MEMBERSHIP QUESTIONNAIRE!!

Hey Team!

We are asking ALL TEAM MEMBERS to go to the website and fill out the MEMBERSHIP QUESTIONNAIRE located on the HOME PAGE. This is so we can update the team roster and get an accurate headcount of the members.

The DEADLINE for completion of this form is MARCH 1st, 2012.

Any team members that have not completed the questionnaire will be REMOVED from the team roster and will be asked to re-apply for membership, if they want to be on the team.

www.handmadeinvegas.com

ELECTION RESULTS

Hey Team! I want to thank everyone that voted!!! I want everyone to know all the races were EXTREMELY CLOSE! In one case there was only one vote separating the winner!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OUR NEW POSITION HOLDERS!!!

ELECTION RESULTS:
Vice President: Marlene Stidham
Secretary: Megan Dresback
Treasurer: Brandy Decker
Sergeant At Arms: Carrieann Lago
Social Networking Administrator: Sierra Sorenson
Team Etsy Store Administrator: Kathy Jones
Membership Committee Chairman: Carrieann Lago
Community Service Committee Chairman: Katie Kilar

HOW TO VOTE

You may cast your ballot at www.handmadeinvegas.com click on the VOTE HERE tab.

All voting ends on February 15th, 2012.

Winner will be announced on February 17th, 2012.

*ONLY HMIV TEAM MEMBERS MAY VOTE.

*You MUST put your FIRST AND LAST NAME on your ballots.

*If there is more than one vote on a ballot, it will NOT be counted.

Handmade In Vegas LIST OF NOMINEES

Vice President:

Marlene Stidham: (Island Girlz Jewelry)
Aloha! My name is Marlene and I’d appreciate your vote for Vice President. For those of you who do not know me, I am an original member of the Handmade in Vegas Etsy team. I am a Team Leader and a member of the Jurying Committee. My most notable accomplishment has been the establishment of the LOT, a First Friday venue for team members and other members of the art community.

One of the biggest assets I bring to this position is my organizational skills and ability to simply get things done. I don’t believe in the word "No"–it simply means you have to try another approach. But at the same time, I’m sensitive to the needs of everyone and understand the value of working together as a team toward common goals. To put it simply, I’m a team player and I believe in THIS team!

My goals if elected to this position are to: 1) Create a more visible team presence within the community; 2) Help team members reach their full potential through education, networking and a mutual support system; and, 3) Create more opportunities for team members to showcase their artistic talents.

If all that hasn’t convinced you to vote for me well then you should vote for me because I’m really AWESOME (LOL)!! Seriously though, your vote would mean a vote of confidence in me–and that is greatly appreciated :0)

Secretary:

Megan Dresback: (FFTF & B & The Button Barn)
I would like to be your team Secretary. Ha Ha... I almost put down "Class" Secretary. My reasons for wanting the job are simple but important. I love the arts and crafts community that this wonderful team has brought out of the woodwork. Being a Vegas native, I have waited a long time for any kind of artistic community to start up here. It is inspiring to be a part of a like minded group and I would love to promote and support the group and its team leaders. I think that this team can be an important contributor in the city and that we can use our group to further our artistic endeavors and the community as a whole. We can make this team into something amazing. Let's do it!

Jacqueline Todd: (Little Bird Threads)
Hello Handmade in Vegas teammates! My name is Jacqueline Todd of Little Bird Threads. I joined the team in November and am very excited to become an active member.
I am nominating myself for secretary for two simple reasons, I like to take notes and no one knows me well enough to nominate me. The position of secretary speaks to me because note taking have been an integral part of my existence for as long as I have been writing. During high school, I was the secretary for Octagon Club and Choir. In my ten years as an Interior Designer my very livelihood depended on my ability to take notes in order to make my clients' dreams a reality. As a perpetual college student, my grades depend on my note taking abilities. My current full time student status affords me plenty of time to be available for meetings.

As your Secretary, I would make it my duty to take excellent notes in order to keep all members informed. Thank you for your consideration.

Treasurer:

Brandy Decker: (spill the beans)
I am obsessed with organization and love math! My experience includes, working in the baking industry for eight years, being an owner of our family pizza restaurant in San Diego, and being a teacher and after school math tutor for C.C.S.D.
I am excited about all the new leadership on this team and want to be a part of all the new changes and activities.

Barb Tricarichi: (Hearts & More Embroidery)
I would like to be treasurer of Handmade In Vegas. I have personal and business experience with bank accounts and keeping track of expenses and all. I worked in accounts payable for four years.

