Page 11 - The Decorative Painter - Fall 2019

chapter happenings
THE 2019 CHAPTERS GATHERING AND BANQUET RECAP
by Georgia Magarrell tda
The Chapters Gathering Committee is made up of six SDP volunteers, under the direction of an SDP Board Member Liaison. Among the tasks of the committee is to plan for chapter services, help
to provide information and training for chapters and their leaders, and coordinate the details
for the Chapters Gathering and Banquet at the National Conference. This year’s event “Party in the Heartland” was held in Wichita, Kan.
A new Special Event was added this year: The Backpack Program. SDP members from around the U.S. lovingly painted over 200 backpacks. This program idea came alive through our Director, Jennifer Arnold. The backpacks were given to St. Francis Ministries, the local Foster Children’s Foundation in Wichita. Neighborhood merchants joined
in to fill the backpacks with pencils, paper, crayons, etc., providing each child with their very own filled backpack. Can you believe it?
Guest speaker Jae Hedrick provided us with insight into the Foster Children’s Program. It was quite a moving experience.
Rosemary Reynolds, the DecoArt Helping Artist Coordinator, shared a video presentation about DecoArt products. DecoArt generously provided each attendee with a gift bag of products. In addition, each attendee received a special paintbrush from The Artists Club and a pin donated by Valhalla and Between the Vines and the logo designed by Mary Davidson. We were so grateful for the generosity of these wonderful people.
One of most fun-filled responsibilities this year was coordinating the efforts of the many chapter volunteers that decorated the beautiful banquet tables. Even more beautiful than the tables were the guests sitting around them.
Always smiling, the one and only “First Lady of Decorative Painting” Priscilla Hauser mda was in attendance! Priscilla was at the first SDP Banquet and here 47 years later, she
was at the last. It is always such a delight to see her. Also enjoying the celebration were Peggy Harris, Sherry Nelson mda and Donna Dewberry to name a few. What a night to remember.
Yes, there were tears, but there were also hugs and laughter! We are heading into
a new era. It will be exciting for all of us to help shape it.
Painting is a big part
of our lives. The Chapter Gatherings and the
Banquets as we knew
them might be gone
for now, but we are
carving out what our
“next chapter” will
be. Moving forward,
it might look uncertain,
but now there is much focus on the internet. We will
be offering the best of our industry, delivered directly into your home! EMBRACE IT!
A note to the Committee: Julie Cloud, Liz Voas, Marilyn Corners mda, Monica Bayness and Susan Phillips– thank you for a great year.
To Ginny Sparlin, Liaison; leaders Linda Sharp cda, President; Jennifer Arnold, Director; Miho Halsey, Education and Events Manager; Nadeya Lassely, Staff Liaison; and Alli Arnold, Education and Events Assistant: Thank you so much for your guidance. What a TEAM!
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