Letter from the President - May 2012

Gillian Govan

Greetings,

I have many failings. One of them is that to read the newsletters I print them, then sit comfortably and read them. My second failing is that I hoard and collect so the newsletters get filed away in a white folder. The other evening I was browsing through the folder. Interesting. The first newsletter I opened featured my talk about my concrete sculptures in Novemberr 2002. I was surprised to find that I have been a member for over 10 years. Looking on I noted in that time we have had 5 presidents all but one have remained members and continue in very active roles to ensure the smooth running of the association.

In reading the past president letters I note that the same issues are relevant now as were 10 years ago:
Shortage of Volunteers. Need for a home. Running a website. Finding venues for and organising exhibitions.

On the positive side . We have a terrific group of people who are passionate about their work. We put together very professional well curated exhibitions. We learn a great deal from each others experiences and techniques and we have a website that has served us well and a new one about to be launched.

The main thread running through all the newsletters was the cry for help to maintain all these positives. As with all voluntary organisations there is a small group who do so much but there are a lot of little things that could be done by others that would lighten their load. Last month Jenny mentioned in the newsletter that she would like someone to help with posting out the few postal newsletters. The silence was deafening. The work in all exhibitions is photographed and after every exhibition the photos are put on the website. All have to be resized and manipulated to good images. We have some good photographers in our midst who I am sure would be glad to help. It would also save a lot of work if good images were presented at the time of entry into exhibitions. With the new website and digital photography this can happen.

Our new website is great and will make entering exhibitions and becoming members, paying fees etc a lot simpler but we still need someone with computer skills to help with the smooth running of the site. Some of you young computer savvy members could do it with eyes closed!

Our vice president has spent a great deal of his very limited spare time this month putting in a proposal to share occupancy of a site in Collingwood. He did a brilliant job. Are there any members who would be prepared to assist in further negotiations?


Beatrice will be coordinating this years Annual Exhibition and Awards. But will be glad of some help.

When I first joined the association we had monthly meetings with speakers as we do now . But as many would remember a large slice of the evenings was spent discussing the running of the association. During my time as Activities coordinator I found that members did not want to spend the evening listening to reports, budgets, correspondence etc. So the monthly meetings have become just enjoyable social and informative events.

I am therefore using the medium of the newletter to convey to you a little about what happens back stage in the hope that a few will come forward and offer some help. The contact details of the committee can be found at the end of the newsletter . With thanks in anticipation.

Happy Sculpting
Gillian Govan