Advisory Board Minutes
Association Secretary Stephanie Torres
The Arts and Crafts Association Advisory Board, like all clubs and organizations which meet monthly, has a secretary who takes the minutes of the meeting. At the next monthly meeting, the minutes are reviewed and approved or disapproved, and corrrections are made.
Once the minutes are approved, they are released for publication on the website.
VACA Advisory Board Meeting - Meeting
Thursday, October 30, 2025, 4 PM - 5 PM, Art Room
Vice President: Claudia Welch – Called meeting to order at: 5:01 pm
Board Members Roll call:
Mandy Book – President Present Absent
Claudia Welch – Vice President Present Absent
Suzanne Ferris – Treasurer Present Absent
Stephanie Torres – Secretary Present Absent
Diane Finley – Ceramics Room Present Absent
Barbara Gottesman – Art Class Coordinator and Web Master Present Absent
Michael Sunzeri – Programs/Exhibits Present Absent
Colleen Mirassou – New Members Greeter Present Absent
Parthenia Hicks – Historian Present Absent
Marion Rose – Art Films Present Absent
1. REPORTING:
Secretary: Stephanie Torres - Approval of Sept 25, 2025 minutes (link )
Approval motion made by Barbara__; seconded by suzanne
Approval vote – Ayes ___8___ Nays _____ Report approved ___X _Not approved ______
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Treasurer: Suzanne Ferris
Total fund balance 1/1/25: $17,024.50 (Bank balance)
For the month October 2025:
Total income was $ 1045.00
Expenses were $ 338.00
Net income (loss) was $ 707.00
YTD 2025 Financial Report:
Total fund balance 1/1/2025 $17,024.50
Total income YTD 2025 is $ 7,015.80
Total expenses YTD 2025 are $ 6,762.99
Ending fund balance on 10/30/25 is $ 17,329.07 (Note: Deposit and several checks are outstanding)
Distributed October detailed spreadsheet.
Approval motion made by _____Barbara____; seconded by _______Parthenia____
Approval vote – Ayes __8_ Nays _____ Report approved ___X___Not approved ______
Suzanne also mentioned she now has us on Zelle and we can use it for any upcoming Show/Event.
Vice President, Membership: Claudia Welch – Membership update 6 new members for September, and 2 dropped. Membership is: 290 on October 30, 2025. Link to Member List
A lot of discussion went into the program for our November membership meeting and voting in new board 2026-2027. Claudia will interim for Mandy and welcome guests. Parthenia will introduce guest artist (crafter). All votes counted that day will include those that proxy in. Once the introduction of the new board, a raise of hands will be counted by three volunteers to insure accuracy in the count. At that time it will be confirmed the new members for 2026-2027. Parthenia and Colleen will manage refreshments for the meeting.
2. OLD BUSINESS
2a. Election committee - create ballot for Monday, 11/3 and/or email ballot in advance? For future reference and consistency this is the Nominating committee.
2b. Demo at New Resident Meeting - request has been made, waiting for response Colleen will continue to oversee this monthly/quarterly event.
2c. Dues renewal letter will be sent out by Mandy 11/10.
2d. Mandy will create a new yearly calendar for 2026 in December. All dates have been approved for our club.
3. NEW BUSINESS
3a. (Suzanne) Zelle has been added to Wells Fargo account! First deposit made by Diane.
Who wants to be reimbursed via Zelle instead of checks? Diane!
4. STATUS UPDATE/PROGRAMS, CLASSES AND EVENTS
See updated VACA schedule at:
4a. Art Films: Marion Rose
Next event is: November 25 last date for 2025 Richard Diebenkorn “The Berkeley Years”
4b. Ceramics: Diane Finley - Management is getting estimates from contractors to replace the flooring, remove the popcorn ceiling and install new lighting. No dates for room closure.
4c. Art Classes Coordinator: Barbara Gottesman, All classes register with Barbara:
Open Studios:
Monday and Friday mornings: 10 am – 12 noon with Taf Tafarrodi.
Monday afternoon: 2 – 5 pm with Michael Sunzeri
Wednesday: 2- 5 pm with Claudia Welch and Barbara Gottesman
Thursday afternoon: 2 – 5 pm with Stephanie Torres
Friday afternoons: 2 - 5 pm with Greg Cheung and Rod Tieman
Upcoming classes and events in the Art Room:
Register for all Art and Writing Classes at barb.gottesman@gmail.com All art classes are in the Cribari Center Art Room, unless noted otherwise.
