I. LSAG Spring Meeting Minutes
March 6, 2021
10 am
IMPORTANT: Please submit any names, contact information and bios for judges you want considered by emailing those to me at OLLIESCHILLER@yahoo.com. Solicitation for judges closes on March 31, 2021.
CALL TO ORDER:
The meeting was called to order at 10:12 am by Ollie Schiller, President of LSAG. Brenda Bowman was asked and agreed to record meeting minutes.
ZOOM PROTOCOL
Protocol for the zoom meeting was established prior to beginning the meeting, including muting for background noise and raising hands to speak. Stephanie Clark will monitor the chat box for discussion.
ROLL CALL
Present: Art League of Baytown; Art League of Fort Bend; Brenham Fine Arts League; Houston Art Society; Imperial Art Alliance; Livingston Art League; Lufkin Art Guild; National Society of Artists; Northwest Art League
Absent: Conroe Art League; (Coldspring-dropped); Lake Houston Area Artists; Tomball Art League; Woodlands Art League
Quorum: As 9 of 13 leagues were represented, a quorum was established. Additionally, two- thirds majority is in attendance for voting.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Polly Ward, Treasurer, reported that basically no money has been spent since the Fall meeting. There is approximately $14,000 in the bank. Membership dues have been billed and received from leagues, and the deposit was returned by the convention center following a decision to cancel the in-person convention. Minor costs such as continuation of the website domain have been the only expenses. Alice Van Farrow clarified that she had been removed from the bank account. That account was cancelled and a new one established in April 2018. Three officers are listed as signatories on the account. ACTION: The Treasurer report was accepted as presented. Following election of officers, the Secretary will be added to the account.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Bylaws Committee:
A request was made to override the bylaws through June 2021 with regard to the annual convention and the restrictions related to the pandemic. Also, a recommendation was made to hold the Livingston Art League amendments in abeyance until July 2021. At this time, the Bylaws need a full, larger scale evaluation. ACTION: A motion was made and seconded to override the bylaws that pertain to the annual convention. It was noted that the Livingston Art League was prepared to go forward with 8 amendments, but will hold to allow for a more in-depth review. The actions were approved as presented.
Show Committee:
-It was noted that a previous volunteer had to step down as committee chair; Ollie Schiller agreed to lead the committee for the spring show. A new committee has been named and they have been meeting since January 26 almost weekly via zoom. Apologies were extended to two committee volunteers, one of whom was inadvertently missed from the Fall meeting and one whose schedule did not mesh with meeting days for the rest of the committee.
-An evaluation of three different electronic show platforms was conducted following the vote to move forward with an electronic show at the Fall meeting. The three platforms were ArtCall, CaFE’ Express and a hybrid using the current LSAG data base and a virtual component. ArtCall was chosen due to its professional nature and ease of use. ALFB had used the data base for its Fall show and offered help cloning some of the information for LSAG use as well as coaching for individual leagues.
-The show date was moved to June 19 to allow more leagues time to hold their Spring shows. A member spoke in favor of ArtCall from a security standpoint, as ArtCall allows individual artists
to enter their work and pay directly as opposed to sending
The show timeline is as follows:
Open ArtCall for LSAG entries
Deadline for league show data entry into LSAG website ArtCall closes for LSAG entries
June 4-10 verification of qualified entries
Judging begins
LSAG Show and requested zoom critique
photos with payment to one source.
May 1 May 25 June 4 June 4-10 June 11-18 June 19
On the day of the show, previously requested 3 minute/per person zoom critiques will be allowed from 10:00-12:00 noon with a 30-minute break from 12:00-12:30. Critiques will resume at 12:30-2:30 assuming critiques to fill this time are requested. Critiques not pre- requested may be allowed as time permits.
-It is important to note that LSAG sanctioned show procedures remain the same. Divisions and Categories remain the same. Eligibility requirements remain the same. Artists who have qualified from a previous show but are not currently a member of a league must join another league to enter. League membership is due to LSAG by May 1. Qualifying entries will be verified via the currently LSAG database prior to the show. It is critical to for each league to post their show date on the LSAG website. League shows are open to all artists if their league is a member of LSAG.
-Ribbons / Cash Awards were discussed with the suggestion to spread the prize money among winners. The committee previously discussed ribbons and cash awards for “Best ofs” and first place winners with a suggestion that with a $7 entry fee, the prize awards would remain the same and ribbons distributed. However, with a $10 entry fee, prize awards could include $50 for each first place winners with cash awards for Bests remaining the same. Ribbons would be distributed accordingly. A sliding scale based on the number of entries per category was also presented, i.e.; 1-5 entries – ribbon only; 5-19 entries - $50 with first place ribbons; more than 20 entries - $100 with first place ribbons. Financials have been reviewed and as there is no convention hall or food this year, there is additional money available for cash awards. There will be costs associated with ArtCall and processing fees.
ACTION: Members thought a simple award structure would be less problematic. Consensus was to charge $10 per entry and simplify the awards structure as much as possible.
-The committee has suggested that only one judge be secured to simply the judging process in ArtCall. The judge will be paid a little more based on the complexity of electronic judging and the time required to judge the show. A request for judges was sent to each league and to date there has been no feedback. To qualify, a judge must not have judged an LSAG convention or league show in the past 2 years. Technology experience is a plus (judging or teaching online).
ACTION: Leagues were asked to forward names for potential judges as soon as possible for consideration.
-A question was raised as to whether there will be a reception following the show. It is unlikely that this will occur this year, though there are hopes that more face-to-face gatherings can occur in the future. The show committee will continue to look at ways to have a reception if possible, such as having the “Best of” winners displayed following the show.
