1) The meeting was called to order by President Jo Williams.

2) The Treasurer’s report submitted by Treasurer Nancy Donley showed a checking account balance of $4,092.02 and Savings Account of $5,390.67, with a total of $9,

482.69.

3) President Williams asked for a vote for a proposed amendment to the VAST constitution as described in the September newsletter. Elinor Johanson made a motion to accept the proposal, which was seconded by Claude Cheek. The amendment was accepted.

4) Executive Director Ingrid Scobie discussed the Sally Packard workshop on color theory to be held October 15-16. She announced that there were only four places left.

5) Mary Emerson provided information on the Gail Webb workshop scheduled for February 28-March 3, 2005. The cost is $180.00 for the four-day workshop which will include work in watercolor, acrylic, and collage. Emerson passed around a sign-up sheet.

6) Second Vice-President Beth Haywood passed around a sign-up sheet for those interested in exhibiting at The Cupboard. Members who are included in the calendar will exhibit first. Additional places for members to exhibit are being considered, and the use of themes.

7) Newsletter Editor Devon Wattier announced that she would like to post the newsletter on the VAST website and that she would then notify members by e-mail that the newsletter was available. She suggested that members could then print it if they wanted a paper copy. She would continue to send copies to those who still wanted the newsletter to be sent by mail and will submit a sign-up sheet for those members. She emphasized that it will save VAST considerable expense to eliminate postage and printing costs, and encouraged members to accept the proposal to post the newsletter on the website.

8) The membership report was submitted by Volunteer Coordinator C. J. Solberg in the absence of Vidya Kagal, Membership Chair. VAST currently has 131 paid members. Attendance for the General Meeting was 37 members, five visitors, and one new member.

9) President Williams asked for volunteers who would like to have the names of the 90 members from last year who have not renewed so that they could call them as a part of the “Member-Get-A-Member” campaign. She explained that these names would be divided up and those who contacted them could get credit for them as recruits if the member rejoined VAST for the coming year. The current member who gets the most recruits will receive a membership to the museum of his/her choice. The minimum number of recruits to be eligible for the prize is five, and the person who has the most recruits beyond that number receives the prize.

10) June Impson made an announcement about the procedures which will be followed to contact students and others who could be eligible for a scholarship from the “Mary June Impson Scholarship Fund”. One person will be selected to receive a scholarship to each VAST sponsored workshop. Letters of explanation and application forms will be sent to high school and university art departments with all requisite information about the scholarships.

11) First Vice-President Diane Dorn introduced guest presenter David Crimson. He showed a slide presentation of his work entitled “The Creative Process for Artists”, and gave an explanation of his unique creative approach.

12) Calendar Chair Kathy Mendes reported on the VAST calendar printing and sales. Calendars are for sale for $13.00, and Mendes had these available at the registration desk. More reports on sales will be made available at later dates.

13) President Williams announced the winners of the Mini Show Awards. Beth Haywood won First Place, and Diane Dorn was awarded Second Place. Prizes are gift certificates to Asel Art Supply (which were not available at the time, but will be given to the artists when they are available). Beth Haywood also won the drawing for the door prize donated by Voertmans, a $50 gift certificate.

14) President Williams adjourned the meeting, 9 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Millie Johnson, Secretary