Society of Decorative Painters - 2008 Candidates for Election
- Nancy Genetti
- Richardson, Texas
Years with SDP: 29
Number of SDP Conferences Attended: 28
 SDP Involvement (past and present): SDP board member-at-large; presenter at Nashville Chapters Gathering; Chair of Website Task Force; Business Committee member 1996-97 and 2004-05; election teller at several conferences; taught and exhibited at several annual conferences; participated in the White House Ornament, Blair House, and Smithsonian painting projects; and received the SDP Outstanding Chapter Service Award.
Chapter Affiliation: Bluebonnet Chapter, Ft. Worth Decorative Painters, Wildflowers of Texoma Decorative Artists, and Yellow Rose Chapter
Chapter Involvement (past and present):(BC) vice president, president, webmaster, seminar chair and newsletter chair; (FWDA) vice president, president, parliamentarian, seminar chair, and Christmas party chair; (WTDA) webmaster, membership chair, vice president of seminars, and chair of by-law revision committee; (YRC) vice president; president, webmaster; secretary; treasurer; chair of the following committees: 25th Anniversary Celebration, mural, ways & means, luncheon, auction, by-law revision, service project, newsletter, membership, hospitality, and seminar.
Professional and Related Experience: Owner of website design and maintenance company that serves chapters and artists, field office administrator for a national company, travel teacher, packet designer, and owner of her own painting and gift shop.
What is your vision for the Society?I want SDP to flourish and hope to be part of its growth. I envision an organization that encourages new members to explore and develop in a supportive environment. I envision better channels of communication for all members to express their ideas, concerns, or congratulations.
Serving as vice president/president-elect requires a long-range commitment to the Society. In what ways are you prepared to fulfill this obligation? Having served on the Board of Directors I am aware of the enormous time commitment. I am self-employed and can arrange my own schedule. SDP is a priority and I will commit the time, work, and energy necessary for the job. I also have the full support of my family.
How will the Society benefit from your term in office? As an active member in four chapters, I have a personal understanding of the challenges facing our organization. Throughout 28 years of chapter participation, I have earned a reputation as a solution oriented leader. If elected, I will do my best to address the concerns of our diverse membership.
- Joan Porter
- Gresham, Ore.
Years with SDP: 30
Number of SDP Conferences Attended: 17
 SDP Involvement (past and present):SDP board member-at-large, Education committee board liaison and member of Nominating committee. Served at SDP Conferences as a teller, monitor, clerk, and helper in sales booth as well as 2001 Chapter conference facilitator.
Chapter Affiliation: Raindrop Chapter and Toling Belles of Santa Clara County.
Chapter Involvement (past and present):(RC) president, vice president, charities coordinator, 1999 Regional Expo chair, expo registration book chair, and membership chair. (TBSCC) chapter co-founder, has held every office in chapter including president four times. Vice President in 2008, will be president in 2009
Professional and Related Experience:30-plus years as an office administrator/secretary, legal secretary, accounting supervisor and former CEO/owner of a small manufacturing business.
What is your vision for the Society?My vision for the Society is to promote decorative painting in our communities through demonstrations and displays. To increase membership by encouraging chapter growth through a more personal contact with the executive board and staff.
Serving as vice president/president-elect requires a long-range commitment to the Society. In what ways are you prepared to fulfill this obligation? Having served on the SDP Board, I am fully aware of the time and commitment necessary to fill this position. I am single with grown sons, semi-retired and a home studio owner/teacher. I pledge absolute dedication to the Society and its members for the three years that this position requires.
How will the Society benefit from your term in office?I am a 30-year member of SDP and a team player with previous Board and committee service. I am passionate about SDP and feel that my years with SDP, as well as 30-plus years in business, will enable me to help SDP grow to benefit current and future members.
- Kaye Singer
- Omaha, Neb.
Years with SDP: 18
Number of SDP Conferences Attended: 13
 SDP Involvement (past and present): Member of the 2007 Fundraising Committee.
Chapter Affiliation:Omaha Guild of Decorative Artists and Iowa Decorative Painters.
Chapter Involvement (past and present):(OGDA) Candidate has held an office or been a member or chair of a committee for the chapter every year but three for 18 years, including the offices of president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.
Professional and Related Experience: I have been an accountant for 29 years and worked for 13 years in public accounting. For ten years I have been the senior tax and finance analyst for a non-profit healthcare system.
How will your qualifications be used to meet the demands of this office? My accounting profession in a non-profit organization provides valuable insight to the many nuances in operating the Society. I also have an understanding of business concerns that are daily issues. I want to share my talents so the Society can continue for generations to come.
