Welcome to The Ark Joshua Beckett Jennifer Jankowski Sarah Long Bryant Shain Lauren Wray

About the Ark

Background History Structure Analyzing the Ark Our Diagnosis Recommendations Implementation Presentation Agenda

Name That Tune! Like a Rolling Stone By: Bob Dylan

World-renowned music club for folk, ethnic and alternative artists Approximately 300 performances per year 501(c)(3) Nonprofit organization Mission Statement: About the Ark “The Ark is a non-profit organization dedicated to the enrichment of the human spirit through the presentation, preservation and encouragement of folk, roots and ethnic music and related arts. The Ark provides a safe and welcoming atmosphere for all people to listen to, learn about, perform and share music. “ Background ~ History ~ Structure ~ Analyzing the Ark ~ Diagnosis ~ Recommendations ~ Implementation

Founded in 1965 on Hill Street by a group of churches as safe place for students Activities included poets, philosophers, musicians, local personalities, and movies David Siglin and family lined up and housed performers History Background ~ History ~ Structure ~ Analyzing the Ark ~ Diagnosis ~ Recommendations ~ Implementation

Churches and The Ark separate in 1980, Ark moves downtown Moved to current location in 1996 to support growth Performers included Iggy Pop, Gilda Radner, Joan Baez, David Alan Grier History Background ~ History ~ Structure ~ Analyzing the Ark ~ Diagnosis ~ Recommendations ~ Implementation

Name That Tune! Burn One Down By: Ben Harper

Structure -Managing Director: Marianne James *Responsible for financing, fundraising and logistics - Programming Director: David Siglin *Responsible for scheduling performers and club events Background ~ History ~ Structure ~ Analyzing the Ark ~ Diagnosis ~ Recommendations ~ Implementation

Structure -Board of Directors: President – George Peapples *Responsible for volunteer staffing, website maintenance, and executive decision making -Volunteers *Responsible for cleaning, serving drinks, helping with various charity events - Charter Members *51% voting power in electing board members; prevents cultural takeovers Background ~ History ~ Structure ~ Analyzing the Ark ~ Diagnosis ~ Recommendations ~ Implementation

Formal Structure Board of Directors Marianne James Managing Director David Siglin Programming Director Charter Members Volunteers Background ~ History ~ Structure ~ Analyzing the Ark ~ Diagnosis ~ Recommendations ~ Implementation

Layout

Analyzing the Situation… Initial Research: - Browsed The Ark website: - Contacted Marianne James, Managing Director to set up an initial meeting to learn more - Contacted George Peapples, President of the Board of Directors - Observed a performance at The Ark  Spoke with audience members  Spoke with volunteers and Janelle Carroll- Special Projects Manager Background ~ History ~ Structure ~ Analyzing the Ark ~ Diagnosis ~ Recommendations ~ Implementation

Analyzing the Situation… Shared Values: Culture of Community Skills: “The world’s largest living room” Style: Preserving the culture Strategy: Folk music niche Staffing: Music community Structure: balance between directors Systems: Non-profit, membership The 7Ss of The Ark Mckinsey 7s Model: Waterman, Peters and Phillips (1980)

Unique Culture

Our Diagnosis Our findings: The Ark as an organization at its best - How can we keep it from growing stagnant? -How can we bring out the best of The Ark more often? Background ~ History ~ Structure ~ Analyzing the Ark ~ Diagnosis ~ Recommendations ~ Implementation

Our Diagnosis How can we keep it from growing stagnant? *Bring in fresh opinions to continually renew the community Background ~ History ~ Structure ~ Analyzing the Ark ~ Diagnosis ~ Recommendations ~ Implementation How can we bring out the best of The Ark more often? *Focus on strengthening team dynamics of management *Advertise targeted audiences to strengthen the culture of community

Name That Tune! Sounds of Silence By: Simon and Garfunkel

To improve and strengthen team bonding: Recommendations -Reinstate employee retreat * Include top management and volunteers Background ~ History ~ Structure ~ Analyzing the Ark ~ Diagnosis ~ Recommendations ~ Implementation

To appeal to younger crowds: Recommendations -Create a Student Task Force * Led by current youth volunteer -Target Student Clubs and Hangouts * Michigan Guitar Club * Café Ambrosia * Rendez-Vous Café * Café Oz - Survey Students Background ~ History ~ Structure ~ Analyzing the Ark ~ Diagnosis ~ Recommendations ~ Implementation

To improve the overall lack of advertising: Recommendations -Avoid Mass Marketing * Members bring a friend for free * Announcement before shows * Pamphlets of artist information Background ~ History ~ Structure ~ Analyzing the Ark ~ Diagnosis ~ Recommendations ~ Implementation

- Focus on positives of changes –Stress how suggestions align with mission of enriching human spirit through music –Aging customer and volunteer base  What happens when that age group is too old to attend shows? –Increasing customer base will help The Ark financially now and in the future Gaining Management Compliance - Get buy in from Ark management: David Siglin  well respected by artists, employees, and volunteers. Background ~ History ~ Structure ~ Analyzing the Ark ~ Diagnosis ~ Recommendations ~ Implementation

Communicate and educate all employees and volunteers –“Communication of ideas helps people see the need for and the logic of change” - Strategies for Change –Decrease resistance by encouraging lower level employees and volunteers Volunteers do not feel comfortable making suggestions Empower volunteers: their opinion does matter Volunteers have a personal investment in the Ark “I want to be sure the Ark is here for a long time”- Volunteer Making the Change Happen Background ~ History ~ Structure ~ Analyzing the Ark ~ Diagnosis ~ Recommendations ~ Implementation

Suggest the means for change: Create a Change Task Force –Include employees from all levels of the organization, and at least one member. –Use a flat structure so everyone feels safe to voice their opinion. –Have all members go on a retreat similar to Southwest’s “Climb” to ensure a strong, cohesive task force. Making the Change Happen Background ~ History ~ Structure ~ Analyzing the Ark ~ Diagnosis ~ Recommendations ~ Implementation

What The Ark means to Ann Arbor

Contact The Ark -Listen to artists online -View upcoming shows -Purchase tickets -Learn more about The Ark

The End Thank You! Any Questions?