Working as temporary office administrator, my second time in this role, I am struck by the genuine warmth of spirit of the membership and the sense of community that this congenial spirit brings.
A member of KACC since I first got involved with the centre in 2015 as a university student, my attendance and participation in classes and events has been low in recent months due to other work and life commitments. Being back here in a work context has re-affirmed my affection for the place and my passion for the creative community it supports.
It has been lovely to be welcomed back with such warmth when I began my fill in shifts here at the centre. I have very much enjoyed catching up with familiar faces and meeting other people new to me. All members have been enthusiastic in supporting my role filling in for Margaret. Equally, there seems to be a deep level of appreciation for all the work needed to be done to keep the centre running smoothly.
As was the case the last time I worked at KACC, I am struck by the diversity of responsibility in the role and the ever-changing demands on time and energy. Emails and correspondence need to be followed up, class lists maintained and records kept of payments made—by whom and what for. The sheer range to the work keeps this job interesting.
I would also like to thank Jenni here for her support in handling the financial side of the administration and for her excellent communication that means the office runs efficiently in Margaret’s absence. With Jenni doing the numbers, it has left me to work to my strengths, that is, writing this newsletter, and later this week the plans to re-organize the library and work on items awaiting cataloguing.
In my normal life I work at Victoria University in their large academic library. I find I am enjoying the responsibility and along with it, the independence of being largely sole charge, with the committee as back up when needed. The points of difference across these two work contexts are interesting. I’ve found myself considering scale and management hierarchies but also how at the heart of both jobs, it is working with and for people that makes us do what we do.
On parting I’d like to say, one thing. Please keep making things. Make paintings. Create crafts. Craft art. I am one of those people who tend to blur the definitions between craft and art as my passion is in the debated area of textiles. But above all else, I ask you to please keep making the KACC community what it is, welcoming. Warm-hearted. And celebrating the wonder of the human capacity for creativity.
Stella Carruthers
Acting Office Administrator- July 2019