June, 2008                                                                   Volume 77                                                                           No. 2

 

Established 1932 -- Spokane's Original Photography Club

Meeting Times: 7:00 p.m. Scoring and Classes

Meeting Dates: 1st Wednesday – General Meeting and Projected Images • 2nd Wednesday – Digital Users meeting

3rd Wednesday – General Meeting and Print Images • 4th Wednesday – Workshop

Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at Spokane Falls Community College, Building #24, Room 110.

 

Upcoming Events:

 

June 21 - Palouse Falls field trip; more information below.

July 9 at 7 pm - Board meeting, location TBD.

 

Some thoughts from the President:

 

In my view it looks like 08-09 is going to be a “blue-ribbon” year thanks to the volunteers who have agreed to head the various club committees and activities. Don Horton is planning a series of field trips, the first of which is next Saturday. Doug Oriard has been making impressive additions to the club web site. And other committees are putting together plans that look terrific. The new SFCC multi-media auditorium is going to make a great improvement in how we can present our programs.

 

The Salon committee chair position remains open. We need you, or your recommendation as to who would be best, to fill this position. We need the Salon committee to review their plans for the ‘09 event before the competition year starts, so that we can all agree on what the entry requirements will be.

 

I plan to run a publicity campaign with the media (print, radio & TV) that will put before the public what the club is doing and inviting them to attend and participate.

 

If you have, (and I’m sure that you do), any ideas or suggestions that you think would improve our club activities and programs… pick up the phone, or send email to myself or other board members or committee chairmen.

 

If you have an email address, you have been receiving posts on the Spokane Camera Club Forum. If you wish to initiate a post to all members you must go to the club web site and join the Yahoo group. I would encourage you to do that, if you have not done so already. This allows us to have an on-going and open conversation on topics important to the membership.

 

Will Murray

 

Contract signed for new Meeting Place

 

We now have a contract to rent the new building # 24 room 110 multimedia auditorium on the Spokane Falls Community College campus for our 08-09 season. If you have not yet seen this facility your are going to be in for a pleasant surprise. The room has the slanted floor, so if you are seated in the back of the room you will be looking at the middle of the large ten foot power screen. The digital projector near the ceiling will also project broadband on-line web content. We won’t need to use our digital projector or screen except for backup. The front of the room has a 26 foot wide “white board” with its own lighting directly above it. Using the aluminum tray at the lower edge of the white board and the spring clips at the top, we will be able to display about fifty 16”x 20” prints with the room lights dimmed and front lighting only, without erecting any of our racks!

 

There are four skinny 6 or 8 ft. tables which we can use for food/refreshments. Our contract does not include use of the adjacent faculty lounge, but there are five large upholstered chairs outside in the foyer where a small group could meet for alternative education during the scoring.

 

Our contract required proof of insurance with a one million-dollar liability policy to be submitted with the contract documents. We now have this coverage through Safeco Insurance. Cost of the insurance was $313, but our rent at SFCC will be $165 lower than what we paid last year for the Corbin Community Center.

 

We will do a “dry run” of the new facility to get acquainted with their computer system, lighting, audio, etc. before our first meeting in September. That meeting will be on September 10th… the second Wednesday instead of the first Wednesday in order to not conflict with the PSA convention in Portland.

 

Board Meeting 11 Jun 2008

 

The board discussed where they would meet for July and August meetings; SFCC is not an option as a faculty member must be present. First Ave Fire Station is available free if reserved in advance. Conley’s Restaurant has a meeting room which is free – users are expected to purchase food and drinks as part of the deal. Doug Oriard offered his house as a backup. More to come on summer board meeting places.

 

Steve Shining has volunteered to be Membership Chairman and will contact all unpaid club members. Paul DeRocker will forward new member information to Steve as well as Dennis Biggs

 

Paul DeRocker submitted a 12-month running ledger showing all SCC expenditures and income.

Beginning balance on 26 May 2007 was 2,320.95 after paying for 2007 Salon. Total expenditures for 2007-2008 were $3,282.05. Total deposits for 2007-2008 were $3,151.50. Ending Balance on 4 Jun 08 was $2,109.19. Board would like a different format of report showing a column for each debit and credits.

