Letter from the Executive Director

Photo Credit: Winter Teems

Letter from the Executive Director:

Hello OFS Member and Supporters!

I’m honored to represent the society in my new role as Executive Director.  2014 is proving to bring exciting changes and improvements for OFS.

The Staff and Board at OFS are welcoming in some new faces.  Adding to our talented Board of Directors are Byron Zarp and John Chadwick.  They come to us with energy, professional skills, and dedication as long time OFS and community members.  We have also confirmed two new staff members to the team.  Amiee Hughes, Office Manager/Bookkeeper and Stacy Hicks, Volunteer Coordinator both have added much needed presence, creativity, and organization to their positions. You can learn more about the fabulous staff and board at our website www.olympiafilmsociety.org/about/contactstaff/

We have some new programming coming to the Capitol Theater this year and are thrilled to announce that OFS will be presenting our first GLBT Film Festival this summer; Film Festival 2014 dates have been announced for November 7 – 16; and we have tons of live music lined up for Spring! Our first preservation project of the year is coming to completion.  We have repaired, restored and preserved the Capitol Theater’s stained glass and ironwork on the façade.  We’re getting ready for installation set to happen before the end of February.

As we continue to celebrate our $75,000 Digital Cinema Campaign success, we are also preparing for our next challenge; the need to keep our operating funds healthy and stable. Our monthly cost to operate the Capitol Theater runs OFS about $12,000 a month. Our goal is to keep a safety net of $35,000 for three months of operations on hand, and we’ve been falling short in the last year.  You will be receiving our annual fundraising letter if you are a current member, or on our mailing list.  If not, please consider making an online contribution or join safely and securely through our website.  Our main source of funding at this time comesfrom box office sales and contributors like you. OFS needs your support so that we can continue to provide Olympia with unique film, music, and arts programming!

As your new Executive Director, my immediate goals are to develop new sources of funding for OFS, encourage creative programming with staff, build better partnerships in the community and preserve the Capitol Theater beyond my years here.  I welcome your feedback and suggestions.  I leave you with a quote from one of my heroes,  “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” – Helen Keller.

Sincerely,

Audrey M. Henley
Executive Director