S.E. GA. WOODWORKERS’ GUILD

April 10, 2007 —Meeting Minutes

Our regular General Membership monthly business meeting was held at the shop of Mike Rietveld at 7:30pm .  Russell Christmas, President, opened the meeting at 7:35pm .  11 persons attending (Russell Christmas, Allen Kuhl, Judy Kuhl, Mike Rietveld, Roy Millsaps, John Herald, Pat Clark, Tom Trahan, Glenn Wiederman, Sandra Meyer, and Mike Hanna).

Officers:  Russell Christmas—President,

                 John Herald—Vice-President,

                Allen Kuhl—Secretary/Treasurer

Opening/ Old Business:

1.  The “Pledge of Allegiance” was conducted.

2.  Secretary’s Report was read and approved.

3.  Treasurer’s Report was read and approved, with $542.86 in account.

4.  Membership report:  No new member joinings this month.   

5.  Raffle/Festival Committee report:  (by John Herald/ Sandra Meyer) Our raffle item project was a great success and will continue.  The next Festival is the Woodbine Crawfish Festival, Friday and Saturday, April 27-28.  Discussion was made about our Raffle project and Tom Trahan has made the item for Raffle drawing.  Manning schedule was discussed. 

6.  V/P minute:  Continuing the Phone Tree is a definite benefit.  Update is handled through Mike Hanna (and Curt Johnson).  E-mail will also be utilized for those who have e-mail, and mailings will be sent to those who are without e-mail, as much as possible.

7.  Turners’ meeting report:  Mike Rietveld reported there has been good turnout for meetings, and hands-on work projects are on-going.  We will again be offering beginning techniques instruction.  (For any new members who attend our meetings, we will provide instruction and safety precautions commensurate with their abilities).  Possibilities for guest speakers/instructors, and video presentations discussed.

8.  Sponsoring members:  It was approved to setup a sponsor (one-on-one) for new members, so they can have someone to identify with for questions, guidance and indoctrination into the Woodworkers’ Guild. 

9.  Website:  Curt Johnson reported that our Guild website is in links of other websites (such as Woodcraft, Women in Woodworking, etc).  Curt would like to have more input from members so he can present a monthly “featured members” with a biography, items made, pictures, etc. of the individual.  He is in process of setting up a “dedicated” computer for the Guild.  A “Guild Directory” is also available and being worked on for members.

10.  Roy Millsaps is offering classes in “ Marquetry” (limited to 4 persons) beginning in February.  Please call him for scheduling.  Also will have “Inlay” classes coming up.  Roy has requested all his classes and his time will be on an appointment schedule only.

11.  Meetings for Guild:  Discussion was made as to our meeting setup.  Currently we have a business meeting once monthly (involving mostly discussion) for General Membership, and a Turner’s meeting once a month for those interested in hands-on work.  It was motioned and approved that we also have quarterly work meetings scheduled for General Membership (beginning in March), and 2-3 times for Christmas (project work).  That would allow actual participation and potential for additional memberships.  Also discussed was more demos and “skills” training/teaching (such as Mike Hanna with “Cabinetry”, Russell with “Cutting Boards, etc”).  Anyone with a skill has potential to be a teacher. 

      a.  Our first “Christmas Project” workers’ meeting will be on Apr 21 at Roy Millsaps’ shop, for Stage 1 of “Keepsake Boxes”.

      b.  Mike Hanna is setting up classes in “Cabinetry”, and his schedule can be seen at his website:  mthwoodwork.com.      

New Business:

1.  Russell presented the Guild “By-Laws” in affiliation with the AAW (Wood Turner’s Association) and how that would fit into our Guild organization.  Our Guild “By-Laws” were discussed at length with the members present for changes, improvements, and wording/grammar.  The new “By-Laws” will be e-mailed out ASAP for viewing.

2.  Dues:  Our current dues are $20.00 per year per family, covering the period from August thru July each year (pro-rated for new members joining in mid-year).  It was discussed and voted with approval that our dues will be $35.00 per year per family (and pro-rated as before), beginning with August 2007 as new year.   

3.  A Presidential “Discretionary Fund” (Petty Cash) was discussed and approved for the President to authorize funds up to $75.00 on an “as needed” basis.  Receipts need to be shown for disbursements.

4.  Discussion of a “PO Box” for the Guild address was brought up and will be looked into further.

(Russell Christmas adjourned the business meeting at 9:15pm ).

Show & Tell:

1.  Russell Christmas:  Wine Bottle Rack.

2.  John Herald:  Circular Saw “Sled”.

Safety Video / Demo :  None.

Next GUILD meetings:

1)  Apr 21—“Keepsake Boxes” worker’s meeting at Roy Millsaps’ shop.

2)  Apr 27-28—Woodbine Crawfish Festival.

3)  Turner’s Meeting—Wednesday, May 2nd, at 7:30pm at Mike Rietveld’s shop.

4)  Guild general business meeting--Tuesday, May 8th, at 7:30pm at Mike Rietveld’s shop.