In this Issue

• A Message from Becky
• Chapter Forms Updated
• SDP Resources for Chapters
• 100° Heat Can't Keep Texas Painters Down
• Painting the Guard
• The Gateway to Learning
• Girl Scouts Get a Helping Hand
• Share Your Story with SDP Members
• Having Trouble Getting Your Jo-Ann's Card?

• A Message from Becky

I want to let you know that I am the new Conference Director/Chapters Coordinator for the Society of Decorative Painters. I am very excited to start working with all of you.

We love hearing about your Chapter activities. Please add me (becky@decorativepainters.org) and Jay Staten (jay@decorativepainters.org) to your email list.

Are you planning on booking a teacher for an upcoming chapter event? Please take some time to review the regulations for booking teachers from outside the U.S. You can download the information here.

If you have any questions about the above information or forms, feel free to call me at (316) 269-9300, ext. 107, or email me at becky@decorativepainters.org.

Happy Painting!
Becky Gray
SDP Chapters Coordinator

• Chapter Forms Updated

Dear Chapter Presidents:

It's a very busy and exciting time of year! It is time for elections, reflecting on what the chapter has done this year and looking forward to next year's events.

Below you will find the annual forms that have traditionally been mailed to chapters each fall. To cut costs and make access more convenient, chapters can now find links to the annual forms on the SDP website. Simply go to www.decorativepainters.org, click on the Chapters tab and select "Annual Forms", then download and print from your computer as you need them. If you would like hard (paper) copies mailed to you, please let Becky (becky@decorativepainters.org) know and we will be happy to do so.

• 2011 Chapter Achievement Award Form: The Chapters Committee is looking forward to hearing back from you about all the great things your Chapter did this year. This form must be returned to the SDP office by February 15, 2012 in order to be considered for the award.
  
  
• 2012 Annual Chapter Form: Election time is upon us, and we need the names of your officers for the New Year. Be sure to send your chapter form, and the annual chapter service fee of $30 plus an additional 10¢ per member (US dollars only) to the SDP office by December 8, 2011. Even if you have no officer changes, the form must be completed and returned. Receipt of this form and service is a mandatory requirement in order to be eligible for the Chapter Achievement Award.
  
  
• 2012 Membership Form: Please be sure to pass this information on to the Newsletter Editor and Membership Chair of your chapter along with the updated form. Also, make copies of your events throughout the year. What better way to bring new people into your chapter than to invite them to join attend your meetings and events and to become members of the Society of Decorative Painters?
  
  
• Treasurer's Year End Report: The report can be mailed along with the chapter Achievement Awards form. This is now a required report, with deadline of February 15, 2012.
  
  
• 2012 Chapter Liability Insurance Invoice: Chapter liability insurance covers injuries or damages caused by a chapter or chapter members while conducting chapter activities in 2012. The 2012 liability insurance payment is due to the SDP office by December 8, 2011. Payment of the liability insurance is a mandatory requirement. Invoices will be mailed to the chapter presidents.

YOUR CHAPTER LIABILITY INSURANCE IN ACTION: SDP has a liability insurance policy available to all U.S. chapters. This policy covers injuries or damages to a 3rd party caused by a chapter or by a chapter member while conducting chapter and SDP activities. This policy does not cover injuries to chapter members. Chapters are considered as insured under the SDP master policy. Chapters cannot opt-out of the policy. Chapters are invoiced on a sliding scale based on number of members for the chapter. 

Additionally, “mini-conferences” are covered as long as they are 5 days or less in length, and have attendance of no more than 500 people at any one time. Any event lasting longer than 5 days or having more than 500 attendees will be required a separate special events policy.

SDP has made an optional group accident medical plan available to U.S. chapters. This policy covers chapter members any time they are participating in a chapter activity, including travel. It covers medical expenses, provides a loss of life payment, and payment for loss of certain body parts.

Go to www.decorativepainters.org under the Chapters tab, for further information and instructions for Certificate of Liability Insurance requests.

