As announced in September, the following board positions slated for election this year are listed below.

• Vice President, Membership
• Webmaster
• Web-Content Editor
• Member-at-Large from Virginia

All nominees were presented with a Nominee Questionnaire, and their replies are shown below.  Please review these answers fully, then vote in the election when you recieve your e-mail notification. Notifications will start arriving in your mailboxes in the next day.  Please add the webmaster @ theipca.org e-mail address to your 'safe sender' or whitelist.

Nominee for VP-Membership: Christy Minnis

What position are you running for? Have you read the duties of the office? Are you capable of performing those duties? What, if any, limitations may prohibit you from performing those duties?

I am running for the Vice-President of Membership. I have read the duties of the office and see no limitations on my performing those duties.

If elected, how would you promote polymer clay locally, nationally and internationally?

If elected, I would promote polymer clay through teaching local and national classes, maintaining and increasing my web presence, and encouraging others to try the medium! I have also encouraged our local art league to encourage polymer clay artists in their shows and have offered to do workshops for them.

How can you help IPCA to encourage the growth of polymer clay as a hobby, craft and art form? Have you taught any polymer clay workshops/classes? If so, where?

I teach beginning and intermediate polymer clay classes through my local Community Education program. I also do a kids day camp through them in the summer. I taught at my local JoAnns store for several years. I did a demonstration at my guild in Spring 2008, and also at the IPCA retreat in July 2009.

I was published in the Fall 2007 issue of PolymerCAFE. The article is titled Glimmering Fall Candle Rings.

How would you, as a member of the Board, improve the IPCA as a whole?

As Vice-President of Membership, I would encourage all polymer clay artists to join the IPCA. I would like to find out why people don't join and then address those issues to increase membership.

I am more than willing to promote polymer clay anywhere I go! With a few weeks notice I can take time off work (there are a few weeks each year that would be difficult to leave) and travel anywhere. I'll soon have my passport so I can even go overseas! I can volunteer at least 40 hours per month and have the recommended computer skills.

How long have you been a member of the IPCA?

Have you ever held office in another polymer clay guild or on a non-profit board? What other experience do you have that would help support you in the position for which you are seeking election?

This is my second year as a member of the IPCA. I am the assistant to the VP for workshops in the North Texas Polymer Clay Guild. I was a regional director for Odyssey of the Mind, an international problem-solving program. I was responsible for conducting informational meetings about the program, registering and keeping track of payments from member schools in my region, running a tournament where teams from all over the region could present their solutions, including housing, volunteer recognition, meals, scheduling, and concessions.

My polymer clay and jewelry business is called Shouting Stones Design. This is my 5^th year in business. I am shifting my focus from beading to polymer clay in multiple forms, including sculpture, home décor, and jewelry.

I grew up in Colorado but currently reside in Texas. I have a wonderful husband who designs and builds all my displays, and a very crafty 11-year-old daughter.

Member-at-Large from Virginia:Mary Sue Peters ("Pete") Rumbaugh

What position are you running for? VA member at large Have you read the duties of the office?

Yes

Are you capable of performing those duties?

Yes

What, if any, limitations may prohibit you from performing those duties?

Getting time off work, maybe

If elected, how would you promote polymer clay locally, nationally and internationally?

Offer local demos, participate in any marketing opportunites nationally/internationally

How can you help IPCA to encourage the growth of polymer clay as a hobby, craft and art form?

I wear things I've made and gets lots of questions, which gives me the chance to talk about polymer clay.

Have you taught any polymer clay workshops/classes?

No

Are you associated with any polymer clay related publication? No Have you written any articles or been published y polymer clay/crafts publication?

No

How would you, as a member of the Board, improve the IPCA as a whole?

Promote open communication among all members

Would you be willing to promote polymer clay at conferences and guild retreats you are attending or are near your home?

Absolutely

Are you able to travel and/or take time off work if you and the Board felt the travel was critical?

Yes

How much time realistically can you devote to volunteering each month?

20 hours

How long have you been a member of the IPCA?

I am a new member

Have you ever held office in another polymer clay guild or on a non-profit board?

No

What other experience do you have that would help support you in the position for which you are seeking election?

I've supervised people at work, which includes working as a team, motivating others, problem resolution

Do you own a polymer clay business or are you contemplating starting a polymer clay business?

No

Optional - Please feel free to share any additional information that will help IPCA members get to know you better.

I belong to the Blue Ridge Polymer Clay Guild, love working with clay, my full time job is as a Clinical Supervisor of a residential substance abuse program, live with my honey and 2 dogs in Bristol, Virginia, have a great sense of humor, and I'm turning 55, yuck!!