MINUTES OF THE METAL ARTS GUILD BOARD MEETING
Berkeley, Nov. 11, 2008

PRESENT:  Alison Antelman (AC, Chair), Shabnam Bahmanian, Cyndee Clearwater (CC), Ron Elson (RE), Ellis Gans (EG),
Jennifer Cross Gans (JCG), Maureen Harvey (MH), emiko oye (EO) and Suzanne Pugh (SP).  Also present were MAG members Carolyn Tillie and Kathy Yeh.       
The meeting opened at 6.57pm

PRESIDENT'S REPORT
By laws:    these will be discussed and revised in sections at future meetings, starting in January (6th or 13th).
General meeting:  Date - Sunday, January 25.  David Bigazzi will be invited to a demo.  Both the date and location to be
confirmed by SP.SP

PROGRAMS
Ronda Coryell will do a presentation of her argentium video on January 17 at City College.SP, MH, RC
Grant Writing Workshop (Carol Tennenbaum).  This has been canceled for personal reasons.  Can we find another
presenter?   MH, ALL
Business Management for Artists  (Nov. 15).  This workshop has at least 11 people signed up.
CAD-CAM demonstration (Nov. 22) with Vasken Tenilian. This will be done in three small sessions:  the 1st is full,
the 2nd half full, and the 3rd has two sign-ups.  MH will email participants with corrected information. MH
Creative Process (Deb Lozier).  May be held next June, in three sessions.  MH will check with Aimee Golant on
the possibility of a joint class at Scintillant Studios. MH

EXHIBITIONS
RE discussed his efforts to find a new exhibition venue, noting that the Berkeley Arts Center was booked up. Alternatives were discussed, including Lireille Gallery of Contemporary Jewelry and Art (Piedmont) and the Arts& Crafts Co-op, Berkeley.  While a show at Lireille would be welcomed, and the gallery was extremely cooperative,  the Board's first choice for a big, non juried show (Urban Renaissance) would be ACCI. AA will discuss this with the ACCI director, Lisa
Horner, and follow up with RE.   Discussions will include the availability of MAG's display cases. AA, RE
 
MEMBERSHIP
EO reported we have 242 members.  She will send out a card soon about the holiday party (Dec. 11)  She will also send out membership renewal reminders.  EO is checking if MAG member Sadie Cuming can help produce our e-news. EO

TREASURER
EG asked all Board committee chairs to prepare 2009 budgets no later than Dec. 28.  He will send out a reminder at the end of November, and will be glad to assist anyone needing help in estimating expenses, income etc. for next year.ALL
The Board discussed how much MAG should pay speakers.  Several Board members felt MAG should take a leadership role in increasing honoraria.  There was general agreement we could increase speakers' fees to $200, but any request for help with air fares etc. should be subject to Board approval.  SP suggested MAG might want to organize a (national) symposium to attract more members (which would also require higher speakers' fees). EG asked whether the 16 people who've already
paid entrance fees for the Urban Renaissance show should get a refund.  The Board decided not to do this but to wait for a firm date and location for the show.

LIBRARIAN
No report.  JCG will ask Rebecca Deans how/when she would like to get the two books donated by Alan Revere.  JCG, RD

HOSPITALITY
SB reported the holiday party would be Thursday, Dec. 11,  5-8 pm at Lireille Gallery, 3980 Piedmont Ave., Oakland (www. lireille.com)  This year we will have finger foods to share, plus soft drinks and wine.  Chairs will be available from a nearby restaurant. Ronda Coryell will host a powerpoint  presentation of her overseas teaching and travel.  We will also hold a small raffle - one or more free membership for people who renew, and two bottles of fine wine offered by Carolyn Tillie (CT).  CT also offered to work with SB and print cocktail napkins saying "RENEW", plus the MAG logo.   EG will give CT a note acknowledging her donation for tax purposes. SB, CT, EG, RC
                                                           
GUILDLETTER
CC circulated a page proof of the next issue, and was congratulated on her excellent work.  She noted that the Mendocino Art Center was offering a $25 discount coupon for MAG members wishing to take classes.  CC has ordered 100 extra copies of the next newsletter to publicize the Radical Jewelry Makeover.  AA (12), SP (15), SB (20);  the rest will go to Velvet da Vinci, and the organizers of the Makeover.  JCG will send these. CC, JCG