Thank you

Sergeant at Arms:

Carrieann Lago: (Ametista)
My years in property management have provided me with a good deal of experience in creating and defining bylaws. During those years, I’ve managed at large real estate portfolio including many Home Owners Associations. I've chaired board meetings utilizing Robert’s Rules to maintain order, productivity and efficiency during these meetings. These elements are key to our team as we continue to grow in size and scope. More than anything, I want to see our team succeed in all we set out to do. We have big ideas and big goals to achieve and I'd like to help with that.

Social Networking Administrator:

Sierra Sorensen: (Sierra Nicole Designs & Paper Soul Studios)
I would like to run for the position of Social Networking Administrator.
I believe I have a lot of knowledge of and skills with social networking, and I think I will be able to use a lot of different social venues to be able to support and promote the team. I would like to see Facebook and Twitter being utilized more/better, and to also use Pinterest and Foursquare to help promote the team. Both of the latter sites are amazing, and can be used for great marketing tools. I have a lot of knowledge of these, and I know I can use it to help the team!

Kathy Wheeler: (Kaths Hats & Aangels Heavenly Soy Sense)
For almost 2 years now I have been working on Handmade In Vegas F/B book page and have been posting information on Etsy, straight from Etsy itself and getting people to post about their shops, we started with very few on this page and it has grown to 245 members. I am an avid user of Twitter too. I have always screened the people before accepting them into the group to make sure they aren't spammers.
I also have been doing Northwest Meetings for almost 2 years and have had success with members attending and I believe I have helped many people in many different ways. I have informative speakers and information about Social Networking as well as learning about our Etsy Web pages and promoting our businesses.


Team Etsy Store Administrator:

Kathy Jones: (Ametista)
I love taking photos and I have a photo booth and all equipment required to take photos for our team shop. I feel if the photos are all uniformed the shop will look more organized and complete. I also am very organized (well most of the time) and can keep up with the orders and since I go to the post office at least twice a week, sending out more is no problem.

Kellie Kroplinski: (Art Box Creations)
I've had two Etsy shops since 2009 and have participated in the group consistently from its inception.
I've had my own business as a graphic designer for 10 years. I take my Etsy business as seriously as my design business. I would like to see the Etsy Group develop into a well known Las Vegas entity.

Membership Committee:

Kellie Kroplinski: (Art Box Creations)
I've had two Etsy shops since 2009 and have participated in the group consistently from its inception.
I've had my own business as a graphic designer for 10 years. I take my Etsy business as seriously as my design business. I would like to see the Etsy Group develop into a well known Las Vegas entity.

Carrieann Lago: (Ametista)
My years in property management have provided me with a good deal of experience in creating and defining bylaws. During those years, I’ve managed at large real estate portfolio including many Home Owners Associations. I've chaired board meetings utilizing Robert’s Rules to maintain order, productivity and efficiency during these meetings. These elements are key to our team as we continue to grow in size and scope. More than anything, I want to see our team succeed in all we set out to do. We have big ideas and big goals to achieve and I'd like to help with that.

Pat Martinez: (Rock My Beads)
I have numerous years of experience in contract law as well as serving in numerous Board of Directors as President, Vice President, and Treasurer.
My experience will allow me to contribute to HMIV's Bylaws and Membership guidelines to ensure that they are written in line with requirements such as Etsy's Policies as well as Robert's Rules of Order. I have been an active Etsy member as well as an active HMIV member for approximately 2-1/2 years. My goal as a member of the above two committees is to produce Team ByLaws that are equitable to all HMIV members while keeping in line with the legal requirements. I am open-minded and listen to all criticism, bad or good. I am a team player but can also serve in a leadership role when needed. My interest in both of these committees is sincere and I hope that I am given the opportunity to serve HMIV in any capacity needed, but for now, I'd like to start with participation in these two committees. In the future when I'm not involved with other organizations, I'd like to take an executive board role.

Barb Tricarichi: (Hearts & More Embroidery)
I would like to be considered for Membership Chairman. I am new to the group but would like to meet people and help the group grow.

Kathy Wheeler: (Kaths Hats & Aangels Heavenly Soy Sense)
I would like to help with the Membership Committee, for I have been a member since Etsy first begin at the very first meeting in Las Vegas. I have done research on the Do's and Don'ts of Etsy. I am totally supportive of Etsy itself and our members. I always strive to help people in any way I can.



Community Service Committee:

Katie Wade Kilar: (Katie’s Capes)
Katie has come up with many great ideas for the team to reach out and connect with our community. One of her recent ideas was, having the team join together to make “Blessing Bags”. These bags would be passed out to the homeless during First Friday, and other team events.

