Minutes of the 72nd Annual General Meeting

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The Canadian Society for Creative Leathercraft

72nd Annual General Meeting Saturday, May 14, 2022 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Via Google Meet Videoconference

Present
Executive: Lauch Harrison, Jim Wilkes, Della Chynoweth, Lauren Malec. Ex officio: Eugene Pik, Barbara
Chynoweth. Voting Members: Jess Chynoweth, David McPherson, Nancy Durham

Regrets
Tracey Howard, Sean Dalgetty, Kim Winchester, Paul Kitchener

Call to Order
By Lauch Harrison at 10:05 a.m. Lauch read his President’s Message to all present:

Welcome to the Virtual Annual General Meeting. The extended period of inactivity has not served me well. I did not spend much time with leatherwork until the call of the Annual Competition, then in a flurry I tried to relearn old tricks and habits. The results were a disappointment. I hope each of you has been able to work through downturn and avoid problems.
Our Society is shrinking, our ability to pass the craft to a new generation has been usurped by the internet. Our challenge will be finding a way to keep knowledge alive. More than Three years have gone by without a workshop being developed or given. If we can't do workshops, we can't draw new members.
We can't sustain the Society unless we can draw new members. We have to learn new ways to do workshops.
The Fellows of the Society will judge the Second Virtual Annual Competition from photographs.
The total entries and the number of Members are down but we do have first time entries from a new member and from an International Member-at-Large. This is a great way to present our craft for others to see. We have some great skills, we have to show them off… so get cracking.

Minutes of the Last Meeting
Dated May 8, 2021. Lauch allotted time for all present to read the 70th & 71st Annual General Meeting
Minutes as circulated prior by email for any revisions, errors and omissions. Motion by Lauren Malec that the minutes be accepted as circulated. Seconded by Jim Wilkes. Carried.

Business Arising from the Minutes of the Last Meeting

• Number of Articles required for a Weston Trophy Entry motion from Council: Motion by Eugene Pik that the number is changed to 3. Seconded by Jim Wilkes. Carried.
• Following the 70th&71st AGM, copy of the Insurance Policy was sent to Branch Presidents for circulation to respective members.

Reports by Executive Council for 2021-22 M
1st Vice President Report: by Jim Wilkes G A
No report for 2021. d n 2

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Council of Fellows Report: by Lauch Harrison
The Fellows met twice discussing issues revolving around judging photos. Seven Fellows were able to judge the entries in the 2022 Annual Competition.
The Judges viewed the photos and marked each entry out of 10, based on their own standards, then judged the entries for Craft and Salon Ribbons. Allowance was made for entries that did not have the minimum quantity, missed angles, were of small size and poor focus.
Twelve entries were from four General Members, three entries from one Novice General Member, and three entries from two Fellows were judged. A total of 18 entries.
Ten Craft Ribbons were awarded to seven Members. Two Salon Ribbons were awarded to one
Member.
The Best General Member Entry was the only Level award given due to lack of Associate and Fellow entrants.
Judges awarded the following cash prizes: Betty Heacock Memorial Award for Best Novice Entry
$50, Robert Muma Award $50 for Best Tooling or Colouring, Woodstock Heritage Award $50, and Best in
Show $50.

ANNUAL PHOTO COMPETITION JUDGING RESULTS

CRAFT RIBBONS:
Green Letter Opener & Rope Work Buckle Lauch Harrison
Leather Chairs Upholstery Eugene Pik
Blue Snake Skin Watch Band Julien Jans
Cranes Purse, Spring Purse, Ocean Treasure Purse, The Three Graces Gregory Belenky
Japanese Long Wallet, Book Cover James Wilkes

SALON RIBBONS:
Cranes Purse, Ocean Treasure Purse Gregory Belenky

Best General Member Entry Cranes Purse – Gregory Belenky
Betty Heacock Memorial Award for Best Novice Entry $50 Blue Snake Skin Watch Band – Julien Jans
Woodstock Heritage Award $50 Book Cover – James Wilkes
Robert Muma Award $50 for Best Tooling or Colouring Ocean Treasure Purse – Gregory Belenky
Best in Show $50 Cranes Purse – Gregory Belenky

Treasurer’s Report: by Della Chynoweth
See Pages 16-17 below.