WEBSITE
No report.  AA reminded everyone to send news items to SH, including the holiday party.   SH, SB

MEMBER AT LARGE
No report.  AA will email Adam Clark about his future role on the Board.  She will also discuss other issues about the display cases, including availability, repairs done or needed etc. EG will ask Adam to submit any bills incurred.  AA, AC, EG

MISCELLANEOUS
Carolyn Tillie (CT) asked if the Board might be interested in starting an on-line chat site, using examples from the food and wine industries as a model.  She would like to see something local and better organized than the Orchid network.  It would need a moderator (who could rotate every few months), and be flexible in its appeal to all members, non-members, students, teachers, Board etc. She will look at the bandwidth of our present website.  The Board expressed interest in starting such a site and complimented CT on her suggestion and enthusiasm. CT, SH

NEXT MEETING
Date and location to be confirmed later.

The meeting closed at 8:40pm  
JCG

METAL ARTS GUILD BOARD MEETING MINUTES October 21, 2008
at the home of emiko oye, San Francisco

PRESENT: Alison Antelman (AA), Shabnam Bahmanian (SB), Ronda Coryell (RC), Jennifer Cross Gans (JCG),  Maureen Harvey (MH), Susie Hojel (SH), emiko oye (EO) and Suzanne Pugh (SP). The meeting opened at 7:12pm.            

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

1.  AA proposed, and the Board agreed, to have a separate meeting next January to revise the by-laws . JCG will send out material to make the revision process easier.  JCG   
                                  
2.  The MAG sign is done, and will be kept in our library.  Harriete Estel Berman offered to add another row of designs if we can find enough people interested to do this.  Eric Smith willphotograph the sign, and give a disk of photos to the library.   Current information will be     posted on e-news, the website and the Guildletter.  EO, SH, CC
  
3.  AA stressed the need to find a VP for MAG, who would run meetings in her absence, and train to become President.  The Board decided to invite MAG members to attend our next meeting, and pitch the membership via e-news and at the Velvet da Vinci opening on Oct. 24. AA will write this up.  AA, EO, SH             

PROGRAMS

1.  MH reported that David Bigazzi is still interested in doing a demo., possibly Jan. 2009.

2.  RC offered to show her latest Argentium video, if possible with a demo.  Possible locations would be the holiday party (see later in minutes) or City College, around the 2nd week in January (17th?). MH, RC, SP

3.  The Tuareg jeweler Elhadji Koumama at last obtained a visa and could repeat his earlier successful demos at Scintillant.  JCG will check possible dates. JCG, MH, AC

WORKSHOPS

1.  MH circulated a flier about the upcoming Nov. 15 workshop on artists’ business management offered by the management consultants G-TAC.  While G-TAC is not charging for this, MAG will suggest a small fee to cover expenses. Target participation is 12-20 people, and interested people should bring  their small business credentials (business and resale licenses). Information has or will go out via e-news, the website, and fliers posted in schools.  ALL
                                                                                                                             
 2. Vasken Tanielian will do a CAD-CAM workshop on Nov. 22, consisting of three 2-hour sessions.  Location will be the Phelan Building.  MH is finalizing a flier.  It will be free to MAG members, with a $5 charge for non-members.   MH, EO, SH

3.   Deb Lozier will do a 3-session seminar on the creative process in her studio, either next May or November.  Maximum participation:  6-8 people.    MH will arrange. MH

4.  Carol Webb’s etching workshop has been cancelled.  MH will contact Mara Clee who  had helped set this up. MH

5.  MH is looking for alternatives to the grant writing workshop.  Possibilities are cold  connections (SB), recycling stuff you can’t sell at a garage sale (EO), and more on photoshop (EO) for people who can bring their own laptop.  A possible venue could  be the Richmond Art Center.  ALL

