Minutes of the June 12th meeting were read to club members. Upon conclusion of the reading of the minutes, Mr. Jeff Roush asked members if there were any questions about last month’s meeting and a correction was noted by Mrs. Sara Hayes that club meetings have been moved to the 3rd Thursday of each month. Jeff also added that Mitzie Roush is taking names and corrections for the club roster and if members need to add their name or corrections to please see her.

President Roush proceeded to new business for the club with the following items:

I. NEW BUSINESS

A. Club Dues

David Hayes has opened a club account at Security Bank and a dues schedule has been created for club members. An annual membership fee will be $40.00 per year and additional family members will be $20.00. Dues can be paid to David Hayes and Mitzie Roush will note on the club roster receipt of payment. The fiscal year will be from July 1 to June 30th.

B. Club Officers

Several members have agreed to volunteer and several positions are currently open. President Roush provided a brief overview of responsibilities for each officer. Mr. Roush explained that the Program Coordinator will be responsible with coordinating monthly programs which include, but not limited to, invitation of outside photographers or local artists to discuss items such as composition and it would be beneficial for members that are well connected within the community to tap into these resources and invite to the monthly programs. In addition, Mr. Roush added that there will be field trips for club members that will allow the group to travel around the area and view available resources.

The Public Relations position is still open and Mr. Roush pointed out that Danny Walden and David Hayes have graciously worked on promoting the club via television and newspaper.

Susan Carolyn has volunteered to serve as Contest Chair. President Roush informed members that the club will have a monthly photo contest with winners receiving prizes and points for first place and second place winners receiving points and a Photographer of the Year award that will be voted on at the end of the club year. The point system will be based on club participation, volunteer work, program facilitation, etc. At the end of the year the points will be tabulated and the winner will be recognized and awarded a prize (i.e., free club membership, gift card, etc.). Mr. Roush added that this will fall under the responsibilities of the Contest Chair and added that this position is in need of a couple of assistants to assist Mrs. Carolyn with tracking member points.

Mr. Roush noted that Sara Hayes has graciously accepted the position as Club Historian and her name will be added to the club’s website.

The Photos Exhibit Curator position is currently open and will require the individual to check on upcoming shows that will allow members to display their work and monitor the displays to verify that they are safe and remain in the state in which they were originally displayed.

Hospitality is currently being handled by all club members with the responsibility being transferred to the individual that accepts this position.

C. Constitution

President Roush updated members on the need for additional volunteers in the development of the club’s constitution and the need to complete and ratify the document. The constitution will outline how the club operates with respect to how money is raised, the spending of money, and community involvement. A draft is currently in place but additional volunteers are needed and to please see Mr. Roush after the meeting.

With no further new business to discuss, President Roush turned the program over to Vice President, David Hayes to discuss the upcoming Shoot Dyer County photo contest.

II. SHOOT DYER COUNTY

Mr. Hayes provided a handout to members detailing the terms and conditions for the Shoot Dyer County photo contest. Mr. Hayes noted that the document is a draft with hopes that the document will be completed after the meeting based on feedback from present members.

Mr. Hayes briefly explained the history behind the idea of Shoot Dyer County and his discussion with Chamber President, Allen Hester, and the need to have various community photos to be displayed in the Lannom Center and the formation of a club that would benefit Dyer County with general idea of making Shoot Dyer County an annual event. Mr. Hayes provided a brief overview of the contest rules that include: 1.) time in which photos can be taken and submitted with the current year being from January 2007 through October 12, 2008; 2.) entry fees; 3.) photo classifications, amateur/professional; 4.) display of contest participants [Dyersburg Mall]; 5.) judging of photos; 6.) images must be shot in Dyer County; 7.) contest prizes based on noted categories; 8.) number of entries per classification, and, 9.) rules pertaining to editing of image.

