MADP Board, Helen’s Report May 3, 2013
Last two months have been very busy on the road. In addition to regular speaking
engagements in U.S. and Oxford Univ (two events) the DMW opera has been going gangbusters:
in Eugene, OR, Boston, Montreal, and Asheville, NC. And then there’s ...
DePaul Univ.
I left our board meeting in Cleveland with two mandates: set up collaborators to promote the
20" Anniv edition of DMW and to administrate the Play Project of DMW at De Paul.
Immediately afterwards I had a conference call with Rose Vines and Susanne Dumbleton to
help me think through how to set up two Project Managers to work with the book and the play
and for Rose Vines to direct both of the managers to free me from administrative tasks. With
Marianne’s close collaboration, we set the plan in motion to work with DePaul to hire a Book
Project Manager immediately (the tentative pub date for the new edition of DMW is set for June
15). I solicited a $30,000 contribution from a donor for DeP to recruit and hire that person. The
30k was turned over to MADP and then transferred to DeP. The search committee with
Georgianna Torres in Ed Udovic’s office , Susanne, Marianne Race, and Rose have worked
expeditiously to find and hire the Book Manager, Rachel Hudak, who will begin work Mon,
May 6. Random House has put the publication of the new edition on the fast track and are
calling for me to meet with the publisher, editors, publicity and promotion folks on Tue, May 14
at Random House in NYC. In the past I’ve always handled these meetings with Random House
alone, but this time, happily, I have collaborators to help me plan for the meeting and to
accompany me. I’ve asked Rose Vines and Rachel Hudak to also be present at the meeting. (I
talked it over with Georgianna and she agreed that Rachel should be present at the meeting to
facilitate close communication and collaboration with R.H. in promoting the book. Travel
expenses for Rachel are included in her budget.)
In the attachment to this report are Rose’s notes that she took during our planning
session, which we are sending on to R.H. in advance of our meeting. It will give you a small
glimpse into how Rose helps me think, plan, carry out plans. It’s why I’m requesting that her
salary be increased. She is very, very vital to me in this work.
Rose has also played a decisive role in designing the cover of the new book (much more
engaging than the original). Archbishop Tutu graciously wrote the Preface and Susan S. and Tim
R each wrote Afterwords as did I, tracing the changes I’ve seen in d.p. discourse and practice in
the U.S. over 20 years, and our book’s contribution to that discourse.
Books Part II — with Emile’s resignation what do we do with the 10,000 books now housed in
New Orleans? oral report
Where will they be housed? At DePaul? Might they be sold (bulk rate) to schools doing the
play for use in classes? Might the money generated from the books help to fund the Play Project
at DePaul? Perhaps a percentage might be shared with MADP- or, even ALL of the funds since
we rely rather heavily on income from book sales? ...or.. ONE THING TO KEEP IN MIND
about the special sales books... Random House expects that I promote the New Edition at
my talks on the road. They regard my work as a sort of perpetual book tour, that constantly
gets the book out there. They are proud of their collaboration with us and, no doubt, this has
been an incentive to issue the New Edition (a relatively rare occurrence among commercial
publishers)
Are there any special events at which I speak where they might be sold? Perhaps the Susan-and-
Helen-signed $100 books?
Other possibilities-
Bulk rate sales to Catholic High Schools (Robert Bimonte, pres of NCEA has offered to promote
the books at meetings and in the newsletter- he was in Chicago at DePaul and he, Helen, and
Emile had prelim conversation. Helen and Emile also have good contacts in Jesuit schools
What about CSJ schools around the country? Work through CSJ Federation? Work through
LCWR?
Would any Board members assist in getting books to CSJ schools? Might this Board set up a
Book Promotion Task force of associates and others to help accomplish this? Who will take
responsibility for this project?
Rose and Helen willing to take responsibility if others aren’t forthcoming. Rose, working with
Emile (volunteering), is willing to be the point person. It’s all very Buddhist...the 10,000
things...©
2. Housing the DMW Play Project at DePaul.
The Meeting on April 23 at DePaul- Tim Robbins present — oral report
Some really good, satisfying things happened for Tim at DePaul and he even offered his film
archives to DePaul.
Financing the Play Project — the subtext re finances at DePaul : oral report
There’s the official language in the agreement, but also the informal,(invisible)Spirit-driven
commitment of people at the university re fundraising for the Play Project (my conversations
with Pres. Dennis Holtschneider, Ed Udovic, Susanne Dumbleton, and Georgianna Torres)
A few comments on Marianne’s report:
“Funding for this position (the Play Project Coor) is undetermined. There is an expectation that
it will come from MADP...
and...
“if finances from outside sources are not provided, project will come to a screeching halt.”
Finally...
IMPACT ON FINANCIAL INCOME
Two significant factors:
1. no more special sales books at Helen’s events (we will ask RH to consider giving us a
special booksellers’ rate for H’s events on the road — perhaps packaging the new DMW
with Death of Innocents).
2. As we move into 2014, I am cordoning off Jan, Feb, and May, together with the summer
months, to write River of Fire - Need Ken’s help here to estimate reduction
3. Our CSJ cmty will receive royalty payments from the New Edition, but that will take
time. It might be a good idea to have a clear understanding that all royalty payments go
directly to MADP (same for the opera) and not to general coffers. This may already be
happening.
One request: Rose is asking to be sent a copy of the budget report.
