General Guild Business Related Information

GENERAL GUILD BUSINESS RELATED INFORMATION

BUSINESS/PROGRAM MEEETING

Business Meetings are normally held on the 2nd Monday of each month and are for all Guild members.  Visitors are always welcome.

Old and new business is discussed, along with reports and announcements from various committees and groups.  Meetings are also an opportunity for members to show and tell their work. 

Programs are held in conjunction with the business meeting.  The guild vice president puts together the programs for the year.  This includes arranging for speakers, setting up auctions, potlucks, and community service sewing    

A note on speakers: often speakers must be contracted months or at least a year ahead of time.  The guild budgets for these special speakers.

DUES

Dues are collected yearly by the membership chairwoman.   They must be paid no later than the first business meeting in January.  Checks should be made out to Evergreen Piecemakers Quilt Guild (EPQG).  It is a good idea to verify your information for the guild roster.  The roster will be published on the EPQG Website under the Business-related Section.

GUEST POLICY

Guests are encouraged to visit a few meetings prior to joining.  This allows them to decide if the guild fits their needs,

NEWSLETTER

The newsletter is published monthly and is available on the Evergreen Piecemakers website.  (add new web site access) The newsletter is also distributed via email to all members.

The newsletter contains business meeting minutes, budget information, calendar of events, and other information.

RAFFLE QUILT

To raise money to help cover guild expenses, a raffle quilt may be made each year.  Volunteers form a raffle quilt committee.  This committee selects a pattern and gets permission from the designer to use their pattern for this purpose.  The committee then selects colors, fabrics and quilting design.  Kits may be distributed to members who can support the effort by making a block or two.

The guild tries to stay two years ahead in planning as it requires time to put together a quality quilt.

SHOW ME HOW

“Show me how” is a demonstration of quilting skills.  Tips are presented by volunteer members and are normally conducted prior to the business meeting.

SUNSHINE

The Sunshine committee was established because everyone in our guild is special and we want them to know it by remembering them in their time of need.  Please contact the sunshine chairwoman if a member is ill, suffering a loss or otherwise hurting or experiencing some life difficulty.

In the event of a member’s death or death of a spouse or partner the guild may take up a collection to cover the cost of a floral arrangement or donation to a family’s designated charity.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteers are an integral part of the guild.  Without volunteers the guild would cease to exist.  There are many opportunities to support the guild by volunteering throughout the year.  It is a great way to meet and get to know other members.  Some positions are a once only shot while others are for longer periods of time.  Examples are:  sewing blocks, quilting and binding quilts for Joyful quilter, ad-hoc committees.  Executive board positions are volunteer/elected positions.

BLOCK OF THE MONTH

Every month a quilt block is provided, in keeping with applicable copyright laws, for members.  The pattern and directions are distributed to members via the newsletter, website, and hard copies provide at guild meetings.  Members can make one or many blocks.  The block is due at next month’s business meeting.

Participation in BOM is totally volunteer.  Everyone who turns in a block has their name put into a drawing.  One chance is entered for each block turned in.  The person whose name is drawn will receive all the blocks turned in.

JOYFUL QUILTERS

Joyful Quilters is the guild service committee.  Joyful Quilters work to provide comfort and warmth to those who in need by making and donating quilts to multiple organizations and agencies.  Quilts have been donated to hospital oncology units, breast cancer treatment centers, habitat for humanity and hospice.  We have donated quilts to non-profit organizations to raise funds via raffling a quilt.

A yearly donation of quilts and pillowcases is made to Hope Alliance for Kids Camp.  This camp provides a quality weeklong outing for foster children in the Puget Sound area.  

Contact the Joyful Quilters Committee chairwoman if you would like to participate.  

RETREATS

The guild sponsors several retreats throughout the year.  Retreats are held at various retreat centers in the area which offer room and board.  Retreat costs are fully paid by the participants.  A deposit is required to hold a spot with final payment of the balance due prior to the event.

See the guild’s retreat policy located on the website retreat page.

Retreat participants provide their own projects and any sewing equipment needed to work on said projects.

Retreats are a great way to get to know other guild members better. Additionally, these retreats are a great source of idea sharing, tips and quilting help. 

SATELLITE GROUPS AND QUILTING IN THE HOOD

Satellite groups are sub-groups of the guild, not sponsored by the guild.  They meet in members’ homes or facilities where no fees are imposed, such as library, senior center, etc.  These groups are great for sharing ideas, getting support and help with small problems of quilt construction.

WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES

The guild sponsors several workshops and classes throughout the year.  Full payment for a workshop or class must be paid by the guild meeting following signup.  If the workshop or class is cancelled, refunds will be made.  If you cancel your participation in a workshop or class, your cancellation must be submitted to the workshop or class coordinator in writing.  No refund is guaranteed.  Refunds for workshops and classes will be made only when the contract requirements for said workshop or class have been met.  Attempts will be made to fill vacated workshop or class spots.