EXHIBITIONS

In the absence of RE, AA reported on the current difficulties in placing the “Urban Renaissance” show.  MAG never received an answer from ProArts, which is supposed to follow up.  Funding cuts are threatening Oakland galleries and schools.   The new curator of the Berkeley Arts
Center, whom we’d contacted, died suddenly. 26 people have paid to enter the show.  The Board decided not to refund their $15 fee, or
apply it to their 2009 membership, but keep everyone informed about our current efforts to find a new location. Possible alternative locations:  Velvet da Vinci (only problem is that the gallery would probably want to jury the show and “Urban Renaissance” has been promoted as a non-juried event). City College gallery.  Lireille Gallery in Oakland.  San Francisco Art Institute.  A Berkeley winery.  San Francisco State Extension.  Paul Mahder Gallery in San Francisco.  The Craft and Cultural Arts Gallery, Oakland.  Anyone with contacts will check out these locations.   The Board’s current first choice is the Richmond Art Center.  AA will email RE in Buenos Aires to see if he is agreeable.  Details (when firmed up) will go in e-news, the website and Guildletter.    AA, RE, EO, SH, CC, JCG

MEMBERSHIP

EO reported we have a record 241 members, including a substantial number of students. The Board agreed that anyone hosting and demonstrating an event would receive $50 plus a MAG membership:  demonstrators alone would receive $50.
EO will continue to do MAG mailings (workshops, events, and renewal reminders).  She may delegate e-news after another year.

LIBRARY

AA reported good use of the MAG library.  JCG reported that Alan Revere was donating two books – “Brilliance” and “Masters:  Gemstones”.  She already thanked Revere, and will ask RD to send a written thank- JCG, RD

HOSPITALITY

Ideas for the Holiday Party were:
1.  RC would either show her latest Argentium  video, or do an illustrated talk on her trips to Bali and Florence to work with the local jewelers.  Possible location:  Lireille Gallery (owners are very interested in closer relations with MAG).  This event would be a stand-up
cocktail party, with minimal seating.

2.  An event at 1776 Yosemite Ave.  SP will check.  SP

3.  Building B in Fort Mason (sculpture building).  SP will check.  SP 
   
4.  Dates:  first choice would be Thursday, Dec. 11.  Alternatives could be Dec. 5 or 7.

PUBLICITY

All Board members were encouraged to search out possible volunteers for this position.   ALL    

GUILDLETTER

The Board agreed to order 100 additional copies of the next Guildletter, which will have a leading, 2pp article on the “Radical Jewelery Makeover”.  JCG will arrange for copies  for the organizers, the schools which took part, and Velvet da Vinci.  CC, JCG, EG     CC was congratulated on her consistently excellent work as editor.
          
WEBSITE    

SH continues to add news as the Board and membership sends it in.  She will see that old items are clearly identified.  SH

MEMBER AT LARGE

Money has been budgeted for repairs on the display cases.  Any news will be discussed at the next meeting.

MISCELLANEOUS

Postcards for “The Thinking Body” show and talk on Nov. 1 were circulated.  EO might invited MAG members to see the Crit. Group’s show Jewelry_cycle at The San Francisco Museum of Craft+Design, and encourage them to create their
own pieces.    EO   SH reported that the Enamel Guild conference and exhibition will be in Oct. 2009.

General meeting:  will be discussed at the next Board meeting.   AA, ALL

NEXT MEETING:  Tuesday, Nov. 11, starting 6 pm, c/o AA, Berkeley.
                
The meeting closed at 8:45pm.   JCG

MINUTES OF THE METAL ARTS GUILD BOARD MEETING
March 11, 2008

Taken and compiled by Suzanne Pugh
Present:
Alison Antelman, Emiko Oye, Suzanne Pugh, Susie Hojel, Ron Elson, Shabnam, Cynthia.

General Meeting recap: The general meeting was a success, we had a good crowd. Jen Horning did a good job. MAG looking into ways to work with EM in the upcoming Radical Jewelry Makeover. Possibly help with collecting and cataloging donated work. Jen is bringing a draft of a proposal for legislators about ethical mining.

