BOARD MEETING |Minutes
May 9, 2025
|
James R. Pleasants, President Abbey Rosenwald, Vice President Lyman Whelan, Treasurer Vanessa Henderson, Secretary Barbara von Schreiber Darryl Wright Judy Jackson Kathy Wenning Krystyana Czeiner Sam Funk Woodrow Campbell |
I.
Rod Plesants, President
a.
Call to order;
b.
Call for approval of Annual Minutes by the Board
(read by Megan Marden);
c.
Announcement that current Interim Executive
Director, Megan Marden, is stepping down
d.
Introduction NEW Interim executive Director,
Nathanial Cardonsky
II.
Reports from Board Members &
Chairs
a.
Building
report, Darryl Wright
i. Brick side of the building is being
considered for a mural; the Washington Fire Dept turns 100 in 2026 and thinking
of painting a mural in response on the side of the building for a temporary
time
ii. For now, the focus on the primary
building is deferred maintenance
iii. Pottery studio has undergone major
upgrades to help facilitate the growing demand of classes
iv. Painting studio heat has been fixed
and new lighting for the time being
b.
Finance
report, Bob Whelan
i. Quarterly Report and Budget for 2025
produced. WAA has a strong asset to liability; new worth is commendable
ii. Highlights: Q1 WAA is operating at a
deficit; primary drivers of revenue: education, donations, and exhibits,
memberships
iii. Vote to approve 2025 Budget – Motion
made, second, approved
c.
Bylaws
report, Woody Campbell
i. A committee has been identified and
met earlier in the week to discuss a wide array of topics another meeting has
been scheduled
d.
Executive
Director Search report, Judy Jackson
i. The Committee has identified (3)
candidates, presented the CVs to the Board and will be making its decision by
June 1, 2025. JD is on the WAA website under ‘Our Story.’ Final decision to be
announced to WAA membership after June 1.
e.
Special
Events report, Krystyana Czeiner
i. The Board is discussing a meet and
greet mixer to take place in September
ii. The committee is reviewing whether a
large event like a gala makes economic sense and is exploring other options are
it relates to fund raising opportunities for the Association.
III.
Open Business
a.
Exhibitions
report, Megan Marden
i. Current Schedule update; Upcoming
Events review; Sculpture Show in July will include some members from WAA; 2026
is filling up including faculty show and possibly student in combination;
painting and sculpture possibly being one, and photography and works on paper
as a separate show
b.
Grant
funding report, Megan Marden
i. While WAA continues to submit
requests for grant monies for 2025/26, we are anticipating a shortage of
approvals due to directives taken under the current administration with greater
prioritization of federal funding going toward foodbanks
c.
Document
availability, Megan Marden
i. Documents are available in the WAA
office to any member who would like to come in to preview in person. Once
approved by the Board, minutes from general Board meetings are posted to the
WAA website
d.
Archival
report, Ginger Nelsen (volunteer)
i. Ginger is heading a temporary
committee of members to help identify, organize, protect, and record WAA’s
historic artifacts and articles. This project will be a work in progress and
Ginger will report findings and request any needs that may come of the project
to the Board as needed.
e.
Education
report, Souby Boski (volunteer)
i. Recommendation that a committee be
formed ASAP
ii. Two summer sessions have been planned
iii. 2025 spring education registration is
up 20%
iv. Multiple workshops are being planned
to gauge appetite across mediums and locations, i.e. Norman Sunshine Center,
Hollister House
IV. New Business
i.
Norman
Sunshine Center, Darryl Wright – currently reviewing needs to make the building
ADA compliant
ii.
Elizabeth
MacDonald Scholarship | Give Local Results, Rod Pleasants
a
The
MacDonald Scholarship will be funded with $10,000 from proceeds from the Give
Local fundraise
V. Floor open to membership for
questions
i.
Question regarding how quickly the Board will be able to fill the seats
of Executive Director as well as Assistant Executive Director; the Board
highlighted that significant actions are currently underway and the ED
committee is working diligently to fill the position(s)