FS Board Meeting Minutes, June 2015
Steffi, Susie, Bill, Cory, Maggie, Hayami, Bart
Committee Business:
* Publications - Schiffer is interested in doing another book around the Philly Conference
* Conference -
2017: discussion of partnering with another craft organization; discussion of a "mini-emma"; discussion regarding location
- Arrowmont? concerns about remote-ness (ala Port Townsend), craft-iness;
- consensus that a regionally important ex-industrial city might be a good location - cleveland, indianapolis, detroit, milwaukee, oakland
2018 - discussed Minneapolis, in conjunction with American Craft Council
* Industry Partnership -
There are two basic groups to partner with:
1) AWFS: ShopBot, Powermatic, etc;
2) Manufacturers: Bernhardt Design, Furniture Library, etc
Steffi going to AWFS and participating in educational speed dating
Discussed Regina's branding presentation
Agreed we need to have projects that we want funding for
Opportunities for funding:
@ Conference - keynote, students, exhibitions
Outside Conference -
exhibitions - faculty selects; underwrite @ some show;
business - internship programs; mini-mentoring/volunteer hours; business incubator role
* Exhibitions
Discussed ways to improve the exhibition process at American Tobacco
Discussed whether to continue relationship with ICFF
Discussion of changes needed to ensure long term viability. This included a discussion of:
* upcoming changes to the board - Steffi rotating off in January, and few can commit as much time as she has;
* our financial position: not great, but we can continue as we are for a few years.
* our individual concerns for the organization:
Steffi - Transitions; development - visibility,partnerships,donors; Procedures/Documentation
Susie - Staffing,Branding/Message;Clarity of Communication; Quality Control
Maggie - Staffing; Conference - 2016 & beyond; Marketing - website, social media
Cory - Staffing; membership drive; development
Bart - Staffing; Website; Integrating Communication
Bill - Sustainability; Accounting Efficiences; Internal Controls
Hayami - ICFF; Staffing; Membership
Consensus that 1) the organization needs a leader in the role of an executive director; 2) we are in a financial position to make a reasonable offer
Susie Silbert motioned, Bart Niswonger seconded, to form a search committee for an executive director.
Meeting adjourned