Puppeteers
of America, Inc.
Board of Trustees
BALLOT - 2006
You may vote for up to three candidates.
MARY DECKER
JIM MALONE
TIM GUIGNI
JOANNE SCHROEDER
MICKEY HADJIPETROS
ANNA VARGAS
WAYNE KREFTING
KRIS WOOLEN
marked ballots MUST be in by May 15, 2006
The Board of Trustees ELECTION NOTES
'The time has come,' the Walrus said, 'to speak of many things...'
Only this time, instead of speaking of 'cabbages and Kings,' we will be speaking
about the Board election.
We have three Trustee positions to fill from the excellent slate of 8 c andidates
provided by Jean Hassleschwert and her Nominating Committee. Thanks to ALL for
a job well done.
Biographies and photos of the candidates can be found in the latest Puppet ry
Journal, and their responses to five questions regarding the Puppeteers of America
will be found in this issue of Playboard.
Please study the responses and then vote. Your participation is vital; your
voice and VOTE are critical to the well-being of this organization - YOUR organization.
We ask you to help us out by placing your marked BALLOT in an envelope and mailing
it to:
Puppeteers of America, Inc.
P.O. BOX 460266
Glendale, CO 80246
A First Class stamp will ensure prompt delivery.
Be sure to include your name and membership number on the envelope. Thank
you.
Voting is easy.
Make your choices for the Board and mark the BALLOT, below.
Cut out the BALLOT and place it in an envelope.
Address it using the mailing information to the left.
Write your name and membership number on the envelope. They will be used
to validate your ballot.
Place a First Class stamp on the envelope, seal and mail.
All regular members - Class A, B, and U, and Special members Class L and M get
to cast one Ballot.
Couples, Class C, Senior Couples Class S, and Family Class F, with two adults
get to cast two Ballots.
Any reasonable copy of the Ballot is acceptable for the second vote.
Email and FAX Ballots will be accepted.
Email to: E-Mail Address
FAX to: (303) 393 - 1367
Put BALLOT in the subject line. You must include your name and membership number
in the email or FAX.
MARY DECKER - Redwood City, California
A. What do you think is the most important issue facing the organization right now?
There are many burning issues, but probably the most important one is the lack of potential festival locations and directors. In the not-so-distant past, national festival directors and sites were lined up many years in advance; but over the last decade things have changed. Finding a director and location for the 2007 national was extremely difficult. In fact, the search didn't end until November 2005. The festivals are PofA's life blood and we need to develop a new formula that will be solid, dependable, and will attract new members. We especially need to find ways to mitigate the high burnout rate in PofA's leaders so they can continue volunteering their talents without going insane.
B. Which of the Puppeteers of America's procedures or services need to be improved or changed?
C. What specific new projects might the PofA pursue, or which ongoing projects need more emphasis?
Eventually, PofA needs to get an executive secretary to take care of the day-to-day office stuff while the Board makes the procedural and structural decisions. But that's far down the road. In the meantime, I think PofA needs to follow the Strategic Plan which was outlined in 2003 and it needs to work especially hard toward getting grants which will allow more of a public component at the festivals (read: new members).
D. What special abilities or skills are you able to bring to the job of Trustee?
I'm a good communicator and listener. Dependable, reliable, hard-working, detail oriented, organized. I speak Spanish and have spent about 2-1/2 years of my life in Mexico, so I feel I can help PofA get more connected to the puppet community in Mexico (which is technically part of PofA, but has been neglected).
E. In the next few years, which is the single most important service the PofA needs to provide for puppeteers?
My first suggestion would be group health insurance; but I haven't done any research on that and I don't know if it is feasible. My second suggestion would be that PofA simply provide its members with more electronic connections. In a single key stroke, the President should be able to send out the national touring schedule for the Salzburg Marionettes. The Puppetry Store should be able to advertise its special discounted merchandise. Each regional director should be able to send a message exclusively to his/her constituents to announce upcoming Day of Puppetry events in the region. The regional and national festival directors should be able to send out their important publicity. And YES the Email Coordinator and Board need to oversee the operations; and electronic controls must be put in place (easy to do); and members should be allowed to opt out. There is no need to worry that you'll be inundated with unwanted spam. I am hopeful that the group email server which was enlisted in January 06 will bring good things to PofA.
TIM GIUGNI - Saint Helena, California
A. What do you think is the most important issue facing the organization right now?
The most important issue for the Puppeteers of America is to define success. Is it getting new and retaining old members? Should the PofA be an organization that caters to the professional puppeteer, a group that promotes the art of puppetry, an entry point for the new puppeteer, an enthusiast network, a fraternal organization, a store house for puppetry information or an online retail outlet. While none of these goals are mutually exclusive, deciding how many and which of these rolls to follow will be key to the organization's future planing.
B. Which of Puppeteers of America's procedures or services need to be improved or changed?
It's needs to define its relationship to Guilds. Utilize the internet more.
