Washington Desert Sagebrushers N

At this writing, it is still December and already the new board of officers is working feverishly to make the New Year a productive and positive start for our chapter. As members, all of us will have many decisions to make about concerning where we want to go as a chapter, what we want to do as a chapter and how we plan to get there. At the next meeting we will be covering lots of items which will require our input and our participation in making our chapter successful. Some of these items are listed below.

Bylaws and Standing Rules Update:
This newsletter contains your Board’s suggested revisions of our bylaws. Please be sure to read them and come to the meeting ready to vote. This is a business matter which needs submitted to the National Society as soon as possible so that we may operate within our desired operational guidelines.

Members on the Internet: The internet can be a great tool to broaden lines of communication. It is handy to receive ideas and suggestions from our members because it can read at our leisure. It gives us time to ponder the information shared. The great majority of members have an email account. I am requesting that each of you begin checking for WDS communication. You are invited to do a “Reply to All” to the messages which I send. Hopefully, this will encourage a feeling of friendship and continuity among us, in spite of our busy schedules.

Because all of us can get quite busy and harried even with our email, please feel free to request clarification or additional information if something does not seem quite clear. So, a “Hey Jeanie, Did you mean this or ….. Etc” is most welcome. Please feel free to print the message, make notes on that message and bring it with you to the meeting. Feel free to communicate to myself and any board member.

WDS Website: http://www.owt.com/toleart/ The Washington Desert Sagebrushers website has just been updated. My goal, as the web master, is to include our monthly newsletter on our website. If you have things you would like to see included, please contact me.

For those of you who have yet to visit our website, there is a link to the Society of Decorative Painters. You can find local chapters across the United States. Many chapter websites has included their monthly newsletter. I found these letters quite informational and a great resource of chapter ideas.

Travel Teachers: Ladies, it is really getting late. Plan to attend the January meeting so that we can make decisions concerning travel teacher selection. Please bring your suggestions along with a sample of the teacher’s work and how we may contact that teacher.

Local Paint-Ins: Be thinking about what you would like to see for classes by our own members and our own teachers. Be thinking about the techniques and projects you would like to see offered. Can we consider a one-day class for teachers who want to give a short class? You may want to suggest a project which would span more than one meeting. We would need feedback from both the teachers and our members.

Local Teacher Incentive: Be thinking about offering an increase in incentive for our chapter teachers. How should we compensate our local teachers, who put so much time into class preparation for all of us to go away with a new learned skill or technique? I personally have decreased teaching because of the stress, the work and the preparation involved to give a class. So how can we show our support for our own talented pool of teachers?

As you can see, we have lots to talk about and lots to decide at our next meeting. Feel free to make notes on your newsletter and bring it with you at our next meeting.

BYLAWS FOR A CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF TOLE AND DECORATIVE PAINTERS, INC.

Please review the following bylaws and the recommended changes so that we may discuss the proposed changes and vote on them at our next meeting which is Monday, January 19, 2004. The proposed changes are identified with an ·.

1. The Membership in this chapter is open to persons who are members in good standing of the Society, and who in accepting membership, thereby agree to be bound in all things not contrary to law by these bylaws and those of the Society.

2. Non-resident members of the Society may visit this chapter as specified in the Standing Rules.

2. Membership dues shall be paid annually on a calendar year basis. Dues for the ensuing calendar year are payable October 1 and delinquent November 1. New membership privileges are effective October 1, with the exception of voting or running for office which shall begin January 1.

· Recommended change: Change “dues are delinquent November 1 to December 1”.

1. Regular meetings of this chapter shall be held as stated in the Standing Rules.

2. The Board of Directors shall have authority to change dates of meetings, and set places and times for meetings, provided sufficient notice is given to members.

4. The privilege of holding office, making motions, debating and voting, shall be limited to members in good standing for the current calendar year.

1. The elected officers of this chapter shall be President, 1^st. Vice President, 2^nd Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.

2. The term of office shall be one year. No officer may hold the same office for more than two consecutive full terms.

· Recommended change: Delete “No officer may hold the same office for more than two consecutive full terms”.

a. The President shall preside at meetings of the chapter and meetings of the Board if Directors; shall be member ex-officio of all committees, with the exception of the nominating committee; shall sign checks in the absence of the treasurer; and shall perform such other duties as usually pertain to the office. The President shall be responsible to see that all required reports and correspondence are sent to the Society Officers.

b. The 1^st Vice President shall preside in the absence of the President; shall assist the President; and serve with responsibilities as stated in the Standing Rules.

c. The 2^nd Vice President shall serve with responsibilities as stated in the Standing Rules.

d. The Secretary shall record minutes of all meetings of the chapter and of the Board of Directors. These minutes shall be kept in books which are the property of the chapter, and shall be a complete and clear record of activities. The Secretary shall provide a copy of the minutes of each meeting to the Society Office.

