OFS News
Volunteer at OFS! OFS is recruiting lobby volunteers to serve regular weekly shifts! »
12.20.11Volunteer at OFS! OFS is recruiting lobby volunteers to serve regular weekly shifts! Contact Alison at volunteer@olympiafilmsociety.org to apply.
Lobby Supervisors
Set up the lobby for the volunteers, hold the keys, make the announcements, and stick around for the duration of the screening. The security blanket of every screening, our Lobby Supervisors answer a variety of questions and support our other volunteers.
Substitute Lobby Supervisors
All the fun of Lobby Supervising, but only when one of our regulars can’t make it in!
Concessions
Dole out the treats and sweets to everyone’s delight. Become trained to make popcorn, coffee, sell candy, do elementary math, and maintain a constant sincere smile. Good customer service skills, tidiness, love of treats, and money handling confidence are great skills to have for this position. (Filling single slots, unless otherwise indicated.)
Composting begins at the Capitol Theater! »
12.20.11
Composting begins at the
Capitol Theater!
Be sure to use the compost and recycling bins located in the main floor and mezzanine lobby for proper disposal of your popcorn bags, coffee cups, and candy wrappers! Composting can be tough to do, but it’s a goal for us to work towards being more conscious about our waste and products we purchase at the theater, and we hope that you can help by taking the time to read the signs posted at each trash/compost/recycle station to know what goes into each bin!
Capitol Theater is just one of a small handful of downtown businesses that are composting: Big Tom’s Drive Inn, Darby’s Cafe, Fish Tale Brewery, Mud Bay Coffee, Old School Pizzeria, Vic’s Pizzeria.
OFS Capitol Theater Coloring Book is here! »
12.20.11
OFS Capitol Theater Coloring Book is here!
In celebration of 30 years of OFS, we’ve released a limited edition OFS/Capitol Theater coloring book!
Purchase online here or in the theater lobby while supplies last, just $10.00! A big Thank You to Art House Designs, Graphic Communications, and to all staff, artists, and volunteers involved in making this unique project come to life!
The coloring book features illustrations of the Capitol Theater by local artists, including Nikki McClure, Jeff Freels, Chelsea Baker, and more! This beautiful book was crafted by our very own artist and volunteer Gallery Curator Ira Coyne, along with artist Rick Perry whose illustrations recreate OFS volunteers as cute fuzzy monsters at the theater! A real treat for all ages and a great gift for the holiday season!
3rd Annual Dinner and a Movie Event! Saturday December 17, 2011 »
11.05.11The Olympia Film Society (OFS) is proud to announce our Third Annual Dinner and a Movie Event on Saturday, December 17, 2011.
When you dine out that night (between 5:30 pm & 8:30 pm on Sat. Dec. 17) at any of the local participating Olympia restaurants that have partnered with OFS, a portion of your food bill will go to support the Film Society. Plus, OFS will be making your night out even better by showing two FREE movies –– a kids’ movie in the afternoon and a grownups’ film in the evening. At 4 pm is the original The Muppet Movie and at 9 pm is Harold & Maude, w/beer/wine in mezzanine. Don’t miss these classics on 35 mm film!
Here’s the list of participating restaurants:
Darby’s Cafe, Cicada, Le Voyeur, The Gyro Spot, Trinacria, Traditions, Cornerstone & Quality Burrito
Hope to see you there!
Capitol Theater Purchase Update – May 19, 2011 »
05.31.11Thanks to all who attended our Annual Membership Appreciation Party and Meeting on May 7th! It is always great for our staff and Board at OFS to have an opportunity to meet and celebrate with our members, because together we make OFS thrive!
For those who weren’t able to attend, we hope you will take a moment to read through our AnnualReport to celebrate all we accomplished in 2010. And for those particulalry interested in updates about our recent acquisition of the Capitol Theater, we’ve included some FAQ’s below.
What have we accomplished since we purchased the theater in September?
