11/13/06
CGC General Meeting, Brooks Room at the Bend Public Library
Attending: Jolene Cap, Annie Rustand, Helen Bommarito, Amber Wolf, Deb Sether, Janet Matson, Corrine Vegter, Steven Provence, David Warren, Linda Heisserman, Diana Popp

Minutes from the last meeting were accepted, with one correction: the fee to apply for nonprofit status is $300.
Nonprofit Status

Jolene reported that there is a $300 fee each time an organization applies to the federal government for nonprofit status. A lawyer will only write down what you tell them too, so it's not really cost effective to employ one. Several members have reviewed the application and made improvements. David Warren volunteered to go over it next.

If CGC receives nonprofit status, we will be eligible for more donations, advertising.

Suggested that we have a conflict of interest statement in our bylaws, which will help with applying for nonprofit status. Jolene will send out a sample to Linda, who will sent it out to board members for a vote.

Open Positions:
CGC is a member-run organization. The group benefits from the various talents and strengths of members, so if you've ever thought about volunteering, please check out the following positions that are open for 2007.
President - 1 Point- Preside over all CGC board and general meetings. Attend all Showcase Steering Committee meetings. Work directly with Showcase Chair. Communicate with all CGC committees. Advise and direct all board members on their assigned projects. Work on one project for the CGC (i. e. updating by-laws).

President Elect- 1 point Should have a good knowledge of CGC. Attend general and board meetings. Conduct meetings in the absence of the President. Attend Showcase Steering Committee meeting is possible. Step into ad hoc committee work as needed

Secretary - 1point - Responsible for attending and taking the minutes at 6 board and 6 general meetings. Minutes should be typed in a timely fashion. On copy should be sent to the President for corrections and additions. The President should return the revised copy quickly. Secretary amends the final copy, keeps a record of it and sends it back to the President, who sends it out to the members. Secretary keeps copies of all records.

Empty Bowls Chair - 1 point Knowledge of the history of Empty Bowls project. Arrange for the collection of bowls to be donated throughout the year. Work with Central Oregon Community Action Agency Network (COCAAN) in all aspects of set up and take down and work the booth during the sale. Write press releases and provide photos. Provide webmaster/mistress with Empty Bowls information.

Showcase Chair in training- 1 point Clearing house for all questions, general organization, meeting schedules of Showcase.

Program Chair - 1 point Arranges 45-50 minute programs following business of CGC meetings. Presentations should be of interest to CGC members: slides, demos, lectures related to clay art. Informs newsletter editor of upcoming programs.

At Large Members - 1 point Work with board on special projects and committees. Must attend 6 board meetings discuss and vote on issues and share in the responsibility in running the CGC.

Membership - 1 point Maintain and update current and past membership files. Compile and publish the CGC membership list at the beginning of each year. Send a welcome letter and back issue of the newsletter to each new member who joins mid year. Add new members, membership renewals and address changes to each bimonthly newsletter.

Workshops - 1 points Organizes 1 - 2 workshops per year with local and/or visiting artists.

Clay in Education Chair - 1 point Review projects submitted by members for educational clay activities in their communities. Set up the number of hours the instructor will be paid by CGC. Assist and advise in matters concerning procurement of materials, tools, firing space, etc..

Group Buys - 1 point Organizes orders and distributes chemical and equipment group buys for CGC members.

Empty Bowls
Helen reported that Empty Bowls was successful. (More info later.) It might be wise to make the deadline for bowls earlier in the year.

OPA also has sales where 20% of receipts go to Empty Bowls (incentive for more potters to participate). They also have bowls for sale. A consultant for NeighborImpact (COCAAN) found that Empty Bowls took a lot of time to run, but it is so popular with the community that they decided to keep having the event.

Potters who donated to Empty Bowls can receive credit for the donation on their Oregon state taxes (but not federal).

Workshop Info
Deb Sether reported that Jay Widmer will be doing a wood firing in the spring.
Also, Pat Weber, a potter from Salt Spring Island, BC teaches weeklong classes in wheel throwing and making small creatures (?). Deb will check out if she would be available for a 2 day demo-style workshop.

Videos/Workshop
Meeting adjourned to watch on OPA video of Thanh Duong called "Pushing Clay." He will be teaching a CGC workshop in Bend on the first weekend in February. As CGC did last year with Don Sprague's workshop, COCC and high school students will be invited to a Friday workshop, before the regular Saturday/Sunday workshop. Thanh Duong is well known as a wonderful workshop teacher and is somewhat famous for throwing edible cream cheese bowls at OPA.

We also watched a video of Maria Martinez and Popovi Da donated by COCC, entitled "Maria! Indian Pottery of San Ildefonso" (in New Mexico), which illustrated material gathering and firing of traditional pottery by Maria Martinez and her family.

The next general meeting is the second Monday in January.