[Winona Online Democracy]
I think there is a misperception out there that thousands and thousands of dollars are being spent for a theater company that only operates for 5 weeks. The grand plan for the GRSF is not to continue doing 5 weeks every summer ( which, by the way, it was 4 weeks last year). The plan would be for the theater to continue growing and operate eventually all year long. The building could also be used to bring in larger shows that right now can't come to Winona because we don't have a space big enough to house them. A few years back we lost a bid for Prairie Home Companion because there was no place to hold it. I also believe the plan is to eventually add non-Shakespearean plays as well.
I've noticed that Theatre du Mississippi is again hosting their drops and props at the Masonic Temple theater on weekends before the GRSF productions. The drops are amazing and historic and something everyone in this community should see. This is a good example of another theater company using great ideas to ride along with the GRSF wave.
I've also seen Mugby Junction jumping on board and making some money, the Book Shelf has used this opportunity to sell merchandise/ benefit from the GRSF.
I think with a little creativity there are many opportunities for the area businesses to make money.
Cherisa Templeton
From: "Kathy Seifert" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Online Democracy" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [Winona] Shakespeare
Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2006 12:40:04 -0500
>[Winona Online Democracy]
>
>Thanks, Beth, for your technical expertise regarding non-profits! I
>appreciate you reiterating what I've said in terms of non-profit
>directors being more than cooperative with sharing any public
>financial data requested by the public (though photocopies of large
>documents may only be obtained for a fee that covers preparation of
>the copies).
>
>Many organizations publish annual reports specifically to inform
>stakeholders and the public about the organizations' annual
>accomplishments and financial health. I know I usually receive one
>from Winona Health each year because I have made contributions to
>their foundation.
>
>As I understand it, Form 990 is the IRS document that is filed to
>defend the non-profit status each year. It is quite detailed and
>must be accurate and meet IRS criteria in order for an organization
>to maintain non-profit status. Independent audits are performed each
>year for assuring proper accounting of funds within the
>organization. All of this makes it difficult to misuse charitable
>donations, but also causes the organization to incur costs
>associated with compliance. Unfortunately, this adds to the
>administrative cost of fulfilling the organization's
>mission--something that each non-profit seeks to minimize so that
>the majority of the dollars go directly toward providing services
>from which the public or community may benefit. It is a juggling act
>that balances service provision with accountability.
>
>Again, I encourage anyone who wants to know about an organization's
>strategic plan or financial reports to please go directly to that
>organization before you make disparaging remarks about that
>organization's functioning or imply that it is intentionally hiding
>information from the public. That goes for governmental units (City,
>County, School District), too. :)! We all can form better opinions
>when we have accurate facts.
>
>Kathy Seifert
>----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>Cc: "winona forum winona forum" <[email protected]>
>Sent: Thursday, June 22, 2006 11:48 AM
>Subject: Re: [Winona] Shakespeare
>
>
>>[Winona Online Democracy]
>>
>>Janice and all,
>>
>>I checked both the Attorney General's site and GuideStar. The
>>information looks
>>as complete as any other organization on each site. GuideStar uses
>>an optical
>>scan of the actual Form 990; the AG pulls some (but not all) of
>>that
>>information.
>>
>>Advertising expenses are all listed on the Form 990.
>>
>>It's not unusual that the 2005 information would not appear yet.
>>The 990 does
>>not have to be filed with the IRS until "the 15th day of the 5th
>>month" after
>>the organization's year-end (whether it's a calendar year or a
>>fiscal year
>>starting on some other date). Up to 2, 90-day extensions can also
>>be filed,
>>which is not an unusual circumstance in the non-profit world.
>>Beyond that, it
>>takes about 2 months to have a 990 posted on GuideStar (according
>>to their own
>>information). Not sure how quickly the AG gets information posted.
>>
>>Any member of the public can ask an organization to see a copy of
>>their 990. You
>>can certainly call the Shakespeare Festival (or any other
>>non-profit, for that
>>matter) and ask to see a copy.
>>
>>Hope that helps.
>>
>>Beth Moe
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_______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