- Linda Schafer
- Grass Valley, CA
Years with SDP: 12 years
Number of SDP Conferences Attended: 4
 SDP Involvement (past and present): SDP board member-at-large (two years); board liaison to Designer Certification Task Force and Public Relations Committee; member of Treasure Box Task Force; chair of Education Committee; member of Chapters Committee (two years); member of Awards Committee; Conference teacher and exhibitor; Conference volunteer (teller, classroom monitor, volunteer at a number of SDP-operated booths); participant in SDP Washington, D.C., projects (White House ornaments for three years, Smithsonian project for one). Became Certified Decorative Artist in 1983.
Chapter Affiliation: Wine Country Decorative Painters, Gold Country Decorative Painters.
Chapter Involvement (past and present): Presently on the planning committee for a Reginal conference for Northern Calif., as well as being our chapter's auditor. I've served on several committees, in the past.
Professional and Related Experience: I am a retired full charge bookkeeper with 30 plus years experience. I have experience in general accounting covering payrolls, budgets, general ledger, cost accounting, accounts payable and receivables. I currently hold the position of treasurer of my church women’s group (for the past 3 years).
How will your qualifications be used to meet the demands of this office? I have a well rounded knowledge of accounting and feel very qualified to full fill the duties of this office. I have served on many community committees and realize the importance of everyone working together for the betterment of the group.
- Tammy L. Browning-Smith
- Amherst, Ohio
Years with SDP: 6
Number of SDP Conferences Attended: 5
 SDP Involvement (past and present):Business Committee member, speaker at SDP Conferences, attorney to SDP Board of Directors, and Conference volunteer, and 2004 White House Ornament artist.
Chapter Affiliation: Northcoast Decorative Artists California.
Chapter Involvement (past and present): Member
Professional and Related Experience: Experience serving on several non-profit and not-for-profit Boards of Directors, Legal counsel for non-profit and not-for-profit and hobby and craft clients, and former marketing and new program development director for a $4,000,000 company.
How do you see your role as board member-at-large as it relates to the membership? The Board of Directors serves as a vital link to insuring the members’ voices are heard. They serve to initiate programs and exercise fiscal responsibility that will make the Society prosper and grow, now and in the future. Therefore, my role would be to listen carefully AND act responsibly.
- Barbara Jenkins, CDA
- Mississauga, ON, Canada
Years with SDP: 20
Number of SDP Conferences Attended: 15
 SDP Involvement (past and present): Current Board member-at-large (2007-08 Certification liaison, 2006-07 Chapters liaison); former member of the Certification and Nominating committees; current chair Gallery task force and SDP Permanent Collection; former member of Executive Director task force; Conference election teller volunteer and Certification booth volunteer.
Chapter Affiliation: Harbourside Painters of Canada, Heart of America, and Heart of Ohio Tole.
Chapter Involvement (past and present): (HPC) president, charter member; (Trillium Tolers) president, vice president, board member, seminar chair, and newsletter editor.
Professional and Related Experience: Decorative painting teacher, co-owner of decorative painting business, mortgage collections manager, and corporal in the Canadian Naval Reserve.
How do you see your role as board member-at-large as it relates to the membership? Open and honest communication is key. Hard work, an open mind, good management skills, honesty, keeping up with trends, promoting decorative painting and increasing membership is what a Board member must do to be effective. Creating passion for our art form is essential for its wellbeing.
- Peggy Jessee
- Amelia, Ohio
Years with SDP: 30
Number of SDP Conferences Attended: 20
 SDP Involvement (past and present): Served as Nomination committee chair; member of the Public Relations, Chapters, and Business committees; current chair of Business committee; and volunteer at SDP Conference in the registration area and Painters Boutique.
Chapter Affiliation: Decorative Artists Guild of Southwest Ohio,
Greater Cincinnati Decorative Artists,
Ohio Valley Decorative Artists.
Chapter Involvement (past and present): (GCDA) president, vice president, ways and means, newsletter editor, retreat chair and co-chair, and retreat treasurer. (OVDA) president, vice president, and ways and means.
Professional and Related Experience: Worked in billing and estimates for 16 years in her family’s automotive repair business, worked as a bank teller and operations supervisor for many years, and as a supervisor at a grocery store.
How do you see your role as board member-at-large as it relates to the membership? My job as a board member-at-large is to represent the membership and the Society in important matters to the best interest of the SDP as a whole, in order to strengthen and grow the Society.
- Linda McDonald
- Frisco, Texas
Years with SDP: 30
Number of SDP Conferences Attended: 22
 SDP Involvement (past and present):Served on the Teacher, Awards, Chapters, and Nominating committees; chair of Nominating committee; local co-chair of SDP’s Conference in 1997; has taught at 16 SDP Conferences; is a Business member who has exhibited at 18 SDP Conferences. She received the Dedicated Service Award in 2001.
Chapter Affiliation: Bluebonnet Chapter, Fort Worth Decorative Painters, Northland Decorative Painters, Twin Cities Decorative Artists Guild, Wildflowers of Texoma Decorative Artists, and Yellow Rose Chapter.
