By Carolyn Satter, USITT President

The Board of Directors held a meeting on June 9, 2022. Among the key items presented was the Institute’s FY23 budget. Treasurer Kim Scott presented the final draft of the FY 2023 USITT operational budget for review. The Board passed the budget as presented. The budget covers the fiscal period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.

President Carolyn Satter reported that the Executive Director Search Committee has chosen Isaacson, Miller as the search firm that USITT will partner with for the as the Institute seeks its next Executive Director. The draft of the contract between IM and USITT has been sent to Barclay Damon, USITT retained counsel, for review. The mutually agreed upon contract should be available for signatures by June 20, 2022. Lea Asbell-Swanger will be the Interim Executive Director beginning June 14, 2022.

President Satter announced the Board of Directors Retreat will be conducted remotely on August 2-4, 2022, at times to be determined. The work will begin by determining the WHAT the future performance goals will be for the Institute. The execution of these, the HOW, is the responsibility of the operational committees and commissions.

Secretary Paul Brunner presented a motion to approve the policy for a new Programming Activities Committee to take effect July 1, 2022. The Committee will function under the direction of the Executive Director helping guide content for, but not limited to, conference sessions, webinars, and educational sessions.  Its makeup will include representation from commissions, individual members, and corporate members. Committee members will recommend the chair to the Executive Director for approval. Anyone interested in getting more involved in the Institute should visit www.usitt.org/serve. 

Executive Director David Grindle gave his last update to the Board. He shared that the partnership agreement between the Educational Theatre Association (EdTA) and USITT regarding the BACKstage Exam has been signed. This partnership will provide a revenue stream for both parties. More information on the BACKstage Exam partnership can be found here.

David reminded all of the Jay O. Glerum Rigging Entry Level Masterclass to be held on June 23 and 24 in Burbank. This is the first in-person rigging masterclass since the declaration of the pandemic in 2020.  

He also noted that the contract with the editor of TD&T has been renewed for the coming year. 

His report ended with a reminder of future locations of the Annual Conference: St. Louis, Mar. 15-18, 2023; Seattle, Mar. 20-23, 2024; and Columbus, OH, Mar. 5-8, 2025.

Resolutions honoring the input and dedication outgoing officers Tammy Honesty, VP of Education and Training; Kevin Rigdon, VP of International Activities; and Immediate Past President Dan Culhane.  In May a resolution was presented to Rafael Jaen, outgoing VP of Communications.  

President Satter closed the meeting with heartful appreciation for the following Directors at Large whose terms are ending June 30: Andrea Bilkey, Tina Shackleford, Bryan Huneycutt, and David Stewart.