C. What specific new projects might the PofA pursue, or which ongoing projects need more emphasis?
Nearly 50 years of information, how-to and wisdom are out of reach to the community. Moving Puppetry Journals, video and photographic materials to digital format for access by members that is both profitable for the organization and useful for members might improve membership and our community's standing in the professional theatre arena.
D. What special abilities or skills are you able bring to the job of Trustee?
I have worked in the professional and non-profit sector for 20 years. I play well with others. I am brief and I get things done.
E. In the next few years, which is the single most important service the PofA needs to provide for puppeteers?
Relevance to the professional puppeteers needs. Can an organization based on the concept of fraternity and the postal system survive in the age of internet interest groups and instant internet communications.
A. What do you think is the most important issue facing the organization right now?
Reaching out and letting people know about our organization. Many puppeteers are not aware of the P of A.
B. Which of Puppeteers of America's procedures or services need to be improved or changed?
More classes at the festivals for new puppeteers who are beginning.
C. What specific new projects might the PofA pursue, or which ongoing projects need more emphasis?
More emphasis on what it means to be a puppeteer, such as puppet movements in hand puppets, rod puppets and marionettes, stage building and prop making.
D. What special abilities or skills are you able bring to the job of Trustee?
Puppet movement in hand puppets, stage building, prop making, etc.
E. In the next few years, which is the single most important service the PofA needs to provide for puppeteers?
Bring harmony within the organization and avoid conflict among puppeteers.
WAYNE KREFTING - Minneapolis, Minnesota
A. What do you think is the most important issue facing the organization right now?
As an organization, we face a number of challenges right now. Funding, communications, identity to name a few. I believe we are at a point with our online/electronic resources to create a new and exciting method of communication and networking within the Puppeteers of America.
If I had to pick one issue, though, as important for us right now, I would pick: Identity. Who and what we are as an organization promoting the Art of Puppetry. We are no longer the organization germinated in 1937. Our demographics have been changing over time, and will continue to change. Are we a professional organization, a hobbyist or enthusiast group, or something in-between? The recent survey sent out, which I worked on, should provide a number of answers and directions as to how we can best serve membership and the greater Art of Puppetry.
B. Which of Puppeteers of America's procedures or services need to be improved or changed?
At the present time, the Procedures (the “how to” book of operation) for the Puppeteers of America are being revised to more accurately reflect the nature and function of the various parts of our organization. This is a welcome development, but only if it is easily accessible and used.
As to services, I am hopeful that the recent survey will provide a clearer answer to what the membership as a whole expects.
C. What specific new projects might the PofA pursue, or which ongoing projects need more emphasis?
Although the Puppeteers of America has had a web presence for some years, we have not fully realized the potential of electronic and online communication within our organization or with the general public. I am happy to have been part of the small steps taken to put Day of Puppetry resources online and more recently the big step of an online survey of the puppetry community. Together with other members skilled in online communication, we have also been able to bring the Playboard electronically to our members. Further use of our online presence for election balloting, membership resources, video clips, and so on hold great potential for us as an organization and the promotion of our Art.
D. What special abilities or skills are you able to bring to the job of Trustee?
I think my paramount skill is working with various people and negotiating their temperaments and issues. I've learned over the past three years that, as with most human organizations, decisions and actions often happen slowly (sometimes frustratingly so)-even those that seem to happen suddenly. And the process of reaching that point is the result of mediating various conflicting needs and interests. A person in this position needs to be thoughtful, respectful, and patient.
I also believe that I am someone who follows through; I do not leave a project to lie fallow. Often, in an organization with many issues and challenges, various action items can be neglected in the flurry of “louder” concerns. When a task is set out, if it seems to be coming dormant, I will usually “stoke the fire” until that item is resolved.
E. In the next few years, which is the single most important service the PofA needs to provide for puppeteers?
This is a very tough question to answer, as it can have as many answers as there are puppeteers. First of all, let me say that the PofA is YOU, the member, not the organizational structure. So, ultimately, PofA will do what you want to work on, be a part of, get active in.
I think one of the most important things PofA can do is: present highly exciting and entertaining National and Regional Festivals that have a strong public component. We need to look at festival structure, so that the public, our ultimate audience, can participate. The festivals are great for members to “re-charge”, seeing new shows, swapping techniques and ideas, sharing with others in the field. For the public, this energy can lead to a greater appreciation of and demand for more puppet theater, in all its forms.
JIM MALONE - Tahlequah, Oklahoma
A. What do you think is the most important issue facing the organization right now?
The most important issue facing the organization is financial stability. Creative means of funding are necessary. For the organization to survive, growth of the organization is a top priority. As the organization means different things to different people, we all come together through the auspices of this organization
B. Which of Puppeteers of America's procedures or services need to be improved or changed?
Changes needing to be made include fiscal responsibility, relevancy in the present day and the Trustees being proactive for puppeteers with Master Classes, Festivals, Mini-Fests.
