General Membership Meeting - January 2025

Art League of Fort Bend

General Meeting Agenda

 Monday, January 27, 2025

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

2.      Attendance – We welcomed one new member, Tom Gimm, who does oil painting. Travis Lairson was introduced as our new Membership Director, having been selected by the board to fill the vacancy in that position.

Approval of previous Meeting Minutes – A motion was made to approve the meeting minutes from the November 18, 2024 General Meeting. The motion was seconded and carried.

 Update from the Board – Linda Pietz delivered a report regarding actions taken and topics reviewed by the Board since the last General Meeting. She reported that the Board:

·         Received an update on our financial status from our Treasurer, Karen Gehse, reporting that our condition is strong reviewed a budget for 2025 to support our continued growth.

·         Reviewed the status of upcoming workshop enrollments – these are bringing great artistic opportunities to our members while generating revenues.  She encouraged all members to participate.

·         Discussed TEAM UP and some ongoing issues – be on the lookout for some changes that we hope will make this a more effective tool for managing our work obligations and let us know if you are willing to volunteer to help with this effort.

·         Explored an opportunity to lease space nearby that might help us make better use of our Third St. location while providing adequate facilities for education and training.

·         Clarified our policy on alternate gallery displays – Beginning with this next Change Out, we will allow displays in the center of the gallery floorspace or hanging down from the ceiling. These displays will be shown under a fee arrangement similar to how all other art is displayed.

·         Discussed a new and improved way of reaching members with timely information. Hopefully this will be invisible to you as a member, but we will be getting trained on a new tool that will replace Constant Contact as our means of reaching out to you. You are already receiving the Newsletter via the new tool.

Financial Report – Linda Pietz delivered the following Financial Report on behalf of our Treasurer, Karen Gehse.

 BALANCES

Checking              $34,609

Savings                     6,348

Emergency            20,535

PayPal                             0

Stripe                            586

TOTAL                   $62,078

PROFIT & LOSS

DECEMBER          YEAR-T0-DATE

$3,030                 $18,094

Michelle Russo moved to accept the Financial Report and Peggy Nicholson seconded the motion. The motion carried.

Linda Pietz presented the Budget Plan for ALFB of Fort Bend County for 2025 and recommended it for ratification by ALFB Membership

We operate on a balanced budget, meaning that our income and expenses are the same. We live within our means.

Our budget for 2025 is $165,778. This is our projected income from classes, rent, donations, sales, dues and workshops. We entered the year with a profit from last year of $18,094, so we get to spend that too.

We have allocated this budget amount across expenses we foresee for the year – key categories of spending include Rent, Repairs and Maintenance, Utilities, Workshops and Demos, Educators Expense, Computer and Wifi and Advertising and Promotion, an area where we are spending more on this year to more effectively tell our story and gain more visibility for all your great work.

Of course, in line with our Bylaws, any expenditure over $500 comes to membership for approval.

Linda asked if there were any questions or discussion. Don Golden moved that the spending limit for the board be raised from $500 to $1,000. Bobbie Davis seconded the motion. There was a discussion of the purpose of raising the limit, during which it was noted that due to increasing costs of goods and services the current limit is too low and causes delay in the course of ordinary spending. After discussion the motion carried.

Debbie Rodriquez moved to approve the 2025 Budget Plan. Amy Cassidy seconded the motion. A request was made to examine the budget document. The budget document was passed around the meeting room and a vote was deferred until everyone had the opportunity to review the plan. After review, the motion carried and the Budget Plan passed.

 New Business

Membership Fees

Linda Pietz reported that after research and discussion the Board voted to raise membership dues by $5 to $40 for individuals and $45 for families. Our dues have not been increased for a number of years and our League’s are among the lowest. A motion was made to approve the increase and it was seconded. There was some discussion about the hardship the increase might cause for some members on a fixed income, but it was pointed out that the increase, amortized over a year’s period is minuscule. Following the discussion, the motion carried and the dues increase was passed.

7.      Unfinished Business

none

Committee Reports

a.      Art Shows/Major Workshops

Debbie Rodriguez reported on recent and upcoming shows and workshops:

• ·       The Spring Show is on April 5. Registration will be in the beginning of March. We will go back to entering our work through both the LSAG and ALFB websites. There was a discussion about the show rules and the importance of making sure to enter your work in the appropriate division for your skill level.