 

Will Murray suggested the use of a Post Office box for SCC allowing for one permanent mailing address. The cost of a P.O. Box is approx $90.00 per year. One box in a Post Office may be easy for one member but may prove unworkable for a member living outside of the downtown area if that person were elected. The question was asked if a P.O. Box could be used and have a “permanent” forwarding to the physical address of an appointed club member for correspondence. No changes were made on this subject. Correspondence will continue to go through the person initiating the transaction.

 

Benefits of switching meeting place to SFCC Building 24(?) were discussed.

  • Concrete floor – serving food is no problem.
  • Large display area.
  • Projector and supporting equipment is available for club use.
  • Do not know if computers are Mac or Windows – should not be a problem.
  • SCC will continue to bring digital projector and laptop as a back-up
  • A staff lounge may be available for breakout meetings of up to 10 people.
  • Possible storage of one box for storage.
  • Cost of $600.00 per year versus $765.00 for Corbin Sr. Center.

 

SCC is required to carry $1M liability insurance, which will cost $311.00 annually. This insurance is something the club should carry to protect itself in all club activities. Will Murray has a retainer with Safeco for this, which will run May to May. Board voted to reimburse Will for this.

 

SFCC has authorized SCC to use the facility and contract is awaiting signature from SCC representative.

 

Board voted to move future meetings to SFCC.

 

September regular meetings will be deviate from the norm of 1st and 3rd Wednesday. For September only the first regular meeting (projection) will be on the 2nd Wednesday so as not to interfere with PSA Seminar in Portland, OR. Regular 1st & 3rd meetings will resume in October.

 

Program changes for 2008-2009

 

At the June board meeting the following program changes were approved:

 

1. Film slides to be entered in competition must be submitted early so that they can be digitized and combined into the digital slide presentation.

 

A lengthy discussion followed regarding a possible new category for slides which would be “photojournalism” or “natural” vs “creative” or “manipulated.” Also discussed was the number of digital entries allowed per month. This subject was tabled for the July meeting.

 

2. Titles are back. Titles will be read when images are presented for scoring and/or critique.

 

Note: if you have program changes, deletions, or additions that you want to see made. You are welcome to attend the July board meeting on Wednesday, July 9th, location to be announced.

 

Subject of the Month 2008 - 2009

Sep    Transportation

Oct    Rural Subjects

Nov    Cultural Identity

Dec    Small Stuff

Jan     Reflections

Feb    Strong Color / High Contrast

Mar    Fog

Apr     Trees

 

Subject of the Month 2009 - 2010

Sep    Architecture 100 years old or more

Oct    Lines or Patterns

Nov    Water

Dec    Civil Twilight

Jan     Churches

Feb    Clouds and/or Storms

Mar    Moon or Moonlight

Apr     Old Machinery

 

Bylaws Changes for 2008-2009

 

At the June board meeting the following changes to the club bylaws were approved. These changes are to be presented to a meeting of the full membership for review, and then voted upon in a subsequent meeting of the membership. The present bylaws will be published on the web site: Following are the changes to the present bylaws:

 

CHANGES:

1. Article 3, Section 2: Change two to three classes of membership, adding (c) Student members.

2. Article 4, Section 1: Delete: “...and the Bulletin editor as an ex-officio member.”

3. Article 4, Section 3: Change, “...shall consist of 7 of the 12 directors” to “...a majority of the directors.”

4. Article 4, Section 6, (b): Change “one candidate” to “one or more candidates”.

5. Article 5, (e) Delete: “...at the first board meeting for the following year.”

6. Article 7, Delete: “...shall be as follows:” and replace with: “...shall be determined by the Board of Directors or the membership as a whole.”

 

Following is a list of Standing Committees and their duties, Summer 2008:

 

Projected Images Image Assembly, Program Preparation and Presentation             

 

Prints Image Check-In and Program Presentation            

 

Field Trips Organize Field Trips and Photo Opportunities for members            

 

Education Organize Digital Education, Alternative Education, and monthly workshops

 

Competition Secures monthly scorers and operators of the Digital Scoring system; Secures monthly critiquers and prepares "Guide to the Competitions" for the web site; Secures Salon Judges; Prepares score tallies and competition stats.

 

Membership Maintains roster of current members, email, phone, profile, etc. and membership application. Arranges Welcome for visitors, and name lanyards; Mentoring and New Member Orientation.

 

Social Organizes meeting refreshments, pot-luck, picnic, etc.

