We, the undersigned contributors and supporters of the Merrill Community Arts Center (MCAC), fully support the implementation of all the recommendations presented by “The dedicated supporters of the Merrill Community Arts Center and Woodbury Community Theatre” via their letter dated April 17, 2018 and read into the record at the April 17, 2018 special Board meeting.
Those recommendations include, but are not limited to, the resignation or removal of Board members named in the April 17 letter, the dismissal of the paid staff recommended, and the expansion of the Board to 11 members.
We also fully support the slate of Board candidates submitted to the Board via the email on April 30, 2018 by “The dedicated supporters of the Merrill Community Arts Center and Woodbury Community Theatre”, as well as the added stipulations communicated to the Board via email by the same group of concerned MCAC members on May 8, 2018.
Our community has spoken. MCAC will again become a community-driven and community-run organization, managed in an open, accessible and inclusive fashion. Only the significant changes in leadership recommended will suffice to bring the needed change.
Our efforts will continue until all the recommendations referred to herein are implemented.
Updates
May 22, 2018
The feedback I keep receiving makes it clear that the frustration with the current leadership remains widespread. It is exhausting to keep pushing against this resistance but we are not walking away from this fight.
May 22, 2018
Reaching this point has been an exhausting uphill climb but seeing the level of support confirms we are on the right path. The road ahead remains difficult yet I am not stepping back until we see the real changes our community deserves.
Reached 100 supporters
May 22, 2018
24 Comments
I hope that my signature is not too late to be effective. Although I no longer live in Woodbury, my spirit is there. I volunteered for Woodbury Community Theatre for 30 years. My husband Tom and I saw the organization through some very lean years and we are disheartened to learn of the problems created by certain individuals. Our experience was that WCT was a supportive and loving family, not just a business venture. I hope that clear heads and open hearts prevail.
As a former board member of WCT, I was saddened to hear of the events recounted in this letter and that led to this petition. WCT has been a stable force for community members to come together on the stage and foster a love for the performing arts for DECADES. I believe that through these recommendations, MCAC and WCT will continue to serve the Woodbury community for generations to come.
Those involved in the April 17th letter, are the heart of MCAC and WCT. Without them, MCAC/WCT would not exist today. They have been very open to an ever expanding pool of MCAC/WCT talent, evidenced by the new people involved in each show. It is important to me that we honor our past and our spirit of volunteerism, as we continue to grow and evolve as an organization. I don't believe that is happening today.
Responsible leadership should build on our past success; honor and treasure those volunteers and donors who have paved the way and continue to allow them to fully participate in all they've helped create. New energy and people are then added to that solid foundation, so that our community impact continues to grow. Change is always needed - yes. And that change should be new leadership, who respect the people who ARE the community in Merrill COMMUNITY Arts Center. Thank You!
I fully support this petition and have experienced the lack of communication, support, and counter productive efforts by the named members. I have seen and heard, new to MCAC cast and crew, this last season of their disappointment of experience and have expressed that they may not come back. I have also witnessed the lack of support of our future generation at MCAC. We have a pool of some really talented kids and they deserve more spotlight. We need a Community Arts Center in Woodbury, please don't let it crash!
Not sure where to start. As an outside observer, I don’t have any invested energy into MCAC. Recently I have been spending time at Merrill while my child takes a class. I am a psychic/medium and can connect with departed souls. The energy at Merrill is heavy and made me sick. Unless given permission, I usually don’t share messages with the soul’s family and friends. Both Dorothy Merrill and Marjorie Wetz have communicated with me and want me to share. Seems that both of them are very upset about the current situation. It took me a long time to stop ignoring them. In fact one night I had to leave the room. (Spirit can bombard you and make someone’s head spin). Marjorie was very persistent and expressed how much JOY performing brought to her. Her life had meaning and purpose. Having the energy of her life continue gave her great peace. Here is a summary what both Dorothy and Marjorie want me to share. The energy and essence has been lost. Our names have become labels and the love behind them blocked. What is left is an empty shell of what represented a passionate art community. The emptiness inside is because the complete foundation has been changed. Without any awareness other than the self serving purpose of a few people. How you treat people is the most important thing and kindness matters. Everything else will always fall into place. Change is part of life but there is always room for contrast. Please continue to ask questions about the actions conducted at Merrill. Most importantly please continue our “purpose” to grow a strong transparent art/theatre community. There is an original screenplay unfolding.
The direction the ED is taking the organization is not good for our community and is self-serving. She needs to be stopped.
