Quarter 3 Board Report
Cadets Arts & Entertainment, Inc. (CA&E) is a completely new organization built on the rich and celebrated history of the 85-year old Cadets program. The CA&E Board of Directors is committed to full transparency and will regularly communicate our activities to The Cadets’ passionate worldwide community of students, parents, staff, alumni and fans. This is the first in a series of quarterly reports that summarize the Board’s recent activities as well as goals for the next 90 days. We’ll also provide a full annual report with audited financials following the completion of our first fiscal year on Oct. 31, 2020.
Q3 2020 BOARD REPORT (MAY – JULY, THE THIRD QUARTER OF THE CA&E FISCAL YEAR)
Since its founding in 1934, The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps has undergone numerous transformations while establishing a legacy of excellence and innovation. The next phase in the evolution of The Cadets began in 2020 with the founding of Cadets Arts and Entertainment (CA&E). CA&E was created to allow all stakeholders, including students and their families, faculty and administrative staff, volunteers, fans and alumni to come together as one community with a singular focus: the future growth and sustainability of The Cadets program.
CA&E was incorporated in March 2020 with the first Board meeting held the following month on April 5. During the second quarter, the thirteen members of the CA&E Board developed the fundamental organizational structures, processes and systems to enable sound oversight and governance. During Q3, we:
- Established initial by-laws and developed organizational policies and procedures spanning background checks, code of conduct, conflicts of interest, mandatory reporting, non-discrimination, sexual harassment and youth safety
- Received approval from the IRS for tax-exempt status
- Assumed formal responsibility for The Cadets program beginning on May 1, 2020
- Established standing committees for Governance, Finance and Audit and drafted a Board Responsibilities Agreement and processes for financial reporting
- Established ad hoc Committees for Health and Wellness and Alumni Experience
- Developed a statement of principles for diversity and inclusiveness and a separate D&I committee to shape policy and practice across all CA&E programs
The Board has agreed to the following objectives for the forth quarter:
- Define the plans, budgets and protocols required to deliver a high-quality Cadets program in 2021 while protecting the health and safety of our students, staff and volunteers in light of the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis.
- Establish a Strategic Advisory Council comprised of leaders hand chosen from throughout the pageantry arts to advise on long-term development and growth over the next decade, and cultivate more goodwill and support for The Cadets throughout the activity.
- Continue building the Board by conducting a thorough assessment of our current skills and recruit additional Board and Committee members to augment and strengthen where needed.
- Continue to create the institutional and business capacity of CA&E by identifying and developing additional sources of income.
We’re grateful to the many alumni, fans and volunteers who have stepped forward to assist as we begin this next chapter of our beloved Cadets. We face numerous challenges, but remain optimistic that with your support we will prevail.
“For Holy Name Shall Always Be”
The Board of Directors
Cadets Arts & Entertainment, Inc.
