Tibbits Opera Foundation & Arts Council, Inc. held its annual meeting at the
historic opera house on Wednesday, January 21, immediately followed by the board’s
organizational meeting.


The event opened with musical entertainment by Karen Hargreave on clarinet and Vaughn
Svoboda on keyboard. Entertainment also included a short video created by Matt Biolchini
highlighting the many events at the theatre over the past year.
Opening the meeting vice president Terry Whelan welcomed everyone and acknowledged all
who support the theatre whether by donating, volunteering, bringing others to the theatre or
talking and sharing news about the theatre. She introduced the board and acknowledged their
dedication.


Treasurer Dylan Foster presented the financials for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. He touched on
the decrease in attendance and rental income, but also the increases in donations including
membership, fundraising events and general donations. Foster explained, "The health of the
theatre is not measured solely in dollars. It is measured in attendance, participation, impact and
belief. The financials tell one part of the story. The people in this room and the people the
theatre serves tell the rest."


Executive Director Christine Delaney introduced the staff, thanking them for their hard work
and support of each other through a challenging year. She thanked the dedicated volunteers,
especially those who went above and beyond. Challenges in staffing and a decrease in the
number of volunteers were challenges which affected the bottom line. She explained, the
concessions, the gift shop and raffle tickets are revenue streams that were lost when there
weren’t enough people to cover.


Andy French, Development Director, recognized outgoing board members Seth Berry, Chris
Donbrock, Ken Norton and Diane Pridgeon. Each was presented with a clock recognizing their
service to Tibbits.


Diane Pridgeon presented the slate to be elected to the board. Jeff Gallup, Kris Jenkins and
Alissa Persails were elected to the board and Erin Jansen was elected for her second three -year
term. During the organizational meeting, the officers were re-elected: John Bolton as Board

14 S Hanchett St ● Coldwater, Michigan 49036 ● 517.278.6029 ● Fax 517.279.7594 ● www.tibbits.org
President, Whelan as Vice President, Foster as Treasurer, Erin Jansen as Secretary and Jennifer
Poe as member at large.


Copies of the annual report are available at Tibbits’ business office at 93 W. Chicago St. and
may be viewed online at Tibbits.org.