The meeting began at 12:08 p.m. Present were: Bob Wiley – President, Betsy Fraser – Vice-President , Paula Kennedy – Secretary, Ronalyn Hurley – Treasurer and Membership Coordinator, and Milli Jewell – Publicity Coordinator. Absent was Patricia Daugherty -- Education Coordinator.

Treasurer’s and Membership reports: At the current time the guild has $6,912.02 in the bank. The net loss from the retreat was under $1000 which is considerably less than expected.

The guild sale at Read It Again and Again on October 10 did not produce much income but did increase visibility of the guild. We’ll need better advertising if we decide to hold another sale there.

The guild is currently receiving $40 from Adorn Me! to post an ad for the event on our website. The guild needs to establish a formal policy on advertising on the website. Bob will draft policies and procedures for the board to review.

There are 52 paid members. Several new members and visitors are expected at today’s meeting.

Future meetings:
October: Bob will demonstrate faux precious stones.
November: Betsy will help us make holiday ornaments using white or pearl clay, TLS and Pearl Ex powders.
December: Holiday Party
January: Paula will do a demo on finishing techniques.

Classes for 2010:
Patricia has contacted Sandra McCaw about teaching in the spring and Judy Belcher about teaching on the fall.

Publicity/Marketing:
The owner of Read It Again and Again brought up the idea to Milli to have beginner’s Introduction to Polymer Clay classes in the craft room at her store. Milli is willing to teach the classes.

Ronalyn reminded the board that we had tabled our discussion of a travelling exhibit until after the retreat. It will be discussed at the January board meeting.

The Houston Bead Society will have their annual show and sale at the HESS club on Westheimer on November 13-15. They have offered to let HPCG set up a display of polymer clay items and to have brochures to hand out.

Paula will email Milli the name of the marketing/publicity chairperson of the North Texas Polymer Clay Guild for ideas on how to enlarge our membership.

Milli will be our contact person with the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (HCCC). Bob will send her Jason Kissel’s contact info so she can discuss possibilities for a guild exhibit in the Artist’s Hallway. The theme of “vessels” had been suggested. We would also like to offer to hold another Hands-On-Houston at HCCC.

Other Business:
Betsy is donating a used pasta machine to the guild for use at meetings or to lend out from the library.

A nominating committee for officers for 2010-2011 will need to be appointed at the January meeting. The election will be held in April.

The reception on October 16 for the polymer clay artists with booths at the Quilt Show went very well.

The meeting adjourned at 12:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Paula Kennedy, secretary

Addendum: After the general meeting Bob called the board together to confirm his appointment of Tabiatha McKeever to fill the vacant Member-At-Large position for the remainder of the 2009-2010 year. The board unanimously agreed.