The SSCC board met on October 26, 2017.  Ten board members  were in attendance.

For list: 2017-2018 Officers and Committee Chairs

Committee Chair Reports:

Treasurer – No report.

Field Trips – Details discussed for Trip to Forest Glen Seminary.  Trip to DC Monuments at Night on November 18.

Membership – Winter Social scheduled for December 7th.  

Social is a pot luck; everyone should bring something. Sign up sheet will be distributed at November meeting.

There are 60 returning members and 13 new members; there are 32 members from last year who have not yet renewed (similar to prior years). The idea was discussed of writing/calling the former members to see whether they will return, or why they left. Sue will bring a list to the next board meeting for volunteers to call them.

Idea was also raised to encourage board members (or other members) to hand out club business cards to people at field trips or to other photographers in a social setting.

Honor Fund –  Announcement of Wider Circle Portrait family photo shoot on December 9th; Mike, Mark and Dave have volunteered to be photographers. There is a need for volunteers for other roles. Dennis will put it in the Cable Release.

There is a need for a volunteer member to submit an application for the Honor Fund grant.   

Social media – There is still a need for a volunteer

PSA – Peter Morton was approved as the PSA representative. 

Nomination Committee – Larry and Mark volunteered to be on the Nomination committee.  They will work with Bruce and John.

Competition – Larry advised that the light box is in disrepair; it needs to be rebuilt or a new one built. It is primarily a carpentry issue; the electronics seem to be OK.  Anyone knowing someone with carpentry skills who might volunteer should refer them to Larry.   

Main Topics for Discussion:

A Closer Focus – Presentations should be limited to 15 minutes, e.g., two or three issues/topics (15-20 minutes each) will be addressed each month.
The question was also raised if the projector could be used. It was discussed that it would need to be stored locked in the church, for which we would need a locking file cabinet. Dennis will put a note in the CR asking if anyone has a cabinet that can be donated.

Website – Mark raised the issue of linking the list serve to Google groups, with info posted on Google groups as well. He explained that that info included in club emails could be added to Google Groups for further distribution. As part of the discussion. It was noted that mail chimp has an opt out provision, while members have to opt in to receive Google Groups

It was decided that Dennis will put the info and sign up procedures for Google groups in the Cable Release.

On a related issue, it was asked that anyone wishing to make changes or additions to the Meetup site send an email request to Michael or Dennis. However, info on Field trips for the meet up should be sent directly to Michael (although Dennis will also pass them on).

Schedule – Reminder that Board meeting for November has been moved to Nov 30 due to Thanksgiving.

Constitution –  Dennis raised the issue of necessary edits/revision to the Constitution. The issues concerned meetings (required dates), official publications (a requirement to publish member photos), and the amendment process.
It was discussed that if the Constitution and By Laws were revised, they should be made broad to accommodate the likelihood of changes over time.
It was decided to form a committee to review and recommend changes to the constitution; Mark Paster and Phil Boyer volunteered. Dennis will put a blurb in the CR asking for additional volunteers.

Liability Insurance – Catherine reported that she got a quote for $2 million insurance, $1 million personal, with a price of $800-1000 per year. Michael noted that other clubs pay far less; he will try to get her the names and POCs.

Maryland Photo Alliance – In the recent contest, 17% of the entries were from SSCC, tied for first with Baltimore CC.  SSCC had 9 members juried in, most of any club.  The recognition ceremony is Sunday, July 12th.

Projector – Was not sold due to purchaser not following through. Discussion, but no resolution, of what to do next.

Church Agreement – a project?  Our lease with the church requires us to provide them a service. Agreed that lease requires them to contact us with request, so wait until they do.