Orcas Center Reviews its Year at Annual Membership Meeting

— by Margie Doyle —

Orcas Center was the scene of an information-packed annual meeting with many new announcements and forthright explanations on Sunday, March 11. Outgoing Board President Tom Fiscus welcomed about 80 members and guests at the Madrona Room, where nearly every chair was taken. He thanked outgoing board members Paula Capitano and Rick Markov, and outgoing governance committee member Doug Bechtel for their volunteer service to the community arts organization.

Fiscus welcomed new board members Gordon Koenig, Jane Staley, Corinne Davis and  Stanley Liebenberg, all of whom were voted onto the board by the membership

After approving the minutes from the 2017 meeting, Cynthia Abolin spoke as the incoming Orcas Center Board President. “We face great challenges, and also great opportunities,” she began. Orcas Center is on a good financial footing, and we need to think into the future 10 years, she advised, encouraging all to come to the Center to enjoy performances and exhibits, but also to volunteer. “Orcas Center was built by the community with our own hands, ” said Abolin, acknowledging “an expressed need to come back to the  community. I know there have been mis-steps; we can only move forward.

“I’m a hard worker; I’m here to hear what you have to say. The only way to never make a mistake is never to do anything. We’re all in this together.”

The Budget

Many expressed surprise to learn that Orcas Center  had “finished in the black” in 2017 with a profit of nearly $12,000 after 10 years of deficits. The budget had been projected to make a $16,400 profit last year, but with a new Director and the previous Director’s buy-out, the final profit figure was $11,892. (The budget refers to the plans and results of a given year’s expected costs and income, or expenses and revenues). Some of the success is due to the sale of concessions at the Orcas Island Film Fest, Fiscus noted. Other factors include a 20% increase in ticket sales, and six community productions with six different directors, in response to the desire for more community productions, “And the 2017-18 budget is still smaller than the 2007 budget,” he added.

Treasurer Linda Hamilton announced that this year the projected profit is $5,850. The board follows the budget monthly, and notes the over-budget in payroll with the change of executive directors. She said that the budget would be made available to anyone upon request (info@orcascenter.org).

After distributions from the Center’s Endowment funds, those funds are at $696,00, a $26,000 increase over last year. In recent years, the Center has drawn up to 4% of its endowment to keep on going; last year the withdrawal was 3.75%. The funds are invested with the Orcas Island Community Foundation.

The board has also maintained a $25,000 reserve fund, which it intends to build upon.

Abolin discussed development, saying that Joe Cohen had created a new model for the development subcommittee to reflect more donor appreciation. The annual Gala “For the Love of the Arts” (FLOTA), held at Mount Baker Farm netted about $75,000 in 2017. Fiscus announced that this year, the Gala would be back at Orcas Center with the theme “It’s Showtime!” and would feature entertainment by “The Suburban Showgirl” Palmer Davis.

Orcas Center board secretary Barbara Bentley reviewed the Strategic Plan, which is at mid-point, and urged members to volunteer on several sign up sheets at the meeting. The current Strategic Plan (2015-2020) was given to all who attended the annual meeting.

Orcas Center Maintenance

While the Orcas Center building has been maintained, it has not been invested in, Fiscus said. Some projects that need addressing are the HVAC/plumbing system. Other projects include upgrading the kitchen so that it may be permitted for commercial use (currently no food may be cooked in the kitchen); and installing new seating in the Center Stage auditorium. Currently the Center is looking for a Facilities Manager on its staff.

Fiscus mentioned the work of bookkeeping being done by Annie Moss Moore and Melanie Tryg, who are transferring the “legacy accounting” data and upgrading to Sales Force,

Internal Affairs Committee

As head of the Internal Affairs committee Fiscus discussed the resignation of Executive Director Brian Kemp who was hired in May 2017 after a community-based hiring process.

