Pledge: President Paul
Prayer: Carroll Bowser
Song: Led by Andy Anderson
Poker Hand: High hand won by Dave Wight.
Raffle Winners: Heather Gagnon, Joan Michaud and Mike Velgouse.
Happy Dollars: Many for the nice morning, lady Huskie's record, Bill O'Shaugnessy for
seeing them play in person, for our guest, happy to see Ken Roche back and for the
RYLA students we drove down to Stratford.
Announcements: Get moving on the golf tourney sponsors and players, no money has
come in yet. Let's surprise Brent with our progress when he and Sandy get back.
Program: Chuck Still gave an update on the Kate. It opened on 9/11/2009 and is now in it's
3rd fiscal year of operation. There have been 562 performances of all kinds. They have a
$1.1 mil. budget. 51% from ticket sales, the other 49% from donors, sponsorships, rentals,
the gift shop and the bar. They have no debt and have a line of credit with local banks.
There are few paid staff but a volunteer program of about 175 people, 50 or so very active.
He really relies on these volunteers to make the Kate a viable operation. Chuck is still
(pardon the pun) trying to bring an eclectic mix of programming to the CT audiences.
A look at the 3 month program will certainly confirm this. These draw a varying number of
folks. Comedians come cheap and are always looking for bookings. Small musical groups
Draw their own followers from all over the state. Large dance groups or ballet can't be
accommodated, but the use of Simulcast from the Met or other venues satisfy this audience.
Chuck has had to cancel a few performances due to very low advance ticket sales. He
states it's not fair to the performers or the volunteers that come that night. Getting all
the bookings in time for publishing the 3 month program of events is sometimes a challenge.
Firm dates and plans are still being finalized. He feels the location (Old Saybrook) of the
Kate is an aid in getting popular groups. They would play NY or Boston on the weekends
and Chuck gets them in transit during the week. Movies are a money loser, costing about
$300-$500. He feels they lose around $250 on each performance. He may cut back on
the films that are not Kate Classics. There is also space in the rear of the basement level
where the Clerk of Probates office was to be. He hopes to utilize this space for some
youth oriented classes or activities.
asl
THE FOUR-WAY TEST
of the things we think, say or do
First...
Is it the TRUTH ?
Second....
Is it FAIR to all concerned?
Third....
Will it build GOOD WILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
Fourth....
Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
