Members of the Rye Arts Festival had two AGMs in the space of 40 minutes last Sunday April 15.
They recorded the conversion of the organisation from an unincorporated charity to a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The change will continue to allow Rye Arts Festival to claim tax refunds on members subscriptions and donations.
Chairman Michael Eve addressing the meeting was at pains to say that members’ rights had not been changed, save that discounts on ticket prices to patrons had been increased to 15% with immediate effect. In answer to a question from Christopher Rowe, he advised that under the new constitution, voting rights would be exercised through members’ personal attendance and not by proxy; each individual member on record at the date of serving notice of the meeting would be entitled to vote.
In the first meeting, chairman Michael Eve had reported on the highlights of last year’s festival and thanked all his committee members for their work in making it a musical and literary success with high quality performances. He thanked members and supporters for their part in attending events and ensuring the festival’s financial success.
The chairman expressed particular thanks to Mary House who was standing down as Treasurer after years of sterling service. She was given a standing ovation by the members. Mary has agreed to stay on as Secretary to the Trustees, who now comprise Mike Eve, Andy Stuart, Mike Sweeney with John Phillips as the new treasurer. If anybody wishes to become a trustee, they should notify their interest online
The Rye Arts Festival fortnight runs from September 16 to September 30, 2018. As a precursor, the launch was announced of Marry Me a Little, a musical with songs by Stephen Sondheim, to be brought to Rye Community Centre by Alasdair Kitchen and his Euphonia Studio in two performances on Saturday June 9 and Sunday June 10. Tickets are available online or from Grammar School Records.
Photo: Kenneth Bird