Blaine Arts Council
February 20, 2025 Minutes
Location: Blaine Senior Community Center
Agenda:
- Welcome / Introduce guests (28 Members / 1 guest)
- Announcements / Financial Report
- Gallery Update
- Board Updates
Announcements / Financial Report
BAC Award – It was announced that the BAC received the Blaine “Business of the Year – 2024” award from the Blaine City Council.
Sculpture Exhibition – Marilyn Muehlbach announced that she has been asked to join the Committee that is presently searching for sculpture artists to exhibit their art in the 26th Annual Peace Arch Park International Sculpture Exhibition. The details of the event can be found here. The sculptures will be shown from May 1, 2025 to October 1, 2025. Submission deadline for sculptures is March 10, 2025.
Financials – Current bank balances: Main $10,180 – Gallery $959
The January 2025 BAC Profit and Loss Statement was presented and reviewed. It was recommend,
seconded and approved by a hand vote.
The BAC 2024 Events Profit and Loss statement was presented and reviewed. It was recommended, seconded and approved by a hand vote.
Meeting Schedule Change – General Meeting change proposal Margaret announced that the Board is considering conducting our General Meetings every other month, with the intervening months to focus on Member / artists presentation. Some business would be conducted in the intervening months, such as presenting our monthly Profit and Loss statement from the previous month. The proposed change would start in April of 2025.
Gallery Update
Christy – January Activity report
4 artists/groups on display: Keren Taylor, Jean Ferrier, Judy Newland, and the K-8 Home Connections kids.
Also on display and included in promotion around our writers and illustrators theme was Helen Worley (a book she wrote); Georgia Donovan who illustrated Helen’s book, and the cover of another book we had for sale benefiting the APA Museum; of visitors: 218 (80 of those were on Second Saturday with great support for the kids art); Writers workshop by Keren Taylor: 3 participants; Storytime with Barbara Davis-Pyles: 3 participants.
The Board has decided to have the future Gallery Chairperson be a Board Member.
The new Gallery hours are 11AM to 5 PM on Thursdays thru Sunday.
Board Updates
Current & Interim Board members – It was announced that KayDee Powell and Gordon Nealy have joined the Board for an interim 3 month period. KayDee will be focusing on Volunteers. Gordon’s focus is still being discussed. This brings the Board total to 5 members. Additional volunteers are always needed from our Membership. Presently our Board has a President, Secretary and an Infrastructure positions filled.
Posts open – Board – critically needed: VP, Treasurer, Communications / Information; Art Festival
Chairperson, Events Chairperson positions. Dave Sawicki reiterated that without more volunteers to get
the projects planned and implemented, the BAC can no longer operate.
Posts open – Committee/Volunteer Ops –KayDee Powell reviewed critical jobs for volunteers including Skill Building – Learn or Teach; Liaison, Micro Opportunities, Gallery participation, Art Challenges – “Be With Your Bros”; Facebook / Instagram, Grant writing, Kids and Adult Classes, Website,
Square, Postings or Ads, Membership, Reporter for the Newsletter, Welcoming / mentoring new Members, Photojournalist, Taking a shift at our Gallery; developing a new Member Survey.
Close of Meeting
Questions/Requests/Communication – Members in attendance were asked to provide comments on events to retain in the new year as well as event to add: Retain: Second Saturday and overall FUN ACTIVITIES; Add: Get a group together to develop a new Member Survey; develop a better listing of the Board roles, event chairperson roles and other roles for Volunteers – have a time set out to go over these, perhaps at the Senior Center venue.
Profit & Loss as of January 2025
BACJan2025PandLBlaine Arts Council & Blaine Art Gallery Statement of Values
Purpose:
These Principles serve to guide the behavior and decisions of members, committee members, and the Board of the Blaine Arts Council and Blaine Art Gallery, ensuring integrity, transparency, and respect in all interactions with each other and the Blaine community.
Core Principles
- Integrity and Accountability
o Act honestly and responsibly in all decisions and actions.
o Honor commitments made to the organization and community. - Respect and Inclusivity
o Foster an inclusive and welcoming environment for all community members, artists, and stakeholders, regardless of background, identity, or perspective.
o Treat fellow members, Board members, and community with respect and professionalism at all times. - Civility in Communication – See also Fostering Unity & Professionalism below
o Maintain courteous and respectful communication in all interactions, whether verbal, written, or electronic.
o Rudeness, hostility, or disrespectful language is unacceptable and will be addressed by the Board.
o Egregious or repeated violations of this standard may result in disciplinary action, including potential removal from the Council, as determined by the Board. - Commitment to Mission
o Uphold and promote the mission of the Blaine Arts Council: to support local artists, providing community connections and cultural events to help establish Blaine as a vibrant art destination.
