Regent’s health depends on membership

This Saturday, November 6, members of the Regent Theatre Foundation will be voting to either support or denounce the Board of Directors and its decision to terminate the services of the theatre’s general manager, Sharon Jarvis.  The members have been told to check the theatre website for information.  On the website is an item warning of dire consequences to the disposition of grants to be used for the theatre’s renovations, should the present board be dismissed.  The implication is that an ensuing period of chaos will cause the grants to be withdrawn by their respective governing bodies.

It is difficult to see this “warning” as anything other than a scare tactic directed at the membership.  In any case, a smooth transition to a new board, if it becomes necessary, is possible, due to the efforts of former Board member, Dennis Margueratt.  Mr. Margueratt resigned from the present Board because he was unable to countenance the direction it was taking, that of releasing Ms. Jarvis and returning the theatre to an entirely “community-run” basis, one which had proved, again and again in the past, to be unwieldy and unworkable.  Mr. Margueratt has gathered a number of individuals who are in agreement on a “governing philosophy”, that the Board of Directors should be an advisory and guiding board, leaving the day-to-day details of the theatre functions to a professional, an employee whose sole mandate is the efficiency and well-being of the Regent Theatre.  To that end, he and his colleagues, who represent a broad spectrum of experience and expertise, from business management to arts administration to organisational skills, will be standing for election to a new Board of Directors on Saturday morning.  Once in office, they will return Ms. Jarvis to the position which she has filled with distinction for the past three years.

Please ensure that your membership is up-to-date and make it a priority to attend this important and pivotal meeting.  The future health of the Regent Theatre depends on the participation of the membership.

Celine Papizewska
Bloomfield