Not a lot has changed since our October Newsletter but in case you missed it…read on for more information about our upcoming AGM, membership, fundraising, surveys, and more!!
See below for our survey, open until December 1, with a chance to win a great prize!!
Annual General Meeting
Our 2022 Annual General Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 22 at the Lake of the Woods Museum, 300 Main Street South. Register for to attend live or via ZOOM (scroll down for the ZOOM option):
Please note, the Zoom option may mean you only see part of the meeting as we don’t have a full camera or sound system – but we’ll do our best to make everyone feel welcome!
Join us for a first look at the wonderful video Matt Kennedy of UpRiver Media put together from ARTSFEST 2022, and to hear about our accomplishments in 2022 and our goals for 2023.
Nominations currently open
Nominations for vacant Officer and Director Positions can be submitted in writing to president@lowac.ca up to and in advance of the AGM. We are currently seeking candidates for president, vice-president and treasurer. The Board shall elect a President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer every year at a meeting of the Board of Directors held directly after the Annual General Meeting, or as often as may be required.
Directors shall normally be elected by a majority of the Members in attendance personally or by proxy at the Annual General Meeting.
President
The President shall, when present, preside at all meetings of the Organization and, along with the Board, generally oversee and supervise the governance of the Organization including the signing of By-Laws, special resolutions and other such documents requiring his signature and such other duties as may from time to time be prescribed by resolution of the Board or that are otherwise required by this office.
NOTE: Our by-laws state that no individual should serve more than three years a President. Our current president, Leanne Fournier, has completed her term but will stay on as a director in the role of Past President to offer support to anyone who wishes to fill this role. As no names have come forward, Leanne is also willing to act in a co-chair role for 2022.
Vice-President
The Vice-President shall, in the absence of the President, preside over meetings of the organization and of the Board and otherwise exercise all the powers and duties of the President. The Board, in the absence of the President and Vice-President, may appoint from among its numbers, an Acting President for its meetings.
Treasurer
We have a candidate for the treasurer role! If no others come forward, we will have a motion to accept the nomination at the AGM.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for
• Keeping full and accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements of the Organization in proper books of account and shall deposit all monies in the name and to the credit of the Organization in such bank or financial institutions as may from time to time be designated by the Board.
• Under the direction of the Board, disbursing the funds of the Organization, taking proper vouchers therefore; and
• Rendering to the Board at regular meetings thereof, or whenever required, an account of all such transactions and the financial position of the Organization.
NOTE: LOWAC has a bookkeeper who prepares the monthly financials and various other duties to support the treasurer.
Directors
Directors shall hold office for a term of three years starting from the date of their election by the Members of the Organization. The Board of Directors may lengthen or shorten the term of office for any Director in order to establish a rotation schedule as may be required. Directors shall be eligible to stand for election for two consecutive terms unless minimum board membership (5) cannot be achieved.
Nominations will be accepted up to the meeting. Email president@lowac.ca.
The tremendous response to ARTSFEST 2022 underlines the importance of an active and supported arts community in Kenora. As artists – be it writers, visual artists, performers, and all the other arts disciplines under the sun – this is our time. We would love for you to be a part of it!
ARTSFEST Chair
The ARTSFEST chair will organize and preside at all meetings of the ARTSFEST Planning Committee and, along with the Committee designates, generally oversee and supervise all activities related to this annual festival. If funding allows, they will also guide the activities of the Coordinator(s) hired to manage performers, exhibitors, volunteers, site setup and partnerships.
Membership fees are now due
LOWAC’s membership fees help us fulfill our mandate to foster and promote the spirit of creativity in the City of Kenora and the surrounding area of Lake of the Woods; inspiring unity, joy and opportunity through the arts. Your membership renewal is due at the beginning of November and we are grateful for your continued support. It’s how we offer programming, scholarship and operate in the community with additional support from grants. Our Board has made the decision to raise our membership fees, which have not increased since LOWAC was established just over a decade ago. Effective November 1, your membership fee for 2023 will be $30, a $5 increase over previous years.
You can update your membership now using our handy PayPal option, pay at the AGM or mail your $30 cheque payable to Lake of the Woods Arts Community to: PO Box 10002 Harbour Postal Outlet, Kenora ON P9N 4T1.
Patron of the Arts
We are also introducing a new opportunity to support LOWAC’s activities by becoming a Patron of the Arts. If you wish to make a donation of $100 or more, we will list your name on a new Patrons of the Arts page, being developed on our website. These contributions will go toward LOWAC’s ongoing operations, scholarships and programming. Email lowacdirectors@gmail.com if you wish to support us in this way.
Survey says
Following are links to surveys for our PERFORMERS & EXHIBITORS and MEMBERS/GENERAL PUBLIC about ARTSFEST 2022, which took place this past summer on July 22 to 23, 2022, on The Muse Grounds in Kenora, Ontario.
Please take the time to answer the survey questions, so we can make the festival even more impactful next year. Survey closes December 1, 2022.
If you participated as both a performer or exhibitor and visitor or volunteer, you may fill out both surveys.
SURVEY FOR MEMBERS/GENERAL PUBLIC
https://forms.gle/ZL6z1yay6L8pEbmC9
SURVEY FOR EXHIBITORS AND PERFORMERS
https://forms.gle/B7bkgzk6JighBraH6
RESPONDING HAS ITS BENEFITS!
In addition to helping us make ARTSFEST the best it can be, your name will be entered in a draw to win a $100 gift certificate courtesy of 901 Westside. Our thanks to Brenda for always showing up to support the community!
Many thanks for your response. If you have any difficulties filling out the survey, email lowacdirectors@gmail.com.
In addition to ARTSFEST, some of the areas we need help with include fundraising, grant writing and other programming and events to bring people together to experience our diverse and rich arts community. We need more people to make this happen and hope you’ll be interested in joining these efforts.
Grants in progress
LOWAC has submitted grants to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund and Ontario Arts Council Northern Arts Projects to help cover ARTSFEST expenses. If funding is received it will assist us in our programming expenses including hiring an event coordinator and paying our artists and exhibitors. Fingers crossed!!
Next Steps
After the AGM, LOWAC will hold a regular Board meeting, which will include all new directors and, where those that have put their names forward as Officers, will be elected. We will also be calling a meeting in early January to start planning for ARTSFEST 2022 and other activities that will be driven volunteer response at the AGM and funding received. We learned in 2022, that the earlier we can start planning and putting together our ARTSFEST subcommittees the better.