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I got involved with this organization to understand how it works. I have discovered that it works on volunteers, and it works best if the volunteers get a discount for their time at the symposia. It is a way to let the volunteers know that they are appreciated. There are only so many trophies you can hand out - not nearly enough.
I feel we have burned-out some exceptional people by asking them to do too much for too little in return. As a board member and the current Prez, I say thank you for your previous work on our behalf, and I am sorry. Heart-felt, late, and only a promise to try to do better in the future.
When I first came to these symposia at Camp-B in 2002 there was about a 3:1, student to staff ratio. It made for a rich compelling experience. With around 90 people, for ten days, 30 staff members were given discounts. That is like an Ivy League university or a good Montessori school. I didn't feel over charged.
I have also learned that our journal, that we sell for $30 a year, costs about $35 to print. And membership at $60 a year costs about $100 a year with administrative costs.
As far as symposium costs go, I know that to raise $1000 from 100 attendees over 10 days you need to get a buck a day. To raise the same $1000 from 50 people over 5 days you need to make $4 a day. That’s twice the price for half the time.
In the past, Camp-B was run as a fund-raiser for this organization. That was how we came to accrue reserves. Recently we have been trying to run our symposia as totally nonprofit endeavors. As with every single nonprofit theater group I have worked on, if you budget to break-even at 100% capacity, you will lose money every time.
So, it is a question of balance. How can we have a compelling program, giving discounts to acknowledge our volunteers, and still make money?
I am hoping that we stay large and long and that we budget to make a profit for the continued operation of this organization.
-Tom Francis
Call me
(206)634-1070
Well another presidential missive late to the editors’ desk. I never give them time to do the back and forth of editing. Last month the word “obliged” was used where I had wanted “regretted” regarding the suspension of the hand carving retreat. A small difference, but I want to assure you all that it was not something we did with any pleasure. “Much obliged, ma’am.”
The board at this moment is in the throws of a rhetorical debate on the meaning of membership. We are trying to rework our by-laws to better comply with our current practices. They seem to have been written with a more involved membership in mind.
Ah, the joys of a policy board. I love this type of wide-ranging debate, truly. Great people - the members of the board. They are hard working and imaginative problem solvers, and I am pleased to be a part of it all. Our first priority is to replace ourselves, so that this organization can survive and grow in the years to come. A close second is to replace the dedicated folks that work tirelessly to make the symposia happen. Camp Directors are as rare as hens’ teeth. If you want to be on the board, contact any of the current members. If you would like to volunteer at Camp brotherhood and learn the ropes, contact Elaine MacKay.
I have been reviewing videotapes of previous symposia and want to thank Vic Picou again for the foresight in having these records made.
Now I must get back to the fun of deciding if it is the Northwest Stone SCULPTORS Association, or the Northwest Stone SCULPTURE Association. I’m on the side of the sculptor, our members in particular. What are your thoughts?
NWSSA – “Serving our members since 1987”
-Tom Francis
I sit writing this, my first missive to you, my fellow stone carvers, under the passing haze of another symposium season gone. I thought I about busted a gut laughing at the Camp Brotherhood Auction. Turns out I did. Had to get it fixed, part of the haze may be modern pain management.
I am honored to be point man for this organization. I want to thank all who have gone before me, from Vic to Elaine, but that would take too long and I am bound to leave someone important out. It is fitting that I am President of a club that wears name tags, as I am not good with names. I will forget your name. You have my apologies.
We have a vital and searching new Board and at the same time have been able to retain the leadership. We are always searching for new board talent. I want to personally thank the current board individually for all their dedication and hard work, but I am not sure of their names. We are working with what we have and with the economy what it is that isn’t much.
We have had to make some cuts to be able to retain our core. I think this years’ holiday party will be Popcorn at my place BYOB ‘natch. At our Silver Falls meeting, the board members felt obliged to suspend the hand carving retreat for 2009. We are enthusiastic about finding another model for a hand carving workshop. If you want in on the discussion, talk to me at 206-634-1070 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
There are many exciting things on the horizon. I hear of Basalt carving in eastern Washington - probable. Looking into grants - possible. An all-electric Carve-A-Thon at Crystal Mountain - a double black diamond of delight. But mostly this organization is for you the stone sculptor. What we do with it is up to you, because this group is powered by you.
If you want to get involved, contact me with your ideas and energy. Maybe you might want to be on the board? I’m just looking ahead. And please forgive me if I forget your name.
Your President,
Tom Francis
Making dust since 1987
As I write this, Camp B is but a few days away. Oh, what stones to take, should I work on this or that, have I forgotten anything? You know, the usual palpations of going to Camp. I just know kids don't have as much fun at camp as we do, being older we can appreciate the golden time of being with kindred spirits. By the time you read this you will have a new BOD and a new president. I resigned this June and will be assuming the duties as next year’s symposium director for Camp B.
Being on the board and being your president was a job I took seriously and it was mostly a rewarding experience. I hope I did a good job. I always acted in what I thought and felt was in the best interests of the membership. I urge those of you who have never served on the board to consider it when vacancies occur. The BOD sets the policies of NWSSA, works toward the sustainability of the organization and most importantly sees to the continued financial health of the organization. It is an important and rewarding role.
See you on the Field of Dreams,
Elaine