November 5 – 26: “Watercolor plus Multi Media” with Doug Canepa. Wednesdays, 10 an – 12 noon. $70.
November 5 - November 26 “Free Open Studio Focus on Writing Your Memoirs” with Claudia Welch and Barbara Gottesman. Wednesdays, 2 – 5 pm in the Cribari Center Art Room.
November 7 – November 21: “Free Open Studio Focus on Drawing Your Pet” with Greg Cheung and Rod Tieman. Fridays, 2 – 5 pm in the Cribari Center Art Room.
November 7 and 21; December 5: Card Making Group with Mandy Book and Sheila Robinson , 9:30 am – 12:30 pm. Free. Forum Room.
November 11 and 18 and December 2 & 8: “Art Journaling” with Pat Remington, Tuesdays, 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm. $50. All supplies furnished.
December 2: “Making Artistic Gift Wrap” with Barbara Gottesman. Free Open Studio with a Focus. Tuesday, 2 - 5 pm. All materials furnished.
December 4: “Winter Paint Party” with Nicole Alexander. Thursday, 5 – 7 pm. All supplies furnished. $45.
We still need to fill in the empty time slots as the room sits empty. If anyone can or knows of someone who will teach a class, or instruct on their artistic talent. Needs are T - Th 9-12 Th 12 on.
4d. Historian: Parthenia Hicks.
4e. Exhibits and Programs Coordinator: Michael Sunzeri.
Next member meeting: November 3 (last for the year)
4f. New Members Greeter: Colleen Mirassou
4g. Events: Diane Finley Holiday Faire: November 15. Need a volunteer with a key to the Art Room to handle setting up and removing A-Frame signs. Contact Diane
5. Next General Meeting and Demo is: Monday November 3, 2025, 1:45-3:00 pm in Cribari Conference Room.
6. Next Advisory Board Meeting: November 20 - dinner provided and welcome to the new board members!
Meeting of October 30, 2025 Adjourned at __5:20_____ by Vice President Claudia Welch.
November minutes will e posted when electronic copy is available.
VACA Advisory Board Meeting - MINUTES
Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025, 4 PM - 5 PM, Art Room\\
President: Mandy Book – Called meeting to order at: 4:14
Board Members Roll call:
Mandy Book – President XPresent Absent
Claudia Welch – Vice President XPresent Absent
Suzanne Ferris – Treasurer XPresent Absent
Stephanie Torres – Secretary XPresent Absent
Diane Finley – Ceramics Room XPresent Absent
Barbara Gottesman – Art Class Coordinator and Web Master XPresent Absent
Michael Sunzeri – Programs/Exhibits XPresent Absent
Colleen Mirassou – New Members Greeter XPresent Absent
Parthenia Hicks – Historian XPresent Absent
Marion Rose – Art Films XPresent Absent
1. REPORTING:
Secretary: Stephanie Torres - Approval of Oct. 30, 2025 minutes (link here or ST bring copies)
Approval motion made by _Claudia________; seconded by ____Marion
Approval vote – Ayes 9 Nays _____ Report approved _X_______Not approved ______
Treasurer: Suzanne Ferris (November spreadsheet linked here or SF will provide copies)
Total fund balance 1/1/25: $17,024.50 (Bank balance)
For the month November 2025:
Total income was $ 4,756.83 (Including 5 Zelle deposits!)
Expenses were $ 768.93 (most need Pres approval
Net income (loss) was $ 3,987.90
YTD 2025 Financial Report:
Total fund balance 1/1/2025 $17,024.50
Total income YTD 2025 is $ 11,772.63
Total expenses YTD 2025 are $ 7,776.71
Ending fund balance on 11/20/25 is $ 21,687.91
Approval motion made by ______Barbara___; seconded by _Marion______________
Approval vote – Ayes __9____ Nays _____ Report approved __X______Not approved ______
Diane asked for clarification of membership and membership income - not up to date - approved thru June Pending corrections Barbara moved to approve pending corrections Marion 2nd.
Vice President, Membership: Claudia Welch – Membership update __ new members for September.
Membership is: ___ on November 20, 2025. Link to Member List
2a Welcome new president Parthenia she has goals of fun and building our member base and increased classes and attendance. She is looking forward to an excellent couple of years. For more information ask her for her 10 pages of plans and goals.
Suzanne will be volunteer coordinator and continue on as Treasurer - Parthenia thanked Mandy for her two years of service, hard work and dedication to VACA. Parthenia presented her with a card and thank you gift. Mandy thanked us and fun banter followed.