Fiscus commended Kemp for analyzing and standardizing the Center’s financial situation. and budget balance. “Brian dug out the numbers, and it actually costs $45,000 per month to operate Orcas Center. We have had to rely more on donors, and the Center’s Endowment is smaller than it was 10 years ago. (Withdrawing the maximum allowable of 4% annually reduced the fund by more than it was earning until very recently).”

Fiscus spoke to the cost of balancing the budget over the years without raising rates for rentals, saying, “Rates for rentals bore no relationship to what they cost. In fact, in 2017, the rates were 25% below what it cost 15 years ago to rent Center facilities.

“The Center is not jacking up prices willy-nilly; until Brian completed his work we didn’t really know the numbers. We have an obligation to translate the situation to the community: where does the money go?” Fiscus explained that roughly half of the monthly budget goes to personnel, and said, “Orcas Center staff costs are right at the middle of non-profits on Orcas Island: they’re, not at the bottom, not at the top.”

He acknowledged that the process in adjusting rental rates “from where we were to where we need to be got off to  a rocky start. Fixing the situation immediately is really hard for a community to absorb. We can’t go there instantly, it’s just too hard. We have instead worked out a ‘glide slope’ [where increases are added annually].

“Failure is not an option, this is a wonderful treasure we have here. Access to Orcas Center is a high priority for community organizations, and we’ve got to be more sustainable as a community-based organization.”

Fiscus cited the six local productions and directors during 2017, and announced that there will be public “Town Halls” in the spring. He explained that Kemp has had other employment opportunities drawing on his business acumen expertise and has decided to pursue them, rather than renew his contract on May 1, 2018. Fiscus has been asked by the board to assume the duties of Interim Executive Director, and announced that Margie Doyle, former Interim Director (Nov 2016–May 2017) will be working at the Center to assist him.

Jim Bredouw advised the membership, as he has addressed the board, that Orcas Center must “regarding artists as products, not as the nuts and bolts [keeping the non-profit organization together].”

Jake Perrine cautioned the meeting,”It is a huge mistake to value donors over artists. You should be cultivating artists. Bringing the rates up is a contrast to Opening New Doors to the World of Arts. You’ll never find artists to be the money ticket home. Be real careful when you’re making your budgets with the artists on the island. Each event is a basket of money and intangibles.”

Performance Advisory and Visual Arts Committees

Paula Capitano spoke on the past year’s work of the Board’s Performance Advisory Committee, including weekly production “progress” meetings, and Visual Arts Advisory Board Committee Chair Mary Jane Elgin spoke of their work, including monthly art receptions from 5:30 to 7 p.m. the first Friday of each month.

Bev Polis reported on the work that has been done by the Board’s Governance committee, which she heads. It has revised board operating policies — work that was overseen by Governance committee member Doug Bechtel — and has created an organizational chart, which will be made available on the Center website www.orcascenter.org and at upcoming Town Meetings to be held this spring to address the changes underway at Orcas Center.

Bev Polis said that Governance is the “Watchdog” committee overseeing the work that the board does in setting policy and establishing fiscal responsibility.

Bunny and Margaret Exxton Awards

The two annual awards were announced, though neither award-winners were present at the meeting. They will be acknowledged at the June 3 Volunteer Appreciation Dinner, Fiscus said.

• The Bunny Acting Award for new actors was given to Jessica Diamond, who performed in Addams Family and in Dead Man’s Cell Phone
• The Margaret Exxton Award for Volunteers was bestowed on Carol Whitbeck, who has helped in many productions with hair and makeup. “This award is long overdue,” said Fiscus.

Upcoming events at Orcas Center

New co-productions at the Center will be

• the LitFest, April 13-15
• The annual island-wide Student Art Show will be on exhibit during the month of May.
• June 3 Volunteer Appreciation event
• July 21 Orcas Center Gala (FLOTA — for Love of the Arts) will be produced by Heather Oaksen and Velma Doty at Orcas Center.