FROM THE GENERAL MEETING OF JANUARY 11, 2010

7 members were present: Nadine Charlsen, Cindy Fain Deborah Glassberg, Joe Gourley, Arnold Levine, Adele Recklies, and Anne-Marie Wright; 3 guest joined us: Corrie Griffin, Marty Vreeland, and David Vreeland.

Arnold called the meeting to order at 7:15 p.m. at Chelsea Studio.

FACEBOOK: Nadine said that the new facebook page had about 282 fans. It was decided that we will keep the Yahoo ATAC group for members who don’t want to do facebook or for members- only information. Joe volunteered to set up a Twitter account in conjunction with the facebook page. Anne-Marie wondered if we need to redo our membership policies for a more national focus. Deborah wants to do a survey to find out how many people use the Sourcebook. Joe suggested that we post meeting notices as an event on facebook.

PORTFOLIO PARTY: Anne-Marie offered Chelsea Studios as a venue. The date will be March 22, 2010. Nadine suggested that we charge a $5 fee for guests, refundable if someone joins ATAC. She reminded everyone that we need to get more members to survive. Anne-Marie reported that we got 3-4 new members. She added that she was torn about charging a fee because we are inviting prospective employers to look at our portfolios.
Arnold mentioned that he had gotten a complaint from a possible employer who couldn’t tell the students from actual ATAC members at the last Portfolio Party. Anne-Marie and Corrie discussed ways to indicate whois an ATAC member and who is a student. Joe suggested that we mention in an e-vite that students could show their portfolio at the Portfolio Party before they show them at USITT.
Joe also suggested that we post something on Playbill.com or Backstage Jobs. Ane-Marie suggested that we have people apply to show portfolios to control the number of prospects. Arnold wondered if we just want to invite facebook members to come to the party and not show their portfolios.
Deborah passed around the invitation list for members to check. Corrie volunteered to make sure that we have enough change. It was also suggested that we make the $5 a table deposit, refundable if someone joins ATAC.

SOURCEBOOKS: Arnold reported that he had called John Cerullo at Applause to see if they are interested in printing the next edition of the Sourcebook. John said that we are a modest sale for him but to go ahead with verification. There was talk of an electronic book that would be released 30-60 days after the printed book went on sale. Arnold told John that we do need a printed version so John said that they would go to print-on-demand. John reported to Arnold that Applause had printed 2,000 of the 2009 edition and sold 923 books but 262 were returned by bookstores.

Deborah suggested that we buy a case of books to take to USITT. Cindy said that she did that once and brought the whole case back. Nadine said that we can’t just set up a table and sell the books because sales get taxed and it is complicated. Deborah then suggested that we just show a few sample copies of the Sourcebook. Nadine said that she will call Reneé at Rosebrand to see if she can get them to display some books. Arnold will see if we can get copies of the Applause catalogue page for the Sourcebook to show as an advertisement. USITT is March 30-April 3 in Kansas City, Missouri.

VERIFICATION: Cindy would like to break the book down into 100 company sections and have ATAC members verify the sections. She said that we can afford to hire 2 people but she would like to have at least 12 volunteers. Corrie, Joe, Deborah, and Nadine volunteered. Cindy announced that new sources need to be in by January 22. Deborah said that she would put an announcement on the Yahoo group. Cindy said that we only have $3,000 to spend on verification.

SPECIAL MEETING: Arnold announced that Robin Badanes of New York Life will talk to us about retirement plans available to small craftspeople. The date may be February 8.

SHOWBIZ EXPO: Arnold reminded everyone that the Expo is March 28, 2010 and that an 8' x10' booth costs $1400.

POSSIBLE FUTURE EVENTS: A book or material exchange was suggested. Adele wondered about doing a Garage Sale kind of event. Deborah asked if we could have Material for the Arts pick up anything left over from a materials exchange.

JOB OPENING: Nadine announced that Jimmy Johnson is retiring from Rutgers and they are looking for someone to teach tailoring and costume history. Carnegie-Mellon is starting a costume technology program.
NEW MEMBERS PACKET: Arnold reminded everyone that we still need to update the constitution. Anne-Marie said that many things need to be updated. Nadine, Arnold, and Adele will look at the constitution.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Adele Recklies.

ARCHIVES:
September 14, 2009
June 29, 2009
March 23, 2009
January 19, 2009
September 15, 2008