Volunteer Meeting on 16th September

Sue welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made. There were  apologies from: Gillian Caldwell, Alison Martin, Fiona Hubert, Jude Roiser, Chris Hurley & Rosalind Tobin.

 1.Volunteer Statistics

There are 90 people on Rota Central, this includes 4 non-volunteers who are FOH staff. So, there are 86 volunteers and since the beginning of the year until now (15/09), 64 volunteers have done 819 volunteer hours.

2. Promotion of Film programme through Whatsapp Groups.

David Thaddeus, a Director of ActOne continues to send the Weekly Programme out for people distribute to their local groups. Marina K thought that Corfton Road in Ealing could be an addition. AM noted this

3.House Seats

Were explained for the benefit of new volunteers, although there are 12 in Screen One for general screenings, we can now use them for special events. There are no house seats in Screen Two.

4. Fire Alarms-recap

We are all Members of the Public as far as fire alarms/drills are concerned. As such, we exit the building through one of the 2 fire doors and meet on the corner of Winchester Street and Acton High Street, on the opposite side from the Cinema. If the fire alarm sounds, the films will stop automatically.

5. Special Events and Screenings

There are several planned for the next few weeks including: Live music evenings, more showings of ‘Inter Alia,’ ‘Steamboat Bill’ with live musical accompaniment and ‘Melodrama’ a BFI funded programme. Please check the special event menu on the website: https://www.actonecinema.co.uk/special-events

6. Timings of Arthouse Films

There was a plea for some evening timings for these. It was pointed out that we do not have control over the timings of the programme.  All films are usually exhibited in different time slots where possible.

7. A new promotion for the Cinema involves trying to attract 16-30 yr. olds with a one-off, short-term deal.

Leaflets will be circulated generally and other places including the Makers Market in Churchfield Rd on Saturday 20^th September. Various other suggestions were made about possible places to target i.e Gyms, Arts Ed School, Freshers Fairs, Instagram.  Some have been done in the past, Amanda noted them.

8. Re-cycling

Jacky F said that people get confused about what to put in the re-cycling bin re; certain plastics etc. A notice giving details might help. Amanda to discuss with FOH.

9. Sustainability

Would paying for a re-usable cup/container for popcorn be a good idea, similar to use at festivals? Jacky F will do some research.

10. Disappearing toilet rolls!

Either by people taking them or jamming the cistern with them. We discussed having less toilet rolls out ‘on display’ by reducing the number to one spare instead of three? Amanda will discuss with Martina.

11. Ambience

Would candles on the tables improve ambience? Spotlights needed for Q&A sessions. Real flame candles are not feasible but lighting for Q&A’s being looked at.

12. Celebration of Cinema.

Always a good idea and ActOne is 4 years old on October 8^th. It takes a lot of planning and organisation and coincides with the busy period of ActOne, so it won’t happen this year. However, next year is the 5^thAnniversary and we felt that we should start to think and plan for it. A Volunteer Group could do this? Amanda to raise at a Directors Meeting.

13. New - Film appreciation group

Tania Conrad, with Cathy Johns, is going to start a Film appreciation group, this will run on an informal basis and involve seeing a film then spending some time discussin it afterwards. More details will follow.

Thanks to everyone for their attendance and input and, of course, their continued support of ActOne. The next meeting will be sometime in March 2026.

Sue Clements