Houston Polymer Clay Guild
Board meeting minutes Saturday, February 16, 2008

The meeting began at 12:00 p.m. Present were: Bob Wiley – President, Rebecca Wells-Stour – Vice President, Ronalyn Hurley – Treasurer and Membership Coordinator, Paula Kennedy – Secretary and Carmen Anderson – Member-at-Large. Absent was Meg Marchiando – Education Coordinator.

Ronalyn gave the treasurer’s report. We currently have $10,007.99 in the bank and $508.25 in the PayPal account. Donna Kato’s class is full, but not all balance payments have been received.
The board discussed having another membership drive. Rebecca moved that we offer a $5 discount on all new memberships or renewals that are paid in April. Existing members who renew in April will have their membership extended for an additional year from their current expiration date. The motion was seconded by Paula and carried unanimously.

Future meeting:
March: Members were asked at the February to suggest topics for future demos. One of the more popular suggestions was “immitative techniques.” Bob offered to demo faux raku at the March meeting. In March we will also raffle off a Makins Pasta Machine. Tickets for this raffle will be $2 each or 3 for $5.
April: Bob will demo transfers.

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft is asking for donations to their fund-raiser for the hungry called “Empty Bowls.” Local artists are asked to donate bowls approximately the size of a soup bowl which will be auctioned off to raise money. Bowls do not need to be functional. Items are due at HCCC by April 21.

Challenges:
The topic for the challenge for April had been announced last month as “bugs.” [NOTE: At the general meeting is was decided to change the topic to “Empty Bowls” in conjunction with the HCCC’s fund-raiser for the hungry. ALL ENTRIES IN THE CHALLENGE WILL BE DONATED TO HCCC.]

Bob was asked to contact HCCC about another Hands-on-Houston event and/or exhibit of guild works and to see if the HCCC classroom would be available for us to use for a clay day.

Nominating Committee: Committee chair Meg was ill and unable to attend the meeting, but reported by phone that she had not found any new candidates for the open board positions. Rebecca said she was willing to return as Vice President. This leaves the positions of Education Coordinator, Marketing Coordinator and Member-at-Large in need of candidates. Carmen had requested that the job description for the Member-at-Large position be better defined and had contacted the board via email with suggestions. The board decided on the following:

Duties of the Member-at-Large:
1. The Member-at-Large is a regular member of the board of directors of the Houston Polymer Clay Guild.
2. All of the regular board duties, which include: attending called board meetings, voting on issues before the board, participating in guild sponsored activities, serving on committees and chairing committees are assigned to this position.
3. The Member-at-Large is responsible for representing the guild members before the board.
4. The Member-at-Large may need to poll or survey the membership to ascertain their opinion on a matter.
5. Other duties as assigned by the board.

Rebecca moved that the board accept the above change to the bylaws; Ronalyn seconded the motion. The motion carried. Paula was asked to email the Yahoo list to announce that the change in bylaws will be voted on at the March meeting.

The board discussed preliminary plans for a 2009 retreat. Suggestions included inviting only one major artist/teacher and allowing for more free time. Ronalyn was asked to scope out possible teachers at Synergy next week.

The meeting adjourned at 12:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Paula Kennedy, secretary