Title: DirectorReport2008-03-02.doc

Events:

Education Program:

Slow start. I printed 50 trifold brochures, final draft. I distributed most of these at Western Avenue, yesterday, during Open Studios. I sent info on the education program to our members list, and included upcoming classes in the March Events listing that was emailed to the gallery list, a much larger list. The Events list is picked up by COOL (now include John Greenwald’s list), the ALL list, and Donna Dodson. I emailed to the LTC members list, but that is on hold because “I am not a current member of LTC.” I looked into posting to NEF; for more one class it seems we may have to purchase a classified ad.

I expect the classes will build slowly. I hope that class instructors will help by publicizing their own classes. Dan suggested a new class –

“I had a thought that sparked I think due to the story Mary Ann was telling me about some one tag "This is Asian turf" on the side of the building, and the shirt I was wearing on Saturday night.  Basically; when my girlfriend Sony was in Middle School in Fresno, she participated in an after school program that taught Cambodian children not only how to speak Khmer better, but also read and write in the script (Uksor Khmer).  As far as I know, no program such as this is offered in Lowell, and definitely not in the school system.” --- email from Dan

We have 4 Mac Powerbooks, free wifi, video projector, a large panel monitor, an audio mixer and a PA. The Mac laptops have Firefox, the usual set of Mac apps including iMovie, Audacity; and two of the laptops now have licensed copies of Max/MSP and softVNS for interactive video and sound.

The front office/cyber café serves as a classroom. We have two 30”x72” tables and chairs. We need blinds for the front windows.

Board Development:

The following are a few thoughts “sparked” by developments (or lack thereof) at a recent ONE Lowell board meeting with Jericho Road Foundation. ONE Lowell has a mission. The non-profit has programs in place assisting recent immigrants and local minorities. But, the board does not have a strategic plan. The board lacks structure – the secretary hasn’t attended recent meetings, there’s a new treasurer who is learning Quick Books, and the chair is ineffectual. Most of the board members have never served on a board before. Some lack the time and/or commitment (5 of 13 have left this past year).

We are in much better shape. We have a strong chairperson and officers. We have commitment. However, most of us are new as members of a non-profit board. Here are some of the observations and questions raised by the Jericho Road folk –

1)      The emphasis of the board is on developing and implementing the non-profit’s mission.

2)      The board uses this mission statement to develop programming.

3)      The board is responsible for funding the programming.

4)      Board members need to honestly assess their potential time and commitment to the organization.

5)      Board members need to develop leadership skills.

6)      The Board, as a group, needs to work as a team.

7)      Board members should ask themselves, who are we (as an organization) and who am I? And then determine if this is a good fit.

8)      The Board should ask itself, what do we (in fact) do and what are supposed to do? And then determine what’s not getting done and what to do about it.

9)      Who do we serve? What defines our constituency?

10)  What are the differences between the Board, the Exec Director, and the staff?

11)  Ownership and responsibility? Where does the ‘buck stop?’

12)  Decision making, how does this happen?

13)  When the founder/Exec Director leave, what next?

A comprehensive list, worth discussing at our upcoming retreat – 8^)

Prepared by: Walter Wright, Director