Event and Venue Committee:

No nominees

Team Fundraising Committee:

No nominees

Educational Committee:

No nominees

General Meeting Minutes 1-16-2012

HMIV Meeting

January 17, 2012

Start time 6:00pm

8900 Crooked Shell, LV

Speaker:  Julie Mirth

Agenda:

1.    Introduction of new President, Julie Mirth

2.    Explanation of elections and open positions

3.    Team bylaws and membership rules

4.    New webpage intro and tour

5.    NEW Facebook Fan Page

6.    Dates and Locations for future meetings

7.    Tax Talk with guest speaker  - Debra Brown from H&R Block

1.    Introduction of new President, Julie Mirth

      HMIV’s new President, Julie Mirth, introduced herself to all those in attendance. (Welcome Julie!)

      Afterward, all members made their introductions.

2.    Explanation of elections and open positions

Julie provided the membership with a list of the available board positions and explained them as the follows:

Handmade In Vegas Team Elections for Executive Board and Committee Chairman’s:

All open team positions are listed below with a brief description of the position. All candidates will be voted into their respected positions by the team.

All positions are open to any team member that wishes to run. If a team member would like to be considered for an open position, they must submit a self-nomination and a short statement of why they are the best candidate for the position. All self-nominations and statements must be submitted by email to Handmadeinvegas@gmail.com no later than January 26th, 2012.

All nominees will be posted on the team Facebook Group page, team blog, team website, and via a team email blast. The list of nominees will be posted no later than February 1st, 2012.

Voting will take place from February 1st, 2012 through February 15th, 2012. Members will cast their ballots via the VOTE HERE page on the new revamped team website. www.handmadeinvegas.weebly.com

Team members MUST put their name on each ballot for it to be counted. If there is more than one vote per ballot, it will NOT be counted.

All winners will be sent an email notifying them of their win. All results will be posted on the team Facebook Group page, team blog, team website, and via a team email blast.

Any team member may run for any of the positions below. If a team member would like to run, they must read the job description and make sure that they can fulfill the requirements of that position. They must be available to the team and able to attend the team meetings, events and/or executive/committee meetings.

OPEN POSITIONS

Vice President:

Help and assist the president. Be ready to assume the role of president of for some reason the current president can no longer assume the role. Assist the committee chairman’s when needed.

Secretary:

Will have a clear understanding of the meeting topics and will prepare agendas and/ or handouts. Will take attendance and meeting minutes and have ready the minutes of the previous meetings.

Treasurer:

Will ensure all team funds are appropriately managed in accordance to the team rules and regulations. Will keep accurate records of all collection and disposal of team funds.

Sergeant at Arms:

Will keep order during team meetings. Will ensure that all team members stay on topic at team meeting.

Social Networking Administrator:

Will manage all team social networking such as Facebook, Twitter, team blogs and/or forums, etc. Will be responsible for updating posts and topics from the team. Will serve as the online team moderator in situations  of any disagreements that may be posted online.

Team Etsy Administrator:

Will run and operate the team Etsy shop. Will collect and post all donated items from team members in the team Etsy shop. Will be responsible for shipping all items sold from the team Etsy shop.

Membership Committee Chairman:

Will be responsible for approving new team members onto the team as per the team membership guidelines. Will help and assist in creating new member guidelines that will be set into place. (NO NEW TEAM MEMBERSHIP GUIDELINES WILL BE CHANGED, MODIFIED, ETC. UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN VOTED UPON BY THE CURRENT TEAM MEMBERS.  ANY/ ALL CHANGES MUST BE VOTED ON BY THE TEAM)

Community Service Committee Chairman:

Will present community service projects to the team. Will gather any/ all materials for projects. Will lead the team in executing and completing all community service projects.

Event and Venue Committee Chairman:

Will be responsible for seeking out and securing venues for team events. Will be responsible for arranging times, dates, etc. for any team events or shows.

Team Fundraising Committee Chairman:

Will be responsible for organizing and executing any team fundraisers.

Education Committee Chairman:

Will be responsible for preparing and presenting any educational topics, materials, and/or guest speakers for team meetings and functions. (ALL TOPICS AND/OR GUEST SPEAKERS MUST BE APPROVED BY THE EXCUTIVE BOARD)

3.    Team bylaws and membership rules

Once the Membership Committee has been elected, all suggestions for new member policies will be sent directly to the Membership Committee via the contact form at www.handmadeinvegas.weebly.com. All submissions will be processed by the Membership Committee and put to the membership for a vote.

4.    New webpage intro and tour

We had a discussion about revamping the HMIV team website. A brief tour of the purposed site was given by Julie. The new site would offer the following:

·       Team Etsy Shops

·       Team Contact forms

·       Team membership guidelines

·       Team Bylaws

·       Executive Team Listings

·       Committee listings

·       Team Headlines

·       Information on Team events

·       Team Forum

·       Featured Artist of the Month

·       Committee service updates

·       Team Photos

·       Contact forms included for all team members and committees to make communication easy.