C. What specific new projects might the PofA pursue, or which ongoing projects need more emphasis?
New projects hinge on hiring a successful grant writer to obtain funding for new projects in every area of concern to puppeteers. Grant possibilities are available with the right guidance and presentation.
D. What special abilities or skills are you able bring to the job of Trustee?
Skills I bring to the Trustees include: organizational skills, speaking skills, and a strong desire to serve this great organization.
E. In the next few years, which is the single most important service the PofA needs to provide for puppeteers?
The single most important service the P of A needs to provide the membership is a continued presence of puppetry performances, emphasizing the skills necessary to produce outstanding shows and developing a forum to create new puppetry techniques.
JOANNE SCHROEDER - Bear Lake, Michigan
A. What do you think is the most important issue facing the organization right now?
This would be the issue of the financial state of our puppetry store. We need to know if the store is financially stable.
B. Which of the Puppeteers of America's procedures or services need to be improved or changed?
Since the bulk of our membership comes from guilds, we need more information in our printed matter (The Journal & The Playboard) on how to attract and keep members. A regular column and regular tips would be a possibility.
C. What specific new projects might the PofA pursue, or which ongoing projects need more emphasis?
We need more emphasis on finding locations for festivals. A different approach than those we usually make might open the way to finding what we need.
D. What special abilities or skills are you able to bring to the job of Trustee?
My skills as a certified municipal clerk which include budgeting and bookkeeping would be beneficial to the trustees.
E. In the next few years, which is the single most important service the PofA needs to provide for puppeteers?
Providing regional and national festivals is of the utmost importance. This is where the art of puppetry is learned and promoted. This is where networking takes place.
ANNA VARGAS - Airmont, New York
A. What do you think is the most important issue facing the organization right now?
The most important issue facing the PofA , in my view, is growth. The next generation of puppeteers is here. They should belong to the organization. How can we as an organization encourage and support young puppeteers? How do we create an environment that welcomes that energy and creativity? I would like to explore this.
B. Which of the Puppeteers of America's procedures or services need to be improved or changed?
I feel that in order to attract and retain members, we must provide services that meet their needs. The festivals are paramount in this endeavor. Participants need to view the very best performances in order to be inspired. They need workshops that teach technique as well as encourage creativity. We need to provide a safe space for new performers but also maintain a high standard of performance. We need to grow artistically for our organization to be relevant in the 21st century. Whether we are performing for children, families, college students or adults, our festivals need to represent all these audiences and help our young puppeteers to find their audience. If elected to the board of PofA I would work toward these ends.
C: What specific new projects might the PofA pursue, or which ongoing projects need more emphasis?
DIVERSITY! Where are the puppeteers of color? This is Puppeteers of America, Where are all the diverse communities that make up America? There needs to be invitations and seeking out of these puppeteers, 'cause they're out there.
D. What special abilities or skills are you able to bring to the job of Trustee?
As one of the founding members of NAARPA (a puppetry organization under the auspices of the Waldorf Early Childhood Association) I was involved in organizing festivals for teachers and puppeteers to promote the therapeutic, pedagogical, and performance aspects of puppetry. As Registrar, my duties involved the collection and distribution of funds, and the management of the checking account. I'm good with money.
E. In the next few years, which is the single most important service the PofA needs to provide for puppeteers?
A better way to find jobs. Whether it be connections into television, theaters, schools, basically, how career puppeteers support themselves. Our next generation needs our help.
KRIS WOOLEN - Portland, Oregon
A. What do you think is the most important issue facing the organization right now?
Death
B. Which of the Puppeteers of America's procedures or services need to be improved or changed?
Enthusiasm
C. What specific new projects might the PofA pursue, or which ongoing projects need more emphasis?
Touring Festivals like the I Love You festival in Japan. Drunk Puppet Night is doing well on the West Coast although I have a fondness for Puppetlove in S.F.
D. What special abilities or skills are you able to bring to the job of Trustee?
I'm a bit of a computer geek with a fondness for spreadsheets.
E. In the next few years, which is the single most important service the PofA needs to provide for puppeteers?
Cash Flow.
Voting is a privilege of membership in Puppeteers of America.
Use your membership. Vote!!
This is the 2nd edition of Playboard to be mailed and emailed to the membership.
Please check your emails to look for Playboard on line.
Please keep the membership office informed of changes in your email address
so that we can send you news of festivals, new additions to the PofA Store and
Audio-Visual Library.
The membership year ends May 31.
You may renew at the PofA website www.puppeteers.org
and avoid the rush.
PUPPET
RAMPAGE '07
Puppeteers of America National Festival
Concordia University, St. Paul Minnesota
July 17-22, 2007
www.puppetrampage2007.org
The Puppetry Store
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2006 American Puppet Theaters Calendar - On sale for $5.00 each!!!
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Always a popular book - David Currell's Making and Manipulating Marionettes.
An old time favorite - Prop Builders Molding and Casting Handbook
- only $30.00.
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