The Board met on March 28, 2019.  Eleven board members and two non-members attended.

For a complete list of the officers and committee members that comprise the Board, see the following: 2018-2019 Officers and Committee Chairs

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Committee Chair Reports:

Treasurer – Bruce Schaefer presented an updated budget as of March 28, 2019. The year-end balance is now projected to $17 in deficit. That is $48 less than last month’s forecast and is explained by $215 less in revenue and $167 less in expenses. The budget includes 88 members, out of which 21 new members, which is the same numbers as in February.

The George DeBuchanne Community Service Fund has a balance of $583, which is the same as in February.

The SSCC Member Handbook will be updated to include SSCC and MPA budget rules to accept expenses up to $50 without approval by the Executive Council.

Programming: Renee Schaefer reported that all Judges and Speakers for this club year have been contracted. She informed that the MPA has created a list of photographers that are available to member camera clubs as Speakers and Judges, and that it is important to get feedback on their performances. MPA is in the process of developing a feedback survey and will offer this form to us. A discussion followed on the pros and cons with such a survey. The pull down menu on the MPA survey does not work and Pete Morton will fix it and Catherine will send out a test.

Renee explained that the work load of being only one person to contract both judges and speakers is quite heavy today. For that reason, she suggested that SSCC should have two Programming officers in the future, one to contract Speakers and one for contracting Judges.

Cable Release: Dennis Freeman has finished all notes and images for the April Cable Release apart from field trips. One club member is interested in working with Dennis on the Cable Release, and has been provided with an account on the site. Dennis also highlighted the PSA annual conference in Spokane, WA in September and reminded us that registration will commence on April 1. He recommended to act fast when it comes to registration for tours and also to reserve accommodation at the hotel as these are sometimes sold out (particularly the most popular tours).   

Field Trips: The SSCC organized field trip to Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Arts Center in Solomon Island took place on March 17, and participants’ photographs will be posted in April CR.

Website: Mark Paster’s note on “Silver Spring Camera Club Information for Presenters” was posted on the SSCC website.

 Meetup, Facebook, Twitter: No reports.

Nominations and Elections Committee: Larry Gold and Bruce Schaefer will continue announcing candidates and present a Slate in April. Following presentation of the candidates, the Committee shall solicit and accept nominations from the floor. Elections will take place during the Speaker’s Night meeting in May.

 Competition: Larry Gold reminded us to hand in suggestions for competition topics for the next club year. At the April Board Meeting there will be a vote to determine competition topics for next club year. Digital submission requirements for competitors have been updated and mistakes have been corrected. Pete Morton will check on the question of maximum pixels against what PSA recommends, and we will vote on a change if necessary.

Membership: Marc and Lisa Auerbach led a discussion of how to attract and retain new members. During March there were no new members. Marc proposed a change in first year new member fees – new members as from March would pay the dues for a full year ($45) but would be members the rest of current club year as well as the whole next club year. Marc would draft a proposal of changed new member dues and it will be up for voting at next Board Meeting.

Other suggestions to highlight the SSCC and its work were also discussed.  Andrew Rein would research if there is a suitable place or venue where SSCC could inform about the club and exhibit pictures.

 PSA: Pete Morton would research on PSA recommendations for size and pixels for digital submissions and send it to Catherine and Dennis.

Communication Committee: No update.

 

Other Topics:

Maryland Photography Alliance: No report