· Recommended change: The Secretary shall provide a copy of the minutes to the Newsletter Chairman to be printed in the next newsletter and a copy of the newsletter is sent to the Society office.

e. The Treasurer shall receive all monies of the chapter, shall keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures, pay all bills upon approval of the Board of Directors, present a statement of account at every meeting of the chapter and when requested by the Board of Directors, and shall prepare a complete report at the end of the calendar year. The Treasurer shall provide a copy of the report to the President to be sent to the Society office with the Annual Report.

1. Appointed officers of the chapter may be appointed for special duties as deemed necessary by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors.

a. The President may appoint, with the approval of the elected officers, the Newsletter Editor and Ways and Means Chairman, all of whom shall serve on the Board of Directors with vote.

b. The term of office shall be one year. No appointed officer may hold the same office for more than two consecutive full terms.

· Recommended Change: Delete “No appointed officer may hold the same office for more than two consecutive full terms”.

c. The number of appointed officers with vote, shall not exceed the number of elected officers.

2. The President may appoint the Parliamentarian who shall attend both Board and Chapter meetings, but shall not be a voting member of the Board.

1. The Board of Directors shall consist of the elected officers, Newsletter Editor, and Ways and Means Chairman

a. To transact necessary business in the intervals between chapter meetings and such other business as may be referred to it by the chapter.

c. To review all unbudgeted expenses and make recommendations to the chapter regarding payment.

3. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall normally be held prior to the regular chapter meetings. Majority shall constitute a quorum. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the President, and shall be called by the President upon written request of two members of the Board.

1. The Board of Directors, upon recommendation of the Treasurer, shall designate all financial institutions which shall be the depository of the chapter funds. Signature cards shall be executed by the President and Treasurer.

2. To insure that accounting procedures are accurate, consistent, and current, a year end audit of the Treasurer’s records shall be performed by an audit committee designated by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall not serve on the audit committee.

1. Standing committees may be created as needed to promote the objectives and interests of the chapter. Chairmen and members shall be appointed by the President, with the approval of the Board of Directors. Each member shall serve for a term of one year, and may serve no more than two consecutive full terms in the same position.

2. Special committees may be created at the discretion of the President , with the approval of the Board of Directors. The duties of any special committees shall be stated upon their appointment, and such committees shall cease to exist when their final report is accepted or adopted.

3. No committee work or monies expended shall be undertaken without approval of the Board of Directors

a. The Nominating Committee composed of not less than three (3) nor more than five (5) members, shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the Board of Directors. The Nominating Committee shall be appointed at least two months before the meeting at which elections will be held.

b. The Nominating Committee shall prepare a slate for the election of officers and shall submit it to the members at least two weeks prior to the meeting at which elections will be held.

c. There shall be provision for nominations from the floor for each office at the meeting at which elections are held, provided that prior consent of nominee has been obtained.

a. Officers shall be elected prior to the first of the year, and shall take office January 1, and shall hold office until a successor is duly named.

b. A majority vote is required to elect. If there is more than one candidate for office, voting shall be by written ballot.

· Recommended Change: “If there is more than one candidate for office, voting shall be by written ballot at the meeting or absentee ballot received prior to the election meeting”.

c. Vacancies in office shall be filled by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

1. Proposed amendments to these bylaws shall be submitted in writing to the President for review by the Board of Directors.

2. Prior to voting upon them, all proposed amendments to the bylaws must be submitted to the Society for approval.

3. After approval by the Society, these bylaws may be altered or changed by a 2/3 vote of the members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present, provided that the proposed changes have been presented in writing to the members at least two weeks to the meeting at which voting takes place.

4. If at two successive meetings, a quorum has not been present, these bylaws can be changed upon written ballot of the members, provided that a majority of the members return the written ballot.

Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters not in conflict with these bylaws, or the bylaws of the Society.

