Friends and Fellow BSA Members,
It has been a privilege to serve you in the role of president this past year. I could not have done so without the committed support of a talented and tenacious group of Board Members as well as all the other volunteers who served in various capacities to make this year a success.
Three well received exhibitions, a renovated gallery, notable public and press attention, the unveiling of the
Video Archive Project, and a significant report with recommendations for the BSA’s growth and stability are all among the hallmarks of this past year.
However, for my final message as president, I would like to focus my remarks on the report entitled, “A Vision for the Future” that was prepared by Ted Pietrzak, and more specifically on the vision statement that was part of the report.
As a result of a meeting at the Burchfield Penney Art Center with BSA Board members and new exhibiting members inducted over the last three of four years, Ted was able to draft a Vision Statement that reflected both the hopes and concerns of BSA stakeholders, while addressing issues that would make the BSA a more salient and relevant organization to the larger community of artists in Western New York. The draft vision statement is as follows:
“The Buffalo Society of Artists will be widely known as a vibrant network of diverse and accomplished artists challenging and supporting each other, and offering programs so that artists can achieve their professional and personal goals.”
In reviewing the statement I was struck by how consistent it was with our 2006 strategic planning process in which together we identified Publicity (“widely known as a vibrant network”), Professionalism (“accomplished artists challenging and supporting each other”) and Professional Development (“offering programs so that artists can achieve their professional and personal goals”) as key priorities and concerns. It seemed as though the journey we embarked upon over six years ago had come to a new juncture wherein we now had a clearer vision of the future for the BSA and a blueprint of specific recommendations on how to move forward toward that future.
For those who missed our Annual Meeting and Ted’s presentation, I would like to take a moment to summarize the reports recommendations (the full report is on the BSA website, here.
In order to move the BSA forward toward its vision it is recommended that the BSA:
- Retain administrative support by hiring or sharing such support with another organization,
- Develop a relationship with the Innovative Charities Initiative (ICI) which would provide the BSA with a 501(c)3 legal and tax exempt status,
- Direct more efforts toward fundraising,
- Establish an endowment in agreement with Greater Buffalo Community Foundation,
- Create an organizational culture that encourages volunteering,
- Move from a management board to a governing board,
- Implement annual Board and leadership training,
- Revise the BSA by-laws,
- Expand the composition of the Board to include non-artists.
To be sure, this is an ambitious and challenging list of tasks. Nonetheless, as I have talked with my fellow Board members and many who were at the annual meeting, I feel that there is both support for these recommendations and the will to move forward. Herein, I believe, is the foundation for the renewal and sustainability of the Buffalo Society of Artists. I also believe that as a result of implementing these recommendations that the BSA will be better able to serve its members and play a relevant role in the Western New York arts community for years to come.
As always, I encourage your involvement as volunteers to assist the Board and committees in realizing this new vision.
And a heartfelt thank you to all for your gracious support and encouragement as I have served you.
Peace,
Gary
