Press to enter the Main Site

NOTTINGHAM AND NOTTINGHAMSHIRE DRAMA ASSOCIATION
Minutes of the Meeting of the Executive Council held on Tuesday 15th April 2008 at East Leake.

Present: Joan Wildgust (Chairman), Christine Davison (Secretary), Neil Mackintosh (Treasurer), Mike Stewart, Madeline Lord, Douglas MacDonald, Sonia Oates, Hayley Masom, Sarah Kerry, Jon Jones (Radcliffe-on-Trent Drama Society)

1 Apologies for absence were received from Tony Vokes, Roy Ainscough, Margot Anderson

2 Minutes and matters arising The minutes of the previous Council Meeting held on Tuesday 11th March 2008 had been circulated and these were signed as a correct record.
The letter sent to Zac Hulton was circulated for members to read.
Workshops (Item 8):- Douglas had spoken to Gordon Parsons (Lace Market) who indicated that he would be willing to do a course on marketing in May/June - he needs to be contacted.
Re voicecoaching/accents - Mike suggested Alan Tipton.
Re article on Tony Armstrong - Douglas will get a photo from the archives for Hayley to use in the newsletter.


3 Hon Treasurer's report
As at 15/04/2008
Balance = £4274.24 (NS&I = £2115.87; Current = £2158.37)
Increase - £150
Since last meeting
Income
Play of the Year:- Entries 2@£50 each = £100
One Act Festival
Entries:- 2 non member @ £25 each = £50
Expenditure
None
Theatre Book - ongoing balance (including grant) - no change
PROFIT = £228.98 (no change)

4 Discussion Item - Open Forum for Members

There was a discussion on what form this meeting would take and how best to inform groups about it.
It was suggested that the meeting would need a structure so it was decided that 3 or 4 drama groups would each appoint members to give a short (5 minute) talk on the benefits of belonging to Nanda, from their own experience.
Details of the open forum meeting are to be sent to the Chairman and Secretary of each society. Joan is to draft a letter to members which she will email to Council members; the final version will then be put on the website
The details of the open forum meeting are as follows:-
Date - Wednesday 16th July at 7.30
Venue - Nottingham Arts Theatre (provisional)
There will be a buffet provided by Nanda - details of this will be discussed at the next meeting

5 Festivals

a) Play of the Year Competition 07/08 and Dinner
Ten entries have been received from five drama groups.
The mailing (letter, map and directions) are ready to be sent on 23rd April.

b) One Act Play Festival 2008
Two entries have been received (1 adult, 1youth) from Dronfield players. The closing date is 28th April so Neil was hopeful that there would be more entries at the last minute. Plays have a 20 - 45 minute running time and a group can enter one adult and one youth play in the same year. Gerald Lee will let Neil know if he can do anything for us. The venue is Long Eaton Chatsworth Centre. Mike is to do the lighting, Joan is to present the awards.
Joan said she was going to Burton on Trent to present the awards at the area final and would report back at the next meeting.


c) Youth Festival 2008 (discussed earlier in evening)

This will take place on 10th May at the Dukeries Centre, Ollerton. The adjudicator is Zac Hulton.
Fewer entries this year - 4 groups performing 5 plays. Because of this it was decided to start earlier (3pm) and run it all together without the usual break between afternoon and evening. The plays should finish about 8.00pm, followed by the adjudication, so the expected finish time should be about 9.30 - 9.45pm.
The venue will be available from 11am and also on Friday evening.
Neil agreed to be stage manager, but help will be needed backstage. Douglas will ask children to sell tickets and programmes.
Refreshments:- Madeline to purchase food etc from Macro and bring on Saturday. She will help in coffee bar.
Joan to hire the urn and obtain cups from Maggie.
2 cash floats will be needed - Neil to bring these.
Prices to remain the same as last year - £1, £2, £3.
Joan to present prizes, Sarah to announce adjudicator, he will announce results.
Joan to sign certificates in advance and Sarah to fill them in. Douglas to take photos.
Sarah announced that this would be the last time she would run the Youth Festival due to other commitments. Douglas extended his thanks to Sarah for all her work..


6 Theatre Luncheon

Douglas announced that, with regret, he would be resigning from the Council due to pressure of work. He will pass on his file of contacts on to Joan.
Anita Dobson will be unable to be a luncheon guest. He is awaiting a reply from Kenneth Alan Taylor. William Roache still possible for Mar/April 2009. Robert Lindsey/ Joanna Lumley on hold, Julie Walters possible in the Autumn, as is James Bolam.
Joan expressed her thanks and appreciation to Douglas for all his hard work

7 Newsletter/Website

Hayley is creating a Nanda e mail list and will forward details to Joan and Chris.
Douglas will continue to review one play per quarter.
Neil mentioned an alternative printer, and a trial print was suggested. As newsletters are not subject to VAT, Hayley is to investigate getting a refund from the current printer.
Some groups do not have a website link to Nanda. Douglas will get a list of websites from the Evening Post.

8 Correspondence/Amendments to membership

A letter from Sparkenhoe Theatre, Leicester asking if we charge for groups.
Amendments:-
All Hallows Dramatic Society
Greasley Players not Greasley Dramatic Society

9 AOB
Jon:- it should be a priority to prevent groups from folding. Nanda should find out why they are struggling and find ways of offering support; this could be raised at the open forum


10 Date of next Council meeting

Next meeting:- Tuesday 13th May at Aspley
June meeting:- 17th June at East Leake


The meeting ended at 9.40pm