- We held a Board/Staff retreat to evaluate our strategic plan 2010-2014. We walked away from the retreat feeling confident about our position as new owners of the Capitol Theater. As our annual report shows, we made important steps in both our fundraising program and marketing efforts that have contributed to a second profitable year in a row of profit.
- We finished a new marketing plan thanks to the hard work of our talented Marketing Team – Meli Bless (Board Member), Jennifer Moore (our wonderful pro-bono consultant) Helen Thornton (Film Programming Director), and Audrey Henely (Theater Manager and Event Director).
What are we working on now?
- We are working with architects to come up with some strategies and scenarios to upgrade and renovate the theater.
- We are learning more about historic preservation guidelines and discussing how we might restore this historic theater.
- We are capturing the comments and suggestions members sent back with their 2011 Annual Fund gifts to inform our next steps.
- We are looking forward to working with the community to solicit more structured feedback in the coming months.
- We initiated an exciting multi-media project that we hope will help us begin to tell the story of the building and our history here. Over the next several months we’ll be collecting stories and memorabilia about the Capitol Theater and Olympia Film Society. The materials we collect will be used in a number of ways, like on our website and before movie screenings, and will culminate in an exhibit in the mezzanine art gallery.
- We are planning our 30th Anniversary celebration in the fall!
Are we going to have a capital campaign? If so, what size?
We are seeking guidance from a professional consultant on the planning process, but don’t have any details to share at this time.
How can I donate to a capital campaign?
We are not accepting capital campaign gifts at this time, but thanks for your support! We’ll be sure to keep you up-to-date on our progress and will be happy to accept a capital gift when we’re at that point. Right now we are focused on making sure our operations are strong. You can give a gift at any time to support the day-to-day happenings at OFS – all the great films, events and visual art!
How can I get involved?
We are always looking for people to get involved on our committees and to join the Board of Directors. We have a lot of work to do and the more members involved the better! Please contact Elaine Vradenburgh at elaine@olympiafilmsociety.org or 754-6670 x10 if you’d like more information about how to help.
Get Involved Behind the Scenes at OFS! »
02.03.11Do you have professional skills to share in marketing, fundraising, public relations or finance? Do you have experience serving on a Board? We’d love to talk to you about joining one of our committees or even serving on our Board of Directors. Contact Elaine at elaine@olympiafilmsociety.org to learn more!
Increased Access to Great Cinema Thanks to You, Our Magnificent Supporters! »
02.03.11Since OFS purchased a high-definition deck in November, our local cinefiles have enjoyed sixteen movies that they would have missed out on had we not been able to make this important equipment upgrade. So many, many thanks to all who contributed to our 2010 HD Deck Campaign!
Important Changes to Thriftway’s Community Rebate Program »
02.03.11Did you know that you can donate a portion of your grocery bill to the Olympia Film Society every time you shop at Ralph’s or Bayview Thriftway? When OFS patrons use their community rebate cards when they shop, OFS receives 1% of the total. It’s a great way to support OFS without costing you a penny! Last year we raised $1,000 from the program – that covers the cost of presenting three movies.
You may have noticed, however, that we no longer distribute community rebate cards at the theater or with your membership renewals. That’s because Thriftway has made some changes to their program.
If you would like to begin or continue to contribute to OFS through the community rebate program at Thriftway, you must sign-up for a ThrifteCard next time your at Bayview or Ralph’s or online at http://www.thriftecard.com. After you have a ThrifteCard, then you will need to designate OFS as your preferred charity by:
1) Signing up in the theater lobby or when you buy or renew a membership at the theater;
2) Signing up through the mail when you receive membership and program mailings; or
3) Signing up via e-mail or phone at elaine@olympiafilmsociety.org or 754-6670 x10.
Once you let us know that you want to designate OFS as your preferred charity, we will let Thriftway know to link your card to our organization. Remember; you must have a ThrifteCard to participate.
If you have any questions, please contact Elaine Vradenburgh at elaine@olympiafilmsociety.or or 754-6670 x10. You can also contact the community rebate program directly at 754-2541 or support@stormans.com.
