November 2024

Art League of Fort Bend

General Meeting Minutes

 November 18, 2024

 1.       Call to Order – Linda Pietz called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m.

 2.       Attendance – Two new members and one visitor in attendance were welcomed.

 3.       Approval of previous Meeting Minutes – Meeting minutes from October 14, 2004 were approved as written.

 4.       Financial Report: The following financial report was presented as follows:

 BALANCES

Checking      $28,322

Savings             6,148

Emergency   20,384

PayPal                  953

Stripe                 1,477

TOTAL           $57,284

PROFIT & LOSS

OCTOBER     YEAR-T0-DATE

($2,862)        $12,940

5.       Update from the Board – The Board met last week and brings forth this information:

Talked about ways we could do a better job communicating what the board does, so you will be hearing more about the decisions and actions we make.

Received an update on the plan for our Holiday Party and approved the budget – more on that later from Ellie.

Approved changes to the League’s Sublease and Consignment Agreements – you’ll hear more details from our Studio Manager, Debbie Rose.

Approved improvements to security at our Third St. location, involving the installation of a motion detector and camera at the back door.

Discussed preparations for Breakfast in the Bend on December 6 where we get to showcase the League in front of local business leaders.

Discussed moving our Suggestion Box online – you’ll hear more about that from Diane Whitmarsh.

Received an update about the Fall meeting of LSAG, the governing body over our league and a dozen others. You’ll hear more about that from Brenda Bowman later.

Received a marketing update on Nina’s efforts to increase our visibility and promote our activities, like the Book and Author Show November 30 and the Jewelry Show on February 1 and approved ad budgets for those events.

That’s just a snapshot, more to come as work in progress takes shape – stay tuned and feel free to reach out to me or any board member any time you have a question or concern.

Monthly Board reports will be given at each General meeting as well as reported in several locations including the newsletter and online.

 6.       New Business

a.       New Sublease and Consignment Agreements – Debbie Rose reported the changes made to the Sublease and Consignment Agreements, which provide more detail where needed and additional consequences surrounding working the required number of shifts and making payments on time.  New agreements will be signed by gallery, studio, gift shop artists prior to January 1, 2025.

 b.       Suggestion Box – Diane Whitmarsh reported that the suggestion box is back in service and available on the front desk; plans are to move it online in the near future.

 c.       Camera/Motion Sensor at Third St. – Diane Whitmarsh reported that due to activity in the back of the building, the Board approved the purchase of a camera/motion sensor to be installed at the back door of the 3rd street location. Installation will occur as soon as the arbor with rain gutters is presented and approved by the Board.

 7.       Committee Reports

a.       Art Shows/Major Workshops

                                                               i.      January 16-18, 2025: A second Elizabeth St. Hilaire Funky Florals workshop is available; members may make payments in order to take the workshop. Elizabeth is world renown and will be a lot of fun.

                                                             ii.      February 13-15, 2025: Vie Dunn Harr; Acrylic Expedition; there is space in this workshop.  This was the inspiration instructor for Nancy Lee’s paintings. You don’t want to miss her!

                                                           iii.      February 25-26, 2025: Nola Heidbreder (Linda Pietz’s sister); rug hooking; technique called hit and miss; she will also demo for the February General meeting. 

 b.       Classes/Education – Bobbie Davis

                                                               i.      Class proposals: Applications have been sent; teachers who have been considering teaching for the Spring are being asked to sign up online asap. Spring classes will run from January 18-May 18.  The catalog will close November 30 in order to prepare/list classes online by December 15.

                                                             ii.      Advertisements of studio and offsite classes: Offsite teachers may list an ad on the website for $10 per ad.

                                                           iii.      Sawyer Yards Field Trip: Trip was very successful; attendees thought the art at FBAC was as good or better. Other trips will be planned; locations of interest are requested if there is something you would like to see.

