom Grabowski, Membership Chair, reported our current membership includes 40 Individual, 37 Student and 3 Organizational.

6. Old Business: Richard will send a list of the current Board Members to Jason Foreman for posting on our web site. Director-at-Large Student Only, Position Five is to be elected.

Richard has compiled a list of award recipients from the past few years. He will send it to Jason Foreman for posting on our web site. All members are encouraged to look at the list and notify Richard with additions and corrections. This is an attempt to reconstruct past records. Awards committee consisting of Barbara Alkofer, Elizabeth Lewandowski, and Richard Denning will determine the next award to be presented during the Winter 2005 Symposium.

Elizabeth suggested that archival materials should be posted on our web site. Jason Foreman agreed to create an archives link. Richard will send copies of past newsletters and Board meeting minutes to Jason for posting. All members are encouraged to send archival items to Jason.

7. New Business: Rick Stephens informed the Board that USITT National will posthumously induct Forrest Newlin as a Fellow during the conference in Long Beach. Charlene Newlin will be present for the ceremony.

Meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Richard Denning