|
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
GUIDELINES
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: puppetreum@estreet.com
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?
- In an effort to foster more open communication and transparency,
the Procedures, as well as the Code (Bylaws), need to be
posted on the web site so they are available for all to
see.
- Members need to be given the option to receive the Playboard
in an electronic format. The bulk mail hardcopies sent to
California, Hawaii, and some other places arrive very, very
late.
- PofA needs to allow its members the option to vote by
email. (Nos. 2 and 3 may already be in effect by the time
this is published. I hope so.)
- Has anyone ever looked into the issue of group health
insurance?
- As far as I know, PofA has never received a grant using
its own IRS identity number (EIN). Grants for previous festivals
and other events have come through local organizations that
have sponsored the event -- ie. local guilds with their
own non-profit status, local puppet theaters, etc.. PofA
needs to work toward getting its own grants.
- Assuming that the group email server is up and running
by the time this is published, PofA needs an Email Coordinator
-- someone whose sole job is to keep the email lists updated.
This is a big job if it is done diligently and pro-actively.
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.
MICKEY
HADIJPETROS - Randolph, New Jersey
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
Check out these GREAT ITEMS!!!!
2006 American Puppet Theaters Calendar - On sale for $5.00
each!!!
Just arrived - The new Schattentheater -Volume
3: Theory and Practice.
Always a popular book - David Currell's Making and Manipulating
Marionettes.
An old time favorite - Prop Builders Molding and Casting
Handbook - only $30.00.
302 W Latham St Phoenix, AZ 85003 E-Mail Address
Phone 602 262-2050 Fax 602 262-2330
|