IMPORTANT! IRS FILING REQUIREMENT.
Remember, chapters risk losing their tax-exempt status if they do not file an annual report with the IRS. Chapters with gross annual receipts that are normally greater than $25,000 would still continue to file the 990 or 990-EZ. Chapters with gross annual receipts that are normally less than $25,000 will need to file the 990-N electronic notice. Filings will need to be completed between January 1 and May 15, 2012 for the 2011 year. For more information, visit www.irs.gov/eo.

Download forms from the Chapter page at www.decorativepainters.org If you have any questions about the above information or forms, feel free to call Becky Gray at (316) 269-9300, ext. 107 or email her at becky@decorativepainters.org.

• Make the Most of SDP Resources

What better way to begin the New Year with invited new faces into your chapter? There are probably a number of SDP members in your area who do not know that they have a Chapter in their own backyard. You can find SDP new members by requesting zip code lists with member names from Becky Gray (becky@decorativepainters.org). Simply email Becky with a list of zip codes for your area. SDP will send you a list of members. And your recruitment can begin.

One of the best ways to get new members that are not current SDP members is to assign a member to the post of PR/Marketing Advocate, then make a plan to contact the your local media to feature your chapter and SDP through free listings and advertising, news stories, interviews, and online. Make sure that all your events are listed on local community calendars, as well. This promotes your chapter, and SDP at the same time.

Email is a powerful tool. If you don't already do it, have all your members include your chapter and SDP in their signature lines. They can create a link that will take the reader directly to the chapter's website and to the SDP website.

Be a proud member! If you have a chapters newsletter that is emailed to members, consider creating a newsletter sign-up on your website that allows non-members to receive your newsletter, too. Or create an edited down version for non-members to entice them to join.

• 100° Heat Can't Keep Texas Painters Down

The Wildflowers of Texoma of Sherman, Texas, held their 2nd Annual Mystery Day last month. This has become one of the chapter's most successful fundraisers. Teachers and projects are kept secret until the attendees begin the class. This year's teachers were Patsy Deal, Sharon Mayo, and Nancy Nass. Twenty-eight avid painters, including members from sister chapter, Creative Artists of Texas escaped the scorching Texas heat for a day of painting fun.

The goal of the program is to introduce participants to new products, techniques, and surfaces, while raising money for chapter activities. This year, the group used Decoart 3D Gloss Paint, plumber's epoxy, and pop-up hats purchased at SDP's Wichita Conference. In all, four projects were completed.

At noon, a potluck salad luncheon prepared by the Wildflowers members was served.

Everyone is ready for next year—without the 100° heat. This year's event let all 28 ladies forget their troubles, while having a wonderful day.

The participants of the Wildflowers of Texoma Mystery Paint-In—looks like the pop-up hats project was a great success.

• Painting the Guard

The Valley Tole and Decorative Painters of Flint, MI, volunteered their talents and time by painting wooden “guard soldiers” that surround a 100-year-old carousel and children's area located at Genesee County's Crossroads Village Park. The dedicated “Friends of the Carousel” provided supplies and lunch for all 21 volunteers. At the end of the day, the 24 soldiers were ready for “service” and will be in place at the park for the summer and fall season.

Thanks to all the volunteers for a great job:

Vonna Horwood, Fran Price, Maggie Benedict, Dawn Schachinger, Linda Dyball, Eliza Wong, Ann Fogg, Jo Bowman, Char Ellis, Jacquie Osborn, Regina Baumgart, Pamela Buerger, Arla Slogor, Marilyn Marsden, Anita Barcin, Jan Giesken, Arlene Lanning, Kathy Miller, Regina Berry, Tammy Harrington, and Martha Langdon.

Crossroads Village is a living history site that has rescued and restored vintage amusement rides and 35 historic buildings from around the area, thus recreating a piece of Michigan as it was 100 years ago. Valley Tole and Decorative Painters choose this project as part of their continuing community service because of the connection to the arts with historically significant work on the folk art carousel horses.

