S.E. GA. WOODWORKERS’ GUILD

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, Tom Trahan, Jeff Chavis, Mike Hanna, and new members John and James Rivera).

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 $655.86 in account.

4.  Membership report:  1 paid new member joinings at this meeting:  John Rivera and (son) James Rivera (10 yrs old).  Sponsor:  Russell Christmas.   

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

6.  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 quarterly), beginning with August 2007 as new year, and incorporated into the By-Laws.  

7.  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.

 New Business:

1.  Russell presented the Guild “By-Laws” for approval by the general membership.  The ‘By-Laws” were discussed and a motion was made and approved to finalize the “By-Laws” once the Post Office Box has been established and approval date changed to reflect the addition of the Post Office box..  It was approved to get the Post Office Box through “Mail & More” for $57.00/year.  Russell will be going to get us signed up within the next week.

2.  “Charter Members” signing:  it was motioned and approved to include a “Charter Members” page or addendum to the “By-Laws” for all the current members to sign.  Then the “By-Laws” will be kept by the Guild Secretary.  (Eventually, when we get a permanent building, the By-Laws and Charter Members page could be framed).

3.  Discussion was made by Mike Hanna about our Flyers/Handouts for Festivals.  He gave some ideas for improving the handout we used for the Woodbine Crawfish Festival, and volunteered to create a “better” Flyer/Handout.  More at next meeting.

4.  Festivals:

     a)  Next Festival is 4^th of July.  Discussion was made about the Raffle, and John Herald was volunteered to make pen sets, and Russell has some display boxes he is volunteering.

     b)  Grading/criteria of items for sale/display at Festivals:  a discussion followed as to what criteria we should have allowing items for our booth.  A “beginner” display was considered, and a “Master” classification was discussed as to what constitutes a “Master”.  This discussion was tabled by Russell until next meeting.

5.  Elections:

     It is nearing election time again, so it was mentioned to bring nominations to next meeting, for election in July.

Next meeting will be on June 12 at Mike Rietveld’s shop.

(Russell Christmas adjourned the business meeting at 8:50pm).

Show & Tell:

1.  Tom Trahan:  bowls (Amboyna Burl, and Purple Heart).

2.  Mike Rietveld:  bowls (Norfolk Island Pine, Citrus Crotchwood).

Safety Video / Demo:  None.

Next GUILD meetings:

1)  May 10—Mike Hanna classes begin for “Cabinetry” at Mike Hanna’s shop.

2)  Turner’s Meeting—Wednesday, June 6th, at 7:30pm at Mike Rietveld’s shop.

3)  Guild general business meeting--Tuesday, June 12th, at 7:30pm at Mike Rietveld’s shop.

4)  July 4^th Festival—Wednesday.

(Submitted by Allen Kuhl, Secretary)