February 2024 CCF Board Minutes
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Meeting Minutes
Chandler Cultural Foundation
Regular Meeting
February 22, 2024 | 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 5:34 p.m.
Roll Call
Board Member Attendance
Staff Attendance
David Woodruff, Chair
Michelle Mac Lennan, General Manager
Julia Marreel, Treasurer
Anna Camino
Candy Yu
Cynde Cerf
Christopher McMullan
Terri Rettig
Ellie Watland
Erika Castro
Jeanne Forbis
Jennifer Sanchez
Guests
Mari Jo Woolf-Whitaker
Debbie Rubenstrunk
Mike Halle
GarWen Jackson
Peppur Chambers
Jane Bjornstad
Sherida McMullan
Laura Schairer
Susan Baker
Sandra Bassett
Absent
Jyoti Pathak
LaTricia Woods
Scheduled and Unscheduled Public Appearances
Ellie Watland is a new Cultural Foundation board member. Watland was the Executive Director
of a nonprofit multimedia community arts organization and was also an English teacher for staff
in Latin American corporations. Watland has a passion for the arts and is looking forward to
servicing on the Chandler Cultural Foundation (CCF) Board.
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Sandra Bassett, Chief Executive Officer for the Phoenix Center for the Arts, attended the board
meeting as a guest of fellow mentor, Michelle Mac Lennan. Bassett has worked with several
board members in the past on a variety of projects and was excited to observe a CCF Board
Meeting.
Consent Agenda
1. January Cultural Foundation Board Meeting Minutes
Jeanne Forbis made a motion to approve the meeting minutes from the January 25,
2024, Cultural Foundation Board Meeting.
Peppur Chambers seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, 8-0. The
minutes were approved as written.
Action Agenda
2. Approve Event Budgets
Susan Baker made a motion to approve the Event Budgets for Gregory Porter, Boz
Skaggs, Chandler Center for the Arts & C.A.L.L.E. de Arizona Present the 25th Annual
Mariachi and Folklorico Festival, Netflix – Our Planet Live, Billy Ocean, Sweet Honey
in the Rock, R.E.S.P.E.C.T. – A Celebration of the Music of Aretha Franklin, Showtune
Productions: Showtime Series – Sundays at the Center, Literature to Life: The Great
Gatsby, and Spyro Gyro – 50th Anniversary.
Julia Marreel seconded the motion. Motion carried unanimously, 11-0.
Briefing
3. January Financial Report
Julia Marreel reviewed the January Financial Report.
4. Succession Plan Update
Michelle Mac Lennan reviewed the Staff Succession Plan, which included plan
implementation, short-term succession plan by position, CCF financial matters,
communications plan, and critical information and contact inventory. Appendices
included vacancy staffing strategy, cross-training plan, ongoing tasks overview, and
key deadlines/milestones for the Cultural Arts Manager and Assistant Arts Center
Manager positions.
The remaining full-time positions in the Arts Center Division continue to be updated
in the same format and will be added to the Staff Succession Plan document.
The complete Staff Succession Plan will be completed by the end of this fiscal year.
5. CCF Strategic Plan Talking Points
Cynde Cerf reviewed some of the talking points for the adopted three-year strategic
plan.
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These talking points will help guide the conversation and keep the message
consistent on the strategic planning work the Board has done.
The talking points included the three areas of focus in the Strategic Plan:
Leadership in the Arts, Community Impact, and Expanded Facilities.
6. Marketing & Public Relations Update
Cynde Cerf and Laura Schairer shared a presentation highlighting marketing and
public relations updates and activities thus far for the current season. Some of the
highlights and press coverage include:
o 37,576 tickets sold, generating $1.9 million in ticket sales.
o The Summer Concert Series had 4,023 attendees and added 1,069 new
contacts to our database.
o 40,322 social media followers.
o There are 427 members, who have donated $71,325 in support, which is the
highest it has been over the last seven seasons.
o Frontdoors Magazine interviewed Michelle Mac Lennan.
o Other press coverage included articles in the San Tan Sun News, Arizona
Republic, Telemundo, Art Scene podcast, various radio stations, and more.
Board members can contact Cerf with any questions.
7. Profit and Loss Reports
Terri Rettig reviewed the Profit & Loss statements for Pink Martini Holiday Show
and NYE Celebration with musical director JR McAlexander.
A Profit & Loss Summary for the 2023-2024 Season year-to-date was also reviewed.
Friends Announcements
Jane Bjornstad announced there were 11 events since the last board meeting, which equated to
500.5 volunteer hours. There are 141 active volunteers.
Member Comments/Announcements
Tickets to North The Musical are still available. There will be two shows on the Steena Murray
Mainstage. A condensed version of North will be performed on Friday, February 23rd, at 10:00 a.m.,
for the Theatre Kids Program. Approximately 1,300 students from a variety of schools are
expected to attend.
Michelle Mac Lennan announced there are two legislative bills set to be voted on. These bills
pertain to third party ticket sales. An update will be provided at the next board meeting.
Jennifer Sanchez announced the annual Chandler Innovation Fair will be on Saturday, February
24th, from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., and will be held at the Dr. A.J. Chandler Park Stage Plaza.
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Save the Date Invitations have been sent to board members for two events happening in April:
April 22nd, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m., Harnessing the Economic Power of the Arts Podcast,
Chandler Center for the Arts. This is a free event and board members can RSVP via the
Eventbrite link that was included in the invite.
April 24th, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., The Economic Impact of Arts & Culture (AEP6 results),
Chandler Chamber Luncheon to be held at SoHo 63. Tickets are $25 members/$35 non-
members and can be purchased via the Eventbrite link included in the invite.
An Arts Facilities Proposal Review Meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 26th. Updates will
be provided to the board.
Peppur Chambers shared there is an entrepreneurial shared workspace in Downtown Chandler
and would like to see the arts brought to this space.
Calendar
8. The next board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, March 28, 2024, at 5:30 p.m., at the
Chandler Museum, Saguaro Room, 300 S. Chandler Village Drive.
Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
______________________________
________________________________
David Woodruff, Chair
Michelle Mac Lennan, Staff Liaison