Laconia Putnam Fund

Laconia Putnam Fund Meeting November 8, 2022 A meeting was called to order on Tuesday, November 8, 2022, at 9:00 am held at City located on Beacon East Street in Room 200B with the following in attendance: Rich Landry, Joanie Mercer, Jim Rogato and Betty Ballantyne. MINUTES: Minutes presented on October 11th and 17th were accepted as presented. TREASURER’S REPORT: Our fiscal year from the start of July 1, 2022, through November 4, 2022, combined expenditures tallied at $52,458.91. (See Attached) PROGRAM: Albert Cummings, Blues Show on Friday, November 11, 2022, at 7:00 pm. All 800 tickets sold out and this Wednesday’s ad will emphasis the Standby Line. Rich and Betty will handle the water, ice, and cooler for the performers, and it was suggested by Linda we reach out to Jacob so the colonial staff will handle the hot water and coffee. At the last performance we spent $40.00 on hot water and coffee. It will be important to compare the expenses charged by Laconia Colonial Theater. Betty will bring the Putnam signage for the lobby, Jim and Betty will secure the tickets for the Board at the Box Office after this meeting, and Linda will be asked to bring along the “hold signs” to secure seats for the Board and their guests. Betty will reach out to Jacob to arrange a backstage Band introduction for the Board Members and social media. Further discussion was had regarding the sound and lights rider along comparing Spectacle and Michael Yorkell. Michael was less monies although we would still be required to hire two people for sound at the Colonial at $540 each, therefore the combined numbers were greater. We chose to solely hire Spectacle at approximately $3,600. Jim was approached by the Spectacle Production Manager asking for the specs for this show and somehow, we had already received the estimate. We are not confident if in fact each knows what the others are doing at Spectacle. Jim was going to follow up to be sure all to be handled is finalized. STRATEGY 2023: We discussed proposed ideas for programs to be held in September, October, November, and December. Budgets will be the determining factors in whether we can afford four programs inclusive to the Downtown Series at the Belknap Mill, Horizons Band, Streetcar, and lectures. Jim will reach out to Jacob to ask of a date availability for the four months for Saturday and Sunday evening performances. We discussed a Capella at the College level, Irish Program, clogging, Irish step dancing, John McDermott, Andy Cooney, Military Bands, Sunday Movies the Theater, Michael Jackson Tribute Band, and an Oldies Throwback Show. The Diamonds, Rocking Daddios, and Jerry Lee Lewis tribute. Blues band The Love Dogs, Authors David Brody, John Rizzo, and others. Jim will reach out to Julie; Joanie will research a Capella and Betty will handle the military bands. NEW BUSINESS: Joanie has asked us to consider purchasing risers for our productions. Currently we are charged for transport along with the cost of renting the risers for each performance. Perhaps a donation for various risers to the Colonial, whereas the overall cost will lessen rather than year after year paying the transport and rental. A concern mentioned was where will they store the risers? Jim will be contacting people he knows in the industry and speaking to Spectacle Management and the Laconia Colonial Theater Management. Linda suggested to Jim we bring the Board Members up on stage at the introduction, in particular knowing Joanie is new to the Board. With no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 10:30 am. Respectfully submitted, Betty Ballantyne Laconia Putnam Board Secretary