• ·         Both Elizabeth St. Hilaire workshops were a success. We had 32 participants and great feedback.

• ·         The February Vie Dun Harr workshop is filling up with 11 of 15 spaces filled.

• ·         In February we also have Nola Heidbreder’s workshop on the history of rug hooking.

• ·         Registration is ongoing for the October Joan Fullerton workshop

b.      Classes/Education

Bobbie Davis reported on the activities of the Education Committee, as follows:

• ·         The next Education Committee Meeting is on February 7, 1 -3 p.m. and anyone can attend.

• ·         There will be two weeks of Summer Camp again and we may add Spring and Winter Break Camp as well. There are paid positions for teachers. See the Education Committee if you are interested.

• ·         A number of field trips are being planned or considered:

o   Texas Art Asylum – in March on a Saturday; Linda to organize

o   Texas Quilt Museum – Valerie to organize

o   Painted Churches – (looking for an organizer)        

c.       Community Displays

Brenda Bowman reported on the activities related to Community Displays, as follows:

• ·         Rosenberg Civic Center – Change-out occurred on Friday and the new display is up.

• ·         Attack Poverty – Change-out is scheduled for this Thursday.

• ·         Sugar Land Airport – Change-out is on this Friday, with a theme of Love for the month of February and a size limit of 16 x 20.

The Community Displays team is always looking for volunteers to help curate and hang the displays. It is a fun group that enjoys working together to bring the League’s work into the community and help sell our art. Contact Brenda Bowman if you are interested.

d.      Events

The New Year Open House that was rescheduled due to weather takes place on Saturday, February 8, 3-5 p.m., with refreshments and music. There will be a New Member Orientation before the Open House 1-2 p.m.

e.      Gallery

Fereshteh Solati addressed the meeting via video and introduced herself as the new Gallery Director. She gave a summary of her background and reviewed the gallery change-out schedule and process that should be followed. She also discussed the fee structure for 3D art work displays in the gallery space and the use of Team Up.

f.        Gift Shop

Debbie Rose addressed the meeting regarding change-out in the gift shop, as this is her first change-out in her capacity as gift shop manager. She encouraged members to bring in items priced below $150, emphasizing that she would like to see a wide diversity of membership represented in the gift shop. She also reminded workers staffing the Gift Shop to respect renters’ studio space when they enter it to tidy up after customers have been in.

g.      Membership

No report.

 Publicity/Advertising/Marketing

Nina Struthers reminded members about the Jewelry Show on Saturday, February 1, 12-5 p.m. in the Gallery. Twelve League members will be selling their work. It has been advertised in Fort Bend Living Magazine and Chamber of Commerce fliers and posted on Facebook.

9.      Miscellaneous

Rosenberg Events -- Kathy Golden shared updates on several Rosenberg events, as follows:

• ·         Bench Project Call for Artists – this Rosenberg Arts Alliance project is back on. The Alliance will select four designs to be produced. They handle the preparation and final sealer coat; artists provide the paint and are reimbursed $150 per bench. Designs can be turned into Kathy Golden by March 1, 2025.

• ·         City Wine and Beer Walk, March 22, 2025, 12-5 p.m. – Streets will be closed for this event; tickets are $20, which includes 10 tastings, commemorative cup, swag bag and more. Other features are a 1K keg run, art vendors, food trucks and The Emotions Band. Kathy Will leave a flier on the desk with more information for those who may wish to participate.

• ·         Roseberg Arts Alliance Meetings – RAA Board Meeting, March 19, 2025, 4 p.m. at the Soda Fountain. RAA Member Meeting, March 27, 2025, 5:30 at the Soda Fountain

Doug Hiser mentioned that there is a project for artists interested in helping to restore a mural at the Hulsey Coastal Operations Center (COOP) on High Island. It involves repainting some birds depicted on the mural.  Get in touch with him if you are interested.

Eugenia Garcia mentioned that three ALFB artists are presenting their work at Webster Presbyterian Church Sanctuary for the Arts in a display titled WAR and Peace through March 30.

10.  Next General Meeting – Monday, February 24, 2025

11.  Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:32 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Christine LeLaurin Ratcliff, ALFB Board Secretary