HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-14-019 - Affiliated Community Group Status for Rock Revival & Variety Show Committee Staff Report
I r finance and Corporate Services Department wvwuukitchenerra
REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: March 17, 2014
SUBMITTED BY: Vicky Girimonte, Administrative Assistant Fire
(Co-Chair Rock Revival), 519-741-2200 x 5503,
Greg Kay, Business Systems Project Manager
(Co-Chair Rock Revival), 519-741-2200 x 7772
PREPARED BY: Greg Kay, Business Systems Project Manager,
519-741-2200 x7772
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: February 11, 2014
REPORT NO.: CSD-14-019
SUBJECT: AFFILIATED COMMUNITY GROUP STATUS FOR
ROCK REVIVAL &VARIETY SHOW COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council approves the Rock Revival & Variety Show Committee as an affiliated group
with the City of Kitchener; and further,
That Council approves the addition of the Rock Revival & Variety Show Committee as an
insured group with the City of Kitchener's third party liability insurance program.
BACKGROUND:
The Rock Revival & Variety Show Committee, in association with the City of Kitchener, has
been FUN-raising and FUND-raising by organizing a Rock Revival Show every year for over two
decades. Twenty-three years ago, a group of City of Kitchener staff in the Human Resources
department organized a lip-synching "air-band" rock show to "chase away the February winter
blahs", and motivate city staff to have some fun while at the same time raise money for charity.
The show has taken place in a number of different venues and over the last decade has been
held at Elements Nightclub which is less than a block away from City Hall in downtown
Kitchener.
REPORT:
In recent years, the Rock Revival Show has become more of a variety show including more
genres than just rock & roll. With the additional enthusiasm brought on by younger cast
members, higher choreographed acts and a higher production quality, more and more cast
members have been attracted from within the community. Today, it heralds a cast of
approximately 50 to 70 people consisting of City of Kitchener staff, colleagues from Region of
Waterloo and their family and friends. The show draws between 400 and 500 audience
members. It is all made possible through the generous donations from the audio/visual
professionals in the community who volunteer their time and provide their equipment for the
show, year after year.
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The Rock Revival &Variety Show Committee, comprised of both City staff and other community
members, is requesting to be granted affiliated community group status to mitigate third party
liability risks of:
• the City relating to use of facilities and equipment, and
• the event participants (executive/organizers/cast)
It is estimated that if the committee was to purchase insurance coverage for the rehearsals, the
insurance premiums would be at least $2,500/year or approximately $54/rehearsal. In order to
accommodate the highly choreographed acts, rehearsals have begun as early as September or
October. Rehearsals are typically held at one of the City's community centres (e.g. Downtown
Community Centre, Victoria Hills Community Centre) or at the Victoria Park Pavilion on week-
day evenings and/or Sunday afternoons. The show has grown from an average of 8 Sunday
afternoon rehearsals to approximately 50 rehearsals to prepare for the annual show. Third
party liability insurance coverage is important to safeguard the executive board, volunteers and
cast members during the course of their volunteer involvements relating to the Rock Revival &
Variety Show. Both the City and the organizers of the show want to ensure that meetings,
rehearsals and the performance night are adequately covered.
Each year, different charitable organizations have been the recipients of funds raised by the
Rock Revival & Variety Show. In more recent years, support has been provided to the
`Children's Wish Foundation' as the flag-ship charity. This charity is dedicated to working within
the community to fulfill heart-felt wishes for children diagnosed with high-risk, life-threatening
illnesses. The support and contribution from the Rock Revival & Variety Show to this cause has
assisted The Foundation in their work to help grant wishes. The amount provided to this and
other charities would significantly decrease if the committee was required to pay the insurance
premiums, effectively cutting the amount of funds raised, by the committee, by approximately
half.
Although not a Neighborhood Association or Minor Sport Group, the Rock Revival & Variety
Show Committee is asking for affiliation status, similar to the following groups including:
• Kitchener Horticultural Society,
• Waterloo Region Children's Safety Village (Fire Dept.),
• Victoria Park Historical Society, and
• Box 690 Fire Department Canteen Association.
Similar to Neighborhood Associations and Minor Sport groups, the Rock Revival &Variety Show
Committee will ensure the following:
• It is a voluntary, not-for-profit, non-partisan, non-denominational group that operates
under democratic principles within the geographic boundaries of the City of Kitchener,
• It is open to all residents of Kitchener and surrounding area on a first-come-first-served
basis. (Note: All acts submitted need to pass a final audition on the last Sunday of
January to be eligible to participate in the show),
• It has the majority of participants and executives as residents of the City of Kitchener,
• It has as its primary purpose the provision of recreational opportunities,
• It has a structure for accountability including:
• An elected board of officers,
• It holds regular meetings,
• Financial records are maintained along with financial statements,
• It has a constitution,
• It has a detailed process by which the Show is organized on an annual basis,
and
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• Name & Contact information of Committee Co-chairs are provided to the City of
Kitchener.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The Rock Revival &Variety Show aligns with the following strategic values:
• Nurture a Sense of Pride and Community (Leadership & Community Engagement):
The organizers work with Cast members from a wide range of backgrounds to produce a
quality production year after year.
• Make It Easy to Get Involved (Leadership & Community Engagement): The Show
website proclaims that participation in the Show is open to all residents of Kitchener and
surrounding area. We get the word out through emails to All Departments, posters,
newsletters, website, letters/phone calls with sponsors and silent auction donors as well
as interviews and announcements on local radio stations.
• Quality of Life: The Show provides an outlet for City of Kitchener staff and their family
and friends to bring out their "inner Rock Star" to beat the February blahs.
• Hand it to the Youth (Leadership & Community Engagement): The Show provides
volunteer opportunities to Youth including set-up, helping with production and tear-down.
Now and then we have special Acts involving younger members of our Cast.
• Signpost (People Plan): Refresh social events that bring employees together, within
divisions and departments, and across the organization. Rock Revival has become
the Rock Revival & Variety Show in just the past few years and offers new and
innovative opportunities for staff to perform on stage in additional genres beyond
Rock'n'Roll.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
On the strength of almost 25 years of history as a successful fund-raising event and a record of
no claims or lawsuits, the Show is not viewed as an adverse risk. Affiliation of the Rock Revival
and Variety Show event should not result in an increase in insurance premiums.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
The Rock Revival & Variety Show Committee engages both community members and staff in
the organization and implementation of the event.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Michael May, Deputy CAO, Community Services Department
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