Houston Polymer Clay Guild
Board meeting minutes
Saturday, May 19, 2007

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

Bob welcomed the new board members. The board members exchanged preferred email addresses to make communication easier.

Ronalyn gave the treasurer’s report: We currently have $8,981.37.

There was a discussion on ways to increase membership. Possibilities discussed included:
• an article in the Houston Chronicle, or at least inclusion in the calendar of the “This Week” section. – Merry will pursue.

• Having a membership drive. Rebecca made a motion that we have a summer membership Drive. For each new member (one who has not been a member for more than a year) that joins the guild before the September meeting, the sponsoring guild member will have his/her name entered into a drawing for a $100 gift certificate to Polymer Clay Express. The drawing will be held at the September meeting. The motion was seconded by Paula and passed.

• More exposure through the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (HCCC). Bob will explore the potential of having one of our Clay Days or a meeting at HCCC, and/or scheduling the guild to do one of HCCC’s “Hands On Houston” days.

• Merry will work with Meg to increase advertising of the guild classes to the general public. Advertising at local craft stores and perhaps a store discount of 10% for guild members will be investigated.

• Carmen asked about having a sales table at the Houston Bead Society show and sale in November. The problem in the past has been finding enough volunteers to man the table. If enough guild members are willing to work the show, the guild will get a table. One way to get volunteers is to require anyone who is selling at the show to work at least one shift.

The upcoming classes were discussed:
• Lynne Ann Schwarzenberg’s class is listed on the website as November 11 & 12. That is a Sunday and Monday. Rebecca will check with Meg and correct the website if necessary. The Houston Bead Society show and the Nutcracker Market are being held that same weekend.

• Although Maggie Maggio had to cancel her class for Sunday, May 20, she sent Meg the materials so Meg could facilitate the class instead. The class fee has been reduced from $55 for Maggie plus $15 for materials, to just the materials fee. Meg had asked via email that the guild consider sending Maggie an honorarium to cover the cost of the material and shipping.

Bob complimented Rebecca on the new website. Classes and membership can now be paid through the website using PayPal.

Meg had asked Rebecca to bring up the topic of a teacher contract and guild policy regarding repeating instructors. Existing policy is to not bring back a retreat instructor for the following retreat, or for a workshop within 6 month. We need to coordinate classes with the Dallas and San Antonio guilds.

The challenges for the year were decided. Rebecca moved that we have two challenges – July will be “a container” and October will be “leaves” - including prize ribbons and monetary awards for the winners. The objects must have at least 75% of the visible surface covered with clay. Awards will be 1st- $25, 2nd- $15, 3rd- $10. The motion was seconded by Ronalyn. Motion passed.

The meeting adjourned at 12:45 p.m.

(The motion was amended by Ronalyn via email to change the prize money to $50 for the sponsoring member and $50 for the new member. Amendment passed via email vote. PK 5/24/07)

Thanks,

Respectfully submitted,
Paula Kennedy, secretary