The meeting began at 12:00 p.m. Present were: Betsy Fraser – Vice-President , Paula Kennedy – Secretary, Ronalyn Hurley –
Treasurer and Membership Coordinator , Patricia Daugherty -- Education Coordinator and Milli Jewell – Publicity Coordinator.
Absent members were: Bob Wiley – President

Treasurer’s and Membership reports: At the current time the guild has $10,145.34 in the bank account.
Suannough has unsubscribed to the guild’s Yahoo email list. The board was concerned that her back surgery in the spring is causing her problems. Paula will email her with our well wishes.

Publicity Coordinator Position: Betsy moved that Milli Jewell be appointed as the guild’s Publicity Coordinator. The motion passed unanimously.

Future meetings:
June: Paula will demonstrate ways to modify/make your own custom clay cutters.
July: Betsy will do a demonstration involving alcohol inks.
August: “Bring a Newbie Day” Milli will help us with a “poly party” for children (10 or older) or new adult clayers.
September: Because of the Gathering of the Guilds at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (HCCC) on Sept 12 and the retreat on Sept 25-27 there will be no regular meeting in September.

Classes/Workshops:
The Lone Star Retreat is scheduled for September 25-27, 2009 at the South Shore Harbor Hotel in League City.

Website:
The website needs to be overhauled and brought up to date. Ronalyn will check into easy-to-use web design programs. Betsy will ask her web-design friend for examples of her work. Patricia is willing to maintain the website once it is redesigned. All members agreed that the guild needs to update its logo. The possibility of a logo design contest was discussed.

Retreat:
There are currently 19 people signed up for the retreat not counting Paula, Patricia and Ronalyn whose retreat fee will be comp’d except for meals. Paula presented an updated spreadsheet showing that with 35 attendees (including the committee) the net loss would be approximately $3500 not taking any income from the silent auction or guild sale into account. The board had previously agreed to subsidize the retreat up to $3000. All agreed to go ahead with the retreat and not cancel with South Shore Harbour Hotel (deadline of June 30.)

Patricia will ask the retreat teachers if they would be willing to donate an item or two to the silent auction. She will also contact Polyform about donating clay or other items for the auction.

The possibility of combining future retreat efforts with the North Texas Polymer Clay Guild was discussed. All agreed it would be a good idea.

Other Business:
Milli presented several ideas for publicity for the guild. They included:
A membership drive
Inviting local polymer clay artists with Etsy sites to attend/demonstrate at meetings.
Having a demonstration and sale at Milli’s friend’s book store in the fall. Milli will talk to her about arranging it.

The meeting adjourned at 12:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Paula Kennedy, secretary