Frank Barber
*2012 Incumbent
Treasurer, Finance Committee
Vocation: Manager of the Computer Center at the Evergreen State College
Read this candidate’s full application

Personal Statement: Since 2008, I have been a volunteer Board member of the Olympia Film Society. During that time, I’ve been involved in many efforts in the organization that are both challenging and rewarding. The result of the coordinated effort of the Board, Staff and volunteers at OFS during this time has led to a better organization, better programming for the community, and a better experience for all of us. With your support, I hope to continue working with everyone here at the Olympia Film Society to expand our fundraising efforts; to continue to support our remarkable programming, Staff and volunteers; and to increase our community outreach and partnerships. Thanks for your continued support of the Olympia Film Society! I look forward to seeing you in downtown Olympia – at the Capitol Theater!

Meli Bless
*Current term ends at the 2013 Election
Marketing Committee
I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Psychology and a minor in arts while at the same time ran my own Theatre Company. I got involved in doing theatre in Virginia as I went to school and had a fulltime job. Now in Washington State my life has begun a new act, volunteering in an Olympia vintage Theatre and joining the Board of Directors.

Isaac Overcast
*2012 Incumbent
OFS Board President, Festival Oversight Committee, Personnel Committee
Vocation: Senior Systems Operator, The Evergreen State College
Read this candidate’s full application

Personal Statement: Isaac was born in Nebraska, a little known fact. He’s lived in Olympia since 1994, coming and going around the theater quite a bit. He graduated from The Evergreen State College with a BA/BS in many interesting things, and that’s where he works now. He joined the board three years ago, though volunteering as a projectionist is his secret favorite hobby. In his free time he makes very short movies.

Paul Potasnik
*2012 Incumbent
OFS Board Secretary, Board Development Committee
Vocation: Facilities staff member at the Evergreen State College
Read this candidate’s full application

Personal Statement:I have been an OFS member since 1995, and have volunteered in a few different capacities, most notably as a projectionist for 15 years. As a Board member for the past four years, I have drawn on my past experience with OFS to help the Board achieve several definite goals, most significant of which being the purchase and long-term financing of the Capitol Theater.

Important as it is that we have now secured a permanent home, it is incumbent on us to recognize that since OFS is an organization run for and by the community, we will in essence be serving as stewards of this downtown landmark for the people of Olympia. To this end, the Board will be taking steps to become more focused on fundraising, to ensure our continued capacity for the maintenance and renovation of our historic home. I believe that this is the most important work the Board has taken on since the inception of the organization, and I am ready to participate in this effort.

I have tried to always keep in mind my accountability to the membership and if I am elected to the Board, will continue to do so. There’s a lot of work ahead for the OFS Board of Directors in the coming year, goals the Board will set itself, as well as unforeseen challenges. If the membership is willing, I volunteer to serve on the Board, to help achieve those goals, to guide OFS through those challenges, to maintain the community spirit of OFS, and to sustain and improve its continued performance.

Kaylynn What
*2012 Incumbent
OFS Vice President, Personnel Committee
Vocation: Attorney
Read this candidate’s full application
Personal Statement: I moved to Olympia for a job at the Temple of Justice – which is not where super heroes work as it turns out – but was totally awesome nonetheless. I started volunteering at OFS in 2010, when a festival program promised me friends if I did. Before joining the Board, I suped the lobby, sold tickets, cleaned the theater, worked security (fun!), and provided free legal advice.  I love that I can show up to any film at OFS and it is probably going to be worth talking about!

2012 New Candidates

Marc Baldwin
*New Candidate
Vocation:  Economist
Read this candidate’s full application

Personal Statement: I’ve lived in Olympia since 1999. When I moved here, my favorite places downtown were Bulldog News, the Spar, Otto’s, the Harlequin, and OFS. I remember being amazed at my first Olympia Film Festival. I remember the excitement of being in the Banff Film Festival crowd. I remember seeing Gillian Welch live. OFS was a big part of my transition to Olympia, a big welcome wagon of movies and events.

Now that I’ve been here for a while, I’m noticing changes. Downtown isn’t so healthy. Big multiplex theaters have sprung up in the suburbs and the mall. The whole movie theater experience is in question with on-line options and rentals.  OFS has done a superb job of providing unique movie options, fun entertainment alternatives, and events that pull the community together. I want to be part of that. I want my eight year old daughter to have fond memories of going to a beautiful theater and watching movies that shaped her life. And maybe when she comes to visit me from her fabulous life in Paris or wherever, she’ll be able to go to that same theater and think Olympia is pretty cool after all.

