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Special Section: Education Membership Has Its Privileges Joe Aldridge and David Grindle, the new leadership team at USITT, talks about recent changes and plans for the Institute’s next 50 years. By Jacob Coakley As USITT celebrated its 50 th anniversary this spring at its annual Stage Expo, it was also making some moves designed to shepherd it safely into the next half-century of its existence. It was announced at the conference that longtime member Joe Aldridge had been elected to a two-year term as president of the volunteer-led Institute. Active in USITT since ’85, Aldridge previously served as VP of Conferences and also acts as the USITT Representative on ESTA’s Entertainment Technician Certification Program. Then, shortly after the Expo, it was announced that USITT would be changing its organizational model, moving to more of a governance structure. As part of that move David Grindle was hired into the newly-created position of executive director. Grindle has been a member of USITT for more than a decade, participating in the Stage Management Mentoring Project for USITT while teaching at the Indiana University Department of Theatre and Drama in Bloomington, Ind. Despite both of their busy schedules I was able to corral both Aldridge and Grindle for an interview to find out what the new structure means for both USITT members and the Institute itself. Joe Aldridge (left), president of USITT, and David Grindle, executive director. Stage Directions: USITT has a new president and added an executive director—what other upgrades are you both planning? Joe Aldridge: Part of the reason we created the executive director position is because we’re moving to what we’re calling a “modified governance structure.” It’s not going to be the full-blown governance structure, it’s going to be one that will enhance the abilities of the members and of the volunteers. Stage Directions: What exactly does that mean? David Grindle: In a governance structure, the Board of Directors sets the goals and the long-range plan, and the staff of the organization works to accomplish the goals in daily operations. Well, we only have seven people on the staff, but we have probably in the neighborhood of almost 1,000 people in volunteer positions that are incredibly time consuming—such as president of the board and all of the vice presidents. It takes all of those volunteers—all of those members—to make our vast amount of programming and operations work. And so when I was hired it gave the board someone full time to really look over the day-to-day operations. The board itself is still deeply involved in the leadership. My job is to work with all of those on the board, who have always been in charge, and coordinate and make sure that if they need something taken care of, it’s taken care of. And so a modified governance structure still allows the Board to do that long range planning and allows us to retain that member close touch. Joe Aldridge: This shouldn’t sound derogatory at all, but David’s role is one of a facilitator. David Grindle: Yep. Joe Aldridge: We’re at a different juncture in our life, and at 50 years of existence as a membership organization this is a good time, not to alter the course or alter the direction, but to modify it, to make it easier for the volunteers to volunteer. I think we are being very cautious in the steps that we are taking, and I think that we are being diligent in making certain that this is what is best for USITT. Not best for David as a member, not best for Joe as a member, but 36 October 2010 • www.stage-directions.com
“I think that we are being diligent in making certain that this is what is best for USITT.” —Joe Aldridge Members of United Scenic Artsts, IATSE Local 829, gave a demonstration on backdrop painting at the USITT Stage Expo in March of 2010. best for the other 35,998 people out there who are members of USITT. David Grindle: One of the things Joe immediately did when I came into office was give me a litmus test to judge any new initiatives: “How does that benefit the average member?” We have always done lots of things for the membership, and we’ll continue to see a focus on that. What is the benefit of the average member? How well are they going to get something out of what we are doing? Joe Aldridge: My concern has always been how USITT will directly benefit the members. There are some things that are of indirect benefit to members, as with any organization. For example, the networking that takes place—the ability for students to go out on the floor and meet leaders in our industry, both industrial and educational. But in terms of direct benefits, David and I have talked about things like insurance. And I was reminded that at one time USITT did offer insurance for its members who didn’t have that opportunity through their employment, but it never www.stage-directions.com •October 2010 37
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