Highlights Newsletter December 2021

President's Palette

Changes, Changes, Changes

As we look toward the New Year, it always seems be a time of change. We inevitably make resolutions to improve something – be it our health by losing weight, catching up on backlogged correspondence, or even to quit procrastinating and finally clean out the basement or attic or maybe just our desktop. Some people even take the leap toward retirement.

Several months ago our hardworking Treasurer since 2011, Gaye Holcomb, announced hers and we searched in vain for a replacement. Gaye, even though her stature is diminutive, leaves big shoes to fill, and several folks have tried to fill them without success. Then at our last Board meeting Sharon Green, our Mid-Atlantic Chair for 13 years, announced that she will also be retiring in June (after 23 years on the board)! Yes, we knew that both of these changes were coming but that doesn’t make them any less of an upheaval.

Many of the positions on the Board require specific skills – for example the Treasurer’s position requires basic accounting skills, computer skills and familiarity with spreadsheets and databases due to our use of Wild Apricot and its payment module AffiniPay. The Mid-Atlantic Exhibit Chair not only locates venues and jurors but negotiates contracts, organizes the exhibit, receives painting images (a high percentage of which must be resized as they were incorrectly submitted), etc., etc., etc., all of which requite computer and juggling skills. How do we find members who might serve in these positions?

Do you remember those surveys you are asked to fill out each year when you pay your dues? There are questions in them about volunteering and what skills you possess which could serve our organization. Ah ha! Several of us spend time pouring over them to find people with the talents needed in specific jobs – I know that I do. April Rimpo is currently revamping the survey so it will be even more useful in finding volunteers. Another way to volunteer is to ask members of the Board how you can serve BWS and we can put your name and interests on a list for prospective Board Members.

But back to the retirements and changes – some which involve current Board members changing responsibilities and some of which involve new or returning Board members:

1) So Gaye Holcomb, BWS Treasurer, is retiring in January and April Rimpo has left her position of Membership/Database Chair (where she juggled statistics and every data problem imaginable since 2004) to take over as the Treasurer.

2) This change left the Membership/Database Chair empty. New Signature Artist (via three acceptances in the Mid-Atlantic) Janice Hendra will be joining the Board and taking over there, putting to work her skills gleaned from being a systems analyst for 30 years.

3) Sharon Green’s retirement will leave the Mid-Atlantic Exhibit Chair open and now Stacy Lund Levy has stepped in to take over those reins. Stacy has been our Membership/Jurying Chair since 2018.

4) Membership/Jurying – with the departure of Stacy as Jurying Chair, Kathleen Gardiner will join the Board and take over that position, to guide applicants through the process toward Signature Membership.

5) Mid-Atlantic Awards Co-Chair, Dana Kleinsteuber is transitioning to the re-instituted Programs/Events Chair position as we will be doing more short programs and demos in the upcoming year(s). Janet Freeman has now joined the Board as part of the Mid-Atlantic Awards solicitation group.

6) Lastly, Jeffery Turner resigned from Exhibits this Fall due to other heavy commitments and is being replaced by Jennifer Kohn Murtha who is returning to the Board, having worked previously on Exhibits from 2004-2005 and who is already busy lining up venues.

I know these seven changes are a lot to take in – I have to use a flow chart to keep everything/everyone straight – and though we are so sad to lose our beloved Sharon and Gaye as we owe them a debt of gratitude for so many years of excellent service to BWS, we are excited to welcome the new faces and talents of Janice, Kathleen, Janet and Jennifer to join us. You will learn more about these folks in the months to come from their bios in the newsletter, but know that we, and they, are looking forward to an exciting New Year of working for you and BWS.

So from our homes to yours, the BWS Board and I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a Blessed and Healthy New Year,

As always, 

Sherry