Our "Friends Group" is called the APPLAUD board.  When people contribute or donate money to our theatre, they join or become members of APPLAUD.  From those 275 APPLAUD members we elect a board.  APPLAUD developed their own bylaws and have a monthly meeting.  The mission of the APPLAUD board is to be the social support and fund raising group of our community theatre.  Basically, they throw the opening night receptions for cast, crew and APPLAUD members only.  They also send the annual fund raising letter or brochure.  They have a committee to design and take a re-look at what we send out each year.  The APPLAUD board also is now taking over a couple of other fund raising events for our theatre that include an auction and a golf tournament.  APPLAUD is an acronym for Association of Proud Patrons Loving the Art of Unforgettable Drama.  it's also our phone number: 319-APP-LAUD.