Cincinnati Shakespeare Company - Boards Cincinnati Cares

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Formatted Board Description

The <a href="https://cincyshakes.com/board/">Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Board of Trustees</a> helps establish the strategic direction of the company, set Board policy, steward assets, and provide fiscal oversight for the organization. We seek Board members who are willing to invest time, treasure, and talent into our mission and play an active role in the company through the next several years of <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/89yq9g5iiaz1ggz/Strategic%20Plan%201-Pager.pdf?dl=0">strategic growth</a>.

Trustees serve three-year terms, not to exceed three consecutive terms. Trustees approaching their term limits are invited to become Emeritus Trustees at the discretion of CSC Leadership. Standing Board Committees include: Executive, Finance, Philanthropy, and DEIA.
<h3>Our Mission</h3>
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is a resident ensemble theatre company bringing Shakespeare and the Classics to life for all.
<h3>Our Vision</h3>
We will be a Company that is participating in the global dialogue by producing the classical canon, commissioning the next generation of classics, and engaging the artists, audiences, schools, and communities of Cincinnati.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company seeks to foster a community of theater makers, patrons, supporters, and stakeholders who are representative of our City, united in their desire for artistic excellence, and unabashedly welcoming to all who wish to be a part of it. If you are interested in joining the CSC Board of Trustees, please reach out to Sara Clark, Director of Development, at <a href="mailto:Sara.Clark@cincyshakes.com">Sara.Clark@cincyshakes.com</a>.

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Formatted Board Requirements

From the CSC Board Trustee Pledge:

As a member of the Board of Trustees of CSC, I am fully committed and dedicated to the mission, purpose, and vision of CSC. I pledge to help CSC carry out this mission, consistent with the functions of the office of Board member according to CSC’s By-laws.

The role of the Board

As a Board member of CSC, I have both the opportunity and the obligation to appoint and evaluate the Producing Artistic Director, help establish strategic direction, set Board policy, and steward the assets, all in support of the organization’s stated mission. I commit to fulfilling these obligations with my time, talent and resources.

The role of Management

I understand that the Producing Artistic Director is responsible, under the Board’s direction, for developing the organization’s long-range plan and presenting it to the Board for approval. The Producing Artistic Director, in conjunction with the Managing Director and Leadership Team, is also responsible for devising acceptable short- and medium-term objectives in pursuit of that plan, and then managing the organization’s resources to meet those objectives.

Fiscal and program oversight

Together with my fellow Board members, I am responsible for the fiscal oversight of CSC. I will take an active part in reviewing and approving the budget and monitoring our performance against that budget. If I do not understand an element of CSC’s fiscal health, I will reach out to the appropriate Board members, committees, or staff for clarification.

Active participation in Board meetings

I will work diligently to understand the mission, purpose, goals and programs of the organization. I will attend regularly scheduled Board meetings, be available for consultation by phone and e-mail, and serve in a capacity that will allow me to apply my special skills, perspective and experience. I will come prepared to discuss the issues and business at hand. If I miss three consecutive Board or committee meetings without notifying the Board President or Committee Chair, or am otherwise unable to fulfill my obligations as a Board member, I will offer my resignation or request a leave of absence.

Personal investment

I will work with relevant members of the staff to devise a Personal Investment Plan that is reasonable for my personal situation, and commit to an annual review of that plan. I understand this plan to include:
<ul>
 	<li>Annual financial support: I will make what is for me a substantial financial donation to CSC each year to signify that the organization is a personal philanthropic priority.</li>
 	<li>Fundraising efforts: I expect to be actively involved throughout the year in some aspect of CSC’s fundraising efforts and I will help identify and cultivate potential supporters.</li>
 	<li>Service and Community Cache: My Personal Investment Plan will also acknowledge the value of my committee service, volunteer effort, in-kind services, pro bono professional expertise, community connections, strategic partnerships, and personal networks.</li>
</ul>
Active participation in major events

I will attend CSC’s major public events (Mainstage and Park performances), and fundraisers and will actively encourage support and attendance by my friends and colleagues as well.

Support the staff

I recognize the significant obligations of the staff in carrying out CSC’s mission. While I have the right to speak with staff members about matters of mutual interest, I understand that I do not have the right to direct the actions of staff members unless appropriately authorized to do so by the Board or the Producing Artistic Director.

Positively represent the organization

As a Board member, I know that I am a de facto ambassador for the organization, and I will strive to represent CSC in the best possible ways. I will never offer myself as an official spokesperson for the organization without proper authority from the Board or the Producing Artistic Director.