Thanks for your support!
Reactivate your OFS Membership Today! »
10.20.10Did your OFS membership expire before July 2010? Our annual Olympia Film Festival is a great time to reactivate your membership! Renew before the end of the Festival (November 12th – 20th) and enjoy great Festival perks!
Receive 2 FREE film admission passes to a Festival movie of your choice when you reactivate as an Individual, Family, Low-Income Family or Low Income/Student/Senior! Receive a FREE Olympia Film Festival T-Shirt when you reactivate as a Sustaining Individual, Auteur, Supporting Cast, Leading Cast, Executive Producer and Mogul! You can reactivate your membership today online, at the box office, or through the mail (416 Washington Street SE, Suite 208, Olympia, WA 98501).
Important Message for WA State Employees, Their Families and Friends »
10.20.10If you’re a current or retired Washington State public employee, now is the time to support the Olympia Film Society through the Washington State Combined Fund Drive.
You can donate in a variety of ways –– with a monthly payroll deduction, by check or online at www.cfd.wa.gov. However you choose to give, your generosity will provide critical support for the Film Society’s unique cultural and entertainment programming.
So please be sure to remember the Olympia Film Society when you take part in this year’s Washington State Combined Fund Drive. Just choose code 1478875 when you make your donation. And be sure to tell your coworkers about the Film Society and the importance of supporting the arts in our community.
OFS Buys Capitol Theater! »
09.27.10OFS Seeks Sponsorship & Ad Sales Intern »
08.18.10Represent OFS in the local business community, cultivate mutually beneficial relationship, and maintain records in our donor database. Internship credit available. Download an application packet here.
May 8 – Annual Membership Meeting and Appreciation Party! »
04.23.10On Saturday, May 8th at 4:30 come on down to the Capitol Theater for the Olympia Film Society’s Annual Membership Meeting and Membership Appreciation Party! Come celebrate what OFS has accomplished in 2009 and get the latest on OFS’s efforts to secure the Capitol Theater as its permanent home! A reception will follow along with a FREE screening of The Thief and the Cobbler, a film the whole family will enjoy.
Want to come but not a member? Join at the box office or online today!
4:30 Meeting
Doors open at 4:00 and the meeting will begin promptly at 4:30. An annual report will be provided at the meeting.
· Welcome & Introductions of Board & Staff (5 minutes)
· Major Achievements & Hurdles (10 minutes)
· Financial Report (15 minutes)
· What’s Ahead? Overview of Building Purchase Process & Progress (10 minutes)
· Vote on Bylaw Revision—see below (5 minutes)
· Overview of Election Process & Introduction of Candidates (5 minutes)
· Q&A (10 minutes)
5:30 Member Reception
Eat, meet and mingle with Board and Staff. Meet the candidates running for the Board of Directors. Don’t forget to bring your ballots. You can cast your vote at the meeting or through the mail.
6:30 The Cobbler and the Thief
A FREE screening for OFS members!
Proposal to Change the Bylaws
The membership will be asked to vote on the following change
Shall the following change be made to the OFS Bylaws, Article 4, Section 1, the first sentence of the first paragraph:
CURRENT WORDING: The business and property of the Society shall be managed by a board of no less than eight and no more than ten Directors.
PROPOSED CHANGE: The business and property of the Society shall be managed by a board of no less than eight and no more than thirteen Directors.
Now Seeking Candidates to Run for the OFS Board of Directors! »
03.15.10Support one of the largest media arts organizations in Western Washington–Join the OFS Board of Directors!
Dedicated members with experience in fundraising, community outreach, managing budgets, and/or marketing are encouraged to apply. In the coming year, we will be working to improve our fiscal health, strengthen our connections to the community, and continue to work towards securing the Capitol Theater as our permanent home.
This year we will have four incumbent Directors standing for election, as well as two vacant seats to fill. This means that the six candidates with the most votes will be elected to serve two-year terms on the Board.
