In 1993, then Artistic Director, Carl Schurr, asked me to help establish Totem Pole Playhouse as an IRS 501C3 not-for-profit charitable organization. The reason for doing so was to enable the theatre to raise funds through tax deductible donations to support the production of high quality professional theatrical performances.
I was the attorney responsible for guiding this process through to approval for this status. As a board of directors was required to manage the organization, Carl asked me to gather together a group of interested theatre-goers and other community supporters. Along with about twelve other individuals, we formed the initial board. I was elected President and served in that capacity for over six years and also wrote the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws for the new organization.
For two years thereafter, I led the effort to raise $300.000 in order to put the theatre on a stable financial footing.
I was honored when many directors and community friends, along with a sizable gift from The Wood Foundation, established an Endowment Fund in my name in 1998.
It is especially important for regional Equity theatres such as Totem Pole to have endowment funds to augment the ticket sale revenue from performances. These funds enable Totem Pole to pay for improvements to the facilities, establish outreach and educational youth programs and to enhance the quality of the overall theatrical experience. Without the ability to utilize interest from endowment funds, Totem Pole Playhouse cannot continue to exist as a highly regarded professional regional theatre.