Attendance: Kamal Kassouf, Sue Finch, John Daniels, Nancy and John Lambert, Chris and Rhonda Angel, Gary Saunders, Jo Binkley, Kenny Balthasar, Eric Reiner, Bev Johnston, Scott Campbell, Cassie Binkley, Bonnie and Tim Parker, Katie Whitt, Misty MgGiffin. And guests Jennifer Shamblin and Mike Tharp from Parks and Rec.
We opened our meeting with our Parks and Rec discussion.
Mike reiterated that they are looking for pictures with people having fun in the parks. We discussed the issue with Model Releases – Mike will check with the city lawyers to see if they think they are necessary and will work up a short form release that is parks specific for our members to use. Cassie brought up that the model releases are more to protect Parks and Rec than the photographer, as any lawsuit about using a photo for advertising without permission would be the advertisers problem.
Eric brought up the idea of getting ID badges, because people need to know who we are and why we are taking the pictures of their kids in the parks. Mike wanted to make sure that we work together ont hose because any ID should have both the parks logo and the MPPC logo.
We discussed Deadlines – we will try to set out quarterly deadlines so all pictures aren’t coming in at once, but the final deadline for submissions for the next years magazine will be the end of October. Parks and Rec are looking for photos from all seasons – sledders, hikers, sports, etc.
Pictures going forward will have the artist in the file name and old pictures, if used, can be identified and credited if Parks and Rec will send us a PDF of the book before it goes to print.
Nancy volunteered to be the Parks Liason and we left the discussion with the decision that this must be in writing. We will develop our list of requirements and expectations and Parks and Rec will do the same, and we will develop an agreement that meets both sides needs.
We also had a brief discussion about the other benefits of the club to Parks and Rec -providing a park activity (our meetings, and shows) that members of the community can attend and Parks and Rec doesn’t have to pay someone to plan and organize.
After Mike and Jennifer left the meeting we discussed a bit more and set up a zoom meeting for those interested in drafting our list of requirements and expectations from Parks and Rec. (That was set for this Tuesday morning so if you missed the meeting and would like to attend please let Nancy know so she can send you the Zoom information).
March program – Then we discussed our program for March – After no one else volunteered, I said I will do a program on Wildlife Photography. We will need programming and field trip ideas for future months.
Field trips – Only Janice had RSVP’d for the Camp Oty’Okwa Hike and she canceled due to cold. I can reschedule for the last week of February, basically any time from February 22nd to the 28th. Let me know if you are interested and what times work for you and we can set up a date that works for more people.
We had a nice chat catching up with everyone.
Jo mentioned the Audubon contest. Here is the text from the letter she was referring to:
Greetings from the Grange Insurance Audubon Center (GIAC) located inside the Scioto Audubon Metro Park adjacent to downtown Columbus. Previously I was the Arts Director at the Ohio State Fair (2014-2019) which is why I thought you might be interested in receiving information on a new competition giving you an opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind bird house! The competition offers over $950 in awards in addition to providing you with an opportunity to support the GIAC’s mission to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, wildlife, and their habitats. See attached.
I look forward to sharing more news with you as I work towards expanding and developing “Art at Audubon.” My goal with “Art at Audubon” is to offer artistic/creative competitions, present art exhibitions featuring local, regional and national artists, develop an artist-in-residence program and offer a venue for mini pop-up art vendor shows the second Saturday of every month beginning in April.
The GIAC is an awesome 18,000 sq. ft. LEED certified building offering beautiful city views with surrounding natural landscapes and ample parking. If you haven’t’ had a chance to visit the center, I encourage you to check it out! The center re-opens February 9 (Tuesday-Saturday; 10a-3p) and although admission is free, online registration is required to make sure social distancing and COVID-19 mandates are followed.
ATTENTION PHOTOGRAPHERS! I also wanted to let you know about the National Audubon’s AUDUBON PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS
The annual Audubon Photography Awards is now open for submissions. There are two new prizes: a Video Prize and a Female Bird Prize, which aims to spotlight an often overlooked and underappreciated avian subject. Cash prizes up to $5,000 are offered including a special youth prize.
I encourage you to keep creating and I hope that you join me in making the Grange Insurance Audubon Center a place where nature, science and art connect and inspire all people. I look forward to seeing you at the GIAC in 2021!
Best,
Sandy Libertini
Office & Communications Assistant
w: 614-545-5480
c: 614-579-5743
Grange Insurance Audubon Center
505 W. Whittier Street
Columbus, OH 43215