Questions for the Presidential Candidates : 2023

Ongoing comments  appended at end

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Ascension to the Fourth Floor, Rich Morrow (detail)

 

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Would you establish an Education Committee to vet instructors and assign the studio time slots ?

 

Currently, this is mostly done by our  Executive Director - but shouldn't there be an open discussion when conflicts for studio time arise ?  And shouldn't there be input from people who have spent their lives making and viewing art?

Should the Palette and Chisel curate shows of the best mimetic/expressive/classical art made by non-members?

 Many of us became members primarily to exhibit in our gallery - and some of them are very good. But many good  mimetic artists in our area will never  join us - and  the opportunities for them to show in Chicago  are few and far between.  Doesn't our community, both viewers and artists,  have a real need, for the display of the best of our kind of art :  portrait, landscape, still life, figurative ?

 

 

 What exact proportion of studio time should be given to classes rather than open workshops ? 

Much of of the grief that I hear from members follows the temporary replacement of an open workshop with a class.  Should we establish a limit on how often this can happen?

Would you establish an internet/social media committee ?

Aren't we way behind on this ?  Shouldn't everything on the gallery walls be posted up to Facebook and Instagram ?  Shouldn't monitors be able to post model cancellations? Shouldn't the minutes of the board and quartly meeting be posted ?  Shouln't we have some kind of interactive capability regarding elections?  Shouldn't we have an ongoing record of the most distinguished past members?  Shouldn’t we have a site that lists volunteer opportunities ? Don't we have many members with plenty of experience in social media as well as website design?

Would you establish a house and grounds committee ?

Some wall, shelf, and garden space  has been available for any member to display a piece. And if they're well connected, they can display more than one.

Shouldn't this exhibition be curated?  Shouldn't there be time limits ? 

Would you establish a committee to evaluate staff ?

The performance of our executive director has not been evaluated since the early aughts. Shouldn't this be an annual procedure ?

 Would you like to convert any private studios into public ones? 

It’s been about 25 years  since one of our a private studios was made public.  Couldn’t we now fill yet another one with a class ?  Shouldn’t we be maximizing our class space?

Would you establish an elections committee

 

 to recruit new candidates for the board, monitor some kind of pre-election discussion (like this blog is trying to do), and conduct the balloting in the fairest way possible? (Possibly without the participation of an office which may or may not be partisan) 

Whose responsibility is it to reach out to artists in the Latin and African-American communities? 

 

The executive Director?  A new committee ? Or is this not worth thinking about ?

Would you recommend that the Officers and Directors periodically attend a retreat to be coached by a professional in volunteer boards ?

There is a reason why there is a universal, formal protocol  for board meetings.  Many on our board are not familiar with it - and many of our meetings have not followed it.

Board meetings are not supposed to be social gatherings of friends, or conferences between the general and the lieutenants.   That's why there are professional coaches - and about 20 years ago our board hired one.

Perhaps it's time to do it again.

 

 

Should we try to inform the voting membership about the budget before asking them to approve it ?

 Currently, the only members who see the budget are those who request it - and since voting is almost entirely by proxy,  there is no open discussion among members before it is put to a  vote.

Shouldn't both the budget and the previous year's financial statement be posted online where every member can view it ?  Shouldn't there be some interactive opportunity for questions to be asked and answered.? 

 

 Should there be a Finance Committee to oversee expenditures and advise the Treasurer on making the budget ?

Don't we want people who are not connected to the office or President to keep an eye on our financial transactions and report to the board ? (this is not specific to our  current office and President, who are beyond reproach)

Should the Palette and Chisel begin an estate planning program?

Many of our members are  good family people with spouses, children and great-grandchildren to whom they will leave their estate.

But this organization has also attracted it’s fair share of art maniacs — people who have had time for nothing but art.  Some are impoverished - but some are not.  And with a little help, this organization could become their beneficiary.

 

 

Should Directors be required to make some kind of contribution other than showing up for Board meetings ?

Isn't that customary for those who sit on the board of not-for-profit institutions ?  Cash would be nice - but if not  - how about volunteering to establish, chair, and recruit members for a committee ?

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The above questions are here presented by the creator of this blog, Chris Miller. 

 If you have comments or additional questions that you would like to post, please email:

chris.miller.2823@gmail.com

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Questions presented by Ed Zawicki,  candidate for Director:

When a member of the public hears the Palette and Chisel mentioned, what should immediately come to mind? 

 How do you plan to increase the prominence of the Palette and Chisel in the Chicago art community?

 What should the guiding principles of the Palette’s officers and board members be? 

 How should the Palette’s officers and board members be accountable to its members? 

 What steps would you take to increase transparency of Palette management and board operations? 

 

 What steps would you take to enhance the transparency, availability, and scheduling of the Palette’s exhibition space? 

 What plans do you have to increase sales of artwork during Palette sponsored exhibitions (e.g. “Best of the Rest”, “Gold Show”, etc.) 

 What steps can be taken to enhance communication to Palette members and within the member community itself? 

 The Palette has an existing system of paid lockers and bins for storage. What are your thoughts about members storing their items outside of those paid, designated areas? 

 The Palette bylaws (Section VIII.8) requires that voting members be provided a list of all voting members including addresses 30 days prior to a vote. Do you believe that this should be interpreted to include the email addresses? Why or why not? 

…. Above questions asked by Ed Zawicki, candidate for Director

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  Bryan Kotwica, has offered this response to the election.

A longtime member and professional tree-trimmer,

his cartoons embellished the printed flyer we used to promote 

the Drawing Marathons - back before Email was invented.

