Board Minutes Jan 2023

(Corrected 1/27/23)
January 10, 2023, 9:30 am – Zoom Meeting
Board Members Present:  Kristi Kuder, Judi Celaschi, Kathrine McDowell, Ann Smith, Shanna Cramer, Sue Kalseim.  Absent was Mary Jo Wentz. 
Additional Attendees:  Debbie Ness

The agenda was reviewed. Sue added to the agenda discussion regarding the displaying artist’s policy.
Ann moved to approve the December 2022 minutes.  Sue seconded; motion carried.
The financial report was presented by Ann and Debbie.  Judi moved to approve the financial report.  Seconded by Sue; motion carried.

Old Business
Committee Updates

• Arts and Craft Fair: Debbie is building the registration process in Wild Apricot
• Plein Air: A meeting was held this week and a follow-up was scheduled for the 17th to set dates and locations for Paint Outs.  Shanna is conducting an Intro to Plein Air workshop in Fargo-Moorhead in May.  She will research the possibility of sharing the presentation vis video, or a Zoom call.
• Building:  Debbie has communicated with the contractor and work will be scheduled soon.
• Gallery: 
  • Displaying artists have been contacted to pick up Christmas artwork and the back of the Gallery has been cleared to create space for winter workshops. 
  • Sue Kalsiem and Sandy Thimgan will review the policy for displaying artists and provide a proposal at the next Board meeting, that will accommodate gallery space. 
  • It was proposed that space be created in the Gallery to sell retail art materials especially related to workshops.
• Workshops:  Debbie reported that there were 19 workshops conducted in 2022.  Current workshops are being marketed via social media.  Kathrine will submit an ad in the local newspaper for upcoming events, as well as distribute flyers to the schools and daycare center. Volunteers are still needed.
• Studio Tour:  Kristi will be sending out an email to the open registration for the 2023 Studio Tour. Sandra Shaughnessy will be organizing a pre-tour for displaying artists.  AOTL Gallery will hold a spot on the tour map.
•  Membership:  Fifty-nine members have renewed for 2023, leaving 72 outstanding.  A link will be added to the website for members to volunteer for committees and other avenues of support.
• Battle Lake Network:   N/A
• Art in Local Business:  N/A
•  Grants/Fundraising:
  • Kristi will submit a request for a $3,000 LRAC grant to be used for a community tile stamping project.  This will be incorporated into the design of the new Center.
  • A ‘Milk Carton Boat’ race event will be pursued with the coordinator of Chief Wenonga Days.  This could be another potential grant request.

New Business

• Blandin Grant/New Center
  • Kristi will be meeting with Bruce Fuhrman regarding a timeline and lease agreements for the new center.  It was agreed that we rent space for events through 2023 and work toward furnishing the new center to be operational by April 2024.
  • Kathrine and Shanna will meet to discuss opening a separate social media account for fundraising for the new center.
  •  Ann made a motion to amend the recent approval of the Art of the Lakes Mission Statement.  Kathrine seconded; the motion carried.  Further discussion on the revision of the AOTL mission statement, as well as potentially establishing a separate mission statement for the new center will be an agenda item for the January 24 meeting.
  • Kathrine made a motion to survey AOTL membership to get their input on the naming of the new center, as well as establish a mission statement that would be more encompassing and meaningful for the entire community.  Shanna seconded; motion carried.
  • Ann proposed setting up an Endowment Fund Account and she will discuss it with the local bank and Edward D. Jones investment firm.  Shanna made a motion to establish a separate account for the Blandin grant to enable managing expenses incurred.
• AOTL Administrator: The Board approved a new agreement for Debbie Ness, as Administrator, reflecting a 14% increase in salary amounting to $20/per hour effective January 1, 2023.
• Aspiring Artist Fund:  Kristi and Debbie will meet with Roger Parks and Rebecca from WCI in January.
• Technology/Asana/Wild Apricot: 
  • Wild Apricot will be upgraded to allow 2000 members, versus the current 500 limits.  The subscription fee will increase from $110 to 190.
  • Google Workspace, free for non-profit organizations, will be implemented in January for managing projects, workshops and special events.  Current documents in Asana will be transferred to Google Workspace. 

​Judi moved to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Sue.    The next official Board meeting will be on February 14.

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