In the event of dissolution of the chapter, all liabilities and obligations of the chapter shall be paid, satisfied, and discharged, or adequate provision made therefore. Any remaining funds as are in the treasury at the time shall be given to the Society or to the Decorative Arts Collection, Inc. as determined by a majority of the remaining members. Any remaining assets shall also be given to the Society, or to the Decorative Arts Collection, Inc., as determined by the majority of the membership remaining.

STANDING RULES THE WASHINGTON DESERT SAGEBRUSHERS
CHAPTER THE SOCIETY OF DECORATIVE PAINTERS/NSDP

Please review the following Standing Rules and the proposed changes to be discussed and voted on at our next meeting on January 19, 2004.

1. Membership dues shall be $15.00 per year and shall be payable to correspond with payment of dues to the Society.

2. The financial records of this chapter shall be kept on a calendar year basis, from January 1, through December 31.

3. Business meetings of the chapter shall be held not less than four (4) times annually. Normally the chapter meets every month.

6. A grant may be presented annually to the President for the purpose of attending the Leadership Conference and the Annual Meeting of the Society. If the President is unable to attend, the grant may be offered to another officer. The officer receiving this grant shall attend the Leadership Conference, the Annual Meeting, and those functions that will benefit the chapter, and shall be expected to provide a report to the chapter. No member shall receive this grant more than once.

· Recommended Change: A grant “which is an approved line item in the budget may be presented to the President for the purpose of attending the Leadership Conference and the Annual Meeting of the Society”.

7. These Standing Rules may be amended by a majority of the voters at any meeting wherein there is a quorum. Any changes so made in these Standing Rules are provisional and subject to the approval by the society.

8. Non-resident members of the Society may visit this chapter not more than one (1) time each year, without payment of dues to the chapter.

9. Non-member guests may visit this chapter not more than one (1) time a year without payment of dues to both the Society and the chapter.

· Recommended Change: “Non-member guests may visit this chapter not more than three (3) times without payment of dues to both the Society and the chapter.

10. A Household Membership will be available to those residing in the same house. They must be members of the Society. The Cost for the first member is $15.00. Each subsequent membership is $7.50. Only one newsletter will be sent per household.

CODE OF ETHICS For Chapters of the National Society of Decorative Painters, Inc

As members of a Chapter of the Society of Decorative Painters, our purpose in common with that of the Society, is the promotion of decorative painting. To this end we pledge ourselves to support the goals and purposes of the Chapter and the Society and . . . .

To keep the lines of communication open with fellow Chapter and Society members, respecting one another and following appropriate lines of communication.

To remember the importance of an active membership, contributing our time and talents.

To respect the rights of each member individually, and the right of the majority to govern, therefore supporting the decision of the majority, regardless of how we personally voted.

To support the leaders who serve the Chapter, cooperating with the current leaders, respecting the time dedicated service of past leaders, and when completing our terms as officers, relinquishing our responsibilities cheerfully to support the new leaders.

To promote a friendly Chapter environment where Chapter members motivate and inspire one another, and where differences of opinion are accepted without a need to continue to discuss past differences.

To accept and respect the varied reasons members have for Chapter membership and the varied skill levels they represent.

To remember that the Chapter is not a business and should not be used either to promote any specific individual or business or to create business for itself, thus competing with members who are in business.

To realize that the conduct and activities of the Chapter and its members reflect on the entire Society of which it is a part.

As members of the Chapter and the Society we acknowledge that this code of ethics is an expression of our determination to maintain high professional standards and it is only the conscience of the individual who subscribes to this code that can guarantee it effectiveness.

The following programs/monthly projects have been scheduled. These are tentative dates at this time and will be updated as new classes are added or traveling teachers are confirmed.

January 19 Memory Boxes-OnAWhim Ceramics, 4307 W. Court Street, Pasco, 543-6892. This is a Monday night meeting and will start at 6:30 PM. Thank you to Marilyn Swearingen’s daughter for providing the location for our meeting. Memory boxes will be available as well as patterns. If you have a paper marche’ box that you wish to use or have started or your own pattern, you can certainly use it. We really need memory boxes, so please join us for this fun paint session.

Be sure to bring your Paint Works copy for Sherrie Huff to sign. We will have cake and coffee and Sherrie will tell us about her submission and the process to get published. We also have chapter business to discuss and you should bring your copy of the Bylaws and Standing Rules with the proposed changes to the meeting. These are included in this newsletter.