Chapter Involvement (past and present): (BC): President, vice president, Ways & Means and Nominating committees, Seminar committee chair. (NDP): President, vice president, secretary, newsletter editor, parliamentarian, and chair of the Retreat and Seminar and Nominating committees. (TCDAG): President, vice president, treasurer, newsletter editor, parliamentarian, and chair of the Retreat, Seminar and Nominating committees. (WTDA): Parliamentarian. (YRC): Treasurer, and parliamentarian, and chair of the Nominating committee.
Professional and Related Experience: Owner of art studio; sales representative at a number of art distributors; and executive director and restorer for a non-profit, community-based organization.
How do you see your role as board member-at-large as it relates to the membership? I hope to be responsive to our membership by listening carefully, seeking answers to questions, and pursuing solutions to problems. I’d like to help improve interaction between all our members, chapters, and the Board of Directors. In doing so I’d be giving back to the organization that has given me so much.
- Tim Mulvey
- Houston, Texas
Years with SDP: 30
Number of SDP Conferences Attended: 25
 SDP Involvement (past and present): Member of the SDP Relocation committee and Decorative Painting Advisory Council, and recipient of the 2007 Silver Palette Award. Nominee’s company, Houston Art, Inc., sponsors events and contributes funding and products for chapter events and SDP’s Annual Conference.
Chapter Affiliation: Lady Bug Chapter
Chapter Involvement (past and present): Sponsor of several chapter programs; created the Chapter Plus program which offers chapter members a 40% discount and donated 20% of the proceeds back to the local chapter; Created the Project Plus program which gives chapters all the materials they need to complete a meeting project at cost.
Professional and Related Experience:
Owner and CEO of Houston Art, Inc.
How do you see your role as board member-at-large as it relates to the membership? My role would be to help develop a vision for the future, keeping the Society strong and a viable organization. My purpose for serving would be the same as running a successful business: provide good decision making and achieving goals which best serve the membership, the heart of the Society.
- Joyce Sieve, CDA
- Stratford, Iowa
Years with SDP: 26
Number of SDP Conferences Attended: 20+
 SDP Involvement (past and present): Taught at several SDP Conferences beginning in 1985; taught for the local chapters to which she belongs; exhibited at SDP’s Conference in Minnesota; worked at a number of booths at SDP Expo over the years; and has written articles for The Decorative Painter magazine.
Chapter Affiliation: Iowa Decorative Painters, and Omaha Guild of Decorative Painters.
Chapter Involvement (past and present): (IDP) president, vice president, retreat chair, workshop chair, and historian.
Professional and Related Experience: Experience in sales, and owner of a decorative painting business where she taught, sold art supplies and handled finances. Runs a business with two friends where she is the contact person who plans, sponsors and hosts craft shows bi-annually.
How do you see your role as board member-at-large as it relates to the membership? I would like to help current and future members of SDP get excited about what the organization has to offer, and help create new programs to keep them excited. I would also like to see us explore technology; find ways make it our vision, and using it to improve Society.
- Jeanne Biever CDA
- Hot Springs, S.D.
Years with SDP: 32
Number of SDP Conferences Attended: 23
 SDP Involvement (past and present): Served as board member-at-large, member of the Certification and Chapters, editor of the Chapter Sampler, designed and wrote the first SDP Chapters Manual, has taught at six SDP Conferences, frequent volunteer at SDP Conference, contributing artist to The Decorative Painter, and participated in the 2004 White House Ornament project.
Chapter Affiliation: Not a chapter member at this time, due to location, but has previously participated in many chapter activities.
Chapter Involvement (past and present): (BNB) organizer and chapter member, member of many committees, volunteer teacher, and has held several offices. (BHADA): organizer and chapter member, member of many committees, volunteer teacher and has held several offices. (CWT) co-chair of Mini-Convention Committee; (PCP) organizer and chapter member, member of many committees, volunteer teacher and held several offices.
Professional and Related Experience: Self-employed in direct sales and recruitment, account executive in advertising sales for a radio station, membership sales for Spokane Convention and Visitors Bureau, and receiving and accounting for a telephone company.
What do you consider to be the most important qualification for a candidate to fill a position within the Society? A candidate should have broad experience both within and outside SDP that she can draw upon for the betterment of the organization. She must also be conscientious of duties and responsibilities, and above all, honorable. A person who is able to hear all sides of an issue prior to making a decision is of value on both committees and the Board. A good sense of humor also helps during stressful times.
- Ginger Edwards
- Alexandria, La.
Years with SDP: 29
Number of SDP Conferences Attended: 31
 SDP Involvement (past and present): Served as SDP president, vice president, past president and board member-at-large; served on the Bylaw task force as well as a member of the Publicity, Business, Class Selection, and Education committees.
