The Corner Chair

Each year is a symbolic start, a
chance to begin over. It's a time
of resolutions, of looking forward
into a new year of possibilities,
Certainly the Guild has a new
beginning with Jane Matthews
beginning officially in the new
position of General Manager.

The board approved a job
description which essentially
combines the duties of both the
Executive director and Gallery
Manager, using back-up ancillary
staff as needed. ‘You will be
pleased to know that as well as
the excellent part-time team that
Jane has assembled for the
Gallery, Ann Wray will be keeping
the books, In the nicest way she
is know as Hawkeye-Skinflint.
She makes Scrooge look like
Lady Bountiful’s brother. Her
skills of saving pennies on minor
items like non-printed envelopes
for the Newsletter mailing will
amount to significant savings.
We will need to do that as we
have had to activate our line of
credit. This was a necessary but
big-gulp decision by the board as
we are all “singularly and
severally liable". The line of credit
is in place for cash flow
difficulties. The upfront pay-out
for the ex-executive director
caused a serious blip. Also, part
of the buildup of strained cash
flow has, what appears in
hindsight to have been,
inappropriate decisions by the
executive director.

The aforementioned envelopes
are a small but typical example of
practises more applicable to a
larger organization. The photo
copier tumed out to bea another
more major decision that

could have been better
considered. The idea sold to the
board was that by using the
machine to print the Newsletter in
house we would save money. In
reality the newsletter and its
printing became almost a liability.
The board has been able to
successfully negotiate a new and
more suitable machine at
considerable savings for both
lease/operating costs and time
taken for printing.

All in all, the board, though
concemed about dipping into the
line of credit, has a great sense of
optimism, With the saving on
staff costs, the iron hand of Ann
Wray, and having Jane as the
right person for the right job, we
can move with confidence into
1996. Already underway by Fay
and Pat working with Ann and
Jane is the planning of an
extensive and practical budget to
ensure that in ‘96 we can clear
aWay the debris, establish some
cushion savings and look long-
term towards moving back to a
retum to an improved commission
Structure in the Gallery. This
should be presented at the
January board meeting. Board
meatings will now be held on the
4th Thursday of the month to
allow time for board members to
receive and digest financial
reports fram the previous month.
A reminder to everyone that the
board meetings are open to all
members and there is a members
forum space at the end of every
agenda if any individuals want to
bring matters directly and
personally to the board.

| want to say a big “Thank you" to
all the people who volunteered
their time to help in the Gallery

page 3

during December. Celia and |
were in on the weekend before
Christmas and can certainly
confirm how busy itwas. Helping
Out like that and getting involved
Gives real insight into the
Operation and a real sense of
ownership, It's a feel-good, all
win situation. If you have any
timé or expertise that you can
contribute to your guild, please
contact Jane; every little bit
helps.

We are hoping to establish a
permanent members billet! B & B
network similar to the Studio
Potters Network. The initial
impetus of this is to make it easier
and more personal for out of town
potters to attend workshops,
meetings or simply deliver pots.
However, it could very well be
reciprocal and encourage travel
and visiting amongst potters
across the province. Darrell has
put some more information in the
Newsletter so if you think it is a
good idea and have a bed, a floor
or a tent, get your details in.
Here's looking forward to a great
and involved 1996.

Kaith Rice-Jones