If you are interested in playing a central role at OFS please contact OFS Board Coordinator, Elaine Vradenburgh, at elaine@olympiafilmsociety.org or 754-6670 ext. 10. Download an application packet here or pick one up in the Capitol Theater lobby. Applications are due by 5pm on Friday, April 16.
OFS Brings Back 6-Week Program Format in 2010! »
01.04.10Dear OFS community,
This year OFS will celebrate it’s 30th anniversary. In reflecting on this remarkable achievement we recognize that we would not be here without the amazing support of our members, sponsors, volunteers, and patrons. Over the years you have staffed our theater, served on committees and the Board of Directors, filled our theater with good cheer, and provided the financial support to help us continue to bring engaging and unique arts programming to the South Puget Sound.
To show our appreciation for your amazing support we decided to find a way—amidst more budget cuts in 2010—to respond to your request to bring back the six-week program guide.
While we committed to make this a priority for 2010, finding the funding for the printing and mailing costs is no easy task. OFS, along with many other arts organizations, continues to experience financial losses. You may remember that our decision to discontinue the program last January saved the organization $12,500. When we asked our members to help us weather the financial downturn by increasing your membership dues and charitable donations, you responded generously, increasing our income from memberships and donations by over 40% in 2009! And when we reached out to the business community for support we received an amazing sponsorship from Graphic Communications, which covers three-quarters of the total annual printing cost!
So thanks to your contributions and a very generous sponsorship by Graphic Communications we are able to bring back the program format so many of you have missed.
But as we work to balance the 2010 budget we are again faced with making some more difficult cuts. So we still need your help to continue to keep the six-week program format in print! You can donate online at www.olympiafilmsociety.org/about/donations (select general operations), at the box office during regular box office hours, or through the mail:
Olympia Film Society
Att: Elaine Vradenburgh
416 Washington Street SE, Suite 208
Olympia, WA 98501
If you are interested in becoming a business sponsor, please contact Elaine Vradenburgh, Development Coordinator, at elaine@olympiafilmsociety.org or 754-6670×10.
Thank you, again, for your ongoing support! We look forward to what the next 30 years have in store for us.
Warm Regards,
Isaac Overcast
OFS Board of Directors President
Board votes to appoint new members in January »
12.28.09OFS Board of Directors News: Board Votes to Appoint Two New Members in January
According to our by-laws OFS must have at least eight non-paid Board members at all times. A few months ago, our membership dropped to six. Our elections are not until Spring so we need to appoint two members to the Board at this time. We currently have two great candidates: Angie Toner and Sasha Cornellier. If you are interested in learning more about Angie and Sasha, please click on the links below to read their letters of interest.
The Board will vote to appoint them at our next meeting on Wednesday, January 6th. If you have questions, comments, or concerns or would like to attend the meeting, please feel free to contact Elaine Vradenburgh, OFS Board Coodinator, at elaine@olympiafilmsociety.org or 754-6670 x 10.
Letter of Interest – Angie Toner
Letter of Interest – Sasha Cornellier
NEW OFS Membership Benefits!! »
12.16.09Are you an OFS member? Here’s one more reason to join! OFS members will now receive discounts at our our partner theaters nationwide! Whether you’re at the Tampa Theater in Tampa, Florida or the Hollywood Theater in Portland, Oregon, just show your OFS card at the box office and reap the benefits. Click here to download a complete list of our partner theaters and learn about fabulous discounts!
OFS Online Survey! »
09.14.09Sincerely,
Isaac Overcast, OFS Board President
P.S. When you have completed the survey print the receipt and present it to an OFS staff or theater volunteer to receive a free OFS bumper sticker.
Join the OFS Street Team! »
09.08.09Street Team Volunteers Needed for “Person on the Street Interviews”
Help OFS gather information about how well we reach the community. We need about 6 pairs of volunteers to do “person on the street” interviews at various locations around town. We’ve already come up with the questions, we just need some folks who like talking to community members about OFS. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Elaine Vradenburgh at elaine@olympiafilmsociety.org or 754-6670×10.
