A few Suggestions to Consider when Volunteering for Vermont Watercolor Society
Please think about these things as well as adding your own ideas as to what you can do, and how you would do it. What are the most important things to you about VWS, and how can you help make them happen?
Exhibition Committee
1.Approaching local galleries for possible venues.
Skills: knowledge of our membership and who we are. Slides need to be sent or taken personally, and a packet of information about our artists. Good communication skills. Willingness to follow through and perhaps become the show coordinator. Need good organization skills and willingness to visit gallery a number of times, see that all goes smoothly, and also check with the Board/President about final arrangements. For instance, what commission do they expect, reception, post cards, jury procedure, understanding and co-operation with our system- i.e. signature membership. All this has to be coordinated with any other shows or events going on during the year.
Clerical Help
2. Computer skills: data entry, basic word/excel/ type skills
This has become a requirement for participating as president or Treasurer, and would be useful for Secretary and Vice President. FileMaker Pro (our database) can be learned if basic skills are there. However, someone with such skills could also assist the officers.
Advanced computer skills- layout-Quark-photoshop-useful for publications and information compilation.
3.Activities/Programs Committee
Networking- organizing events, checking on members who might be feeling left out, welcoming new members, arranging local events such as painting days and pot-lucks, which, in the past, have not worked out very well-
Serving on the events or exhibition committees…. Talk to members who are already doing this.
Publicity- contact appropriate newspapers, journals, on-line organizations for specific events. Distribute brochures, look for opportunities to make people aware of who we are and what we do.
4. Nominating Committee- making sure there are candidates for the next election and looking for people who might be willing to serve further into the future.
5.Serving on the Board.
President: orchestrates the events and functions, runs meetings, sends out newsletters, checks on all aspects of Society- establishes some policies, resolves questions and disputes, keeps records of shows, events and membership. 5-20 hrs/week depending on what is going on at the time.
Vice President:
Can do much the same thing as the president although the by-laws do not specify anything but acting as back-up for the president. We have been trying to ensure that the V.P. will be elected with the intention of becoming president.
Treasurer: takes in all dues and fees, keeps records of same, sends out packets to new members, works closely with president and board on budget, balances bank account. Data entry in FileMaker Pro. Book-keeping skills.
Secretary: Does mailings, takes notes at meetings- could take on new member welcome packet, possibly, and assist with publications.
All officers attend several meetings per year to discuss policies, etc. Officers should stay informed and support the overall structure of the society.
Question: Should there be a work requirement that goes with becoming a member? New Hampshire Art Association, for instance, requires 1-3 hours per year- not a big burden, but helpful for big events .
Saturday, April 08, 2006
VWS Newsletter 4-8-06
Spring Meeting Report and Upcoming Show
Greetings!
Our Spring Meeting was held last Sunday, April 2 at the Cortina Inn in Rutland. We had a record attendance, and an exciting, if ambitious, program. Dave O’Neill from Northlight Digital in White River Jct. Vt. enlightened us about the mysteries of digital imaging, and Melissa Snyder of Barleywine Graphics and our VWS webmaster, helped us to understand how to navigate our site, how to get on our site and how to get your own enhanced page on the VWS site. Melissa also does individual web sites. She has just done a terrific job overhauling our site for a fraction of the usual cost. Dave has offered to give a workshop where we can learn more about the complex process of getting our work in print and transferring slides to cds, etc. Quote:
“I am happy to give a follow up presentation at your convenience on scanning flat art, film scanning techniques and photographing artwork if that would be of interest. Probably take about 2 hours ±.”
Many thanks to both Dave and Melissa. Please visit their web sites at:
http://www.barleywinegraphics.com/
http://www.northlightdigital.com
We also had a delightful display from “ARTISTS’ MEDIUM”, an art store in Williston, Vermont (800-255-1290) with interesting items for sale at a discount for VWS members. Thanks to them for putting in long hours while we conducted our business.
In the second part of our meeting we congratulated our new signature members and Sean Callahan passed our certificates. Then we discussed some ethical issues regarding appropriate behavior at shows where we are invited guests at various galleries. The question of using copyrighted material as the basis for paintings that are juried and for sale also came up. It was resolved that we would form an “ethics committee” to draft a document addressing these issues. Everett webber has agreed to look into this.
The Exhibition Committee reviewed our upcoming shows-more about that later.
The Programs committee is working on a summer one-day workshop with Sean Callahan-suggested subject was “painting Animals”. We hope to be able to announce this July event soon.
Finally came two suggested amendments to the by-laws.
1-That the Vermont Watercolor Society open it’s membership to all watercolorists who wish to join.
2-That anyone serving as President, past, present or future, would automatically receive free lifetime membership in the Vermont Watercolor Society.