He seems to be sharing a feeling common to many long time members:

"we just want a warm place to paint and draw,

and quit booting us out of studio rooms to teach your class there! "

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Q. Are you in favor of term limits for the office of President, and if so, what length would you recommend?

……..Jim Kujaca

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Outgoing President. Val Yachik, replies: 

 

Chris...As outgoing president, I thought I would respond to your site and questions, several of which I find questionable and agenda driven... others are fine and worth reviewing.  It's long, but I would like to set the record straight on several items. 

FIRST of all, a candidate questioned our annual budgeting process. The process is simple... the director (and board) analyze the current situation and upcoming needs, and the director and our CPA go back and forth to create a detailed line item budget that the director approves and submits to the board for review, consideration and ultimate approval... this budget is presented to the membership as a summary and available line item form (for those who wish... very few do) for their approval at a quarterly as stated in the by-laws. Member questions and/or comments are welcomed by the director prior to any vote. 

 One note: our budgets are kept conservative on purpose as we've been hit by some strong recessions over the years. Our budgets are geared to return a small profit for operations.

Per by-law the Building fund is only used for capitol expenses and by board decree our investment is not touched

SECOND the vast, vast, vast majority of our members and students simply seek a stable, hassle-free, club-like environment in our beautiful historic setting in which to draw, paint and sculpt from life... our mission for the last 100+ years.  They simply wish to come and go.

Our attendees draw from a wide range within the art community.  We range from accomplished professional artists to intimidated beginners who wish to learn.  Some learn in our classes and special workshops. Others practice and refine technique in open studios, while a small group sees us basically as a sketch club. Each group brings its own self-interest to the table.  Our job is to accommodate this diversity in a realistic manner.  The vast, vast, vast majority think we are doing just that... even if on occasion we have to make adjustments in our schedule.

THIRD Over the years, Bill, as director, with input has worked very hard to better use our studio space.  Classes and open studios have been added to the point where we have more classes and almost twice as many open studio hours as before.  Special workshops have stayed about the same.  Increased activity has, of course, created increased pressure on the studios ... at times we need to cancel or move an open studio session to accommodate, for example, a special workshop...  the vast, vast, vast percentage understand the need and accept this... realizing that overall, they're enjoying an increased open studio schedule.  And perhaps the best financial "deal" of any art organization in the country.

FOURTH considerations:   We are not a class/workshop factory like the Scottsdale School.  Nor are we simply a sketch club.  While we maintain a very high number of open studios, individually they are subject to review according to function, attendance and budgetary considerations... as they should be.  The goal is to overall keep approximately 60 -70 per wk open studio hours even if individual adjustments are made. Each 3 hr open studio costs $3,750 in model fees per year.  They need to be managed.

Classes tend to run supply and demand ... drawing tends to be always strong.  Other disciplines tend to ebb and flow...  Bill as director manages the instructors and overall schedule.  Importantly, classes in addition to providing income to the Palette and instruction to the student are a very strong recruiting tool.  Many a student has become a P&C member after taking classes.  Once a member, they tend to attend open studios and take more classes... a win, win situation.

Special workshops from outside are carefully considered as we commit to an upfront contract, travel and hotel...we need to be confident that they'll have a wide appeal and fill.

FIFTH PRIVATE STUDIOS: Our private studio rentals are a very important major income artery.  They are open only to members as they should be.  They provide much needed and consistent income.  Because of Covid, we basically raised our model rate from $18 to $25 per hour ... a very heavy increase to absorb ... studio income helped us offset this as annual income from studio rentals is approximately the same as our model expenses (over $80,000 per year).  They need not to be messed with ... they're too important.

SIXTH DIRECTOR:   Since the turn of the 21st century, the Palette has moved from a hodge podge multi-faceted, volunteer management (better said mismanagement) style to the employment of a full-time Director.  Bill Ewers has increasingly filled that role for 20 years.  The role of a director?  TO DIRECT...  The board works independently and with the director to establish overall policy.  The Director is charged with day-to-day operations of most facets of the club including business and personnel aspects.  The Director is involved with open door frequent interaction with members and teachers and will consult with the Board when needed.   Our director needs to be solidly learned in financial and business operating procedures as well as having very strong "people" skills.  Bill more than fits that role.

SEVENTH YOUR BOARD: As we moved towards delegating more responsibility and decision making to our Director, Bill...less frequent face-to-face board meetings were needed. We agreed to meet at a MINIMUM once a quarter and be available to meet at any member's (or the director’s) request.  As needed, meetings were added to deal with specific issues.  Establishing a harassment policy, addressing a personnel problem, establishing Standard Operating Procedures and the "air rights" sale are prime examples.   Recently, a committee of four knowledgeable board members was charged with reviewing our studio lighting options.

MEMBER INVOLVEMENT: We have found again and again that member involvement is strongest when they are asked to volunteer for specific projects.... help with a mailing, working the $300 sale or a P&C opening all get good participation.  Open-ended involvement often peters out after a certain period of time or worse yet gets "dumped" on the office with no follow through.

OVERALL: You can't, as famously said, "please all of the people all of the time".  We have worked very hard to create a professional environment the vast, vast, vast percentage of our members agree with and welcome.  They understand that at times adjustments have to be made... but overall, they love this place, what it offers and what it stands for.

I cannot help but think of those whose passing we mourn... most recently Terry Niccoli, Lenore Murphy and earlier Diane Rath.  Their actual love and devotion to this place was so much more than just being members of an organization.   While there's always room for constructive suggestions and improvement, pettiness can pull us down and destroy our image both inside and to outsiders... we must beware and let the loving light we saw from these ladies guide us as we move ahead to better but challenging days 

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