OFS Needs Fundraising Help! »
08.10.09The Olympia Film Society Needs Your Help!
Join the OFS Development & Fundraising Committee
Help raise money to support the Olympia Film Society’s efforts to secure a permanent home and continue to bring the best independent films and live events to the South Sound. Activities include planning and executing a coordinated fundraising strategy involving grants, mailings, online campaigns, events and more. As a member of the Fundraising and Development Committee you’ll play a key role in keeping OFS fiscally healthy while learning important nonprofit fundraising skills.
If you are interested in getting involved please contact Elaine Vradenburgh at elaine@olympiafilmsociety.org or 754-6670 x10 or drop by a Fundraising Committee meeting. Meetings are held every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month at 6:00 in the OFS Office (416 Washingston Street, Suite 208). Hope to see you there!
Board of Directors Meeting »
08.03.09The OFS Board of Directors will meet Wednesday, August 5th at 5:30 in the OFS Office (416 Washington Street, Suite 208). Click here to download an agenda. If you are interested in running for the upcoming election, we encourage you to attend. Board meetings are open to the public, so please join us.
Our Beautiful Marquee Plaque! »
06.05.09The Olympia Film Society would like to thank Shane & Macy Jewell–long-time volunteers and owners of Reflections Custom Etching–for creating a plaque that recognizes the major donors of our successful Marquee Campaign. The Marquee Campaign raised close to $20,000 and the plaque is a reminder of what the OFS family can accomplish when we work together. So, thank you Shane and Macy! The plaque is a beautiful addition to the theater!
Important News about the Capitol Theater! »
05.15.09
Yesterday the Capitol Theater was put on the market by building owner Gary Holgate. I wanted to send out a short note to all OFS members to let you know, quickly, how this will affect us and what the board has done and plans to do in the future. Currently OFS has a 20 year lease on the theater. The details of the lease are a little tricky, but the bottom line is we won’t be thrown out tomorrow. In fact, Gary is positioning the occupancy by OFS and the security of a guaranteed 20 year tenant as a key selling point.
Securing a permanent home has been a long-term goal of the board (for a long time). How can we buy the building? Until very recently this has been a moot question. Right now, we are finally excited to actually be able to address it in a concrete way. We are working with a lawyer and a real estate agent to pursue an offer on the building. As you might imagine it’s extremely complicated and messy. Because we may not be the only buyers on the market, and because frankly, we may not be able to raise the kind of money being asked, the board is also constructing a contingency plan.
Sincerely,
OFS Board of Directors Meeting »
03.29.09The OFS Board of Directors will meet Wednesday, April 1st at 5:30 in the OFS Office (416 Washington Street, Suite 208). Click here to download an agenda. If you are interested in running for the upcoming election, we encourage you to attend. Board meetings are open to the public, so please join us.
OFS Board of Directors »
03.17.09
Now Seeking Candidates to Run for the Board of Directors
Support one of the largest membership based media arts organizations in Western Washington—Join The Olympia Film Society’s Board of Directors!
Dedicated OFS members with experience in fundraising, managing budgets, community outreach, and/or marketing are encouraged to run. In the coming term we will be working to improve our fiscal health, strengthen our connections with the community, and continue to restore the Capitol Theater.
If you are interested in playing a central role in this work, please contact Elaine Vradenburgh, OFS Board Coordinator, at 754-6670 or elaine@olympiafilmsociety.org. Download the Board of Director’s Application Packet here or pick up an application in the Theater lobby. Applications are due no later than 5p on Friday, May 1st.
Removal of the Capitol Theater marquee »
01.29.08Removal of Capitol Theater marquee brings sadness but uncovers beauty. The marquee of Capitol Theater, which advertised movies, plays and events downtown for nearly 70 years, is being removed. Stained-glass windows from 1924 exposed to public.
Read the full article online
Online photo gallery