Lisa Hurwitz
*New Candidate
Vocation: AmeriCorps Member, Wa He Lut Indian School
Read this candidate’s full application

Personal Statement: Whether we decide to usher in a new era at OFS is being decided by this election. I co-authored the petition for the special membership meeting because I believe we need to adopt a shared vision of the strategic priorities that will deepen OFS’s impact on the community. I was concerned by our board’s solution to take control of our finances and not engage the staff in doing so. We need a board that is ambitious, networked, creative, and hard-working. I want to be part of a board that pushes OFS to develop more complex partnerships and program structures and most importantly a board that fundraises.

Since co-authoring the Special Membership Meeting petition I helped lead a comprehensive board recruitment effort, targeting nearly 75 individuals to run in this election. I encourage you when voting to select from the amazing new candidates.

For 4 years I served on the board of Gay Straight Alliance Network, 2 years as vice chair and 1 year as secretary. My hobbies include projecting at OFS and producing a cooking show on TCTV. You can watch the special membership meeting at http://tinyurl.com/ofsmeeting or throughout May on channel 22 Wednesdays at 9 and Saturdays at 8.

Dick Meyer
*New Candidate
Vocation: Small Business Owner/Traditions Cafe & World Folk Art
Read this candidate’s full application

Personal Statement: I love having OFS in our community. My family has always attended many events at OFS over the years. I present so many entertainment and other forms of educational and community-building events at Traditions because I  believe in there being public spaces where people can come together and feel connected to their neighbors and their community. I believe this not only makes us feel good about the place in which we live but offers us many opportunities to respond to needs to make us a healthier community. OFS is part of that process.

Tim Sweeney
*New Candidate
Vocation: Marketing Director at Workforce
Read this candidate’s full application

Personal Statement: I’m a devoted OFS member who feels guilty running in at 8:55 pm, paying $5.50, grabbing a seat in the mezzanine and enjoying amazing cinema that I wouldn’t otherwise see. OFS exists because of the work of dedicated staff and committed volunteers. My experience is that good things don’t last unless you work at keeping them. Here’s what I offer:

1. A strong interest in preserving the great things about OFS while also increasing the value proposition for supporting OFS through membership, donations and sponsorships.

2. A willingness to ask constructive, but probing questions that help the organization get solidly behind the current and new practices it moves forward with.

3. A desire to unveil Olympia’s best kept secret (the Capitol Theater) as THE centerpiece to the growing viability of Olympia’s downtown.

4. Persistence, patience and passion.

Monthly Board Meeting Minutes: *minutes not currently available

2012: BOD Minutes January 2012, February, March, March Special BOD Meeting, April, April Special Meeting, May*

2011: BOD Minutes January 2011, February, March, April, May, June 1, June 15, July, August, September*,  October, November, December 2011

2010: BOD Minutes January 2010, February, March, April, May, June, July, August*, September*,October*, November*, December*

Daily operations at OFS are shared between a small paid staff collective and a committed team of nearly 125 volunteers, and overseen by a Board of Directors.  Download our Bylaws, Download our 2009-2014 Strategic Plan, Download Amendments to the 2009-2014 Strategic Plan

You can also stop by to chat with our Board Development Committee on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:00p in the OFS Office or contact our Board President, Isaac Overcast, president@olympiafilmsociety.org.  You may also want to read about our accomplishments in 2010.  Download our 2010 Annual Report

Why become a Board member at OFS?

We are seeking dedicated OFS members with experience in fundraising, managing budgets, community outreach, human resource management and/or marketing. In the coming term we will be working to improve our fiscal health, strengthen our connections with the community, and work towards improving our permanent home at the Capitol Theater.

It is an exciting time to be a Board member at the Film Society. As new owners of the Capitol Theater, we have of variety of important projects and initiatives that touch all aspects of the organization – programming, personnel, community outreach, fundraising and finance. At this important moment in our organizational history we can use your help to build our organizational capacity and tackle these exciting projects.

Joining the Board has great perks for you too! Not only will you feel great about contributing to the success of OFS, but you will also have the opportunity to join an interesting and creative community of art enthusiasts and attend most film screenings and concerts for free!

What are the qualifications and expectations?

The Board seeks individuals with a background or experience in fundraising, managing budgets, community outreach, human resource management, and/or marketing. For more details about desired skills and leadership duties, please read the Board of Directors job description in the application packet. Application packets are available in the theater lobby or download here.

I’m interested, but want to learn more.  What should I do next?

A good first step is to visit one of our Board meetings.  We meet the first Wednesday of the month at 6:00p in the OFS Office (416 Washington Street SE, Suite 208).