Chapter Affiliation: Central Louisiana Decorative Painters.
Chapter Involvement (past and present): Charter member of the Central Louisiana Decorative Painters (originally formed as the Pelican Palettes), has served in all offices of this chapter, currently serves as the Seminar chair.
Professional and Related Experience: Policy writer for an insurance agent; bookkeeper; owner and operator of Ginger’s Painting Place, a decorative painting studio; decorative painting travel teacher; and author of more than 40 decorative painting books as well as magazine articles. Volunteer activities include chair of the Flower and Finance committees at Calvary Baptist Church, involvement in a pilot program teaching crafts to veterans, teaching craft projects to nursing home residents, and working with a psychiatrist to provide art therapy to patients with stress-related disorders. She received recognition for her work with Hurricane Katrina victims.
What do you consider to be the most important qualification for a candidate to fill a position within the Society? The most important qualification an applicant should possess is a clear understanding of the responsibilities and duties involved with the position sought, and a stated commitment to these goals. These responsibilities require a sacrifice of professional and personal time and should be considered carefully prior to seeking office.
- Donna Frost
- Bow, N.H.
Years with SDP: 22
Number of SDP Conferences Attended: 16
 SDP Involvement (past and present): Received the President’s Commendation award in 2003; chair of the Public Relations and Business committees; taught business seminars at SDP Conference in 2003, 2004 and 2005; and served on the Entrepreneurs’ Boot Camp committee.
Chapter Affiliation: White Mountain Decorative Painters Guild
Chapter Involvement (past and present):
Professional and Related Experience :Owner and operator of Quarry House Distributors, self-employed as a decorative artist and teacher, and former senior systems analyst for an electrical instrument company. 15+ years as a 4-H leader. President, VP Education, VP Membership for the Capital Toastmasters club, Toastmasters International.
What do you consider to be the most important qualification for a candidate to fill a position within the Society? The most important qualification for a candidate is follow-through. The best plans and goals are worthless if the job doesn’t get done. It’s so easy to get side-tracked. A person needs to keep the end in sight, keep problems solved, and put together a good team.
- Kathy Sanders
- Glendive, Mont.
Years with SDP: 16
Number of SDP Conferences Attended: 6
 SDP Involvement (past and present): Earned her Teacher of Decorative Arts in 2002, serves as a TDP evaluator, participates in the Certification program, and has volunteered at SDP Conferences.
Chapter Affiliation: Northland Decorative Painters, Twin Cities Decorative Artists Guild, and Red River Valley Decorative Painters.
Chapter Involvement (past and present): (NDP) newsletter editor, website coordinator, Retreat committee co-chair, and instrumental in forming the northern area group. (TCDAG) volunteered, painted centerpieces and served on committees when Minneapolis hosted SDP Conference; and participated in state fair demonstrations to promote SDP and decorative painting.
Professional and Related Experience: Real estate agent, and administrative assistant for the State of Minnesota.
What do you consider to be the most important qualification for a candidate to fill a position within the Society? Open communication and staying positive are vital qualifications I bring to my classes and to SDP. I believe a candidate should promote SDP membership and involvement in painting activities and conferences, and I am noted for my support of SDP and for my determination and dedication to serve and teach.
- Gigi Wright
- Knoxville, Tenn.
Years with SDP: 20
Number of SDP Conferences Attended: 6
 SDP Involvement (past and present): Central Oklahoma Society of Tole and Decorative Painters, Heart of Knoxville Night Painters, Rocky Top Decorative Painters, and Cactus Wren Decorative Painters.
Chapter Affiliation: Central Oklahoma Society of Tole and Decorative Painters, Heart of Knoxville Night Painters, Rocky Top Decorative Painters, and Cactus Wren Decorative Painters.
Chapter Involvement (past and present): (HKNP): president, secretary, and paint-in and seminar teacher. (CWDP): served on the Ways & Means and Classes committees, chair of Seminar and Christmas Decorations committees, taught classes.
Professional and Related Experience: Owner, operator, teacher, and designer of fairytale Designs Studio; customer service representative and customer service associate.
What do you consider to be the most important qualification for a candidate to fill a position within the Society? A candidate must have a true interest in working as a team in the Society. This person must be available to help where needed and follow through with any commitments he/she has been given.
- Carol Spohn
- St. Paul, Minn.
Years with SDP: 18
Number of SDP Conferences Attended: 3
 SDP Involvement (past and present): Taught at and attended SDP Conferences.
Chapter Affiliation: Northland Decorative Painters, Twin Cities Decorative Painters.
Chapter Involvement (past and present): (NDP): President, and chair of State Fair committee.
Professional and Related Experience: Family law paralegal.
What do you consider to be the most important qualification for a candidate to fill a position within the
Society? A willingness to serve and enthusiasm for SDP.
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