SAN FRANCISCO OPERA

 

Supernumerary Committee

 

August 25, 2003

 

Minutes of the Meeting

 

 

The following members of the Supernumerary Committee (the �Committee�) of the San Francisco Opera (the �Opera�) were present for all or parts of the meeting:

 

            Susan Anderson

            Mike Harvey

            Andrew Korniej

            Paul Newman

            Priscilla Lore

            Mimi Timberlake

            Sally Warren

 

At the invitation of the Committee, also present for the meeting were

 

Mark Burstein

Carrie Murphy

 

            Paul Newman served as Chairman of the meeting and Priscilla Lore served as Secretary.

 

Financial Report

 

Paul called the meeting to order and began a discussion regarding how to process checks for hard copies of the Spearhead newsletter for those who prefer to receive the newsletter in that form. Paul recounted the history of the bank account that would receive the checks.

 

Income was minimal ($9 from A. Clark for the newsletter) and expenses were modest: $45.00 to Laurel Winzler for flowers for John R. Martin, $99 to Mark Burstein to pay for software used in developing the website, and $122.33 to Mimi Timberlake for �Food Interview/Measuring.� Our balance is $1,465.76.

 

Old Business

 

            Fundraising Backstage Tour: Paul then discussed the need to raise revenue for the fundraising backstage tour and the reasons we need to spend money on the event to raise money for the Opera. He also raised the question of whether we should donate the total or net proceeds from the event, keeping in mind that we have to make it worthwhile for the Opera. Paul gave a recap of the development of the idea for presenting a backstage tour for friends and acquaintances to raise money for the Opera.  The subcommittee devoted to this event met with members of the Development department of the Opera on August 11. It was decided that January 10 from 2�5 pm before the evening performance of La Boh�me would be the best time for the event.  Paul emphasized that our event needs to be top quality. Ideas for the event included involving some Merola Program singers to perform, a wig and makeup demonstration, tiered prices for levels of benefits, picture-taking opportunities. Sally Warren suggested that her son might be able to do photos that incorporated costumes with the subject�s head superimposed on it. The logistics of the tour was discussed. Everyone interested was invited to the next subcommittee meeting on September 8.

 

            Super Call July 31, 2003: Carrie said that she thought the event went very well for several reasons:  lots of new people attended, super measurements were updated, and it was very well organized and implemented.  She thought it would be an biannual event; that she was too busy to call nonactive supers; and that she hoped to consolidate info (contact info, measurements, lightwalking availability) on supers into a database such as Access. She estimated that we are about 460 in number now. All Committee members agreed the event went very well.

 

            Website and Newsletter:  Paul wants to make sure that people who have paid for the newsletter to be mailed to them will be sent the newsletter. Andrew volunteered to get a roll of stamps. Mark said that Kit Dwayne, an editor in Berkeley, had worked on the newsletters; he passed around the Spearhead. All agreed that the website is a big success.

 

New Business

 

Bake Sales: The next bake sales are scheduled for September 27, October 26, and November 16.

 

Super Party 2003: Then followed a discussion of the upcoming Super party and how to address the problems of no-shows that arose last year. Mimi, Andrew, and Mike discussed the expense of catering. Andrew noted that a good starting point is to estimate the cost of last year�s party and go from there. 

 

The date of the party was set for November 23, after the final Sunday matinee of the season. A $10 charge per head was suggested to offset losses caused by no-shows; several locations were discussed because the Trockadero House has increased its charges for rental. Susan and Mimi both had ideas for alternative locations they would explore; the party subcommittee agreed to look into other venues for the best price and size and convenience for our group. Cost saving was agreed by all to be of paramount importance.

 

The next meeting will be September 29, 2003, at 6:30 pm in the 4th floor conference room of the Opera House. Susan will act as chair.