It was voted upon at the meeting that the new website would take effect and be published immediately. www.handmadeinvegas.weebly.com

5.    NEW Facebook Fan Page

In addition to our group Facebook page we will now have a separate HMIV Facebook fan page. This page will feature the artist of the month as well as any team updates or events. This page will allow all team fans and followers to stay up to date. This page will be public (of course) and will be moderated by the Social Networking Administrator.

    

Our group page will be private and available for team members only, but other than that will remain unchanged.

A vote was taken and these changes were agreed upon and set effective immediately.

6.    Dates and Locations for future meetings

The following was suggested as a possible schedule for our meetings and will be voted upon after the election of the executive board:

·       The general meetings to be held every other month.

·       The educational meetings will be held every alternative month.

·       The executive board meetings would be help in the same month as the educational meetings.

7.    Tax Talk with guest speaker  - Debora Brown from H&R Block                                    Guest speaker Debora Brown will be talking about the difference between hobby and business (according to the IRS) and fielding questions. There was also a drawing for $200 off her services.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:30 pm

            

TEAM ELECTIONS

Handmade In Vegas Team Elections for Executive Board and Committee Chairman’s:

All open team positions are listed below with a brief description of the position. All candidates will be voted into their respected positions by the team.

All positions are open to any team member that wishes to run. If a team member would like to be considered for an open position, they must submit a self-nomination and a short statement of why they are the best candidate for the position. All self-nominations and statements must be submitted by email to Handmadeinvegas@gmail.com no later than January 26^th, 2012.

All nominees will be posted on the team Facebook Group page, team blog, team website, and via a team email blast. The list of nominees will be posted no later than February 1^st, 2012.

Voting will take place from February 1^st, 2012 through February 15^th, 2012. Members will cast their ballots via the VOTE HERE page on the new revamped team website. www.handmadeinvegas.weebly.com

Team members MUST put their name on each ballot for it to be counted. If there is more than one vote per ballot, it will NOT be counted.

All winners will be sent an email notifying them of their win. All results will be posted on the team Facebook Group page, team blog, team website, and via a team email blast. 

Any team member may run for any of the positions below. If a team member would like to run, they must read the job description and make sure that they can fulfill the requirements of that position. They must be available to the team and able to attend the team meetings, events and/or executive/committee meetings.

OPEN POSITIONS

Vice President:

Help and assist the president. Be ready to assume the role of president of for some reason the current president can no longer assume the role.

Assist the committee chairman’s when needed.

 Secretary:

Will have a clear understanding of the meeting topics and will prepare agendas and/ or handouts. Will take attendance and meeting minutes and have ready the minutes of the previous meetings.

Treasurer:

Will ensure all team funds are appropriately managed in accordance to the team rules and regulations. Will keep accurate records of all collection and disposal of team funds.

Sergeant at Arms:

Will keep order during team meetings. Will ensure that all team members stay on topic at team meeting.

Social Networking Administrator:

Will manage all team social networking such as Facebook, Twitter, team blogs and/or forums, etc. Will be responsible for updating posts and topics from the team. Will serve as the online team moderator in situations  of any disagreements that may be posted online.

Team Etsy Administrator:

Will run and operate the team Etsy shop. Will collect and post all donated items from team members in the team Etsy shop. Will be responsible for shipping all items sold from the team Etsy shop.

Membership Committee Chairman:

Will be responsible for approving new team members onto the team as per the team membership guidelines. Will help and assist in creating new member guidelines that will be set into place. (NO NEW TEAM MEMBERSHIP GUIDELINES WILL BE CHANGED, MODIFIED, ETC. UNTIL THEY HAVE BEEN VOTED UPON BY THE CURRENT TEAM MEMBERS.  ANY/ ALL CHANGES MUST BE VOTED ON BY THE TEAM)

Community Service Committee Chairman:

Will present community service projects to the team. Will gather any/ all materials for projects. Will lead the team in executing and completing all community service projects. 

Event and Venue Committee Chairman:

Will be responsible for seeking out and securing venues for team events. Will be responsible for arranging times, dates, etc. for any team events or shows. 

Team Fundraising Committee Chairman:

Will be responsible for organizing and executing any team fundraisers.

Education Committee Chairman:

Will be responsible for preparing and presenting any educational topics, materials, and/or guest speakers for team meetings and functions. (ALL TOPICS AND/OR GUEST SPEAKERS MUST BE APPROVED BY THE EXCUTIVE BOARD)