MAG BOARD MEETING MINUTES - November 8, 2004
Location: Jennifer Cross Ganz

PRESENT:

Adam Clark (AC), Reed Easley (RE), Jennifer Cross Gans(JCG), Aimee Golant (AG), Susie Hojel (SH), Deb Lozier (DL),Emiko Oye (EO), Kate Short (KS) and Wayne Sutton (WS).The meeting opened at 7:10pm.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

1.  New agenda format.  The board agreed with AC's proposal tofeature one major topic at each meeting.  Members should askAC for additional time before he prepares the agenda.  ALL

2.  Email issues:  AC reported recent problems in getting outmembers' messages in a timely way.  He will acknowledge allsuch emails, and requested members mark them "MAG email". ALL

3.  Mailing lists requests:  the board agreed we do not giveout our mailing list (labels), for reasons of expense, confi-dentiality, and to prevent its misuse.  Members are of coursefree to prepare their own labels from the MAG membership directory.

4.  General meeting requests:  the board agreed we need to schedule a meeting in the near future.

5.  Levi Strauss:  Beth Malik signed an application on MAG'sbehalf for volunteer help from this organization.  If MAG ischosen, the company donates $2,000 for each 20 hours worked pervolunteer.  Levis meets on this subject once a year, possiblyin January.

6.  Presidio:  MAG has a "back door" contact with the Presidio,thanks to MAG member Stephane Threlkeld, and Scintillant Studios/MAG are on the list of organizations seeking space.  AC knowsof one available space, approx. 2,500-3000 sq. ft, with aclosable area suitable for MAG's library.  We might be ableto secure a 2 year lease, but could be required to relocateafter that depending on the needs of the anchor tenant, LucasFilms.  Rent would be 85 cents a sq. ft, or about $2,150/mo,of which MAG (if interested) would pay $250-300/mo.  AC couldguarantee increasing membership in MAG among students;  he couldpossibly open the studio space in off-hours (e.g. Sundays) forMAG use.  Issues to be resolved are finances - could MAGafford to guarantee the rent, even if member dues wereincreased?  How to organize the library, and what would happenif MAG vacated the space at a future time? (DL said she couldtake it back).   ALL

Growth & Development AG summarized the recent MAG survey, and passed out hardcopies.  The survey has also been emailed to board members,and will be reported in the newsletter.  She highlighted shortterm goals, including a zip code analysis by EO, a regularcalendar of events (newsletter and website), the need for moreworkshops, mentoring opportunities (could be combined withmicro-MAG events in different locations), and the need for a membership meeting. AA, EO, SH

Longer term goals included board development, improving MAG'sfinancial position, learning about fundraising, creating morestrategic alliances with other nonprofits and philanthropicgroups, begin planning a major fundraiser and silent auction(2005-6) and scan for opportunities for a permanent space.AG and AC also discussed the highlights of their nonprofit"boot camp", which was very valuable.  AG has more detailednotes.

TREASURER'S REPORT

WS recommended no legal action against MAG's former accountant(Mohammed) for deliquency in filing tax reports to ensure thecontinuation of our nonprofit status.  Mohammed is asking for$475;  WS will negotiate with him to avoid payment, or (asfallback) no more than half the amount. WS

WS has designed a receipt form for board members claiming expenses;  this will go on the website. SH, ALL

MAG's financial statement reports are due on Nov. 15.  WSquestioned why our fiscal year starts in July.  He had no current financials to report, owing to a downedcomputer.WS has invited a representative of Bank of America to addressthe board on financial matters, probably in Jan. or Feb. next.   WS, AC

1.  Falcher Fusager will lecture on Jan. 19 at Fort Mason. The lecture room seats 50 people, and will cost $25/hr. SH and DL will compile information on our nonprofit and credit card numbers. SH, DL, AC, RE

2.  San Quentin:  DL and AC made a second visit to discuss the gate plans for McClymonds High School.  They were enthusiastically received, particularly when AC showed samples and gave out assignments for 4 x 4 squares.  DL wil try to get permission to take photographs. AC, DL

3. McClymonds High School:  DL reported that this project will be documented by a video group from Southern Exposure. 4.  Chain-making workshop:  David Casella will teach this at Scintillant Studios on the weekend of Jan. 29-30 (2 6-hour days). AC will email members about this and also send the information to AA for the newsletter.AC, AA

EXHIBITIONS

There will be a committee meeting on Nov. 21, 10am (breakfast). It's open to any interested board members.KS is compiling information, and mailing list names, on magexhibitions@yahoo.com, and MAG, PO Box 2994, Oakland,CA. 94604.  She is also working on a database of galleries, museums etc. for outreach, curatorial purposes, and informationon what kind of work specific galleries like.KS,  ALL

KS reported she has been given a (slow!) computer byStephane Threlkeld's husband for use on her MAG projects. She will email a "thank-you", and ask AA to acknowledge the gift in the newsletter. KS, AA

19 or 20 pieces were sold during the MAG show at the CollectorsGallery, Oakland Museum.  KS will discuss with Shana Astrachanthe possibility of loaning the gallery one of MAG's cases todisplay work of featured (MAG) artists.  She will also talk toSA about a 2005 show at this gallery. To be resolved:  work thatleaves the gallery before the end of the show.  To what extentcan we prevent this without affecting sales?  KS, SA

Blue Room:  JCG reported that Paul Mahder, the gallery director,was interested in including a few members' work in a holidayshow this December.  Initially selected were pieces by AG, SAand JCG.  He would also like a bigger, all-metals show in 2005,some time before Mother's Day.  He envisions including not justMAG members, and having it curated by well known people, e.g.Susan Cummins, Suzanne Baizerman etc.  He did not want MAG torequire applicants to the show to join our organization.JCG and KS will meet with him for further discussion.JCG, KS

GUILDLETTER

Deadline for the next issue is Jan. 1.  We are now exchanging newsletter with the S. California MetalsGuild.

Membership

We discussed whether to continuing to print lists of classesfrom organizations, e.g. CCA, which aren't MAG members. DLwill (again!) talk to Marilyn DaSilva to ask her to join.Alternatively, CCA (and others) should pay either the neweducator's fee ($25) or an individual membership ($35). EOwill draft a letter about this and email it to the board. EO

Hospitality

MAG's holiday party will be held Dec. 4, 5-8 at the SawtoothBuilding, Berkeley.  RE will mail a postcard about this;  shealso circulated a food sign-up.  The event will include ademonstration by Curtis Arima, and the chance to visit theopen studios going on concurrently. EO

Golden Hammer Award

AG reported the following nominations for the award:  Deborah Lozier, Shana Astrachan, Harriete Estel Berman,Jack DaSilva, Alison Antelman, Emiko Oye, Mike Holmes andElizabeth Shypertt.  The winner was Deborah Lozier, but allnames (and the reasons for nomination) will be printed inthe newsletter.  AG will pass on the Golden Hammer (completewith a lettered brass plate on the back) at the holiday party.  AA, AG

NEXT MEETING

Saturday, Jan. 8, 2005, 10;00am.  Location:Adam Clark's home.

The meeting adjourned at 9.04pm. JCG