NNSL (Mar 27/98) - The Festival of the Midnight Sun is in dire need. Heading into what should be its seventh season, festival organizers say if they don't get new blood soon, they may have to pull the plug.

"We put the word out that we were doing our AGM and only three of us showed up," says Maureen Jaud, the current president of the festival board. Jaud will take a second stab at hosting the annual general meeting on April 2 at 7 p.m. in the Storefront for Voluntary Agencies office.

Her main goal will be to find at least five new people who are willing to play key roles in planning the festival including a president, a vice-president, a secretary and at least two committee members.

"We need a lot of willing hands. It's all volunteer and it's a lot of work the week of the festival and prior to the festival," says Jaud.

She adds that while volunteers are required to donate a chunk of their time from April until September, they have the satisfaction of knowing they've helped to improve the city.

"They're meeting the artists, being involved in the community, beautifying Yellowknife and bring tourists into Yellowknife...we end up with a valuable piece of artwork and the feeling it creates on a dark winter day," says Jaud.

She says the week-long workshops, concerts, play festivals and art shows also help to improve tourism and the local economy.

"The majority of tourists that come into Yellowknife, they want to see the cultural activities of the North and this festival supplies that. The tourists want to see raw materials, how they're put together and the finished product. It's a wonderful thing to be a part of," says Jaud who has been involved for two years but does not plan to sit on the board again.

While she wants to encourage everybody to come out to the AGM, Jaud is particularly calling for artists who have been promoted by the festival in the past to come out and give something back to their community.

"We're promoting these artists and what I would like to see is some of these artists come on board. A lot of money is going out to the artists now and the festival is not getting as much money as in the past. We need input from aboriginal people and artists. We're promoting the artists and let's get something in return," says Jaud.

Internationally renown painter Dawn Oman has been approached a number of times to get involved but says she simply does not have the time.

"For me what it's done is allowed me greater exposure in the community...but I have declined because I'm so busy as an artist. I do appreciate everything they've done and I hope it continues. If there was two of me, I'd send one over there to do it," says Oman. "They have to keep trying I guess."