By-law amendments:
Need to change them soon, everyone please read current laws and proposed changes. We always vote in August, by-laws say we vote in January. Technology references need to be updated. Suggested 3 year term for president, current term is 2yrs. We will vote on the by-laws at the May meeting

Vice Prsident: Vacant

Programs:
Jennifer to find out when El Hadji is in town-how to fit it in and publicize that. MAG Grant-publicized in next newsletter, packets going out in late March. Only digital images will be accepted, deadline will be 31 May. Andy Cooperman will present work Apr. 13 @ 1st Floor Theatre at Academy of Art U, 7pm, info is in next newsletter Ben-this info should be sent to Adam for emails, Susie for the website and to Emiko for postcards. SP needs to be in touch. Metal plating tour in July sometime, SP make sure to send a thank you card afterward. Get in touch with Jim Slaughter to reserve date. Susan Cummins in October sometime, subject still to be nailed down but a continuation of her last talk. We paid her 200 last time, must do the same this time.

Budget for programs needs to be increased. Namita Wiggers in late winter or spring, eo to be in touch with her. Plan on collecting $ at Andy’s lecture from non MAG members, but not students of AAU.

Workshops:
No workshops planned Exhibitions: Heard back from OAG, not accepted for member’s exhibition. Must hold mtg to explore possibilities. Accepting suggestions from any and all members. Proposal package is excellent, proposal itself is kind of nebulous, potentially huge show, might be frightening to galleries. Keep deadline to see what people are making. References might be necessary to boost our appeal to galleries Problem in applying to a show with no date or venue: people might not want to apply.

Membership:
180 members! Adam gets sent active members’ emails, will be updated this month. Constant contact =email providers, will take the unpredictability out of the current format and include sidebar with links/info and emails, websites, in middle and classifieds at the bottom of the email. Format needs to be simple. Adam can post as many times a month as he wants. emiko setting up template, directions to submit will be at the top for the first email, then at the bottom in future emails. Cost is 255/year with 10% discount, money is in budget, proposed to start this month. Space in newsletter about donations should say tax deductible, not non-profit We need to find a way to get beginners to join, it is said they feel unqualified.

Treasury:
Current #s-find a way to break even. We also need to find ways to pay for items that come up that aren’t budgeted for.

Librarian:
Tea party? AA to follow up on this-wanted to have it May 17, eo wants to send out card asap. Would Rebecca be willing to work with Adam on emails? Hospitality: Find a place for summer party-30-50 people, early August, 1st or 2nd weekend. AA to ask Curtis, offer him membership

Publicity:
Ben-would you send out emails to Adam, Craigslist, Squidlist, etc?

Guildletter:
Issue is ready to go, waiting on text from Exhibitions committee. No more colored paper, only off white. Spacing is much better. Makens discount-put on hold til we find out whats up with that Crucible giving members 10% discount off 1st class. Maybe we could get discount from Mendocino Arts Ctr? And Otto Frei?

Web Site:
Guidelines as to what gets put on bulletin board, what info stays on web (dates are on the listing) Events-can we have a link to previous years events-ie separate the present and past events? Susie would like to provide links to schools instead of posting every single class they offer and when. Should board member names be on the website? Yes, but only President’s and webmaster’s email should be up. Bulletin board-has become catchall, no parameters. Duplication of information with Adam’s emails. Suggestion-just send bulletin board info to Adam. New suggestion-just kill the bulletin board; constant contact emails will keep people updated. Post old MAG emails so future members can see what they will be getting or have a sample of constant contact emails on the website? Put guildlinks and schools on a links page We need to encourage people to send images.

Board members: send Susie your images and website address, she will put a link on the member’s page. Susie to check in with emiko at beginning of year to cover current members, remove old member’s work. Permanent collection is already on the website. eo suggests having a list of past presidents and the dates they served, RD please look up in archives, get that info to SH. SH to determine where that info will go.

Idisk? Will be free soon so still holding off.

Member at large: Change prices for cases on website

Miscellaneous:
Board members need to RSVP to meetings even if it is last minute. Add raising of food budget for board meetings to agenda for next meeting under treasury. What can Ben put on SF Gate calendar/when? In American Craft, Ornament, Metalsmith? Co-sponsorship requirements-to loan cases for free-come up with requirements. Online community? Yahoo groups?

Read the by-laws!