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We, the undersigned contributors and supporters of the Merrill Community Arts Center (MCAC), fully support the implementation of all the recommendations presented by “The dedicated supporters of the Merrill Community Arts Center and Woodbury Community Theatre” via their letter dated April 17, 2018 and read into the record at the April 17, 2018 special Board meeting.
Those recommendations include, but are not limited to, the resignation or removal of Board members named in the April 17 letter, the dismissal of the paid staff recommended, and the expansion of the Board to 11 members.
We also fully support the slate of Board candidates submitted to the Board via the email on April 30, 2018 by “The dedicated supporters of the Merrill Community Arts Center and Woodbury Community Theatre”, as well as the added stipulations communicated to the Board via email by the same group of concerned MCAC members on May 8, 2018.
Our community has spoken. MCAC will again become a community-driven and community-run organization, managed in an open, accessible and inclusive fashion. Only the significant changes in leadership recommended will suffice to bring the needed change.
Our efforts will continue until all the recommendations referred to herein are implemented.
Updates
May 22, 2018
The feedback I keep receiving makes it clear that the frustration with the current leadership remains widespread. It is exhausting to keep pushing against this resistance but we are not walking away from this fight.
May 22, 2018
Reaching this point has been an exhausting uphill climb but seeing the level of support confirms we are on the right path. The road ahead remains difficult yet I am not stepping back until we see the real changes our community deserves.
Reached 100 supporters
May 22, 2018
24 Comments
I fully support the petition. I have participated in 5 past productions and have been impressed by the professionalism, skill and commitment exhibited by those who have now been locked out of this organization.
I hope that my signature is not too late to be effective. Although I no longer live in Woodbury, my spirit is there. I volunteered for Woodbury Community Theatre for 30 years. My husband Tom and I saw the organization through some very lean years and we are disheartened to learn of the problems created by certain individuals. Our experience was that WCT was a supportive and loving family, not just a business venture. I hope that clear heads and open hearts prevail.
As a former board member of WCT, I was saddened to hear of the events recounted in this letter and that led to this petition. WCT has been a stable force for community members to come together on the stage and foster a love for the performing arts for DECADES. I believe that through these recommendations, MCAC and WCT will continue to serve the Woodbury community for generations to come.
Those involved in the April 17th letter, are the heart of MCAC and WCT. Without them, MCAC/WCT would not exist today. They have been very open to an ever expanding pool of MCAC/WCT talent, evidenced by the new people involved in each show. It is important to me that we honor our past and our spirit of volunteerism, as we continue to grow and evolve as an organization. I don't believe that is happening today.
Responsible leadership should build on our past success; honor and treasure those volunteers and donors who have paved the way and continue to allow them to fully participate in all they've helped create. New energy and people are then added to that solid foundation, so that our community impact continues to grow. Change is always needed - yes. And that change should be new leadership, who respect the people who ARE the community in Merrill COMMUNITY Arts Center. Thank You!
I fully support this petition and have experienced the lack of communication, support, and counter productive efforts by the named members. I have seen and heard, new to MCAC cast and crew, this last season of their disappointment of experience and have expressed that they may not come back. I have also witnessed the lack of support of our future generation at MCAC. We have a pool of some really talented kids and they deserve more spotlight. We need a Community Arts Center in Woodbury, please don't let it crash!
Not sure where to start. As an outside observer, I don’t have any invested energy into MCAC. Recently I have been spending time at Merrill while my child takes a class. I am a psychic/medium and can connect with departed souls. The energy at Merrill is heavy and made me sick. Unless given permission, I usually don’t share messages with the soul’s family and friends. Both Dorothy Merrill and Marjorie Wetz have communicated with me and want me to share. Seems that both of them are very upset about the current situation. It took me a long time to stop ignoring them. In fact one night I had to leave the room. (Spirit can bombard you and make someone’s head spin). Marjorie was very persistent and expressed how much JOY performing brought to her. Her life had meaning and purpose. Having the energy of her life continue gave her great peace. Here is a summary what both Dorothy and Marjorie want me to share. The energy and essence has been lost. Our names have become labels and the love behind them blocked. What is left is an empty shell of what represented a passionate art community. The emptiness inside is because the complete foundation has been changed. Without any awareness other than the self serving purpose of a few people. How you treat people is the most important thing and kindness matters. Everything else will always fall into place. Change is part of life but there is always room for contrast. Please continue to ask questions about the actions conducted at Merrill. Most importantly please continue our “purpose” to grow a strong transparent art/theatre community. There is an original screenplay unfolding.
The direction the ED is taking the organization is not good for our community and is self-serving. She needs to be stopped.
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I fully support the petition. I have participated in 5 past productions and have been impressed by the professionalism, skill and commitment exhibited by those who have now been locked out of this organization.