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“Canadian Leathercraft” Newsletter: by Barbara Chynoweth, Editor
In 2021 we changed the number of issues for the CANADIAN LEATHERCRAFT to 3 issues a year.
Be sure to Check them out on our web site.
CANADIAN LEATHERCRAFT, the Newsletter of CSCL, features our Guild’s news and events, how-to projects, and even some tips and ideas from CSCL’s past. Most issues have articles either from one of our Branches, or our Members-At-Large. As always, your ideas and contributions are welcomed.
During 2021 I took a look back at some of the ideas from past years.
In the January, February, March, April 2021 edition we covered CSCL Leatherwork Virtual
Competition, Creases & Burnishing on Light Weight Leather, Using a Head Knife?, Cutting Surface for
Leatherwork. Cutting Boards of End Grain Hardwood, Aluminum & Glass, Broadening the Understanding of Leathercraft, Projects from the MAL and Threading the Needle.
In the May, June, July, August 2021 edition we covered the 70th -71st Annual Convention and results, A Kodak Moment, Bevel Knife Skiving You Tube, Making a Bevel Skiving Knife out of a scraper,
New Leather?, Jim Wilkes has been busy and Christmas Birds
In the September, October, November, December 2021 edition we covered SEE - What Can You do with Scraps of Leather, Condolences, Plant Hanger – a great way to use up scraps, Five Strand How-to, Sharpening Punches, Spanish Don’s Hat, Tool Tip and “Members-At-Large-At-Work”.
In the January, February, March, April 2022 edition we had the notice of the CSCL Virtual
Leatherwork Annual Competition 2022 and we covered Here is a pattern that can be used to make a dolls leather costume, Buffalo Plaid, Throwing the Stitch, Hints and Tips from Hammerlauch.
Respectfully submitted, Barbara Chynoweth, Editor

ECO Report: by Eugene Pik, Electronic Communications Officer
Website Report: canadianleathercraft.org
Between May 1, 2021 and May 1, 2022 - 2,559 users opened 6,258 pages
Since the website redesign in March 2017, it was visited by 10,843 users - they viewed 32,957 pages on the website.
Facebook Report - www.facebook.com/CanadianLeathercraft page from May 1 2021 to May 1, 2022:
4.3K People reached
54 new followers

Membership Report: by Kim Winchester, Membership Chairperson
For the 2021-2022 year we had 25 members, 4 sustaining members:
11 Fellows
0 Associates
14 General members
I am sorry to report we have one member this year pass away. Phyllis McHale passed away Sept 13,
2021. Members-At-Large increased by one with a leathercrafter in New Brunswick joining in October.
Please remember to notify the Membership Chairman of any changes in your contact information.

Library Report: by Paul Kitchener, Librarian
Due to Covid 19 the Library has been closed for the last year and again this year until further notice.

Workshop Report: by Jim Wilkes, Workshop Committee
We have not discussed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It was decided to put on hold till later in 2022.

Privacy Report: by Lauch Harrison, Privacy Officer A
No Report. n 2

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Special Report
Nancy Durham, FCSCL, was awarded an Honourary Life Membership, CSCL. She was unaware of the nomination and completely surprised when Lauch asked Lauren to lead the Special Report with a reading. She began with Nancy’s one-page Biography from the CSCL 2010 Biennial, CONTAINMENT.

Madeleine Mitchell, Honourary Life Member, former Woodstock Branch member was unable to attend and Lauch continued with her presentation:

Hello CSCL Executive, Members, and Friends,
When I moved into an apartment with my husband, Dean in 2018, I made sure to take along as much of my leather and tools as I could. Nancy Durham was kind enough to help me sort through my stash, and we shared stories of CSCL workshops, Annuals, and projects...and of course, the wonderful, generous, kind people we encountered in CSCL in over more than 40 years!
Nancy has been my CSCL soulmate with amazing leathercrafting skills - she has imagination, creativity, and great construction abilities. I would bet that wallets and belts she made 30 to 40 years ago, are still in use!
Nancy has always been willing to take on administrative duties at both the CSCL Executive level and in our past Woodstock Branch.
She often conducted Workshops and brought new members into CSCL. It was not surprising that she quickly rose from a mostly self-taught leather crafter, to Associate, and then Fellow of CSCL. Her articles have received many awards and ribbons.
It is my Honour to announce that, my friend, Nancy Durham FCSCL, will become the 2022,
Honourary Life Member of CSCL.
With heartfelt Congratulations Nancy!

