Iowa Thespian Chapter Board

Executive Board Members:
  • Chapter Director** - Lynn Jensen                                         4 Year Term       August 2021 - August 2025
  • Board Secretary - Michael Peitz                                            3 Year Term      January 2020 - January 2023
  • Board Treasurer - Mike Hunter                                              3 Year Term      January 2022 - January 2024
  • Communications - Alan Strait                                               3 Year Term     January 2020 - January 2023
  • Membership - Dixie Forcht                                                     3 Year Term     January 2022 - January 2025
  • Student Leadership - Nate Jorgensen                                  3 Year Term     January 2022 - January 2025
  • Advocacy Director - Helen Duranleau-Brennan*

**Chapter Director(s) are non-voting members of the Iowa Thespian Chapter Board
* Advocacy is a non voting advisory position.
- The Chapter board may appoint additional advisory non-voting members as they determine.

Executive Board Responsibilities:

The Iowa Thespian Board will:
  • Consist of 5 active EdTA members within the state of Iowa
  • Serve at least one 3 year term
  • Assist the Chapter Director(s) in coordinating the activities of the Chapter
  • Establish policy and procedures for the Chapter through a simple majority vote
  • Attend all required board meetings
  • Complete all duties/expectations enumerated below
  • Work within the budget provided by the Chapter and maintain/submit accurate financial records to the Board
  • Serve as the chair for a board committee:
    • High School Festival
    • Junior Thespian Festival
    • Leadership Day

Executive Board Member Roles:

Treasurer
  • Maintain accurate financial records of all revenue and expenses associated with the Chapter
  • Create and share an approved yearly fiscal budget
  • Collect and maintain all receipts and bills of expenditures
  • Submit the Chapter’s accurate financial report to EdTA
  • Submit payment for all collected invoices
  • Maintain and balance the Chapter’s bank account(s)
  • Submit payment for all scholarship/grant money to recipients
  • Reporting the financial status of the Chapter to the Iowa Thespian board

Secretary
  • Accurately record and report the details of all board meetings
  • Keep copies of the Board’s bylaws
  • Maintain list of officers, Board members, and committees
  • Notify Board members of meetings
  • Keep record of meeting attendance
  • Ensure a quorum before voting on measures
  • Keep copies of the Minutes
  • In the absence of Chapter Director(s), chairs Board meetings

Student Leadership Director
  • Create and collect applications from Iowa Thespians interested in serving as a State Thespian Officer
  • Oversee the election and selection process for State Thespian Officers at the Leadership Day and High School Festival
  • Provide oversight and support to State Thespian Officers as they complete their yearly duties
  • Assist the State Thespian Officers in the creation and implementation of workshops for the Iowa Thespian Leadership Day
  • Communicate and mentor State Thespian Officers to help problem-solve in their work on Thespian events throughout their term

Membership
  • Maintain an accurate and up-to-date database of all current Thespian Troupe Directors in the State of Iowa
  • Provide support and assistance for new Troupe Directors in the Chapter
  • Lead a recruitment initiative to encourage schools to join membership in our Chapter
  • Follow up with Iowa Thespian Troupes that have lapsed or suspended membership

Communications
  • Communicate the minutes of all Board meetings to the Chapter
  • Maintain and update an accurate website
  • Maintain the Chapter’s social media presence
  • Ensure Chapter members are aware of upcoming Thespian events

Executive Board Meetings:
  • January
  • March (Junior Festival)
  • June (International Festival)
  • July
  • August (Leadership Day)
  • October
  • November (Festival)​
SELECTION PROCESS

The Iowa Thespian Chapter Board is comprised of five adult board members, which are elected to three-year terms. If you are interested in serving on the Iowa Thespian Chapter Board, please check out the guidelines and submit the application form below. Applications will be due one month before the high school festival. The new board members will be selected by current Iowa EdTA adult members in good standing, including Iowa Troupe Directors, Iowa Hall of Fame members, or those EdTA members that are registered with Iowa Thespians. If you have questions about the Iowa Thespian Chapter Board, please contact the Chapter Directors at jensenlynna@gmail.com.

  • The Iowa EdTA Chapter Secretary will serve as the election commissioner for the selection of the adult board members. In case the person serving as the Secretary is a candidate, the Chapter Director(s) will serve as election commissioner.
  • Call for applications will be announced to all Iowa EdTA members by August 1 for the upcoming election.
  • Potential candidates will self-nominate by providing the Iowa EdTA Chapter Secretary all written information as indicated on the application form. This information will be distributed to voters by the Board Secretary.
  • Candidates must be Educational Theatre Association members in good standing by the application deadline.
  • Candidates may only run for one board position in a single election, as selected on the application form.
  • Nominations will close one month before the first day of the Iowa High School Thespian Festival.
  • The candidates will be reviewed by the election commissioner to ensure eligibility.
  • The voting window will open from 9:00 AM two weeks before the closing day of the Iowa High School Thespian Festival to 5:00 PM on the final day of the festival.
  • Newly elected board members will be notified by the election commissioner of their selection, and an announcement will be sent to all Iowa members of the EdTA.

An election will be held for the following position in the fall of 2021:
  • Communications (Term: January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2026)
  • Secretary (Term: January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2026)
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IOWA THESPIANS
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Our mission is to honor student achievement in theatre and enrich the educational experience, to support educators by providing professional development, networking opportunities, resources, and recognition, and to influence public opinion and policy-makers that theatre education is essential and builds life skills.
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We are passionate about theatre education and believe all students should have access to theatre curriculum which provides critical life skills for educational and career success in the 21st century.

Questions? Contact our Chapter Director Lynn Jensen at jensenlynna@gmail.com