Letters: Call for change at Cape Cinema

The May 18th community meeting to save the Cape Cinema was eye-opening, underwhelming, and frustrating. Eric Hart, current board president, along with his Board of Directors were strongly requesting financial support from the community. That funding is necessary if the Cinema is to survive as a historic and much-loved institution.

However, more appropriate would have been to first present attendees with data on the Cinema’s yearly financial budget needs. Allowing that the Board of Directors are still fairly new under the Cinema’s recent non-profit status, they have not, to date, released any plans for capital fundraising campaigns. That is the work of a board of directors, and the community needs to be informed of its action plans for fundraising.

Josh Mason, its executive director, dismissed due to lack of funds, had been a major asset in initiating positive change. The board had been addressed by Mason as early as a year ago on a looming financial crisis, but, sadly, no action was taken. Mason also prepared the board with extensive plans on ways to increase revenue. The community had not been apprised of those creative revenue streams.

Eric Hart has overseen the Cape Cinema for many years. His love of the theatre is evident and appreciated. However, it is time to pass the baton. Mason is skilled in cinema (having studied film at Hofstra University), enthusiastic, creative, and, most importantly, a people person.

Additionally, it is not a good practice for an individual leading the Cinema to be president of its board. Boundaries need addressing. An executive director reports to its Board of Directors. It is time for change if the Cinema is to survive, grow, and thrive.

Asking the community for funding without a solid, financial capital fundraising plan is like throwing good money into bad. Time for solid change.

Joanne IrwinDennis

This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Call for transparency in running of Cape Cinema