Finally, Lauch ended by sharing more comments from nominating members:

Very faithful, reliable, cheerful, always willing to help.
She was so helpful in driving me to Annual meetings and Fellow Judging assignments. Good spirited. An excellent technician and leatherworker having produced many, many prize-winning items. Knew her leathers so very well. Worked for the betterment of the Society. Always a fair, knowledgeable judge when evaluating articles. A patient instructor. Always had many samples of the workshop’s project ready for the class. Well deserved recognition. Carol McLean, FCSCL, Life Member

Videoconference audio reception cut out and Nancy immediately re-joined the AGM expressing thanks to all who contributed to this award. A full write-up of Nancy’s lifetime in leathercraft along with excerpts of a saved newspaper feature article, The Expositor, Thursday, July 20, 2000, will appear in the next issue of CANADIAN LEATHERCRAFT.

Branch Reports for 2021-22
Norland Branch - Respectfully Submitted by Tracey Howard
We were unable to have meetings during 2021 because of COVID and the Norland School Hall
Community Centre being closed. We were very happy when we got the word that the facility was opening up again in early 2022 and we held our first meeting on March 9. The group worked on making little peoples leather moccasins.

Mississauga Branch – Respectfully Submitted by Jim Wilkes Due to the Covid-19 pandemic there were no meetings held and we hope to start-up in September 2022. M G

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Hamilton Branch – Respectfully Submitted by Lauch Harrison, FCSCL
Hamilton had sporadic meetings when the Covid Restrictions were relaxed. We covered sheath making and using soft chrome leathers to do hats and slippers. Our Membership has dropped from eight to six.
We try to meet 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the Month at Colin and Tammy's basement workshop. We are looking forward to the coming year to bring some projects to next year ’ s judging.

Members-At-Large – Respectfully Submitted by Lauren Malec
Nine M.A.L. renewed their membership, hailing from Norway/Ontario/New Brunswick/Alberta/U.S.A.
August 2021 – Lauren entered her previous Virtual Annual item at the Western Fair Creative Arts
Competition against a field of 100 Mixed Media crafters. The M.A.L. contribution ‘A Kodak Moment’ was printed in the M-J-J-A 2021 issue of CANADIAN LEATHERCRAFT. Also, ‘Tool Tip’ and ‘Members-At-Large-At-Work’ were published in the S-O-N-D issue.
September 2021 – M.A.L. NEWS went out by email and Lauren began year 1 of 2 as Secretary virtually.
The Craft Ontario, Program and Membership Manager, accepted our invitation to speak about Affiliate
Membership at the November Guest Spot, Executive Council Meeting. We welcomed a new! M.A.L. in
New Brunswick and his leathercraft website is now added to the CSCL Links, wagramleather.com.
October 2021 – The previous Virtual Annual shipment of SEA LEATHER WEAR skins were mailed to M.A.L.
November 2021 – M.A.L. NEWS went out by email.
February 2022 – Speaking from experience running his own leathercraft website, wagramleather.com,
Julien explained SEO (Search Engine Optimization) during this month’s Guest Spot, Executive Council
Meeting.
March 2022 – M.A.L. NEWS went out by email.
April 2022 – The M.A.L. contribution ‘Buffalo Plaid’ was printed in the J-F-M-A issue of CANADIAN
LEATHERCRAFT. In the Executive e-vote Lauren voted against the insurance policy renewal.

Financial Review Report
See Pages 16-17 below.