 

Outreach Co-ordinates Community Service, PSA Representative, Spokane Interstate Fair,           Arts Laison, Publicity.

 

Salon Manages the annual Salon display and awards banquet.

 

Communication Co-ordinates communication via website, internet, telephone, printing; Website & Internet; Newsletter.

 

ADD:

 

7. Article 13, Public Benefit - The Spokane Camera Club is organized and operated exclusively for public purposes within the meaning of Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

8. Article 14,          Not for Private Gain - This organization is a nonprofit public benefit and is not organized for the private gain of any person. The property of this organization is irrevocably dedicated to public purposes, and no part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of any director, officer, or member thereof, or to the benefit of any private person.

 

9. Article 15, Prohibited Activities - Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Constitution, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (b) by an organization’s contributions which are deductible under Section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code. No substantial part of the activities of this organization shall consist of carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate or intervene in any political campaign (including the publishing or distribution of statements) on behalf of any candidate for public office.

 

10. Article 16, Dissolution - Upon dissolution or winding up of the organization, its assets remaining after payment, or provisions for payment, of all debts or liabilities of this organization shall be distributed to a nonprofit fund, foundation, or organization that is organized and operated exclusively for educational and scientific purposes, and which has established and maintains its tax exempt        status under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. 

 

Committee structure and committee chairmen 2008-2009

 

Projected Images - Paul DeRocker, Assisted by Will Murray.

 

Prints - Vicki Nielsen.

                  

Field Trips - Don Horton

         

Education - Barbara Murray

 

Competition - Tony Horpel; David Sams, prepare score tallies and competition stats.

 

Membership - Steve Shining; Dennis Biggs, Mentoring and New Member Orientation

.

Social - Donna Larsen

 

Outreach - John Moore; Steve Shining, PSA Representative; LeRoy Nielsen, Spokane Interstate Fair; Marilyn Bashore, Arts Liaison; Will Murray, Publicity and Media contact.

 

Salon – OPEN        .

 

Communication - Doug Oriard; Webmaster, David Sams; Newsletter Editor, Terry Appling; Weekly Update, Will Murray; Historian (digital), David Sams.

 

NOTE There are three new committees with chairmen:

Competition - Addresses all aspects of competitions

Outreach - Coordinates all community activity outside of the club

Communication - Coordinates all communication; voice, web, printed, video, etc.

 

Spokane Camera Club Field Trips

 

President Murray has enacted a new procedure to provide field trip for the club members. These trips will be on going through out the year. Every effort will be make to have them every 6 weeks during the summer and at least 3 to 4 over the winter.

 

The procedure will be as follows: Field trip coordinator, Don Horton, will select a destination, date, and time ( the destination and dates will be determined by the input and feed back from the members). Don will preview the destination and make a general statement about the chosen location. He will also coordinated a departure point and time along with directions to destination, web site addresses, and any other information available on the web.

 

The members have the option to meet with every one else and travel to destination as a group or they may proceed on their own using the directions and web information. There is no per determined return time. Participants may return at their discretion.

Palouse Falls Field Trip

June 21, departure time 8:00 A.M.

Departure location: The old Comp USA parking lot just north of the river on Division.

Lunch: brown bag

Bathrooms: available but to be safe bring your own tissue

Hiking trails: Yes; steep grades, slippery, may hike to bottom of canyon.

 

Photographic Suggestions:

Tripods

Telephoto lenses

Polarizer, for digital cameras use circular polarizer

Release cables

Camera back packs

High contrast environment; review you're metering techniques

Digital: good subject for HDR processing, review the HDR process. HDR cannot tolerate any movement by subject or camera.

 

Personal:

Sun glasses

Hats

Sun protection

Layered clothing

Walking shoes with good traction

Water

 

Directions:

Depart Spokane on interstate 90 West bound. Proceed to Ritzville and take SR 261 South to Washtucna. Drive southwest 5.8 miles to the State Route 261/260 junction, and turn left at the grain elevator. Follow State Route 261 southeast for 8.7 miles to Palouse Falls Road. Turn left, and follow the road to the end (approximately 2.5 miles).

 

PLEASE VISIT THE PARK WEB SITE FOR COMPLETE INFORMATION: www.parks.wa.gov/parkpage.asp?selectedpark=Palouse+Falls

This is a state park so be prepared to pay a day use fee.

 

Note: This trip will be a joint trip with the Gonzaga Photography Club.