spice up guild meetings ? any ideas?

[pigtailpat]

Our guild meetings are beginning to be predictable and very much the same. We have been trying to find new activities to SPICE UP THE GUILD MEETINGS.

WE have done:
Ffour corner learning techniques
challenges
blottos
charm square exchanges
round robins

Can you think of any activities ( not mentioned) your guild has done to improve participation amoung the members?



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[Robin G.]

We have just overhauled our guild meetings and so far, the response has been really positive.
#1 - reduced the time devoted to "business" to 10 minutes. All other stuff (like treasurer's report, upcoming newsletter deadlines, ongoing small group meeting times) are posted on an easel at the entrance to our meeting room. It's now up to the members to keep themselves informed, rather than have a parade of people get up at the front to say what's going on. This has provided more time for quilty stuff.
#2 - We have a short new product review or book review at each meeting.
#3 - We have engaged more guild members to give programs - this is, in part, a cost savings for us but also a way to highlight the work of our own quilters who are extraordinarily talented but maybe not nationally known.
#4 - We have presented the changes to the membership as a way to have more fun at meetings and to spend more time on quilting stuff and less time on the business side of things. No information is lost, just the means of delivery.
#5 - As a way to get people interacting more, we started doing what many churches do at the beginning of a service - take a few minutes to greet those seated around you and introduce yourself to someone you may not know. This loosens things up a bit.
#6 - We are celebrating our 30th year as a guild this year and have found a number of small to do that are helping us recognize our progress, including a small (as in size) challenge using recycled materials, special recognition for our charter members, and, because our main charity is making quilts for the local neonatal intensive care unit, hearing from nurses about the changes in neonatal care over the past 30 years.
There will undoubtedly be more changes in the next year - I am currently VP and will be president starting in august, and I love to stir things up!
Robin

[Judy M.]

Sounds like a great guild, Robin!

[Jill B.]

Robin.

Your comments are the highlight of my day and congratulations to your guild and yourself for taking that huge step. I am sure it will increase your membership over time, and do keep us posted on any changes next year as I am sure this would be an interesting leaning experience for other guilds. I only wish I could join your guild but alas I live too far away.......Australia.....LOL

Jill

[Jill B.]

I have been president of my small 45 member guild for a year now and have received alot of positive feedback on what I've been doing.

One thing lately is a mystery quilt where I hand out the instructions for the next step each month. Members are really jazzed about this.

We recently picked names and made eachother a quilted nametag. They were all so cute and imaginative.

We always have block exchanges and challenges going. The most recent challenge is to simply make some blocks using a fat quarter that was handed out and the blocks will be made into kids' quilts for donating.

Coming up is a bag-exchange. Members will bring 2 - 1/2yds in a paper bag and we'll swap bags. Then participants must make a tote or bag for the person using thier fabrics. Bags will be revealed at our August picnic - we're going to hang them on a clothesline and members will try and recognize the fabric they gave.

I draw from a bag each meeting for "topic of the month". I'll admit that I often rig this so the topic is what I want for the next meeting! Things like "bring an old or antique quilt to show", "wear a quilted garment", "bring a bag or tote you've made to show", etc.

This has been a fun year because we put off having a show by a year. Now the work of planning one begins and we won't have quite as much time for fun.

Nancy in lovely western NY Yea! Spring!

[Jill B.]

My 90 member guild has a winner-take-all block raffle each month. The month before, a simple pattern for the block is handed out. Members can make one, two or three blocks (no more than three). For each block they turn in at the beginning of the next meeting, they receive a raffle ticket. The winner gets all the blocks to make into a quilt. Some months, there is enough participation to have two winners of 25 blocks each. Although I haven't won (yet!), I have a great time participating.

[Jill B.]

Catie - My guild also does this, and refers to the activity as PMS - in this case standing for Please Make Some! We add a twist that you may make blocks but aren't eligible to win until you have shared the finished product from the last time you won - gives us some incentive to actually not collect UFO's.

[Anne B.]

What are blottos?

My guild has recently started sitting at round tables instead of in rows of chairs. Our interaction and socializing has really improved as a result. I've gotten to know more people in the last three meetings than I did in the last three years.

Anne in Vancouver, Canada

[Jill B.]

What are blottos?

My guild has recently started sitting at round tables instead of in rows of chairs. Our interaction and socializing has really improved as a result. I've gotten to know more people in the last three meetings than I did in the last three years.

Anne in Vancouver, Canada

This is a really great tip

[Jill B.]

My 90 member guild has a winner-take-all block raffle each month. The month before, a simple pattern for the block is handed out. Members can make one, two or three blocks (no more than three). For each block they turn in at the beginning of the next meeting, they receive a raffle ticket. The winner gets all the blocks to make into a quilt. Some months, there is enough participation to have two winners of 25 blocks each. Although I haven't won (yet!), I have a great time participating.

THIS IS THE SAME AS A BLOTTO

EVERY GUILD fine tunes their blotto rules to suite their group.
I won 12 block one time made more blocks using the original pattern to make 2 small quilts ...one for a child...one as a sofa throw.

[Jill B.]

http://www.quiltguilds.com/Default.htm


HERE IS A LINK FOR FINDING QUILT GUILDS... IF YOUR GUILD IS NOT LISTED PLEASE DO SO....

THANKS

[Judy M.]

Our guild sits at tables, too, and on holidays has a contest for the best decorated tables. I like the mystery quilt idea. This month our speaker's subject is mystery quilts.

[Judy M.]

Great idea quilters.... keep them coming !!!