EUREKA SPRINGS -- Long-time political activist and documentarian Trella Laughlin appeared before the City Advertising and Promotion Commission at its July 23 meeting to urge a series of sweeping changes in how the CAPC runs the Auditorium.

Laughlin also criticized the CAPC for its lack of media outreach to gay, lesbian and minority groups.

Laughlin's suggestions included reorganizing the management structure of the Aud.

The plan

As outlined by Laughlin, management of the building would be shifted from the CAPC to a reconstituted form of the 501(c)3 volunteer group Friends of the Auditorium (FOTA).

Laughlin suggested a representative structure similar to the CAPC itself, in this case a group comprised of two citizens representing the gay community, one woman and one man; two city council members, or citizens they designate as substitute representatives; two people from the business community; two people from the art community; and one member of the Auditorium staff.

The CAPC would continue to fund Aud operation for up to one year to ensure FOTA time to pursue grants, arrange benefits and pursue other efforts to cover Aud operating expenses.

Free use for non-profits

One of Laughlin's main points was the Aud should be made available for use free of charge to 501(c)3 non-profit groups. Until such reorganization could occur, Laughlin recommended the CAPC not charge such groups for use of the Aud, but instead offer necessary assistance to such groups.

Laughlin further suggested CAPC cover advertising costs for non-profits as policy and agree to include all non-profit Auditorium events in advertising for Eureka Springs.

Laughlin said she hoped her ideas would be discussed by the CAPC, city council and the mayor's office.

"I think we can do a really good job making more people come and making the Aud free of charge to 501(c) groups," Laughlin said.

Commissioner Alvin Byrd asked Laughlin if she'd be willing to take on organizing -- actually, reorganizing -- the Friends of the Aud.

Laughlin might head group

Laughlin said she would only want to do so under the direction of the CAPC, mayor and council, and not "go out on my own to do things against the wishes of the city."

At meeting's end, re-addressing Laughlin's presentation, CAPC Executive Director Jim Williams pointed out that Laughlin's suggestions regarding management of the Aud didn't require CAPC action, since she basically will ask city council to take over the Aud and then turn management of it over to the FOTA.

FOTA exists on paper now

He said a 501(c)3 designation and bank account exists for the Friends of the Aud, but it mostly consists of volunteers who run the concession stand during events at the Aud and donate the proceeds to the FOTA fund, which he said contains approximately $1,000.

Williams said one example of how that money was spent was the purchase of reflective blinds for the Aud, to make it possible to cool the lobby in summer.

Commissioner Joyce Zeller said the catch with the Aud was getting it to be self-sustaining, and it's working well currently.

Byrd added, "The Aud is a business, and we have to run it that way."

CAPC satisfied with current structure fee

Chair Richard Grinnell pointed out the commission had discussed the current fee structure within the past year, so he assumed it was a given [they were satisfied with it as-is].

The commissioners agreed.

The other question raised by Laughlin's presentation was whether there was enough advertising devoted to gay/lesbian and other minority groups.

Gay/lesbian ads

to be addressed again later

Byrd said, "Well, maybe there hasn't been enough, but what we have done has been a step in the right direction, especially with the co-op effort."

The CAPC had previously participated in ad co-oping with magazines, including Outsmart, a Houston-based gay/lesbian publication, in which the CAPC paid a third of the ad cost for a banner on the page, the rest of the page being a list of local businesses which wanted to be listed.

The commission decided to address the issue more specifically during its annual budgeting process.