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Derek Snowdon

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I have offered help with our art club on setting up events, meetings, shows and other general stuff, but only the type of help that is non physical due to my lack of strength, cordination and dexterity. Then sadly, recently we lost our programme secretary and in response to the Chair's appeal I offered some help, mainly as no bookings had been made for 2016 and you have to work fast to get good demonstrators and speakers, often combined. I now have the same grand title. I have done this job before a long time back Dates, subjects, media and fees all play their parts but I am not doing too badly and can only hope I can match the previous title holder from which of course I have copies going years back. Having done loads of committee roles in my life in many different activities, I didn't really want an officers job, but now I've got it. The secretary did pass a quiet word in that the balance of the committee will be adjusted. I think he feels a little overwhelmed but does a remarkeable job. Wish me luck chaps
michael

Michael Edwards

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All the best Derek. I have just retired after 14 years as chairman of our local club - I am also involved in healthcare committees and it was getting too much - I just want to paint! The trouble is, the secretary has also resigned and no one has come forward to do the bookings etc. We are now having to run the club as a painting session only for the forseeable future in the hope that someone comes forward. It was either this or closing the club which would have meant closing our bank account and distributing the funds to charity. If it was closed down it would be a heck of job resurrecting it in the future - at least this way the club continues.

Edited
by Michael Edwards

Sylvia Evans

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Having spent years on art club committees in varying roles I wish you well....... I turned my back after about twenty years and just walked away. The Sketch book group I am involved with requires minimum effort and no commitment from anyone....love it . Though a friend and i did start a Life drawing group about a quarter of a centuary ago...... I left after ten years, its still going strong, so I now go back as and when I want to. Its great.
With Sarah, Phil, Ellen, Rose the dentist, and the granddaughter whose name I forget.

Robert Jones, Napa

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People start these things and then either try to do everything themselves - which is feasible, if exhausting - or delegate responsibility to others and find they're not doing the job. So they end up doing it all anyway. The one thing I have learned about all this is that you need a structure, even if it feels bureaucratic - trying to do it informally, and working out a programme over the occasional social event, is a recipe for frustration and disaster. It takes far more effort in the end than a formal committee with a scheduled annual meeting and delegation to elected officers. There is, incidentally, little more embarrassing than a website and Facebook page, started off in the first fine flush of enthusiasm, and then seeing both languish and decline with nothing happening: and the wasted effort involved in setting things up only to have the empty site stare at you reproachfully is extremely depressing (and suggests that artists just aren't good at sustaining cooperative effort).