Blackhawk Carving Club Rockford

The Blackhawk Woodcarver
Volume XXII, Issue 12, December 2015

Presidents Report

Dear Friends,

The creative and beautiful objects (yes, objects of art!) our members carve and burn continue to amaze me. Recently, a member of the club brought in a large photo collection of carvings he had done over the years. He pointed out how his work had evolved, and improved, since he had started carving.

What was most interesting was how proud he was of the things he had done and given to family and friends. He brightened up most pointing out toys he had carved and given to his grandchildren.

I imagine many members of our club have experienced the good feeling of giving a carving or burned gift to someone. One of my sisters has had six or seven Pug dogs, so I burned one for her. My other sister has had numerous Dachsunds. So, of course, I burned one of those (on bass wood). My wife has an affinity for cats, and a burning of one hangs on the dining room wall. Best of all, every one said they liked what they had received. My sisters even said they would bring their presents out of the closet and put them up when I come to visit. I'm sure your family and friends will do the same.

Gary Curl

December Birthdays
(that we know about)

2   Larry Stenzel           22   Larry Onley
5   Bob Hallstrom         29   Tim Backer
7   Larry Rill                   30   Isaac Grover
18 Jane Pheiffer          30   Jim Foster
14 Don Stansfield       31   Martha Fitch

Club Officers (815 area code)
President - Gary Curl, 895-5106
Vice Pres. - Frank Lay, 677-1190
Treasurer - John Skaggs, 547-6951
Secretary - Martha Fitch, 399-2453

Committees (815 area code)
Librarian - Dawn Rozanas—229-8996
Show Co-Chairmen - Gary Curl 895-5106, Elaine Terrell 765-2886
Webmaster - Gordy Moscinski, 874-7978
Membership - Chuck Drewes, 316-0398
Newsletter Publisher, Gary Johnson 399-1697
Newsletter Editor, Gordy Moscinski, 874-7978
Photographer - Larry Clark, 262-9982
Historian - Elaine Terrell 765-2886
Programs—Bob Matthews 544-2359 & Denny Neubauer 515-508-9524
Petty Cash—Dona Wisner
Christmas Party - Rosalie Wesley
Picnic - Tony Devita
Soap Carving –Gary Lundquist

Club Activity Schedule

December 2 open carving
December 9 Christmas Party

When: December 9^th (Wednesday)

Where: Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Academy (formerly Ken Rock)

Time: 9:00 am to 11:00 am

Details: Bring a dish to pass. Signup sheet next to sign in sheet at weekly carving meeting.

Club will supply: paper plates, napkins, eating utensils, coffee, water, juice, salt and pepper and butter.

P.S. left over carryout available for those needing boxes

by Rosalie Wesley

December 16 open carving & meeting
December 23 open carving
December 30 open carving

January 6 open carving
January 13 open carving
January 20 open carving & meeting
Homemade jigs & helpers
Bring in your homemade jigs, vices, tool boxes, clamps or anything that you made to help in carving.

January 27 open carving

February 3 open carving
February 10 open carving
February 17 open carving & meeting
February 24 open carving

Woodcarvers Meeting of November 2015

Minutes of the regularly monthly meeting of the Blackhawk Woodcarvers held on November 18, 2015 at 3818 11^th St, Rockford, IL.

The meeting was called to order at 9:01 am by President Gary Curl.

Due to absence of Secretary Marth Fitch, minutes read by substitute secretary Rosalie A. Wesley. Minutes read and approved. Treasurer’s report brought up to date by John Skaggs and approved.

Donna Wisner presented both the refreshment and petty cash report. Motion to approve seconded.

Chuck introduced a guest Diana Johnson, her mother, Dorothy. Chuck also reminded members that the club dues of $25 and are due on or before January 1, 2016. Checks should be made payable to Blackhawk Carvers and should be given to him as well as cash. Receipts will be supplied to all payees.

New Business

Gordy Moscinski is concerned with a breech in the bylaws. According to the bylaws which he had in hand. “The term of office for elected positions is one year, maximum of two consecutive years and are concurrent.”

Motion put forward by Gordy Moscinski to delete this section of bylaws. Discussion ensued. Motion seconded. Discussion continued, seconded rescinded. Discussion continued

New motion proposed by John Skaggs. “When officers’ terms are extended beyond the bylaws, a club vote of unanimous approval shall be required.” Motion seconded. Vote taken and unanimous approval not obtained. Status quo will remain the same until a copy of bylaws is available to all members. Copy to be printed in December’s newsletter. At January meeting a new motion to change bylaws will be presented. And in February a vote on motion will be made by all attending members.

Soap carving program scheduled for November 25.

Handouts made available for 46^th Annual Ward World Championship scheduled for April 22, 23, 24, 2016. Wildfowl art will be Roland E. Powell Convention Center at 4001 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, Maryland 21842.

Substitute secretary Rosalie A. Wesley

Homemade jigs & helpers
January 20, 2016
Bring in your homemade jigs, vices, tool boxes, clamps or anything that you made to help in carving.

Deadline for the news for the next newsletter is January 6th.

Club dues are due

The club dues of $25 are due on or before Jan. 1, 2016. Make checks payable to Blackhawk Carvers and give your cash or checks to Chuck Drewes.

Door Prize Drawing

Don't forget the Door Prize drawing on First Wednesdays. Bring something you don't need or want anymore, but know someone would be thrilled to win at the drawing.