                                                           iv.      Education Committee: January 10; 1:00 pm meeting

 c.       Community Displays/Development / LSAG– Brenda Bowman

1.       HOT Tax – We received $10K from the City of Rosenberg; funds will be available beginning January 1.

2.       Community Displays – We are set until the end of year; watch for upcoming notices for 2025.

3.       LSAG Fall Meeting recap:

a.       In Person Show: There is discussion of an in person show instead of an online show if league members are willing to come together and plan it.  If you are interested in serving on a planning committee or want more information, please contact B Bowman. 

b.       Database Survey: A survey of all the leagues was conducted to determine next steps for upgrading the LSAG database.  The majority of leagues participated; all in attendance at the meeting indicated they use the data base, that they have found ways to work with it, and that the information it contains is useful. Regarding replacement, the leagues voted and approved keeping the same database since it is only used once or twice a year by each league.  Replacement costs would be astronomical, and some of the functionality is likely lost. The user on our end will continue to do what you do when entering your artwork on the LSAG database site at the time of our Fall and Spring Shows.

 d.       Events – Ellie Damiano

                                                               i.      Holiday Party Sock Exchange: December 16; bring socks costing no more than $20.

 e.       Gallery – Gladys Jones

                                                               i.      Change out: January; specific dates will be conveyed by new Gallery Director.

                                                             ii.      Team Up: Please sign up for your days to be worked; if there are 3 or more listed, please find another day. Please also remember to add your full name and an “S” for sales savvy or “N” for not in front of your name.  You may utilize the sub list if necessary or pay someone to work for you.  Please print legibly in sign in book on the desk to get credit for working your shift.

                                                           iii.      Compliments: Our gallery receives compliments all the time; many return quarterly to see what the new artwork is following a changeout. 

 f.        Gift Shop – Fereshteh Solati

                                                               i.      The Christmas decorations will be added today after the meeting.  Please help if you can.  The Christmas tree for ornaments is already up and ready.

 g.       Membership – Diana Miller

 h.       Publicity/Advertising/Marketing – Nina Struthers

                                                               i.      Book & Author Event: November 30; 10am; Third Annual Book and Author is ready to go and advertised in local publications. Please come and support the authors.

                                                             ii.      Breakfast in the Bend: Chamber of Commerce event on Tuesday, December 3; artists are welcome to attend.  The event will showcase what we provide to the community, share our history and share our educational offerings as well as tours of both facilities. 8-10am.

                                                           iii.      Jewelry Show: February 1, 2025; our jewelry artists will participate in a pop-up show just before Valentine’s Day; FBAC. 

 8.       Unfinished Business

a.       Election of Officers

                                                              i.      Election Results – Travis Lairson, website liaison, presented the election results from online voting.  Percentages from national polls were presented first to show the numbers normally participating.  ALFB voting percentages were presented next, indicating a large percentage of participation. 70 people voted with the following results:

1.       Membership – Diana Miller – 100% - elected

2.       Gallery Director - Fereshteh Solati – 100% - elected

3.       Education Director - Bobbie Davis – 100% - elected

4.       Treasurer – Karen Gehse – 100% - elected

5.       President – Linda Pietz – 67%; Jim Fuchs – 33%; Linda Pietz elected

Terms will begin January 1, 2025.  Diana Miller resigned from Membership. The Board will review the resignation / vacancy process detailed in the Bylaws and make recommendations for moving forward at the next General meeting.

9.       Miscellaneous

a.       Rosenberg events – Kathy Golden

                                                               i.      Shop Small Crawl: November 30: Rosenberg will host the same day as our Book & Author. Visitors will begin at the water tower, making us the first destination on their list. 

                                                             ii.      Home Town Holiday: December 7; 12-8pm; extra workers are needed for the event shift; please consider volunteering.  The events are fun and artists are welcome to be in their studios to greet visitors.

                                                           iii.      Holiday Nights are scheduled for 12/12 and 12/19 from 5-8pm.  We will provide crafts, selfie, or other activities for the community. 

 10.   Next General Meeting – December 16, 2024 – Holiday Party

 11.   Today’s Demo Artist – Bobbie Davis announced that Brenda Thompson, cookie artist, is our demo for today.  Please take a 5minute break; demo will begin at 11:00 am.

 12.   Adjournment – There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:50 a.m.

Respectfully Submitted:

Brenda Bowman

for Christine LeLaurin Ratcliff

ALFB Board Secretary