Dear Neighbors:
The Boquete Community Players was started about five years ago by a group of residents who shared an interest in theater for its ability to educate and/or entertain the community. It was conceived as a vehicle to promote the arts, bring a much needed form of entertainment to our neighbors and support the artistic endeavors of the residents of Boquete and the surrounding communities. Several years ago we leased the building in which we currently reside and, with the help of many of you, did a major overhaul of the facility. As a result of the efforts of a large number of volunteers, we ended up with a first rate theater and the best meeting facility in Boquete.
Over the past five years we have striven to fulfill our vision by producing dramatic, musical, artistic and educational productions on a regular basis. In addition, we have created a number of special events that our membership told us they wanted. Events like dances, programs by local musicians, karaoke sing-a-longs, pot luck meals and a wide variety of other activities that appeal to the community. And, we have done our best over our tenure to keep prices of all BCP sponsored events at an affordable level.
However, we are now at a crucial point in our life cycle. That is, your community theater is facing a crisis regarding its life blood - volunteers. A number of our managers and council members have served more than one term and need a break. In addition, our pool of actors, directors and technicians has been diminished by the growing number of demands for their services and higher than normal turnover in residents over the past year. As a result, it has been difficult to cast, produce and direct many productions of the kind we believe you would like to see.
It's been about two weeks since I sent a letter to our membership regarding volunteers for the four council positions which become available on September 1st. In that time, only one person has volunteered for a council seat. So, I'm now asking for volunteers from the community-at-large for next year's council. The positions that will need to be filled are:
Vice President: The vice president assumes the duties and responsibilities of the president in his/her absence; oversees activities to obtain sponsorship; manages the business activities of the organization; initiates, plans and promotes fund raising events; chairs the Bylaws and Fund Raising committees and, manages facility maintenance. The vice president is the Elections Officer, and, as such, receives nominations for the Foundation Council, supervises elections and assures an accurate count of votes cast.
Marketing Director: The marketing director plans and organizes new events and activities to encourage use of the theater and meeting facilities promote appreciation and understanding of the arts; and generate revenue. In addition, he or she maintains the list of members and member's information; oversees the collection of membership dues; chairs the Membership Committee; solicits new members and encourages renewals at selected foundation events; and, plans parties, events and benefits for the members. This position also oversees the publicity efforts and blog of the organization.
Operations Director: The Operations Director manages the theater, meeting facilities and environment in which the organization conducts its business. He or she maintains the venue in proper operating order, free of hazardous or unsafe conditions and in a manner that assures compliance with contract and operating agreements between the organization and the leasing entity. In addition, he or she supervises the booking operations of the facility. Ground keeping is also overseen by this position.
Creative Director: The creative director searches for suitable material for foundation productions; evaluates the capabilities of the organization to successfully perform all productions proposed to the council; advises the council on all artistic matters brought before it; and, oversees all productions undertaken by BCP from proposal to performance. In addition, he or she plans, coordinates and manages training activities to enhance the performance and production capabilities of actors, directors and support staff.