Mr. Hayes informed members that the club currently has beginning funds in the amount of $1500.00 which consist of financial commitments coming from the Dyersburg/Dyer County Chamber of Commerce and the Mississippi River Corridor with each committing $500.00. In addition, Mr. Hayes added that he has obtained commitments from Security Bank, City of Dyersburg, and the Historical Society and also has a call in place to the Dyer County Mayor. These funds will allow the club to underwrite the this year’s photo contest.

Images will be used for various projects and publications for the Chamber of Commerce, Historical Society, Mississippi River Corridor, City of Dyersburg and County of Dyer. Rights for usage of the photos is a stipulation under the submittal of images for the contest and the State Gazette has also agreed to post the photos to their website. Photo credits will be provided for photos published with the various above reference organizations. Photos will also be displayed at various locations such as but not limited to: Dyersburg State Community College, City Hall, and Dyer County Courthouse.

Mr. Hayes also added that the club will need help in constructing display stands for the photo contest and recommendations with regards to the type of materials used in the construction were provided by various members including foam core and usage of velcro for placement of the photos on the display.

Rules for the contest will be posted to the club’s website upon final completion with a request to add a “Pet” category to list of contest entries.

III. OTHER BUSINESS

A. President Roush recapped the excitement the Shoot Dyer County photo contest and the gratification of having one’s photo published. Mr. Roush encouraged members to get in on the contest and to spread the word.
B. The photo club currently has a Google account and encouraged members to make use of the site by joining and participating in the various forums.
C. Mr. Roush reiterated his commitment to providing free help to members and to feel free to contact him at any time and that he is also opening a studio in Parker Plaza in the next 10 days and to feel free to stop by at any time; Clayton Hayes has also volunteered to provide assistance as well.
D. Show & Tell: Club Members were asked to bring a photo for the night’s meeting and Mr. Roush called upon various members to present their photo and to provide a brief overview of their photo subject.
E. Publishing of contest photos: Clayton Hayes suggested that upon conclusion of the photo contest to have the various photos submitted for process in book form. The cost of producing the book could be as low as $18.00 per book.
F. August Photo Subject: President Roush informed club members the subject for the club’s August photo contest will be flowers.
G. President Roush provided a brief lesson on the subject of lighting and the aspects of shooting in sunlight and overcast.

--Tammy R.Hall

The first Meeting of theDyer County / Dyersburg Photo club was held at 6:30 P.M., June 12, 2008, at the Professional Development Center in Dyersburg. Twenty-three (23) were in attendance.

David Hayes called the meeting to order with a brief explanation of how we got to the point of holding a meeting. Jeff Roush talked about why we might want to form a club and about the Jackson club that he formed four years ago. Those in attendance introduced themselves and each told about their reason for being interested in Photography. Jeff pointed out the things we all had in common.

David Hayes introduced the idea of a contest called ‘Shoot Dyer County”. He anticipated that we would have four divisions, agriculture, historical, people and events, and landscapes. We should have categories for professional and amateur photographers. There will be a nominal fee to enter a photo with permission given to the Chamber of Commerce, the Historical society , Mississippi River Corridor Project, City of Dyersburg and Dyer County to use all photos.

We had a general discussion of the format of the club. Jeff Roush, agreed to run the Meetings for the next few months. David Hayes, agreed to get a tax number and open a bank account for the club. Tammy Hall, agreed to act as temporary secretary and compile and distribute an email list of all present. Clayton Hayes has agreed to Mat and Frame any special Photos at cost for members.

It was decided that the meetings will be held each month on the second Thursday at the PDC at 6:30 P.M. We also agreed to bring several of our favorite Photo’s to the next Meeting to share with the club. Jeff is going to prepare a program on shooting outside with existing light.

Jeff is going to set up a Google group for the club and invite each interested person to join that group. The group members cam communicate, post photos and messages to the club. We also have a website that is currently www.dyersburgphotoclub.com. The name for this website may change but you will be notified.

-Sara Hayes