Last Updated: 09-03-08
The Spirit of RMTAThe spirit of RMTA is reflected in the people who generally participate in RMTA’s activities. It also resides in the people who facilitate the mission of the organization, which is to nurture and develop the performing arts in our five-state, Rocky Mountain region. Participants range in age from 12 years old up to retired seniors who have attended Festiventions for over 30 years. Stories abound describing the importance of predecessors who passed on what they knew to those followed through the RMTA. In turn, these seniors recall when they had received their own invaluable instruction in their youth from older mentors at the RMTC conferences. In 2007, we now have over four generations of thousands of people who have participated in the creation of the history of RMTA. In the “RMTA Pioneer” workshops offered during the organization’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2001 and 2002, one fact clearly emerged: countless people over the years made the supreme effort to travel across a hugely varied geographical region to attend the RMTA conference because it was vitally important to share the unique experience of creating and learning about the performing arts in the five Rocky Mountain States. The Board of Directors for RMTA are responsible for creating a festival in conjunction with a different Host institution every year, and many individuals have devoted significant amounts of volunteer effort to keep the organization functioning effectively and well. There are no paid positions in the RMTA organization. As a member of the Board, it is sometimes inconvenient to fulfill responsibilities toward the organization in a timely manner. (Experienced Board members know that our theatre day-jobs require a lot from us at exactly the same time that RMTA needs are looming.) Although it is demanding to serve RMTA well, there is an intangible “something” that seems to make it worthwhile. As Billy Smith, previous RMTA President and long-time Board member said, “Serving on the RMTA Board is like being on a mission from God.” The reasons for serving on the Board are as varied as the people who have done so. Many enjoy the collegiality of being connected to other theatre artists in the Rockies and want to learn from them; and yet others do so for the benefit of their students, theatre companies and communities. Some serve for reasons of promotion and tenure, others for professional development and employment. Regardless of the reasons, to successfully serve as a volunteer for the RMTA Board of Directors requires a sense of dedication to duty, and a willingness to do the job that needs to be done when it needs to be done. And, through it all, the benefits gained may far outweigh the toil. Catch the spirit and pass it on! |
