NWWS Leadership & Volunteers

Many of our volunteers have served NWWS for many years and you’ll see their names repeated while other volunteers are brand new to the board. Each of them appreciates the “thank yous” from our members for their year round help—large or small—and their thoughtful attention to guiding our organization.

THE VALUE OF NWWS VOLUNTEERS

No matter your skill level or desire, your helping hands can join us as we shape NWWS. Here you’ll find a list of our volunteer positions and, briefly, how they spend their time. We thank them every day for choosing to support NWWS.

President – As leader of NWWS, the president guides the present and future of NWWS, working with all volunteers and including conducting monthly board meetings.

Vice-President – Assists the president and, later, steps into that role.

Treasurer – Manages all NWWS finances, including taxes and legal compliance with 501(4)c requirement. Works closely with Data Manger for membership renewals, exhibitions entries, and other transactions. Prepares treasurers report for BOD meetings.

Recording Secretary – Records the minutes, edits, & distributes the minutes from 9 board meetings per year.

Corresponding Secretary – Takes care of general written communications, including communicating and congratulating new Signature Members.

Annual International Open Co-Chair – Works with existing, experienced team to update schedule and prospectus, coordinate with the venue, distribute acceptance packets electronically and other communications to accepted artists, organize the awards reception, work with the juror during the awards process, and enjoys bringing the exhibition to life.

Awards – Coordinates with sponsors, builds relationships, and receives awards. Seeks new support for NWWS exhibitions as cash or merchandise. Tracks award values. Prepares award packages for our exhibitions.

Data Manager – Maintains the NWWS data base with Excel, including memberships, membership renewals, exhibitions data, and other important NWWS data.

Digital Curator – Receives, reviews, and manages images from exhibitions, including preparation of digital image sharing and communications with the juror.

Signature Exhibition Chair – Works with experienced NWWS team every two or three years and the venue to exhibit the work of our Signature members. Updates the prospectus, reaches out to artists, works with the venue and volunteers on the day of hanging.

Foundation President – Leads and guides NWWF, working with other foundation volunteers who are focused on our annual scholarship and “Art for Kids”.
Foundation, “Art for Kids” – reaches out to and distributes art supplies to vetted schools.

Foundation, Treasurer – Manages the funds, budget, and all related accounting for the foundation, including legal 501(3)c compliance.

Foundation, Advisor – Attends 3 yearly meetings with foundation volunteers to review budget and other current foundation business.

Foundation, Northwest Watercolor Foundation & Barbara Pitts Award – Reaches out to art students and schools and receives applications for this annual scholarship. Works with others to review and award the scholarship, including presentation at an NWWS meeting.

Foundation, Secretary – Records meeting minutes, edits, and distributes to volunteers.

Grant Writer – Researches and prepares grant applications on behalf of NWWS.

Graphic Designer – Plans and produces a variety of both print and digital graphics for use on NWWS website, eblasts, exhibition catalog, flyers, and many other uses.

Greeter – At NWWS meetings, greets all guests warmly and gives out name tags.

Historian – Collects NWWS digital and printed information and transports it for preservation at the University of Washington.

Hospitality – At our general meetings, prepares simple snacks, coffee, and water for members, including purchasing, setup, and cleanup.

Juror Procurement – Searches for the highest quality artists to serve as our exhibition juror and workshop instructor for twice yearly exhibitions. Contracts with the artists.

Membership – Welcomes new members through preparation & mailing of welcome information and works with others to build membership in NWWS.

Newsletter Editor – Guides the spirit of Hot Press. Plans and receives all newsletter submissions, organizes, edits, and works with outside production artist to publish the newsletter quarterly.

Overlake Display – Coordinates with artists and the Overlake Hospital to install and maintain this members-only display (and sales!) In a dedicated corridor of the hospital.

Paint-Out Coordinator – Plans, publicizes, accepts/manages reservations for, manages the finances and works with venue for this NWWS sponsored 4-day retreat three times per yr.

Permanent Collection Manager – Collects the “Purchase Award” painting annually and coordinates with the Fred Hutchison Center to add it to the hanging collection.

Photographer – Attends NWWS meetings and events, taking photographs. Includes awards receptions.

Plein Air Coordinator – Communicates with members wishing to paint outdoors in warm weather, including finding perfect painting locations.

