PHG Board Meeting 2-25-21

Agenda
Portland Handweavers Guild Board Meeting
7 PM, February 25, 2021
Online Zoom Meeting

1. Call to Order – Meeting called to order 7:08pm
   1. Roll Call: Lynne Fitzsimmons, Chris Rossi, Sue Walsh, Lynette Peterson, Janis Johnson, Linda Edquist, Robin Korybski, Dan Steves, Maggie Patterson
2. Minutes approved (Lynne Fitzsimmons)
3. Treasurers Report (Lynette Peterson)
   • Still working through Paypal, detailed report will be provided within 2 weeks.
4. Workshop Policy Update and Revision Discussion (Lynne Fitzsimmons
   • There is no WEGO guild member surcharge (when the workshop is open to non-PHG members)
   • There is a $25 surcharge for those not belonging to a WEGO guild.  Also, if a registration is transferred from a PHG or WEGO guild member, the additional $25 should be assessed.
   • “Fees and costs” should be added to the overall workshop cost.  In the current reality that is Zoom and Paypal, but those are just examples.  Fees and costs is more general.
   • The same very long discussion on how much, if any, the guild should make on workshop fees.  The board is split between making money and not making money (or a lot of money).
   • In 2019-2020 workshops were budgeted to bring in $1500.  Same for 2020-2021.  In reality, workshops (after the pandemic refunds) netted $4368.
   • Our budget started out this year $1000 in the hole.
   • Dues collections this year have been $4800; budget is $8000.
   • The workshop prime directive is to Not Lose Money.  That said, it is expected that workshop participants should provide additional funding  to the guild through the fees.
   • It was noted that some members join just to be able to participate in our sales; it was also noted that that wasn’t happening this year.
   • Decision: reword the workshops costs/participants part on page 9.
   • Decision: section 11, guests, as in none, find it or add it.
   • Decision: section 5 cancellation and refunds, reword the schedule, as in refunds may be limited due to financial commitments to the workshop instructor.
   • Decision: service animals – allowed, but no therapy pigs.
   • Decision: Lynne will edit and call for another round of review.
5. Outreach (Dan’s conversation with Cooki M)
   • Our website doesn’t point new folks to education opportunities in the area, including members who teach.
   • Next newsletter will be asking members to share their teaching abilities, what they teach, and where they teach.
   • It will be called “Call for Instructors”, asking to topics and level of students
   • Terminology – what exactly does “multishift” mean?  8 or more?  More than 2?  Perhaps we should define/clarify when we ask.
   • Comments will be incoming, maybe a non-positive review of an instructor
   • We will be clear, no endorsement expressed or implied; potential students should do their research.
   • There will be a comment form.
   • Should we include yarn shops or just instructors?  It was noted that we already have a page where shops offer instruction.
   • Should we include something about major online purchase resources.  It was suggested we include the more obscure: Georgia Yarn Company, Jane Stafford Online Guild, Tien Chiu, Janet Dawson.
   • Also in the topic of outreach, we might want to continue in some form with Zoom meetings.
6. GOTG (Janis)
   • As of the deadline we have 26 vendors.  The members who rejoined; their dues will cover the GOTG website cost, but not all the overhead cost.  Might be some late applicants.
   • The graphic and website designers are doing nice work.
   • Spoke with Maggie and Cooki about demos during GOTG.  If the weather is decent, Janis will set up a loom in her yard.  Melody has signed on for demonstrations in Ruthie’s parking lot.
   • There will be a meeting to orient sellers who are totally new to online selling.  We are PHG and educational.  Topics to be covered are setting up a website or Etsy shop, and considerations for an event at your house.
   • GOTG website will stay up for a full year, got static after that.
7. WEGO (Sue)
   • They have received our membership check.
   • Collection of items for forest fire victims is on hold.
8. Grants
   • We should pursue that again (PHG grants to individuals).  Linda will work with Maggie for background information, information on the website and the next newsletter.
     • Maggie noted that the grants were intended for conference attendees.  As the conference isn’t happening this year, maybe we don’t need to do anything if we are short on budget.
   • Robin asked if we could buy rigid heddle looms for the outreach project with the Dorothy Scott grant?
     • It was noted that PHG is not a charitable organization.  It was suggested that in the future, the grant be sent to the Ruth Dabritz Legacy Project, which is a charitable organization.  (Many Legacy Project directors are on this call, perhaps a conflict of interest?)
     • Chris already sent the thank you note and would be reluctant to suggest that.  PHG was important to her.  It was made clear we are not a charitable nonprofit.
   • Back to the RH looms – it already in the budget, no need to use the grant money.
   • Maggie said she’d rather it be spent on a grant.
   • Sue suggested we use the Dorothy Scott grant to get a really good speaker, like Jason Collingwood. Someone really special.
   • Or our summer program.  Or Marian Stubenitsky.  With Zoom, big people are more accessible.
   • Back to the WEGO grant; where’s our money?
   • Megan Rothstein – an address is need to send her grant.  Janis will provide the address to Lynette.
   • It was noted that the WEGO grant usage is open.
9. Equipment Rental
   • Dan has updated the equipment rental page.