Uphold confidentiality and By-laws

I understand that the Board must speak with one voice, and therefore I agree not to divulge Board-level discussions to outsiders unless the Board has adopted a different policy for a specific instance or issue. I have read and understand the organization’s By-laws, and I agree to operate in conformity with them.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Commitment to its Board of Trustees:

As part of the organization’s execution of its mission, CSC makes the following commitment to its Board of Trustees:
<ul>
 	<li>We will provide you the opportunity for meaningful and rewarding service to our mission and our community.</li>
 	<li>We will provide you with the timely information you need to be an effective Board member.</li>
 	<li>We will be diligent in making the best possible use of the assets you make available to us, whether those be assets of time, wisdom, experience, relationships or money.</li>
 	<li>We will schedule meetings in advance, and we will start and end meetings on time, unless a majority of those present at the time elect otherwise.</li>
 	<li>We will make every effort to keep our meetings brief, relevant, interesting and impactful.</li>
 	<li>We will respond to the best of our ability to your questions and concerns.</li>
 	<li>We will encourage your feedback and criticism.</li>
 	<li>We will do our utmost to be an organization of which all of us can be proud.</li>
</ul>

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In service of the Unifying Goal of Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s five-year Strategic Plan (approved January 2021), CSC is committed to creating more in-roads to joining its Board, allowing for the value of service, consultation, community cache, and lived experience to supplement expected financial commitment.

Fulfillment of a Personal Investment Plan is created in concert with the Development Team of the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. It will acknowledge the value of a trustee’s committee service, volunteer effort, in-kind services, pro bono professional expertise, community connections, strategic partnerships, and personal networks in addition to annual financial support and fundraising expectations. Trustees agree to meet annually with CSC Development to create and subsequently review their personal plan.

Sample Personal Investment Plans at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company:

Trustee A: Margaret Anjou
Profile: Margaret is a white female, age 56. She is President and CEO of a regional foundation, but worked as a public school English teacher for 15 years prior to entering the field of philanthropy. She’s a big advocate for arts in education and absolutely loves PROJECT38.
Time/Treasure/Talent: Margaret makes an annual Board gift of $2,500. She shepherds an annual grant of $10,000 from her foundation which supports CSC’s education programs. She also regularly volunteers her time and expertise through CSC’s Salon and Insights programs, helping provide pre- and post-show enrichment opportunities for the audience and serves on the Board Executive Committee.

Trustee B: Juliet Capulet
Profile: Juliet is a Black female, age 32. She’s an up-and-coming associate at a creative design agency. She’s passionate about cultivating a vibrant arts and culture scene in her native Cincinnati.
Time/Treasure/Talent: Juliet makes an annual Board gift of $1,000. She engages her colleagues at the agency to provide $100,000 in pro bono creative services for CSC. Juliet loves bringing her young family to FREE! Shakespeare in the Park, and sponsored a $500 donation match for the Washington Park performance. She serves on the Board DEIA Committee.

Trustee C: Timon Athens
Profile: Timon is a white male, age 68. He’s in the C-suite at a major bank in the Cincinnati region. He loved studying Shakespeare in school and is committed to helping classical theatre thrive in the Queen City.
Time/Treasure/Talent: Timon makes an annual Board gift of $5,000. He shepherds his company towards a regular $10,000 sponsorship of a Mainstage production. He purchases three season subscriptions each year, so that he and his wife can attend every Mainstage show, and also bring friends and clients along to introduce them to CSC. Timon serves on the Board Finance Committee.

Trustee D: Henry Monmouth
Profile: Henry is a Black male, age 58. He founded his own IT business which now services the entire Greater Cincinnati region. He loves art in all forms, especially music and sculpture, and wants to learn more about classical theatre.
Time/Treasure/Talent: Henry makes an annual Board gift of $3,000. He helps connect his company to provide $50,000 in in-kind IT services to CSC. He is especially interested in CSC production, and is often willing to help the CSC production department “buy a new toy.” Henry is a regular volunteer usher for CSC’s Mainstage shows.

Trustee E: Ariel Spirit
Profile: Ariel is a multiracial, non-binary individual, age 39, and a member of the LGBTQ community. They primarily work for a local nonprofit serving the OTR neighborhood, but are also active in local politics and advocacy groups. They loved doing community theatre productions as a kid and enjoy any opportunity to get closer to the art.
Time/Treasure/Talent: Ariel makes an annual Board gift of $500. They maximize their deep community connections to help CSC’s engagement team form partnerships and collaborations with other organizations. Ariel is especially passionate about new play development and helped organize a crowdfunding campaign to support the commissioning of a new play at CSC. They serve on the Board DEIA Committee.

Trustee F: Rosalind Arden
Profile: Rosalind is a white female, age 66. She is now retired, having founded an organization dedicated to mentoring women in business and working as a private consultant.
Time/Treasure/Talent: Rosalind makes an annual Board gift of $7,000. As a trustee for her private family foundation, she helps CSC receive an annual $20,000 operating support grant. She has a personal rolodex the size of Manhattan and regularly hosts a $2,500 table at Revel. She serves on the Board Philanthropy Committee and loves nothing more than bringing people to the theater to enjoy a show.

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