PROGRESS REPORT #11
December 1, 2008

Theatre Regina Incorporated
1077 Angus St., Regina, SK
Canada S4T 1Y4

Fabulous FCC grant caps a year of change

On the day before our Annual Meeting, Theatre Regina was pleased to receive a $10,000 Spirit Award grant from Farm Credit Corporation. The money is for renovations to furniture and equipment at the Regina Performing Arts Centre. We were one of six organizations who received awards, out of approximately two dozen that had applied. Thank you, FCC, for this great vote of confidence !!

Annual Meeting marks a major turning point

On Nov. 27 Theatre Regina held the first annual meeting since dramatic events last February led to a new Board and nine hectic months of organizational renewal. We have now reached a major turning point: basic governance, financial, staffing, service and organizational housecleaning has been done. The focus now turns to: (a) ensuring adequate funding for essential, immediate building renewal, and (b) working on long-term plans for the next 20 years. Meeting highlights include:

• New, high-profile Board Members:
  • Dr. Bruce Perlson, President of Luther College; former senior executive in the U.S. corporate world before moving to Regina three years ago to provide leadership to Luther’s two campuses;
• Ian MacLennan, former CEO of Habitat for Humanity Saskatoon, recently relocated to Regina in a career change within the affordable housing sector; he’s also a one-time professional fundraiser; and
• Chuck Jordan, a retired educator and a life-long community arts administrator, performer and volunteer; several years ago he served as a very successful manager of the Regina Performing Arts Centre and now he’s bringing the Board that invaluable on-site know-how.
• Returning Board: Harvey Linnen, President; Barb Cameron, Secretary; Fred Gallagher, Treasurer; Lyn Goldman; Dennis Zwarych; Brandan Carr
• President’s Report: is attached to this email. Most important are the first three pages on key issues, accomplishments and future directions.

If you’re part of a member organization – or a related arts organization - you can expect to hear from this expanded Board very soon. We’ll be consulting you to fully assess the aspirations of the performing arts community in Regina.

Next major focus: continued discussions with the City of Regina

With our house now in order, we will focus on our discussions with the City of Regina. First priority for talks with the City: Stabilize operational funding so that the building’s operations and physical structure can be upgraded in the immediate term. Second priority: Joint, cooperative planning with the City to explore all the possibilities for the long-term future for performing space in Regina. All options must be considered to find best solution for our City, our performing arts groups and our paying audiences.

Please share this report with your group’s directors and members!
Information: Harvey J. Linnen, 537-4140.