o Focus efforts on initiatives that align with the organization’s vision and values. - Stewardship of Resources
o Use the organization’s financial, physical, and intellectual resources responsibly and for their intended purposes.
o Ensure fair and ethical practices in managing partnerships, sponsorships, and community collaborations. - Community Engagement and Collaboration
o Actively engage with the Blaine community to understand its artistic and cultural needs.
o Foster partnerships that enrich local arts, amplify diverse voices, and strengthen the bond between the organization and the community. - Artistic Integrity
o Support the artistic freedom of creators while ensuring that gallery content and programming reflect the organization’s standards and values.
o Commit to the ethical curation and presentation of art, respecting artists’ rights and cultural significance. - Conflict Resolution
o Address disputes promptly, fairly, and constructively, prioritizing the organization’s mission and community trust.
o All matters will be handled with discretion to protect the privacy of those involved.
Enforcement
All members, committee members, and Board members are expected to uphold these Principles. Instances of rudeness, disrespect, or other breaches of conduct will be reviewed by the Board. Depending on the severity of the behavior, actions may include a formal warning, necessity of mediation, or removal from the Council in cases deemed egregious.
By following these Principles, we ensure that the Blaine Arts Council and Blaine Art Gallery remain trusted, inclusive, and inspiring pillars of the Blaine community.
Fostering Unity and Professionalism
As a member of the Blaine Arts Council, each individual plays a vital role in supporting our shared mission and creating a positive, inclusive environment. To maintain the integrity of our organization and ensure its success, it is essential that we work collaboratively and respectfully, avoiding behaviors that could create division or undermine our shared purpose.
- Avoiding Divisiveness:
o Members are expected to avoid creating or encouraging factions, cliques, or “camps” aimed at rallying others to “take sides” in disputes or disagreements.
o Such behavior risks creating unnecessary tension, eroding trust, and diverting focus from the organization’s mission. - Prioritizing Professionalism:
o All members, Board members, and committee members should address concerns or conflicts constructively and through established channels, rather than engaging in gossip, alliances, or exclusionary tactics.
o Maintaining a professional demeanor in all interactions ensures that the organization is seen as a welcoming and effective cultural asset to the community. - Collaborative Problem-Solving:
o Disagreements are natural in any group setting, but they should be addressed directly, respectfully, and with the goal of finding solutions that benefit the organization as a whole.
o Members are encouraged to seek mediation or guidance from leadership when necessary to prevent misunderstandings or conflicts from escalating. - Upholding a Positive Image:
o Members are reminded that their actions reflect on the entire organization. Behaviors that create division or a hostile environment can harm the organization’s reputation and its ability to serve the community effectively.
o By fostering unity and professionalism, we strengthen our ability to fulfill our mission and inspire others to support the arts.
Commitment to Unity
By working together as a cohesive, respectful team, we ensure that both the Blaine Arts Council and Blaine Art Gallery remain places of creativity, collaboration, and community connection. Members found engaging in divisive or harmful behavior may be subject to review and, if necessary, disciplinary action to protect the organization’s culture and mission.
Blaine Arts Council Conflict of Interest Policy
Purpose:
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the integrity and reputation of the Blaine Arts Council are upheld by addressing potential conflicts of interest involving Board members, committee members, staff, and volunteers.
Policy Statement:
Members of the Blaine Arts Council are expected to act in the best interests of the organization and avoid conflicts of interest that could compromise their judgment or the organization’s mission. A conflict of interest arises when an individual’s personal, professional, or financial interests could interfere with their obligation to act in the organization’s best interests.
Examples of Conflicts of Interest:
o Financial interests in decisions involving contracts, vendors, or services.
o Personal relationships that could unduly influence decisions or actions.
o Using organizational resources or information for personal gain.
Disclosure Requirements:
o Annual Disclosure:
All Board members and key volunteers must disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest annually.
o Ongoing Disclosure:
Individuals must promptly disclose any new conflicts of interest as they arise, in writing, to the Board President or designated officer.
Procedure for Addressing Conflicts:
o Review:
Upon disclosure of a potential conflict, the Board will review the matter to determine if a conflict exists and whether it requires action.
o Recusal:
If a conflict is identified, the individual must recuse themselves from discussions, votes, or decisions related to the matter.
o Documentation:
All conflicts and the steps taken to address them will be documented in the Board meeting minutes.
Consequences of Non-Compliance:
Failure to disclose conflicts or comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action, including removal from the Board or volunteer position, as determined by the Board.
By adhering to this policy, the Blaine Arts Council ensures that its decisions and actions remain transparent, ethical, and in the best interest of its mission and the community it serves.