As all IPCA members know, the strength of our association comes from the energy of our volunteers, especially the officers. All our volunteers—from the officer who spends several hours a day on guild business to the helper who minds the oven for an hour at Shrine Mont—are the lifeblood of the guild. They deserve our fervent thanks.

IPCA holds annual elections. Originally, the term of office was one year. But over the years, association business became more complex and demanding, and experience showed that a complete turnover of officers every year created great problems in continuity, information, and skill. So the board voted to change elective offices to two years, with roughly half of the board members elected each year. This ensures that when new officers start out, they have access to experience, knowledge, and sophisticated advice from officers who are in their second year. The time commitment is longer, but the stress is less.

Association offices bring both rewards and duties. Elected officers receive complimentary memberships in the guild while in office. Officers are expected to attend bimonthly board meetings. Most of these are conducted as evening conference calls, but to promote teamwork and efficiency and to meet the IRS rules for non-profit status, it has been found necessary to conduct at least one meeting a year in person. Economy-class travel and lodgings are paid for by IPCA for one meeting. The meeting is usually set close to and just before a major polyclay event in order to enable as many guild members as possible to attend the meeting

Offices and Duties:

As most Association business and planning takes place via e-mail, officers must have ready access to e-mail. Board members must be willing to communicate regularly with other officers via e-mail; attend bimonthly board meetings via conference call; and attend one or two in-person board meetings per year. IPCA will reimburse the expense of economy-class travel and lodging at these meetings. Offices that are part of the IPCA Board of Directors and require attendance at bimonthly Board meetings either in person or via phone conference calls are the President, Vice President—Outreach and Education, Vice President—Membership, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Webmaster, Member at Large from Virginia, Local Guild Liaison, International Guild Liaison and Web Content/PolyInformer Editor.