Open Forum

Hi Everyone,

As a new troupe we are electing our officers. What job descriptions or duties do you give each officer position? What is your top advice for selecting officers and/or for the students fulfilling those roles?

Gratefully,

------------------------------
Christina Vincent
Director of Theatre
The Woodhall School
Bethlehem, CT
------------------------------

We are a new(er) troupe still trying to find our footing, but this is what we did at the start of this school year:

I accepted nominations to elect a five-person officer board.  (Decided not to go with President, VP, Sec, so on as some students were more attracted to the title than the actual job duties.)  Nominees had to write one or two paragraphs about why they wanted to serve and what they would like to achieve.  The five elected officers, voted on by all inducted members, will chair a committee: Troupe Activities, Fundraising, Publicity/Social Media, Advocacy and Community Service.  The committee chairs will  be responsible for meeting with their committee members and reporting back to the board.

1. Troupe Activities- Planning/management of troupe activities, such as induction ceremonies, State Festival, Leadership Day, ITF, movie nights, potlucks and so forth.
2. Fundraising-  Brainstorming fundraising ideas and managing fundraising campaigns.  Could also serve as treasurer, keeping record of troupe funds.
3. Community Service- Planning and coordination of community service projects.
4. Advocacy- Planning/implementation of troupe and/or arts advocacy strategies.  In other words: informing students, staff, administrators, parents, community members and lawmakers that what we do is important and that we very much need their support!
5. Publicity/Social Media: Planning and implementing advertising of troupe events, performances and so on.  This committee is responsible for getting the word out about anything going on in theatre!

 Hope this helps!

------------------------------
Derek Friederich
Thespian Troupe 417/Speech Coach/Jr. High Drama/Fine Arts Center Technical Director
Postville IA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-14-2020 13:37
From: Christina Vincent
Subject: Troupe Officer Duties

Hi Everyone,

As a new troupe we are electing our officers. What job descriptions or duties do you give each officer position? What is your top advice for selecting officers and/or for the students fulfilling those roles?

Gratefully,

------------------------------
Christina Vincent
Director of Theatre
The Woodhall School
Bethlehem, CT
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 9/14/2020 4:31:00 PM
From: Derek Friederich
Subject: RE: Troupe Officer Duties

We are a new(er) troupe still trying to find our footing, but this is what we did at the start of this school year:

I accepted nominations to elect a five-person officer board.  (Decided not to go with President, VP, Sec, so on as some students were more attracted to the title than the actual job duties.)  Nominees had to write one or two paragraphs about why they wanted to serve and what they would like to achieve.  The five elected officers, voted on by all inducted members, will chair a committee: Troupe Activities, Fundraising, Publicity/Social Media, Advocacy and Community Service.  The committee chairs will  be responsible for meeting with their committee members and reporting back to the board.

1. Troupe Activities- Planning/management of troupe activities, such as induction ceremonies, State Festival, Leadership Day, ITF, movie nights, potlucks and so forth.
2. Fundraising-  Brainstorming fundraising ideas and managing fundraising campaigns.  Could also serve as treasurer, keeping record of troupe funds.
3. Community Service- Planning and coordination of community service projects.
4. Advocacy- Planning/implementation of troupe and/or arts advocacy strategies.  In other words: informing students, staff, administrators, parents, community members and lawmakers that what we do is important and that we very much need their support!
5. Publicity/Social Media: Planning and implementing advertising of troupe events, performances and so on.  This committee is responsible for getting the word out about anything going on in theatre!

 Hope this helps!

------------------------------
Derek Friederich
Thespian Troupe 417/Speech Coach/Jr. High Drama/Fine Arts Center Technical Director
Postville IA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-14-2020 13:37
From: Christina Vincent
Subject: Troupe Officer Duties

Hi Everyone,

As a new troupe we are electing our officers. What job descriptions or duties do you give each officer position? What is your top advice for selecting officers and/or for the students fulfilling those roles?

Gratefully,

------------------------------
Christina Vincent
Director of Theatre
The Woodhall School
Bethlehem, CT
------------------------------

I would echo what Derek has offered and also say why not ask the students on their input. This gives the students an investment and ownership in building the troupe and forming it to what it can be for years to come! 

if you haven't already done so check out
https://www.schooltheatre.org/internationalthespiansociety/teachers/troupedirectors

It has a sample constitution which you can use as a template and other great resources.

Look forward to hearing how your troupe develops!

------------------------------
Mark Drum
he/him/his
www.whoismarkdrum.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-14-2020 13:37
From: Christina Vincent
Subject: Troupe Officer Duties

Hi Everyone,

As a new troupe we are electing our officers. What job descriptions or duties do you give each officer position? What is your top advice for selecting officers and/or for the students fulfilling those roles?

Gratefully,

------------------------------
Christina Vincent
Director of Theatre
The Woodhall School
Bethlehem, CT
------------------------------

Mark- I really appreciate this! Thank you!!

------------------------------
Christina Vincent
Director of Theatre
The Woodhall School
Bethlehem, CT
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-15-2020 23:17
From: Mark Drum
Subject: Troupe Officer Duties

I would echo what Derek has offered and also say why not ask the students on their input. This gives the students an investment and ownership in building the troupe and forming it to what it can be for years to come!

if you haven't already done so check out
https://www.schooltheatre.org/internationalthespiansociety/teachers/troupedirectors

It has a sample constitution which you can use as a template and other great resources.

Look forward to hearing how your troupe develops!

------------------------------
Mark Drum
he/him/his
www.whoismarkdrum.com

Original Message:
Sent: 09-14-2020 13:37
From: Christina Vincent
Subject: Troupe Officer Duties

Hi Everyone,

As a new troupe we are electing our officers. What job descriptions or duties do you give each officer position? What is your top advice for selecting officers and/or for the students fulfilling those roles?

Gratefully,

------------------------------
Christina Vincent
Director of Theatre
The Woodhall School
Bethlehem, CT
------------------------------