Board and Committee Members

Board Members

PresidentLarry Durenlarry_tat77@yahoo.com
Vice PresidentAutumn Brittthehouseofbritt@gmail.com
TreasurerKathy Birdwellbirdkat18@yahoo.com
Assistant TreasurerStephen Stokesberrystokesberrys197@gmail.com
Recording SecretaryRichard Bustetterrbustetter@hotmail.com
Correspondence SecretaryLyn Lewislenakira@hotmail.com
Member-at-largeJack Cannonyvaajack@hotmail.com
Member-at-largeGary Hughesgary@hmttech.com
Ex-Officio Member-at-largeMeldra Driscollmeldra.driscoll@gmail.com

Committee Directors

YVAA committees welcome assistance from all members. If you are interested in helping on
any of these committees, please contact the committee director by email listed below.

  1. Membership & Hospitality Committee:
    Director: Jack Cannon (jackyvaa@hotmail.com)
  2. Presentations Committee
    Director: Kris Knight (jknight9820@charter.net)
  3. Virtual Shows:
    Director: Jeremiah Britt (jeremiahbritt@pm.me)
  4. Social Media & Website:
    Directors: Jeremiah Britt (jeremiahbritt@pm.me), Meldra Driscoll (meldra.driscoll@gmail.com)
  5. Fresh Air Committee:
    Director: Kate Bowditch (kbowditch60@gmail.com)
  6. Live Shows:
    Director: (open)
    Two ad hoc or temporary committees include:
    Artist Tour of Studios
    Directors: Kathy Birdwell (birdkat18@yahoo.com)
    Stephen Stokesberry (stokesberrys197@gmail.com)
    Mary Jepsen (jepsenm@charter.net)
  7. By-Laws Committee:
    Leader: Mary Jepsen (jepsenm@charter.net)

Committee Descriptions

YVAA COMMITTEES: Chairpersons & Description of Responsibilities

(Committee Structure Decided on at June 30, 2023 Board Meeting)

Membership & Hospitality Committee:
Chair: Jack Cannon
Current Members: Meldra Driscoll, Autumn Britt, and Debby Stanard
The purpose of the Membership and Hospitality Committee is two-fold; to introduce potential members to the organization and its activities, and to host the meetings. These activities include producing printed materials about the organization to provide to persons interested in joining YVAA, as well as materials that introduce the advantages of the organization after joining. Reaching out to potential members occurs on-going through events such as the live shows and the Central
Washington State Fair, as well as through the YVAA website and social media. As hosts of the meetings, the committee arranges for refreshments, comfort and convenience for activities during the monthly meetings.


Presentation Committee:
Chair: Kris Knight
Current Members: Kathy Birdwell
The Presentation Committee is charged with searching out people involved in the world of art, who might present programs that can inspire, teach, and inform our members each month. Programs will be scheduled with announcements made in advance of each meeting.


Live Shows:
Chair: (open)
Current Members: Doug Lewis
The Live Shows Committee’s purpose is to plan and schedule a live show of YVAA work, at least one time per year, to be presented in a facility that can be open to the public. This activity includes locating the venue of the show and selecting possible themes, both of which will be presented to the Board, then to the general membership. The committee will secure the date and location, gather the information about the artist and the artwork and make arrangements for the artwork to arrive at the place of exhibit. The committee will also plan publicity for the event and encourage YVAA members to, not only participate in the show, but to assist with the promotion of the show to the general public.


Social Media and Website Committee:
Chair: Jeremiah Britt, Meldra Driscoll
Current Members:
The purpose of this committee is to promote YVAA through social media and the YVAA website. The Committee will act as a liaison between the web designers and the Board, determining potential content and arrangement of that content on the YVAA website, Instagram and Facebook. They will bring that information to the Board for approval before contacting the web and site masters, or those persons who will add the information to the YVAA website and social media sites. Information gathered by Committee members will include that which benefits organization members and informs the public about the organization’s events.


Virtual Shows Committee:
Chair: Jeremiah Britt
Committee Members:
The Virtual Shows Committee was created in order to organize and to promote the four virtual shows found annually on the YVAA website. The Committee will collect theme ideas and present them, first to the Board and then to the general membership to be voted on. The Committee will set deadlines for each show, write up a brief description of each virtual show to be placed on the website, and gather information and photos of entries, which is then forwarded to the person webmaster or the person in charge of creating the virtual show the YVAA website. It is also an activity of the Committee to encourage members to participate in the virtual shows and to promote each virtual show to the general public.

Fresh Air Committee:
Chair: Kate Bowditch
Committee Members: Geri Ham, Grace Clark, Autumn Britt, and Kris Knight
The Fresh Air or Plein Air Committee was created to provide opportunities for club members to participate in creative events held in the “great out-of-doors.” Members of the Committee will meet to suggest, investigate and select locations and to schedule the event for club members to participate in.
The Committee’s activities also include education regarding “fresh air” methods, equipment, and materials to make the experience more accessible and enjoyable. Lastly, the Committee members will keep the general membership informed of planned “fresh air” events and encourage club members to participate.

AD HOC COMMITTEES
Artist Tour of Studios Committee: (Temporary Committee)
Chair: Kathy Birdwell
Committee Members: Mary Jepsen and Stephen Stokesberry
The Artist’s Studio Tour Committee is a temporary committee, organized each year in order to assist with the Tour of Studios, held each Labor Day weekend under the direction of Artebella Art Gallery (the “Gallery). Duties of the Committee include overseeing the following: YVAA’s participation in ticket distribution to YVAA members, member sales to the public, and payments to YVAA and to Artebella Art Gallery of income from ticket sales. The Committee will assist YVAA members in these activities according to the directions of the Gallery. In addition to the ticket sales, printed materials, such as posters and tour booklets, will be obtained from, and distributed as directed by, the Gallery. The Committee will work directly with the YVAA Treasurer regarding the reimbursement of promotion costs to Artebella Art Gallery, the sale of booth space to YVAA members, and the venue for the Studio. The Committee will be dissolved once the Tour of Studios activities are completed for the year.


By-Laws Committee: (Temporary Committee)
Chair: Mary Jepsen
Committee Members: Stephen Stokesberry, Sheila Phelps, and Kate Bowditch
The By-Laws Committee is a temporary committee and created as needed to review and, if necessary, re-write the by-laws as best fit the organization. Once changes are determined, they will be submitted to the Board for approval. Once changes to the by-laws are accepted by the Board, the Board will direct the Committee to prepare the current by-laws, adding the changes, so that current and proposed changes, both, may be submitted to the General Membership for a vote. The Committee will be dissolved once needed changes have been made.

Updated: 7/31/2024