Help Shape the Future of Clay Arts in Washington
The Washington Clay Arts Association is seeking new members for our Board of Directors
“The Washington Clay Arts Association thrives when members step forward to give back. Serving on the board is one of the most meaningful ways to support our clay community—and it can be surprisingly transformative.
As a past president, board service helped me grow in ways I didn’t anticipate. I built leadership and organizational skills, gained confidence coordinating events and initiatives, and formed lasting relationships by working alongside people who shared a common vision. Collaborating with fellow artists and local business owners deepened my sense of connection—to the community and to the work itself. It helped me to feel grounded in a statewide community of clay artists.
We’re looking for engaged members who want to contribute their skills, ideas, and care to help guide WCA’s future. I joined without having it all figured out, and learned along the way by participating, collaborating, and simply showing up.”
The WCA’s all-volunteer Board plays an essential role in guiding and running the WCA, focusing on long-term strategic planning, financial oversight, operations, and programming. We are actively recruiting Board members for the following roles:
Board Member at Large - attends board meetings; helps with one or more committees (Events, Communications, etc.)
Membership Manager - tracks annual membership; reports on membership to the board; keeps public membership lists updated
Website Manager - maintains the WCA website
Content / Communications Manager - leads the Communications committee; writes or delegates writing content for newsletter, blog, press releases, etc.
Currently, WCA board meetings are held monthly and are virtual via Zoom. For our bylaws, current board membership, and a full picture of what these roles entail, please see About the Board.
“My time as the WCA bookkeeper, and as a board member in general, gave me a great sense of community building, connection, and giving back. Being in community with clay people has been really important to my growth as an artist, and to my happiness in what can feel like a huge and isolating city. So it was very satisfying to help make a place where that community happens - because it can’t happen all by itself!”
“I thoroughly enjoyed my years serving on the WCA board, both as Co-President and as Social Media Manager before that. Serving on the WCA board helped me grow in my career, helped me to meet other ceramic artists (both local and beyond) and become a more active part of the clay community.”
Board Member’s Job Description and Responsibilities
Term of Office: Unless a Director dies, resigns or is removed, office is held for a term of one year. A Director may be reelected as many times as they are able to serve.
Compensation: The Directors receive no compensation for their service as Directors, but are entitled to reimbursement for expenditures incurred on behalf of the organization.
Officers: The officers of the organization are the President, Secretary and Treasurer, each of whom is appointed by the Board. Other officers and assistant officers may be appointed by the Board as necessary. The length of term of officers is one year, and a Director may serve as many consecutive terms as he/she is elected to serve.
Time Commitment: The Board holds regular meetings at a minimum of five times a year, scheduled at the discretion and convenience of all Directors. In addition, board members may take on specific tasks and projects, such as serving on committees and attending association events. In total, Board Members should expect to spend an average of no more than five to ten hours per month on official responsibilities. Financial Contribution: Members of the Board are not required to give or solicit a specific dollar amount to the organization’s annual fundraising efforts. However, Board Members may be asked to assist in fundraising efforts.
Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Organizing events and programs for members.
Keeping members informed of clay events through an updated website and newsletter.
Planning for the organization’s long-term growth.·
Overseeing the organization’s finances and the approval of an annual budget.
Engaging other members of the community with the organization.
Suggest possible nominees for election to the Board, who can make significant contributions to the work of the Board and the organization.
Engaging other members of the community with the organization.
Suggest possible nominees for election to the Board, who can make significant contributions to the work of the Board and the organization.
Head Committees as determined by the Board and manage volunteers. Committees must be headed by a Board Member, but all members of the organization are eligible to participate in a committee as volunteers.