Office Reports
A. Will Beemer's Report
Summary of financial data from Will: "Everything seems to be pretty well in order." though dues still are running a bit behind budget, by about $15k.
Directors invested a few minutes in inspection of individual line items, satisfied with the explanations offered by Will and Treasurer Milton.
The Sales line item was sent back for further, more detailed reporting by e-mail after this call.
Brief discussion about the structure of the Scholarship finds. As of this moment there are no applications in the hopper for the Fall Conference, and we have
not had to turn anyone away.
Will adds to his UK narrative: it went very well, in spite of a last minute cancellation. The books balanced well. Hard work for all those in
responsible positions. UK CF meeting was a great success, record attendence, and great appreciation for the high level of TFG
participation and auction contribution.
Is it part of our mission, are these tours worth doing? Absolutely, we just need to continue to improve our methods. We cannot say, as a matter of course,
that we will do a tour every year. It needs to be the perfect symbiosis of topic, venue, local leader, season, not an automatically annual event.
Cruck Workshop, overly complex and ambitious, did not quite complete the raising, though it was completely raised within the week,
by virtue of local member effort. Materials were tricky, 3d scribing added to the challenges. Frame was sold without too much trouble, and some
are clamoring for the next one. Final disposition of the frame was a private residence in Boulder, which will require further discussion
before we do this one again. This led to a broader discussion of licensing our curriculum to workshops administered by other organizations,
a concept that appeared to have broad TFG support.
B. Alstead Office Report:
Questions about the Angola Budget proposal. What really is the board feet efficiency ratings? We will defer this conversation until we can assemble the responsible parties, and re-issue the budget in a more user-friendly format.
Boise instructor reports we were received by board members, and henceforth, all instructor reports will go directly to all Board members, regardless of public status on Ask The Experts.
General comments from the Board include a committment to increased oversight, and a greater administrative dedication to following the guidelines
already delineated in the Project Guidelines. Schmidt proposes a Project Oversight Committee to provide the consultation that would have either
made Boise work, or be postponed. Vice President and Treasurer were almost appointed to serve. This will become an agenda item for January.
We always have to keep in mind why were are doing these, or any, projects and events. It's all about education. That's what it says in the charter.
Absent that, we should not be there.
This is not about making money. We are not a timber framing company - nor do we wish to become one. Why exactly are we going to Suriname?
Where is the educational component? These questions must always be addressed first and foremost. It is noted that revisiting the Project Handbook is integral
to our Visioning Session.
Will reports on the apprenticeship materials roll-out.
Each board member will receive the complete document set before the conference.
No copyright issues appear on Will's radar at this time.
Public acclaim is proposed for Gordon MacDonald in recognition of his efforts.
Board resolves that Joel will recontact all unresponsive authors - for the CD project. He is free to ask Board members for help.
Do we have enough nominations to make for a legitimate election? Board concludes, after extensive discussion, that the answer is 'yes' We will go ahead with
the slate we have.
The Board renews its committment to international events in general, noting with pleasure the fall conference program, last year's boarthouse event in the UK,
and just generally keeping our eyes and options open.
Curtis Milton advocates for logistical planning for event scheduling, and re-examining our tuition/participant financial models, to ensure that the folks
who need to get to events can do so. Perhaps we should reduce the number, but increase the quality of events we develop, in an effort to improve participation.
No action, beyond increased mindfullness, was proposed to further examine this notion. Rudy brings a proposal forward for his participation in the
Panel on Preservation Trades Training, MHPA Conference, April 2005
Rudy is to go back to the PTN Board for assistance. Treasurer Milton suggests a matching arrangement.
Will believes that it will flow logically from the PTN meeting in Mobile. October, 04.
Broad discussion follows. Rudy will report back to the Board ASAP, in re matching funds. TFG is ready to put up $350, contingent upon participation from PTN
and the host organization.
Next meeting will be in PA.
Pleae send your travel and companion plans to Joel, if you have not already.
Are there other agenda items?
Reports on visioning tasks and timeliness?
Sponsorship programming / advertising?
Curriculum matrix wrap-up and roll out for conference. Format? Copyright?
Legal issues of "ownership"
That ding dang CD (for sale at the conference, right?) no excuses.
Other future projects (2005-2007) and getting people to attend.
International initiatives?
Enough nominations?