In keeping with the mission of the club to educate and promote woodcarving, many of the club members volunteer in working with youth soap carving. For the past few weeks many have worked with Ed Dreger at Grace Lutheran Church on Friday afternoons. Those volunteers include Gary Lundquist, Tod and Donna Wisner, Denny Neubauer, Tony DeVita, Gordy and Mary Moscinski.
If you would be interested in volunteering for an hour, please contact Gary Lundquist.
If you have promoted woodcarving thru a demonstration or volunteering, please send Gordy a note and maybe even a picture.
by Mary Moscinski

Blackhawk Carving Club By-Laws

ARTICLE 1. NAME, PURPOSE, MISSION

The name of the organization is Blackhawk Woodcarvers. The purpose is to provide a Meeting place and forum for interested careers to participate in the formation of ideas and information that promotes all aspects of carving, allows exchange of personal experiences and information and promotes good will among club members and the Rockford community. We will conduct carving classes, provide knowledgeable speakers and present an annual wood carvers show for the Rockford area. Our mission is to preserve and insure continued growth in the art of woodcarving by bringing together local and area carvers to promote the value of woodcarving.

ARTICLE 2. LOCATION

Club meetings will be held at 3218 11^th Street. Rockford IL, 61109. The Executive Board will determine other locations for special events or programs.

ARTICLE 3. MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to' anyone interested in woodcarving. Active Members will participate in club activities and pay the required dues. Active Members in good standing are entitled to vote when necessary and afforded the privilege of serving as an elected officer of the organization. Associate memberships are allowed for those individuals who do not attend club meetings, but support the club in other ways. Associate Members will be allowed one half the required annual dues and will not vote or serve as officers in the organization.

ARTICLE 4. ORGANIZATION

The ultimate authority in matters of policy, property, and program rests in the members of the organization. There will be a weekly gathering on every Wednesday morning from 8:30 until 11:00 with the third Wednesday of each month to include a business meeting. There will be an annual Wood Carving Show serving the Northern Illinois, region. The President will call any special meetings. The fiscal year shall be from January thru December.

ARTICLE 5. OFFICERS AND CHAIRPERSONS

Club officers will be elected by a majority vote of members in attendance at the December business meeting. Elected offices are President, Vice President. Treasurer, and Secretary. These elected officers will comprise the executive Board, the term of office for elected positions is one year; with a maximum of 2 consecutive years and are concurrent with the fiscal year of the organization. The Executive Board will appoint the following: Chairpersons/ positions, and committees annually,
Newsletter Editor/Publicity Chairperson
Show Chairperson
Membership Chairperson
Librarian
Webmaster
Program Committee
Nominating Committee

An elected officer may also serve as a chairperson or committee member.

ARTICLE 6 DUTIES

PRESIDENT
The President will conduct the club business meetings. The President will monitor planning and activities.

The President will call Executive Board meetings as needed.

Vice President

The Vice President will conduct the club meeting in the absence of the President. The Vice President will assume the office of President should that office become vacant, The Vice President will chair the Program committee.

Secretary
The Secretary will record meeting minutes, The Secretary will report the minutes at the following meeting. Copies will be provided to the executive board members. The Secretary will retain copies of minutes, monthly financial reports and bank statements. The Secretary will send card for members.

Treasurer
The Treasurer will maintain all club financial records, make account deposits and pay all club bills in a timely manner. The Treasurer will issue receipts for all monies received. The Treasurer will only make reimbursement accompanied by receipt. The Treasurer will make all payments by check only. The Treasurer will present a monthly financial report at each club business meeting and provide copies of report and monthly bank statement to executive board members.

Newsletter Editor/Publicity Chairperson

The Newsletter Editor/ Publicity Chairperson will publish a club newsletter monthly. The Newsletter Editor/ Publicity Chairperson will submit press releases to the media of the clubs forthcoming programs and the clubs annual show and competition and other activities.

Show Chairperson

The Show Chairperson will set the annual show date with the Executive Board approval, The Show Chairperson or their designee will obtain the location for the annual show. The Show Chairperson or their designee will obtain two judges for the competition at the annual show for a stipend of $200.00 per judge for a total of $400.00. The Show Chairperson will appoint a person (or persons) to develop a show brochure and entry procedure and form, mail brochures/ entry forms, accept entry forms, establish procedures for handling competition carvings at the show, establish records of award winners and place
awards/ ribbons on proper entries.

Membership Chairperson

The Membership Chairperson will maintain a current membership list to be distributed to club at the end of January and August. The Membership Chairperson shall collect dues, issue membership cards. Proof of payment and forward monies to the club Treasurer. The Membership Chairperson will pursue methods to promote club awareness and new membership.

Librarian

The librarian will maintain the club library. The librarian will publicize content to club members.

Historian
The Historian will acquire and maintain all historical data pertinent to the club.

Program Committee

The Program Committee will consist of the vice President and two or three appointed members. The Program Committee will schedule an instructional hands-on carving Project once a quarter. All c1ub members are urged to help this committee obtain programs. Program Presenters that are non-club members will receive an honorarium. $600.00 for a total of the year.

Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee will present a slate of officers annually for election at the clubs December meeting. The Nominating Committee will recommend a candidate for any position that becomes vacant during the clubs fiscal year.

Webmaster
The Webmaster will maintain the club website.

Article 7. Administration
Any expenditure in excess of $50.00, other than rent will require approval by the Executive Board. Carving class fees shell be paid to the. Participants, any non-club member will be charged an additional $5 .00 above the required fee. A petty cash report shall be submitted monthly.

Article 8. Dissolution

In the case of dissolution of organization, all property and financial assets after paying all just clams, will appropriately be conveyed to and vested either among the existing active members or a community not-for.-profit agency. The Executive committee will perform all actions necessary to effectuate such conveyance.