August 2007
Meeting Minutes:
This was a very busy and very productive month for IPMS London, as you will see below. Several major decisions were made, and a lot of details regarding the show were discussed. Certain issues will require more discussion, and that's what the website is for. Let's use it!The first item was the annual IPMS London BBQ. There was an unfortunately low number of signups for the event this year. Given the amount of effort required on the part of the host, running the BBQ for such a low number was deemed unfeasible. Thus, the BBQ is CANCELLED FOR 2007 .
We will try again for next year, and we'll aim to have it a bit earlier, perhaps.
The second order of business concerned our monthly meeting space. Previously, the President had obtained verbal confirmation of having the big room, where we are now, booked for 2008. However, after investigating last month's "scheduling malfunction", it became apparent that this was not the case. The President apologizes profusely for the confusion and was himself not impressed with this turn of events.
The Treasurer, Stuart Clark, did an excellent job of obtaining a refund for the difference in the rent between the big room and the small room from last month's debacle. IPMS London now has an approximately $30 credit with the City due to this.
In discussion with the City, two alternative locations were determined. One was a large meeting room at the Kinsman Arena, just up the road from our current location. However, this room is rated only for 60, and thus is about half as big as the auditorium we now call home. The second was our previous location at the Carling Heights Optimist Center . The price on this has gone down substantially since the last time we used it.
A discussion on the merits of each was held, and a vote was also taken, as it is imperative we book soon to ensure we have the facility for the next year (for real, this time)! The clear winner was Carling Hts.
STARTING IN JANUARY, our new meeting place will be in Carling Heights Optimist Center . Same IPMS Time, different IPMS Station.
The good news is that there's a Kelsey's right across the way, essentially!
We also brainstormed on possible topics for next year. No presenters have been set in stone, nor have most topics, but there were a lot of good ideas (probably enough for a year and a half!) The ideas are listed below:
How to make Display Cases - Doug Booth
Diorama Techniques
Weathering - oil washes, paint chipping, exhaust streaks
Weathering - using pigments, chalks and other "dry" media
Photography night - both for taking pics for the website + tips on photographing
models
Figures - Graham Ross (next June)
Decals - tips/tricks for application, also how to make your own
Parts Swap Night
The Great Wandering in Circles - normal Swap night, may/may not be combined
with Parts Swap Night
Discussion of good Modeling Websites
Sanding/Filling - use of Putties, other smoothing agents
Automotive Paint Finishes - how to get those nice, deep, glossy finishes
Airbrushing - demo or advanced topics
Tools - basic tool kits and advanced tools
Modeling Basics
There you go, more than a year's worth of ideas!
One item of considerable, but separate, interest arose as a tangent to the discussion above. This revolved around the possibility of having some kind of contest or challenge, similar to, but with a twist on our past "One Year Challenge".
Two different approaches were eventually distilled from the ideas being bandied about the room. Both involved a Christmas Meeting start. These are the ideas proposed:
a.) Democratically Decided from-Stash Build (DDSB):
In the DDSB scenario, everyone would bring 5 kits that they would like to build in the coming year to the Christmas Meeting. We would go around the table and everyone would get a vote for which kit they want to see that person complete. The winning kit would then have to be completed by the individual BEFORE the next Christmas meeting, where a winner would be decided.
b.) "Secret Santa" Random Build (SSRB)
In the case of the SSRB, everyone would take a kit out of their stash, wrap it up, and put it in a stack... There could then be several ways of drawing who gets to go and get a kit out of the pile. One method is to simply draw names from a hat. Another is to use the opportunity to do a question and answer thing, wherein questions are put into the hat and drawn randomly. Individual answers are then distributed to everyone, and the person with the answer to a given drawn question then goes to the stack. The person then has to build that kit BEFORE the next Christmas meeting, where a winner would be decided.
In each case, the "winner" would be drawn randomly from all completed entries.
The prize could be various things. One idea is to have everyone contribute a toonie, and then there could be two prizes, splitting the pot on a 2/3, 1/3 split. Just one possible way.
This needs to be decided before Christmas, but probably after the show. Let's use the Internet to discuss!
London Scale Model Show
The show was a huge topic. Signup sheets were deployed, and for the most part, the required positions were filled. Some positions, such as those of manning the raffle table and registration, require the individuals signed up to be present for your tour of duty at a specific time. However, others, such as table guards, general gophering, vendor assistance and setup-tear down are the responsibility of ALL club members.
Registration:
Each hour tour-of-duty will see one person taking cash, with two others and a judge to assist in directing entrants to the right places, as well as accepting pre-registered kits. It may be that a special 'fast track' registration line for non-exhibitors will be set up to relieve traffic, if required.
IPMS London members wishing to pre-register their kits should bring a list of what you're entering to the September meeting. We will give you the required numbers of forms, take your money, and register you ahead of time. Thus, on show day, you don't have to wait in line.
"Display Only" models will be put in the vending side of the room, so they can still be seen during the closed-off judging period ( 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm ).
Raffle Table:
Cam Hastings is in charge of this. Draws will be made on a regular basis, and numbers posted on some kind of flip chart.
Sign Co-ordination:
Tom is in charge of this, and will be aided by Shaughn in the morning and Doug in the evening for putting them up and taking them down respectively.
Club Table:
As seen on the discussion site, if club members want to get together and buy a table for selling their kits, they need to inform the show committee on or before next meeting!! The Show Committee is not responsible for this, and neither is the President. Interested parties are left to their own devices to get things organized among themselves.
As usual, there was a good show and tell table, with a wide variety of things, both built and unbuilt. This month's displays included everything from 1/72 mules (the plane movers, not the donkeys) to a new Titanic, and all points, armour, aircraft and shipping in between. There was also an interesting comparison between the ancient Acguy kit and the new HG-UC one!
Next Time:
Our monthly seminars will continue (in the big room) with final briefing on the show! Come out prepared to do your part the following Saturday!
See you then!