New Business
1. LIVE PRESENTATION: The CSCL Virtual Leatherwork Annual Competition results were announced and
Ribbons and Awards were presented by Lauch. Due to poor videocall reception photos were not shared at this time. This Fellows Report is intended to be inserted and emailed post-annual to All
Members.
2. Motion by Nancy Durham to accept all of the 72nd Reports as amended. Seconded. Carried.
3. Motion by Della Chynoweth to proceed with awards to prize winners by e-transfer from the General
Funds. Seconded by Lauren. Carried.
4. LIVE PRESENTATION: Due to the intentional surprise planning the Special Report was presented with copies to be inserted and emailed post-annual to All Members.

Adjournment
Motion by Jess Chynoweth to adjourn. Seconded. Carried at 10:40 a.m.

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The Canadian Society for Creative Leathercraft

Your Executive for 2021 - 2023

Executive
Past President Jim Wilkes [telephone number removed]
President Lauch Harrison [telephone number removed]
1st Vice President Jim Wilkes [telephone number removed]
Secretary Lauren Malec
Treasurer Della Chynoweth [telephone number removed]

Branch Presidents
Hamilton Sean Dalgetty [telephone number removed]
Mississauga Jim Wilkes [telephone number removed]
Norland Tracey Howard [telephone number removed]
MAL Appointee Lauren Malec

Ex-Officio
Chairman – Council of Fellows Sean Dalgetty [telephone number removed]
Teaching Standards Lauch Harrison [telephone number removed]
Editor – Canadian Leathercraft Barbara Chynoweth [telephone number removed]
Membership Kim Winchester
Librarian Paul Kitchener [telephone number removed]
Privacy Officer Lauch Harrison [telephone number removed]
Electronic Communications Officer Eugene Pik

Special Committees
Workshops Lauch Harrison, Jim Wilkes

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The Canadian Society for

Creative Leathercraft

Operating Account
April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022
2022 2021

Income
Membership Dues 980.00 1,080.00
Donations 40.00 40.00
Estate of Bill Whittingham 0.00 0.00
Interest/Adv In Bulletin 5.00 26.00
Annual Meeting 0.00 10.00
Total Income $1,025.00 $1,156.00
Expenses
Membership, Postage and Stationary 0.00 0.00
Annual Meeting 38.66 0.00
Awards 270.00 0.00
Web Charges 0.00 0.00
Shows and Workshops 0.00
Dues and Membership (OCC Awards Donation) 125.00 0.00
Mileage 0.00 0.00
Indemnity Insurance (2 Yrs) 0.00 972.00
Bank Charges 42.00 72.50
Total Expenses $475.66 $1,044.50

Income Over Expenses $549.34 $111.50

Ledger Balance (Beginning of Year) 8,775.27 8,718.27
Net change over year $549.34 $57.00
Ledger Balance End of Year $9,324.61 $8,775.27

CIBC Term Deposit 5,343.38 5,330.05
GIC 2,000.00 2,000.00
Cash in Bank 8,775.24 8,775.24
Total Funds $16,118.62 $16,105.29

Bank Account Reconciliation
Balance on Bank Statement March 31 8,804.58 8,775.24
Less Outstanding Cheques 0.00 0.00
Plus Outstanding Deposits 520.00 0.00
Ledger Balance March 31 $9,324.58 $8,775.24

Respectfully Submitted Della Chynoweth

Reviewed by Trace Howard and Sheena Burger May 1, 2022 G

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The Canadian Society for

Creative Leathercraft

Awards and Endowments

April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022
2022 2021

Michigan Soft Leather 759.05 759.05

Betty Heacock 1,721.14 1,721.14

London Jewellery Award 60.00 60.00

MSCL Award 0.00 50.00

Woodstock Award 1,169.14 1,219.14

Maunuel 1,287.52 1,287.52

Al Foss Award/Workshop 350.00 350.00

Jack Meharg Award 500.00 500.00

Bruce White Award 450.00 450.00

Total Awards 6,296.85 6,396.85

Total Funds Available 16,105.29 15,975.89

General Funds Available $9,808.44 $9,579.04

Respectfully Submitted Della Chynoweth

Reviewed by Tracey Howard and Sheena Burger May 1, 2022