Signature Member Group Guidelines Guidelines revised and approved by SMG Committee on September 14, 2009, submitted to NMWS Board on September 21, 2009; and approved by Membership. The document displayed below is also available as a printable .PDF here: 2018-08 Signature Group Guidelines 2009.pdf Signature Group Guidelines A. Purpose In 1988 the Signature Membership Group (SMG) began as a satellite group of the New Mexico Watercolor Society (NMWS) to:
B. Eligibility and identification In order to use the initials NMWS, following his/her signature, the artist must have exhibited in five of the following New Mexico Watercolor Society juried shows: NMWS spring or fall exhibitions, NMWS Southern Chapter spring exhibition, Western Federation of Watercolor Societies (WFWS), and/or Masterworks. The Masterworks Miniature exhibition does not apply. Only two shows per year are counted for eligibility. Only one painting per show is eligible. The total of five shows must have been reached within five years. Each artist is responsible for keeping his/her own records for verifying membership eligibility. Once the NMWS signature is certified for the artist, the initials may always be used, however in order to participate and exhibit with the NMWS Signature Member Group, each member must:
The SMG member can update their photographs or resume at any time in the future. These will be filed with SMG Membership Chairman and kept for reference in answering inquiries about members. In the New Mexico Watercolor Society Directory and all NMWS official publications, the initials, NMWS, shall follow the name of each member who has earned this distinction. A specially-designed certificate, with the signature member’s name, will be issued to each person at the time he/she has fulfilled membership requirements. C. Business Management The day-to-day functions and business of the SMG shall be conducted by a committee (hereinafter referred to as the SMG committee) consisting of a General Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Exhibitions Guidelines revised and approved by SMG Committee on September 14, 2009, submitted to NMWS Board on September 21, 2009; and approved by Membership. Chairman, Social Chairman, Special Projects Chairman and special Events Chairman. The past General Chairman shall serve in a non-voting advisory capacity for the sake of continuity and history. There shall be a minimum of two meetings per year of the Committee. A quorum is a majority vote of the SMG Committee. The calendar year of the SMG shall be January to December. In January, the SMG Committee reviews the SMG Guidelines, makes recommendations for SMG Committee replacements, and handles old and new business. In February, a joint luncheon meeting of the old and new chairmen shall be held. Reviewed and/or revised Guidelines are read, plans for the coming year discussed, committees formed, all chairmen selected and the gavel passes. The SMG Committee is responsible for seeing that all signature members are informed of activities and events through the NMWS Brushstrokes on a monthly basis. Offices of the SMG Committee are held for a term of two years. Each chairman shall keep a cumulative record of the committee’s yearly activities and turn this information over to his/her successor. Where possible, it is suggested that SMG Committee members work with an alternate-in-training. Alternates may attend SMG Committee meetings and be proxy for that chairperson. Duties of each chairman are as follows: SMG General Chairman:
Guidelines revised and approved by SMG Committee on September 14, 2009, submitted to NMWS Board on September 21, 2009; and approved by Membership. SMG Membership Chairman:
SMG Secretary-Treasurer: The Secretary shall:
The Treasurer shall:
SMG Exhibition Chairman:
SMG Special Events Chairman: 1. Plans and executes a retreat or educational opportunity, including but not limited to, painting, critiques, art education and planning sessions. Other signature members may be recruited to assist. Guidelines revised and approved by SMG Committee on September 14, 2009, submitted to NMWS Board on September 21, 2009; and approved by Membership. SMG Special Projects Chairman:
SMG Social Chairman:
D. Financial Policy In 1994 a separate operating account was set up for the Signature Member Group to be managed by the SMG Committee. Checks are signed by the SMG Treasurer and co-signed by the SMG General Chair. Monies shall be disbursed with approval of the SMG committee. A statement of the account shall be audited when the NMWS accounts are audited at the end of the fiscal year (June 30). The General Chairman shall include a financial statement in his/her annual report to SMG members and the NMWS Board. Sources of Funds: 1. Each year when the NMWS Directory is published, the SMG shall receive from NMWS, 10 percent of NMWS dues for each dues-paying SMG member. 2. A one-time $10 initiation fee is charged each new Signature Member applicant, by SMG, to finance activities and mailings. 3. Any incidental funds coming to SMG through socials, retreats, exhibitions, etc. It shall be the financial policy of SMG that members participating in its activities shall pay their own individual expenses and the SMG committee shall manage funds conservatively. E. Amendments to the SMG Guidelines: Any amendments to these Guidelines, approved by the SMG Committee, shall be:
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