MINUTES OF THE METAL ARTS GUILD BOARD MEETING
At the home of Shabnam Bahmanian, El Cerrito
January 8, 2008

PRESENT: Alison Antelman (AC, Chair), Shabnam Bahmanian (SB), Ronda Coryell (RC), Ron Elson (RE), Ben Fischer (BF), Ellis Gans (EG), Jennifer Cross Gans (JCG), Emiko Oye (EO), Suzanne Pugh (SP). The meeting opened at 7:40pm

PRESIDENT'S REPORT: Suzanne Pugh was voted in as a board member handling Programs. Arrangements were finalized for the general membership meeting (Jan. 26). The speaker will be Jennifer Horning, co-founder of Ethical Metalsmiths: EO will work with her on presentation details. EO Each board member will make a brief statement about their personal goals and responsibilities; will also come early to help set up and stay afterwards for cleanup. We'll need four tables for the meeting. SB and RC (Hospitality) will provide snacks. EO circulated the SB, RC postcard she is sending out, and AA will ask Adam Clark to. email members. EO, AA, AC

PROGRAMS: SP proposed a tour of a plating factory (possibly April). SP RC offered her talk on chasing/repousse of Argentium. RC MAGgrant:: AA will coordinate this year's grant with SP and Deborah Boskin. Deadline: May 2008. Followup is needed with BF (Publicity) and Cyndee Clearwater. AA, BF, CC JCG suggested another demonstration from Elhadji Koumama, the Tuareg metalsmith, when he returns to the US this summer, probably at Adam Clark's studio. . JCG, AC

EXHIBITIONS: RE circulated the proposal for the Oakland Art Gallery entitled "Urban Renaissance: Jewelry and Metal Art".. We should hear by March if our proposal is accepted for August/September. If not, we will find another location. Meanwhile, an announcement is RE appearing in the Feb/March 2009

MAG GUILDLETTER:. Followup publicity will be needed. Also by email, and on the website. BF, AC, SH

MEMBERSHIP: EO reported we have 92 members (and 143 still to renew). Renewal cards will go out to all members as of 2005-27, and schools (with student information). She will include a reminder people can use Pay-Pal, and that MAG welcomes donations. EO The Board discussed the possibility of offering two-year (or even lifetime) memberships, but did not vote on this. AA EO will ask Cyndee Clearwater to include a membership form in the MAG GUILDLETTER. EO, CC

TREASURER: EG has sent out a revised budget. He also described his search for a more economical safety deposit box for the MAG permanent collection, since HSBC raised its rates from $150 to $250. He has located a box at Oceanic Bank for $80/year.

LIBRARY: AA will email Rebecca Deans on plans for the library tea. AA, RD

HOSPITALITY: The Board thanked SB and RC for their excellent work on the holiday party. A possible site for the summer party might be April Higashi's gallery. AA will ask her to join MAG. AA

PUBLICITY: AA will pass over the publicity folder to BF. She and JCG will work with BF on goals, ideas and plans. AA, BF, JCG AA reported that Willy Scholten is interested to help but can't come to Board meetings (she lives in San Jose). AA will put her in touch with BF. AA, BF EO will send ideas about email sources we could use for publicity, e.g. Tribe, Yelp. EO BF will contact the Palo Alto Art Center: he needs more MAG postcards etc. BF, EO MAG GUILDLETTER AA will ask AC to check whether Makens still offers a member discount (if so, on what items?) EO will ask Aimee Golant to see if the Crucible would continue to offer a MAG discount. AA, AC, EO

WEBSITE: EO reported that Google plans to offer a new service to share and store files electronically. She'll wait for more information. EO

RENTAL CASES: AA will remind AC that the Board voted (Nov.) to increase the rental rates for these cases in January. AA, AC

OTHER BUSINESS: On-line newsletter. Pros and cons will be discussed at a future Board meeting. EO reported that about 30 members aren't on line. JCG will talk to Nancy Monkman about SNAG's decision to publish SNAG NEWS on line. AA, JCG EO will follow up on the possibility of using Constant Contact or similar service. EO Workshops AA will contact Maureen Harvey about future plans. AA, MH Alan Revere offered to lend his premises for MAG events, where appropriate. BF reported that space is also available on the 10th floor of the Phelan Building. By-Laws AA will resubmit to JCG an email of the by-laws for her to start drafting revisions. AA, JCG

Next Meeting: Tuesday, March 11, 2008, c/o Ellis and Jennifer Gans. (Please note: this date will have to be changed because the hosts are staying longer after the SNAG conference).

The meeting adjourned at 8:45pm. JCG