February 14 Valentine Boxes-This is a Saturday morning class beginning at 9:30 AM at Banner Bank in Kennewick. Paula Thompson will do a class on Valentine Boxes. You will need to provide the box of your choice and it should be base coated with your favorite color or technique (sponged, crackle, etc.). We will use some stenciling, painting, and ribbon work. The stencils will be provided. These can be used for memory boxes if you wish to donate them and they are the appropriate size. If you wish to do a silk floral or silk plant arrangement in your box, please provide the silk flowers or plants and Paula will help you arrange them in the box and attach the lid. If you want to use large bows in your arrangement or on the top of the box, you will need at least three yards of ribbon that will enhance the colors you are using. Paula will provide wire, floral tape and tools needed to complete the arrangements and she will also have some ribbon and trim. Let’s be creative and have fun!

April date and time and project to be decided. Instructor will be Chris Rawlins.

May 3 and 10 This will be a two day project. The instructor will be Susan Schieman and we will do a Mermaid Purse. Susan will provide the purse packet at a very reasonable price.

June 26 and 27 Traveling instructor Linda McFadden. Project, location, cost etc. will be announced at a later date.

The remaining monthly meetings will be added as they are confirmed and the newsletter will contain information on the next month’s class in detail.

I want to thank all of you for the wonderful year and also to thank you for the darling snowman you gave me at the Christmas Party. It is so cute and will look really great as the cards come in and I stick them in it. I also want to thank Chris and Boots for the wonderful job they did on the Christmas Party, The coloring of the notebooks and the gift game were SUPER. Hope you all have a wonderful New Year and I wish Jeanie and her Board all the best.

We collected $1,108 on our two raffles this year. After expenses we had a profit of $571.82. Our top ticket seller was Sharon Roylance. She sold $80.00 of tickets. She also sold the winning ticket on the Victorian Swan Box to J. Otto. The children’s table and chairs was sold at Cranberries on Friday. The winner was Wendy Holsten of Kennewick. She arrived at the Christmas Party with her 3-1/2 year old twins (boy and girl) to claim the prize. She was so excited! The little boy, as we were walking out to the car with the item said, “They didn’t bring the chairs”. But mom assured him that we were right behind the table and he and his sister also got the chairs.

Two of our talented members have been published recently. Sherrie Huff in Paint Works and Jeanie Dixon’s giant gourd coffee table was included in Mickey Basket’s book, “Glorious Gourd Decorating”. Congratulations to both of these members.

Josie Beach and Cynthia Faith have volunteered to be our 2004 Ways and Means Committee. The proposed raffle ticket project will be on display at the January 19, meeting and they include a Grandmother’s Clock, Wicker Basket Chest and a Carousel Horse on a stand. If you have any suggestions, please bring them.

Also, if you have program suggestions or instructor information, please bring them to share with the other members at our January meeting.

New members are always welcome. If you have names or prospective members, please give them to Cle Ella so she can follow up with a membership application, club information and have them join us as a guest.

Cle Ella Mattox-Sapp, 1^st. Vice President, Membership
Lois Collins, 2^nd Vice President, Programs

As we begin the new year with our newsletter, we would like input from you on articles you would like to see included. The Presidents letter, financial statement and information for the next meeting are always a part of the newsletter, but we can alternate the membership roster, board members etc., with articles or information that would be of interest to everyone.

For instance, would you like a short article from a teacher, patterns, or techniques? If you know of a great technique (prepping, painting or finishing or medium) that you have tried and think it would be helpful to other members, you can submit it to be included in the newsletter. Remember, we cannot promote a product or business. If you are having a problem with a particular project, send in your question or problem, maybe someone will have an answer or suggestion.

Since we have to keep our newsletter to approximately six pages, we will screen all submissions and try to include the most beneficial in a timely manner. You can forward your submissions to: Paula Thompson, 777 McMurray #1, Richland, WA. 99352, or e-mail DT2131 @AOL.com. Please review the membership roster and verify that your name is spelled correctly, your address, phone number, e-mail address and cell number are all correct. If there are errors, or you need to update any of the information, please let me know. If you wish to discuss an article or submission, you can contact me at 946-4265.

Also, if you have not paid your 2004 dues, unfortunately this will be the last newsletter we can send you until your dues are paid,

*A Woman’s (real) Prayer*
Now I lay me down to sleep I pray the Lord My shape to keep. Please, no wrinkles, Please no bags And please lift my butt Before it sags. Please, no age spots, Please, no gray And as for my belly, Please take it away. Please keep me healthy Please keep me young, And thank you Dear Lord For all that you’ve done.