Programs Chair – Researches and works with the BOD to procure exciting demo artists for 8 general meetings per year, including introduction of the artist at the meeting.

Proofreaders – Reviews and edits written documents, as needed, for volunteers.

Publicity/Social Media Chair – Recommends and plans publicity and places orders for exhibition advertising. Works with four social media people to promote NWWS events and exhibitions.

Social Media/Facebook – Administrates and promotes NWWS on Facebook

Social Media/Instagram – Administrates and promotes NWWS on Instagram

Social Media/Pinterest – Administrates and promotes NWWS on Pinterest

Social Media/Twitter – Administrates and promotes NWWS on Twitter

Venues – Researches and visits potential venues for NWWS exhibitions. Works with the venue and the board to select and secure the venue.

Video Technician – At 8 membership meetings, brings and sets up the AV equipment for the meeting and the in-person artist demonstration.

Volunteer Coordinator – Works with the data manger to be aware of those interested in volunteering, contacting them, and finding the right volunteer fit for available volunteer positions.

Video Librarian – Maintains the vast NWWS video collection, sets up for general meetings, maintains borrower records, collects borrower contributions, and orders new DVDs.

Waterworks Exhibition Co-Chair – Works with existing, experienced team to update schedule and prospectus, coordinate with the venue, distribute acceptance packets electronically and other communications to accepted artists, organize the awards reception, work with the juror during the awards process, and enjoys bringing the exhibition to life.

Webmaster – Responsible for the NWWS website, including updates and technical requirements. Works with the website liaison to keep content current. Prepares and tests entry forms. Solves website issues should they arise.

Website Liaison – Is aware of NWWS activities and events and works with webmaster to keep website content current, including graphic design.

Workshop Co-Chair – Plans with distinguished workshop instructor twice yearly for workshops. Responsible for venue recommendation, publicity, registrations, coordination with attendees, logistics with workshop instructor, and the event details.

HONORING NWWS PAST-PRESIDENTS
Vera Grube* – 1940-41
Paul Immel* – 1942-43
Roy Terry* – 1944-45
Henry Ross* – 1945-46
Henry Taylor* – 1946-47
Rudolph Bundas* – 1947-48
Fred Marshall* – 1948-49
Richard Nelms -1949-50
Arne Jensen* – 1950-51
Edwin Burnley* – 1951-52
Fay Chong* – 1952-53
John MacDonald* – 1953-54
Gerald Grace* – 1954-55
John Lee* – 1955-56
Phil Flash* – 1956-58
John Constantine – 1958-59
Quentin Sternberg – 1959-60
Ross Hatte* – 1960-61
Dan Cannon – 1962-63
Perry Acker* – 1963-64
John Ringen – 1964-65
Lyle Silver* – 1965-67
Richard Kirsten* – 1967-69
Harry Bonath* – 1969-70
Chuck Webster* – 1970-71
Don Millett* – 1971-72
Warren McAllister* – 1972-73
Jerry Stitt – 1973-74
Victoria Savage* – 1974-77
Michael Maher – 1977-78
Ken Dowd – 1978-79
Jack Dorsey – 1979-80
Carl Christophersen* – 1980-82
John Ebner – 1983-85
Jackie Brooks* – 1985-87
Priscilla Maynard* – 1987-89
Richard Singer – 1989-91
Richard Baker – 1991-92
Donna Watson – 1992-93
Jeannie Grisham – 1993-95
Nancy Axell – 1995-96
Beverly Taylor – 1996-97
Cathy Woo – 1997-98
Gretchen Griep* – 1998-99
Betty Jo Fitzgerald* – 1999-20
Jeanne Davis – 2000-01
Dianna Shyne – 2001-02
Kristi Galindo – 2002-04
LeSan Riedmann – 2004-06
Jerry Baldwin – 2006-07
Sheila Mattick – 2007-09
Linda P Dunn – 2009-10
Lola K Deaton – 2010-11
Cricket Crockett – 2011-12
Jeff Waters – 2012-13
Molly Murrah – 2013-14
Shirley Jordan – 2014-15
Charlette Haugen – 2015-16
Theresa Goesling – 2016-17
Che Lopez – 2017-18
Deborah Roskopf – 2018-20
Molly Murrah – 2020-22
Mike Thoreson – 2022-2023
Deborah Roskopf – 2023-2024