2. OLD BUSINESS
2a. Election committee report and welcome “new” board members
2b. Dues renewal letter - Mandy provided a copy of the renewal letter your feedback please. Info gleaned from pickleball letter of renewal, highlighted our achievements and plans for next year.
2c. Mandy will create a new yearly calendar for 2026 in December.
3. NEW BUSINESS
3a. Budget request from Admin. Art Room needs a new sink and drain pipe. Art room and Pottery room have been asking for upgrades for several years. Mandy will submit a work order for outside area mess left by trash men, art room sink and pottery room updates.
3b. Dec events - wrapping station, cookie making? Stephanie mentioned there will be no cookie exchange this year, but in place a gift wrapping day. This will take place 12/11 from 1pm - 4pm in art room. Diane offered to help.
4. STATUS UPDATE/PROGRAMS, CLASSES AND EVENTS
See updated VACA schedule at:
· 4a. Art Films: Marion Rose there is a free radio show , at same time, film might be cancelled for December and shown in January Richard Diebenkorn “The Berkeley Years” .
o Next event is: November 25 - last date for 2025. Jan 27 first date in 2026.
· 4b. Ceramics: Diane Finley - Management is getting estimates from contractors to replace the flooring, remove the popcorn ceiling and install new lighting. No dates for room closure.
· 4c. Art Classes Coordinator: Barbara Gottesman. Register for all classes and workshops at barb.gottesman@gmail.com
Open Studios:
Monday and Friday mornings, 10 am - 12 noon with Taf Tafarrodi.
Monday afternoon, 2 -5 pm with Michael Sunzeri.
Wednesday afternoon, 2 - 4 pm with Barbara Gottesman and Claudia Welch.
Thursday afternoon, 2 - 5 pm with Stephanie Torres.
Friday afternoons, 2 - 5 pm with Greg Cheung and Rod Tieman.
Upcoming classes in the Art Room:
Register for all Art and Writing Classes at barb.gottesman@gmail.com. All art classes are in the Cribari Center Art Room, unless otherwise noted.
November 5-26: Watercolor plus Multi Media with Doug Canepa. Wednesday mornings, 10 am - 12 noon. $70.
November 5 - 26 Memoir Writing with Claudia Welch. Wednesday afternoons, 2 - 4 pm. Free.
November 18, December 2 & 8: Art Journaling with Pat Remington, Tuesdays, 1:00 pm - 3:30 pm. $50. All supplies furnished.
November 21 & December 5: Card Making Group with Mandy Book and Sheila Robinson, Fridays, 9:30 am - 12:30 pm in the FORUM ROOM. Free.
December 4: Winter Paint Party with Nicole Alexander. Thursday, 5 - 7 pm. All materials furnished. $45.
December 5, 12 & 19: Drawing your Pet with Greg Cheung. Fridays, 2 - 4 pm. Free.
January 12 - Februardy 2: Assemblage Group with Colleen Mirassou and Geneva Sandjideh. Mondays, 2 - 4 pm. Free.
4d. Historian Parthenia is stepping down, will continue work until new person joins. Barbara would like to do Historian beause she would like to step away from Art Class Scheduling. We would like a person with scheduling skill set and one who obeys the Job Description. Barbara will be part of the interview process and in January, have brainstorming session. What we have done, what we don't have now and what we can change. Invite specific people - Barbara, Stephanie, Parthenia. Then open it for representatives. Barbara suggests Tuesday, December 16 for for first brainstorming session
4e. Exhibits & Programs Coordinator: Michael Sunzeri. Next program is February 2 with Thong Le.
Next exhibit is Eclectic Art on January 13.
4f. New Member Greeter and New Resident Orientation representative: Colleen Mirassou. Instead of doing a live demo, Doug Canepa hung up some of his small painting. Will ask Julia Meadows for 2 tables and have an artist working on each. Buy a poster illustrating what we done and what we offer now. Diane will do.
4g. Events: Diane Finley Holiday Faire: November 15 debrief. Over 30 volunteers, $575 room rental expense roughly, cookies sold out, $1500 pure profit . Suzanne stepping away and will be the new coordinator.
5. Next General Meeting and Demo is: Monday February 2, 2026, 1:45-3:00 pm in Cribari Conference Room.
6. Next Advisory Board Meeting: January 29
Meeting of November 20, 2025 Adjourned at ___5:05____ by outgoing President Mandy Book.
Respectfully Submitted:
Stephanie Torres