March 21, 2024

Fontenelle Forest Photo Club Meeting Minutes

Location:Fontenelle Forest
Date:003/21/2024
Time:7:00 PM


Welcome by: Mary Headley

I. Old Business:

Open Positions: We are in need of volunteers for the Photo Club -President, Vice President and Photo Display Organizer. Please consider volunteering for one of these positions.

II. New Business:

  1. Need ideas from members for Future displays @ Bellevue Library and Fontenelle Forest.
  2. Need member ideas for future Speakers/Programs this fall.
  3. Mary thanked Jason, Diane and Lorraine for treats tonight. Diane & Lorraine were not able to attend tonight due to health-related issues, but sent their treats through Howard Carson. Mary passed around get-well cards for the members to sign.
  4. Kathleen provided the treasure’s report balance of $721.72. Expenses- $65.42 was spent on ID cards and plexiglass print covers. She mentions Phil would be speaking about proposed increase in dues.
  5. Donna Gray spoke about the proposed rule changes for the 2024 Photo Club contest. The majority of attending members voted to approve the proposal. Please see the new approved contest guidelines on the website next week. If you have questions, please contact Donna Gray @ her email: djg618@yahoo.com.
  6. Donna showed samples of the current contest ribbons and a much smaller, less expensive ribbon. She stated “the increased cost of the current contest ribbons has more than doubled over the years.” The increased number and cost of ribbons for the current novice, advanced and added “bird” category should to be considered in the proposed member’s dues increase if the members want to keep the larger, nicer contest ribbons.
  1. Phil proposed an increase in the membership dues from the club Executive Board. The dues have never been raised and the club expenses continue to rise. Presently membership dues are: Single $12, Family $20. The proposed increase would be: Single $20, Family $30. After February the price will be halved for new memberships. Phil reminded everyone they must be current members of the Fontenelle Forest Nature Association. The attending members voted to approve the proposed membership dues increase starting in September 2024, which begins the photo clubs new fiscal year.
  2. Phil asked members to provide 3-4 photo from the forest that can be rotated on the website.
  3. Allen Kurth asked about the events calendar on the Photo Club website. He asked if the monthly meeting could be added to this calendar. This is where he looks for the meeting.
  4. Linda Schuett’s asked about the possibility of having the Contest Critique videotaped for members not able to attend. She also suggested a photo critique with club members. Donna Gray will check with Bellevue University AV department about videotaping the critique.
  5. The Photo Club has two displays for its members. The Bellevue Library and Fontenelle Forest. A reminder: All photos for the FF display should be taken at Fontenelle Forest or Neal Woods or in nature that could or would be seen at the Fontenelle Forest. Please bring you photos to the April meeting.

The current topics:

“Playing with Light: Reflections and Shadows” for the Bellevue Library

“Spring in the Forest” for Fontenelle Forest

  1. Exhibit photos for the Bellevue Library & FF displays may be brought to the monthly meetings. You may also drop off prints @ Kathleen’s house katcr@cox.net or Phil’s house philo.pm51@startmail.com. Please email either one for their address and a good time to drop off photos.

10. Attendees: 22

11. New members: Glen- he enjoys nature and architectural photography.

12. Allen Kurth did a nice job presenting his process and postprocessing of photos.

III. Input from current officers and committee members and helpers

Open Positions: We are in need of volunteers for the Photo Club

  • President
  • Vice President
  • Photo Display Organizers

Photo Display Organizers: In need of volunteers to take over photo displays.

Treasurer- Kathleen Crawford-Rose:

Treasurer’s report:

Balance as of March 21, 2024- $721.72

Secretary- Mary Headley: led the meeting

Photo Contest Organizer: Donna Gray has returned in full capacity spearheading the photo contest.

This year’s contest will be as follows.

May 25th–set up begins @ 10am

June 20th–Critique by our judge which will be Jerred Zegelis

June 29th– Take down of photos and pickup begins at 10am

Member at large: Andrea Kuhn

Webmaster- Phil Mininni: Working with Emily on links between us and FF for comments.

Brent Headley:(helps webmaster and with video at meetings and other volunteering) Absent

IV. Speakers/Programs:

April 18, 2024: Ni Demman (sp6) wildlife or portrait.

May 16, 2024: Raptor Shoot

June 20, 2024: Photo Contest Presentation

Treats brought by Jason Bowers, Diane Kinney & Lorraine Feldhausen

Submitted by Club Secretary: Mary Headley

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