OLD BUSINESS
ELECTION OF OFFICERS – 2021-2022
A slate of proposed officers was presented as follows:
President – Ollie Schiller
1st Vice President – Polly Ward
2nd Vice President – Marcie O’Neall
3rd Vice President – Stephanie Clark
Secretary – Brenda Bowman
Treasurer – Carol Faviell
Historian – Golda Radar
All proposed officers have agreed to serve if elected. There were no nominations from the floor. ACTION: A motion was made and seconded to accept the slate of officers as proposed. The action was approved as presented. Officer terms will begin July 1.
NEW BUSINESS
Going forward, Ollie noted she would like to increase the number of league meetings per year to three, adding one in July. Additionally, the new Board will meet approximately every 6 weeks to accomplish more, i.e. an in-depth bylaws and website review. There may need to be consideration as to whether LSAG becomes primarily a virtual organization. Most meetings going forward may be conducted virtually to save travel to a meeting location. ACTION: One additional meeting will be scheduled for July to continue the momentum and add continuity to accomplishing our goals. Committees will be assigned to plan for the year ahead.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, a motion was made and seconded and the meeting was adjourned at 11:42 a.m.
Respectfully submitted:
Brenda Bowman LSAG Secretary-elect
II. LSAG Fall Meeting Minutes:
November 14, 2020
11:00 AM
Minutes prepared by Ollie Schiller, President on behalf of Sandi Osiecki, Secretary
Board Members Present: Ollie Schiller, Stephanie Clark, Marcie O'Neall, Golda Rader
Leagues Represented: Art League of Baytown, Art League Fort Bend, Brenham Fine Arts League, Conroe Art League, Houston Art Society, Imperial Art Alliance, Lake Houston Area Artists, Lufkin Art League and Northwest Art League. Approximately 21 members joined the meeting.
Agenda
1. Ollie Schiller called the meeting to order at 11:05 am. She then welcomed the representatives and conducted Roll Call.
Nine of 14 Leagues were presented and a majority of the Executive Board; therefore a quorum was established. She added that the meeting was being recorded and the link would be available on the website along with the minutes. Schiller announced the Bay City was no longer a member of LSAG, leaving our league count at 14.
2. Schiller reviewed the Treasurer's Report
3. Committee Reports - None
4. Old Business
A. Social Media - Schiller reported that she had added a LSAG group page to FB in addition to the existing business page. She encouraged all members to join. The only limitation on posts is that they are art related, even non LSAG events are allowed. She also asked that artists not use it to self promote or sell their art.
B. Newsletter - Schiller reported that the newsletter was suspended after a glitch in the distribution mechanism. She thought it has since been resolved. The need for a newsletter was discussed. The consensus was that the group wanted to continue receiving a newsletter, even if on a quarterly basis during the slow months with a minimum of 4 per year. Schiller stated she would contact Lauren Combs and ask if she would be willing to continue publishing it. If Lauren refused she would try to find a replacement.
5. New Business
A. Fall Dues - Schiller posed the question concerning Fall dues and asked if we should bill this cycle in light of COVID and the inactivity resulting in many leagues struggling. After discussion of the current member count and ongoing expenses. It was determined that we should bill based on the current LSAG database which is approximately 500 members higher than last year. Several leagues said that the number was incorrect as they had seen a decrease in members. Schiller advised that a roster will be attached to the invoice and the leagues should check and correct as needed. A motion was made by Carol Faviell and seconded by Stephanie Clark to bill for Fall 2020. The motion carried unanimously.
B. Nominating Committee - Schiller asked for volunteers for a nominating committee. She explained that several board members would not be returning and it was important to begin this process. No one volunteered.
C. Electronic/Virtual Competition - Schiller asked that the leagues that had conducted electronic shows report on their experience. The following shared information: Stephanie Clark (NWAL), Brenda Bowman (ALFB), Pat Waughtal (HAS), and Golda Rader (CAL). The discussion was well received by the participants who asked questions and discussed the pros and cons of the different approaches. All that reported agreed it was a viable option for the LSAG competition. All groups stated that the entries and winners were posted on their websites. Schiller asked if the results of the HAS show could be reviewed to possibly qualify the winning pieces for the LSAG show. The group concurred that they should be considered.
D. May Event - The group discussed the resurgence of COVID19, the high level of uncertainty in the future, cost of the venue and hosting an event and positive outcome experienced by the leagues. A motion was made by Stephanie Clark and seconded by Pat Waughtal that the 2021 Event will utilize electronic competition. Thus cancelling the May 2021 event at Lone Star Convention Center. It was further moved that this year no demos or workshops will be attempted in May in conjunction with the competition. The motion carried unanimously. Further discussion followed concerning the distribution of ribbons, different means of sharing slideshow of entries and winners and possibilities of receptions or displays.
Golda Rader volunteered to chair the committee and was joined by Stephanie Clark, Donna George, Richard and Carol Faviell, Marcie O'Neall and Brenda Bowman. Stephanie Clark stated we could attempt virtual workshops and demos at a later date or host a small event with the winning pieces. Lastly, the group discussed the need to review the existing categories in the near future.
E. By-Law changes - Schiller announced that several By-law amendments had been received from Livingston Art League. (Attached) She explained that a reading of the By-Laws found two options available, one was for the Board to review and move the amendments forward or send them to Committee for further review. After discussion, a motion was made by Charman Clevenger and seconded by Kay Lyn Whitcomb to send the amendments to a committee provided they could be voted on and implemented by May 2021, if moved forward and approved. The motion carried unanimously. Schiller reported that Alice Van Farrow, former President, had offered to chair the committee and we would be seeking volunteers.
6. Closing Remarks - Schiller thanked everyone for joining the meeting. The group discussed the positive attributes of zoom but agreed they missed the interaction with other members. A motion was made by Marcie O'Neall and seconded by Golda Rader To adjourn at 12:37 pm.