This could be the last season for the North Island Concert Society (NICS).
After 20 years in operation the NICS , which brings quality live professional music from a variety of styles to North Island audiences, will cease to exist if it’s unable to recruit a new Board of Directors.
“All the people currently on the board are either moving or retiring so we need a new group to take over,” said Malcolm Fleeton, a current board member and one of the original founders of the society.
NICS performances have been an entertainment staple on the North Island for two decades, and have continually been well received, drawing an audience that averages 100-150 people for each performance.
Fleeton said if they are not able to recruit a new board “It would be very sad, and it’s a great loss for our community.”
He said that since NCIS made the announcement, a few people have expressed an interest, which he thinks could be promising, but is not sure if they will follow through once “they realize the amount of work it is.“
NICS is a registered society so the new Board of Directors will have to be elected at their next AGM in either May or June. The society currently has six board members, but is looking for seven to nine people to fill the open positions.
Fleeton explained there is a lot of work behind the scenes that goes into putting on the concerts.
“There is definitely a time commitment they have to make,” said Fleeton, explaining, “There’s a whole process that goes on with things like advertising, getting posters out to the community, arranging raffle prizes, and if you have many people, you can arrange tasks for each person.”
He said each concert requires hours of preparation beforehand including everything from bookkeeping, technical set-up, and paperwork.
“Then the night of the show you are busy doing the door, the sound, the lights, and whatever else you need to be doing,” said Fleeton.
“One of the things we said is that we will provide the assistance that’s needed,” said Fleeton, adding they will help “By giving them written information they’ll need for contracts for performers, or grants we apply for with the British Columbia Touring Council For The Performing Arts - we will help people develop those skills.”
Fleeton, who is also the chairperson for the British Columbia Touring Council, noted that groups are booked a year in advance and new board members would have the opportunity to attend a conference in Vancouver where various acts are showcased and can be selected for the next year’s schedule.
“Some of the names we get are Juno award-winning artists,” said Fleeton, who said he loves seeing the reaction the audience has to the performers.
He said he also loves to hear when people weren’t expecting to enjoy the concert but came out thinking it was the best concert they’ve seen, and being able to open someone’s mind to a new genre of music.
“The people that take this on do not have to do this the same way it’s been done for the next 20 years, they can go in a new direction, new venues, new music, new styles, that is the choice they can make as a board as well,” said Fleeton, adding “Give us a phone call we are more than willing to sit down with people and go through what it takes to put on a concert on and the jobs that need doing.”
NICS is in its 20th season and will be celebrating its 100th concert on Feb. 17 with a catered dinner and a performance by the group Dockside Drive. The last show of the season will be Jim Byrnes with The Sojourners on April 14.
To find out more about becoming a member of the Board of Directors for the NICS, contact Malcolm Fleeton at 1-250-949-778 for more information.
About the North Island Concert Society:
Originally formed by Gwen Doi, Malcolm Fleeton, Maureen Lee and Gretchen Frith, the Society is dedicated to providing a series of concerts in a variety of musical styles and we are committed to presenting quality professional entertainment. In the beginning, the District of Port Hardy provided a start-up grant, and a large amount of support was given by the Port Hardy Lions Club and the Port Hardy Rotary Club. NICS is a non-profit society comprised of a small group of dedicated volunteers. Financial assistance is provided by the BC Arts Council in the form of a grant, and by the Port Hardy Lions Club. All NICS performances are hosted at the Port Hardy Civic Centre.