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Meeting Minutes
Chandler Cultural Foundation
Regular Meeting
February 23, 2023 | 5:30 p.m.
Chandler Museum, Saguaro Room
300 S. Chandler Village Dr., Chandler, AZ
Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by David Woodruff at 5:32 p.m.
Roll Call
Board Member Attendance
Staff Attendance
David Woodruff, Chair
Michelle Mac Lennan, Arts Center Manager
Steena Murray, Treasurer
Anna Camino
Julia Marreel, Secretary
Terri Rettig
Candy Yu
Christopher McMullan
Erika Castro
Jeanne Forbis
Jennifer Sanchez
Guests
Linda Yarbrough
Colleen Grady
Mari Jo Woolf-Whitaker
Debbie Rubenstrunk
Mike Halle
GarWen Jackson
Peppur Chambers
Janet McNaught
Sherida McMullan
Jono Gasparro
Susan Baker
Michael Mwenso
Absent
LaTricia Woods
Scheduled and Unscheduled Public Appearances
None
Page 2 of 5
Consent Agenda
1. The Consent Agenda item was tabled until the next Chandler Cultural Foundation (CCF)
Board Meeting.
Action Agenda
2. Approve Funding for Needs Assessment
Susan Baker made a motion to approve the funding for Needs Assessment not to
exceed $45,000.00.
Jeanne Forbis seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, 14-0.
The goal for the Needs Assessment funding will be to have it shared in equal
amounts by the Chandler Cultural Foundation (CCF), the City of Chandler (City), and
the Chandler Unified School District (CUSD).
3. Approve Strategic Plan
Sherida McMullan made a motion to approve the Strategic Plan for FY24-26 (Fiscal
Year).
Mari Jo Woolf-Whitaker seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, 14-0.
Comments from the January board meeting have been added.
The Strategic Plan is a forecast of the next 1-3 years.
The Strategic Plan will be brought forth for review to the board on a quarterly basis,
with the upcoming steps being discussed.
4. Approve Event Budgets
Sherida McMullan made a motion to approve the Event Budgets for Amos Lee,
Chandler Center for the Arts and C.A.L.L.E. de Arizona Present the 24th Annual
Mariachi and Folklorico Festival, Sammy Miller & The Congregation: The Music of
1973 at 50 (dates provided), Bruce in the USA (revised budget), The United States
Army Band Jazz Ambassadors, Showtunes Productions: Showtime Series – Sundays
at the Center, and Ledisi.
Susan Baker seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, 14-0.
A 2023-2024 Programming Summary was included in the board packets.
Several board members inquired if there were opportunities for some corporations
to offer tickets or discounts to their employees for some of these shows.
o Michelle Mac Lennan will work with Cynde Cerf to reach out to various
corporations to explore this possibility.
Members of the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) had been asked at a recent YAC event
what they would like to see at the Center for the Arts (CCA).
o Susan Baker, Jeanne Forbis, and Debbie Rubenstrunk shared some of the
responses, which were to have more concerts geared for the younger
population, seeing local performers, and having performances from
younger artists.
Page 3 of 5
Briefing
5. January Financial Report
Michelle Mac Lennan reviewed the January Financial Report graph.
A more detailed financial report will be provided at the next board meeting.
6. Board Development Subcommittee Update
Chris McMullan provided an update from the Board Development Subcommittee.
o The subcommittee reviewed various questions to see which ones would be
appropriate and adequate to ask interested board member candidates.
o The subcommittee will compile the questions and send out a survey to the
full board for their input.
7. Profit & Loss Reports
Terri Rettig reviewed the Profit & Loss statements for Merry Christmas from the
Doo Wop Project and the New Year’s Eve Celebration.
o A Profit & Loss Summary for the 2022-2023 Season year-to-date was also
reviewed.
o Feedback from the New Year’s Eve Celebration was once again positive.
Many enjoyed the opportunity to celebrate the holiday earlier in the
evening and still have a champagne toast and a balloon-drop.
Sherida McMullan inquired into shows that had losses and if that was an area for
concern.
o Michelle Mac Lennan replied most of the shows which had a loss were
shows that were from the Program Investment Fund. These are often
anticipated for loss as they are identified as opportunities to build new
audiences or to present emerging artists. Development of audiences and
emerging artists takes investment over time. Given the number of
profitable performances we are in a strong financial position. Sherida
asked if data was collected related to audience development. There is an
annual survey sent out to gather interests of patrons. Data from that
survey will be shared following the next survey.
8. City Update
The Capital Project for the Back-of-House Renovations was short on funds due to
inflationary costs. A supplemental request to cover the shortage has been
submitted in the current budget cycle. The project is set to start in late August
timeframe and take 16 weeks, but it may require more time to complete.
Thank you to those who attended the State of the City. The Mayor included several
comments on the performing arts and the Center, once again highlighting the
importance of the arts in the community.
Page 4 of 5
9. Michael Mwenso – Artist in Residence – Observations and Q&A
Michael Mwenso and Jono Gasparro attended several events throughout the week
as part of the Year 2: Artist-in-Residence.
History of how they met and the importance of music in their lives was shared with
the board.
Board members had the opportunity to ask questions to Michael Mwenso and Jono
Gasparro.
There are a few more events to round-out the week:
o Friday, 2/24/23, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., at the Vision Gallery – Opening
Celebration Reception for Jacob Meders – Familiar Territory.
o Friday, 2/24/23, from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., at The Gallery at the CCA –
Opening Celebration Reception for Daniel Nez – Fractal Lineage.
o Friday, 2/24/23, at 8:00 p.m., in the Recital Hall at the Chandler Center for
the Arts – Michael Mwenso leads a highly acclaimed Ancestral Communal
Listening Experience.
o Saturday, 2/25/23, at 7:30 p.m., in the Hal Bogle Theatre at the CCA –
Mwenso & the Shakes.
Friends Announcements
GarWen Jackson announced there were 14 events since the last board meeting that equated to
542 volunteer hours. There are 112 active volunteers.
Member Comments/Announcements
Michelle Mac Lennan announced that Erika Castro was nominated and received the SRP
President’s Volunteer Spirit Award. This is a very prestigious award. Erika Castro selected the
Chandler Cultural Foundation as her charity for the $2,500 award. Congratulations, Erika, and
Thank You!
Utah Shakespeare will be performing Othello on Friday, 2/25/23, at 10:00 a.m., in the Steena
Murray Main Stage at the Center for the Arts. There will be over 1,000 students from various valley
schools attending. If any board members would like to volunteer at the event, contact Terri Rettig.
Jennifer Sanchez shared with the board that the Chandler Innovation Fair will be on Saturday,
2/25/23, from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. in Downtown Chandler, in front of the Downtown Stage.
Calendar
The next regular meeting will be held on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at 5:30 p.m., at the
Chandler Museum, Saguaro Room, 300 S. Chandler Village Drive.
Page 5 of 5
Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 7:06 p.m.
______________________________
_________________________________
David Woodruff, Chair
Michelle Mac Lennan, President