General Information for New Members and Guests

Show and Tell-  Members and guests are asked to bring in their quilts to hold up and talk about during the Show and Tell portion of each general meeting.

Fat Quarter Raffle Basket- Fat quarters (of a determined theme) are brought in by members and guests.  One free ticket is given for each fat quarter donated.  An additional free ticket is given if the person wears a handmade name tag.  If you bring a guest, you get a free ticket and the guest gets two free tickets.  Forgot your fat quarter or just didn’t bring one?  You can purchase tickets:  $1 each or $5 for six.  The winner is drawn at that meeting.  The themes are listed under the reminder section of each meeting.

Address Labels- We use these to quickly identify raffle tickets. Rather than calling numbers repeatedly on tickets and waiting for the holder to claim their prize, you stick your address label on the ticket and your name is called.  Forget your labels?  You can always write your name on each ticket.

Snack- Finger friendly snacks are part of each general meeting.  Those responsible for sharing a snack are listed under the reminder section of each meeting.  Plates and napkins are provided.  Members and guests may bring their own beverage. 

Yearly Quilt Challenge- Each year a challenge is given to the members to be completed by the May meeting.  At the May meeting, members vote on their favorite, and prizes are awarded.  The challenge for the 2008-2009 year is, “In the Bag”.  Members are challenged to make a quilted purse/handbag/tote.  You may make as many entries as you wish.  The top three vote getters will receive a gift certificate to a local quilt shop.

Gathering Stash Raffle- This fund raiser is fun for all.  Here is how it works:  You clean out your sewing room and donate your unwanted items to the guild by bringing them to the January  meeting.  Stacks of items are placed on tables with a bag beside each stack.  Members and guests purchase raffle tickets ($1 for five tickets- you determine how many you wish to purchase).  Then the members place their tickets in the bags of their choosing.  Like a stack really well?  Place more tickets in that bag.  Not like a stack at all? Place nothing in that bag.  Once tickets have been dropped in the bags, the winning begins.  At the first stack, one ticket is pulled out of its bag, the name on the ticket is called, and the stack is given to its winner.  This process continues throughout all of the stacks.

Silent Auction- This fund raiser is held in January.  Prior to the November meeting donations of new items are collected and arranged into baskets.  At the January meeting, the baskets are displayed with a paper for silent bids.  You decide what you are willing to bid on the basket.  You write your name and bid on the paper.  At the end of the time allotted, the highest bidder purchases the basket for their winning bid.

Why should you donate a new item to the silent auction?

People who donate new item(s) are given free ticket(s) towards a special basket that can only be won by a donor.  The 2008 basket held five gift certificates ($10 each) to area quilt stores and  a fat quarter donated by the quilt store.

Quilt Retreat- Information about the three day/two night spring event can be found in this program booklet on its own page.  Please note the due dates and cost of the retreat.  Keep in mind that the payment is non-refundable. 

Sharing Information with Guild Members-  An information table is set up at each general meeting to display items of interest to guild members.  Have something to share?  Place your information on this table for members and guests to read and/or take with them.  Want to know about quilt shows, other guilds, special quilt raffles, bus trips, upcoming speakers,…  Details about all of these can be found on this information table.

Charity Quilts- Although the guild does not require members to donate quilts to charity, it is encouraged.  Charities that frequently receive quilts through our members are:

• Become a “Blanketeer” for Project Linus-  Project Linus is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need through gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans lovingly created by volunteers.  All the blankets from the Toledo/Lucas County chapter are donated to foster children of Lucas County.  You can help by making a blanket- quilts, crocheted, knitted, or fleece. Blankets can be as small as 36” X 36” but the majority of the blankets are about 40” X 60”, or what is called “crib size.” Larger twin size for teens are also appreciated. The blankets need to be handmade and made out of new, washable, child-friendly materials.  Visit the national website for blanket ideas and patterns at www.projectlinus.org   Blankets can be dropped off at Sonflower Quilts and Gifts in Sylvania or at The Quilt Foundry in Maumee.  Please include your name and address with your donation so that we may acknowledge your donation.  If you need any further information, please call Nancy Bussing at 419-882-7060.  Thank you!
   

•  The Ronald McDonald House- Travel and lodging arrangements and expenses can devastate a family whose child is in need of long-term care.  The Ronald McDonald House houses families of ill/injured children who are receiving care at The Toledo Hospital.  Quilts and pop tabs are gathered from the guild to donate to the Ronald McDonald House.

Membership Rosters-  A roster of members will be prepared and distributed at the January meeting.  Additional roster books are available for $2. E-mail addresses will not be published this year. Additions and corrections will be done for the remainder of the year.

Website-  www.gatheringofquilters.org Check the website often and share the information with friends.