Organization > Chapters > Great Lakes > Minutes and Reports

VRA Great Lakes Chapter Spring Meeting

March 20, 2009: VRA 2009 Conference, Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, Toronto

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Photograph of Art Gallery of Ontario by Carole Pawloski

In attendance: Sherrie Brittig, Marlene Gordon, Elizabeth Meyer , Meghan Musolff, Sue Morris, Alex Nichols, Astrid Otey, Carole Pawloski, Joe Romano, Kari Smith

I. Announcements:

    1. Membership Dues: Please pay membership dues if you have not.

II. Approval of Fall Meeting Minutes: Question was raised about workshop award committee.  The chapter had only one applicant, so there was no need for the committee to meet or communicate.  Kari Smith made a motion to approve the notes from the Fall Meeting in Chicago.  Carole Pawloski seconded.  All agreed and minutes were approved.

III. Treasurer's Report: Astrid Otey provided the Treasurer’s report.  The joint meeting in Chicago was rather expensive due to the associated catering costs.  Something to keep in mind for Fall meeting.

Balance as of November 11, 2008:               $1322.40

Income:
Dues                                                            120.00
Chapter meeting registrations                         20.00

Expenditures:
Chicago joint meeting                                    353.00
VRA conference sponsorship                          200.00

Balance as of March 16, 2009:                    $ 909.40

IV. Membership Issues:

    1. Fall 2009 Meeting: Julia Chytil at the Toledo Museum of Art has offered to host the meeting.  It was mentioned that we could eat lunch in the cafeteria to offset any catering charges.  Marlene Gordon will coordinate with the Midwest VRA Chapter for a date and send out an email to the listserv when more details are known.  Sending an invitation to the ARLIS/NA Ohio Valley chapter was suggested.  Kari Smith volunteered to coordinate the programming for the Fall Meeting.

    2. Chapter Meeting Schedule:  The possibility of having an additional chapter meeting was discussed.  Carole Pawloski mentioned that it would be hard to get to three meetings.  Joe Romano mentioned that half of the membership is already at the annual conference.  Astrid Otey brought up the fact that planning programming for three meetings is difficult.  Other issues raised included cost, having enough members present to vote (Sherrie Brittig), and dilution of attendance (Alex Nichols).  Kari Smith suggested alternating the timing of the second meeting:  Meet at the conference and then either Fall, Spring or Summer for the additional meeting.  However, Summer meetings might be difficult for those who have summer leaves.  It was suggested that meetings could take place virtually using Skype or other software. Future meetings via Skype or other software will be discussed by the entire Chapter through the listserv.

    3. Levels of Membership:  Kari Smith inquired about different levels of membership, for example associate members.  It was reiterated that in order to attend chapter meetings, individuals must be members of the national VRA organization.  However, chapter members can bring guests to the meetings. 

V. Chapter Bylaw Revisions: Marlene Gordon reported that the revision of the chapter bylaws are in a state of flux and the chapter is waiting for news from VRA Board. 

    1. MemberClicks for Chapter Dues:  The Board might require the chapter to accept memberships through MemberClicks.  Carole Pawloski mentioned that it would be nice to be able to pay both the national and local chapter memberships together.  However, she voiced concern about whether one can tell through MemberClicks if one has paid for memberships twice.  Marlene Gordon didn’t think that level of notification was possible yet.  Kari Smith mentioned that SAA (Society of American Archivists) mails notifications when membership is due and suggested that the same kind of notification system could be employed with VRA.

    2. Bookeeping Position: Marlene Gordon stated that the VRA Board is considering adding a bookkeeping position to take care of chapter memberships. 

    3. Joint Secretary and Treasurer Position: Marlene Gordon brought up the subject of combining the Secretary and Treasury positions.  It was agreed to keep the two positions separate for the time being.

VI. Matters Arising:

    1. VRA Education Committee Workshop Award:  This year’s recipient was Astrid Otey.  She will present on the workshop “Selling Visual Resources: Educating and Engaging the Educators” at the Fall meeting.  To expedite the dissemination of information, Marlene Gordon suggested that Astrid present on the workshop through Skype or similar software. 

VII. Adjournment: Astrid Otey motioned to adjourn.  Joe Romano seconded it.  The meeting was adjourned at 2:40.

Respectfully submitted,
Meghan Musolff, VRA GL Secretary

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