• Tulsa Town Tolers Showcase Art

The painters of the Tulsa Town Tolers, in Oklahoma, showed off some of their best work at the Art Show held at Tulsa Community College's Southeast Campus. The chapters vice president, Carolyn Curry was on hand to personally invite viewers in.

Tulsa Town Tolers Vice President Carolyn Curry

• Gateway to Learning

The Gateway Decorative Artists held a seminar with Carol Spohn in June 2011 in St. Louis, MO.
They had four wonderful days learning her techniques.

Holding paintings from the seminar (front row, left to right) Maureen Wasserman, Carol Rufkahr, Delia Larkins, Ginger German;
(back row, left to right) Donna Wessel, Cheryl Wilburn, Jean Ellison, Mary Jo Kumer, Carol Spohn, Lorie Reece and her niece.
Photo taken by Gloria, Falk, TDA.

Artists and Girl Scouts working together

Girl Scouts show off their projects

• Girl Scouts Get a Helping Hand

One day last May, Girl Scout Troop Leader Linda Koonce called for expert help in getting Troop 3830 of Cove City their “Learn to Paint” badge. President Hope Nohejl and members of Tryon Treasures Decorative Artists of New Bern, NC, answered the call. The girls and the artists met up at the Cove City Free Will Baptist Church for a day of education and fun. All eight Girl Scouts earned their badges!

• Share Your Story with SDP Members

We love hearing from our chapters, so keep us informed. To submit to Chapter Happenings E-Zine:

We prefer email submissions.

1. Provide us with text of the story, including Who, What, When, Where, and Why.
2. Attach to the email any accompanying event photos in JPEG format. Make sure to include captions, explaining who is in the photo and what the photo shows.
3. Make sure to include a contact person with telephone number and email, along with chapter name and location.
4. Submit to Jay Staten, publications director at jay@decorativepainters.org

Submitting by snail mail:

1. Address your package to: Jay Staten, Publications Director, Society of Decorative Painters, 393 N. McLean Boulevard,
   Wichita, KS 67203-5968
2. Provide text for the submission, including Who, What, When, Where, and Why.
3. Make sure to include contact information with telephone number or email, along with chapter name and location.
4. Photos can be included on CD-ROM, or hard copy (please no slides). Make sure to include caption explaining the event and with names of people pictured.

Chapter Happenings Submission Deadlines:

• Issue #4, 2011   December 1, 2011
• Issue #1, 2012   March 1, 2012 
• Issue #2, 2012   June 1, 2012
• Issue #3, 2012   September 1, 2012

• Having Trouble Getting Your Jo-Ann's Card?

We've heard from a number of members about problems getting their Jo-Ann's Discount Card. Here are some inside tips:

• Apply at your nearest Jo-Ann's store and get your card in person. Make sure to bring your SDP Membership Card for proof of association and your photo ID. The stores were brought into the program at the beginning of the year.
• Call 1-800-525-4951. This is Jo-Ann's direct customer service number. There are more operators available to help you, than on the previous number provided. They take applications on the phone.
• Apply online at www.joann.com/VIP Cards will take 4-6 weeks for delivery.

Happy Painting!
Chapters Committee & SDP Staff

• About Chapter Happenings

Chapter Happenings is published periodically by the Society of Decorative Painters (SDP) for members of its affiliated chapters. Do you have a story, photo or idea for Chapter Happenings? E-mail Becky at chapters@decorativepainters.org.

The Society of Decorative Painters does not guarantee any offers or products made by these businesses. SDP cannot and does not accept responsibility for their actions or products;
therefore, readers using this information do so at their own risk.
SDP does not take any responsibility for the claims made in these advertisements, or on the referring websites

Want to know when this site is updated?
Visit our blog and subscribe to receive email notifications and breaking news.
Or subscribe directly using the link below.
Subscribe to The Society of Decorative Painters Blog by Email

Follow us on Facebook