Both proposals were overwhelmingly approved. This means they will be presented at the Annual Meeting in November for a final vote.
UPCOMING SHOW-PEGASUS GALLERY
THEME: “Engaging Cezanne”
DEADLINE for POSTCARD SUBMISSIONS (1 per person)- APRIL15
Send slides or CD’s (300 dpi, approx. 4”x5”) to me:
Cynthia Crawford
P.O. Box 347
Norwich, Vt. 05055
Please don’t send your images via email- I am on dial-up, and it often shuts down before a large image has time to download. It also ties up my phone line for a long time.
DELIVERY of works (2 maximum) for Pegasus jury process: May 11-14 10AM-5PM
FRAMING: Professional quality wooden frames preferred, neutral mats. Framing will be considered in the jurying process.
PICK-UP of works not juried in: May 24-28 10AM-5PM
DATES of show: May 28-June 18
OPENING Reception: Friday, June 2 5-8 PM
www.pegasusgalleryvt.com
Last, but not least, a hand-out was given to members suggesting ways to volunteer to help with the business of VWS, and a nominating committee was formed to solicit members to hold office in 2007. We have a good, strong Society which is likely bound for a major expansion. It is critical that all aspects of leadership are secured and strong as well. You can find this handout and this newsletter on our website under “This Just In:
www.vermontwatercolorsociety.com
Cindy Crawford VWS President 2006
cindy@creaturekinships.com
Greetings!
Our Spring Meeting was held last Sunday, April 2 at the Cortina Inn in Rutland. We had a record attendance, and an exciting, if ambitious, program. Dave O’Neill from Northlight Digital in White River Jct. Vt. enlightened us about the mysteries of digital imaging, and Melissa Snyder of Barleywine Graphics and our VWS webmaster, helped us to understand how to navigate our site, how to get on our site and how to get your own enhanced page on the VWS site. Melissa also does individual web sites. She has just done a terrific job overhauling our site for a fraction of the usual cost. Dave has offered to give a workshop where we can learn more about the complex process of getting our work in print and transferring slides to cds, etc. Quote:
“I am happy to give a follow up presentation at your convenience on scanning flat art, film scanning techniques and photographing artwork if that would be of interest. Probably take about 2 hours ±.”
Many thanks to both Dave and Melissa. Please visit their web sites at:
http://www.barleywinegraphics.com/
http://www.northlightdigital.com
We also had a delightful display from “ARTISTS’ MEDIUM”, an art store in Williston, Vermont (800-255-1290) with interesting items for sale at a discount for VWS members. Thanks to them for putting in long hours while we conducted our business.
In the second part of our meeting we congratulated our new signature members and Sean Callahan passed our certificates. Then we discussed some ethical issues regarding appropriate behavior at shows where we are invited guests at various galleries. The question of using copyrighted material as the basis for paintings that are juried and for sale also came up. It was resolved that we would form an “ethics committee” to draft a document addressing these issues. Everett webber has agreed to look into this.
The Exhibition Committee reviewed our upcoming shows-more about that later.
The Programs committee is working on a summer one-day workshop with Sean Callahan-suggested subject was “painting Animals”. We hope to be able to announce this July event soon.
Finally came two suggested amendments to the by-laws.
1-That the Vermont Watercolor Society open it’s membership to all watercolorists who wish to join.
2-That anyone serving as President, past, present or future, would automatically receive free lifetime membership in the Vermont Watercolor Society.
Both proposals were overwhelmingly approved. This means they will be presented at the Annual Meeting in November for a final vote.
UPCOMING SHOW-PEGASUS GALLERY
THEME: “Engaging Cezanne”
DEADLINE for POSTCARD SUBMISSIONS (1 per person)- APRIL15
Send slides or CD’s (300 dpi, approx. 4”x5”) to me:
Cynthia Crawford
P.O. Box 347
Norwich, Vt. 05055
Please don’t send your images via email- I am on dial-up, and it often shuts down before a large image has time to download. It also ties up my phone line for a long time.
DELIVERY of works (2 maximum) for Pegasus jury process: May 11-14 10AM-5PM
FRAMING: Professional quality wooden frames preferred, neutral mats. Framing will be considered in the jurying process.
PICK-UP of works not juried in: May 24-28 10AM-5PM
DATES of show: May 28-June 18
OPENING Reception: Friday, June 2 5-8 PM
www.pegasusgalleryvt.com
Last, but not least, a hand-out was given to members suggesting ways to volunteer to help with the business of VWS, and a nominating committee was formed to solicit members to hold office in 2007. We have a good, strong Society which is likely bound for a major expansion. It is critical that all aspects of leadership are secured and strong as well. You can find this handout and this newsletter on our website under “This Just In:
www.vermontwatercolorsociety.com
Cindy Crawford VWS President 2006
cindy@creaturekinships.com