Towpath Guidlines

Welcome to the
Towpath Quilt Guild

HISTORY

The Towpath Quilt Guild started in the Spring of 1981, developing from an informal quilt show at the Fayetteville Public library. The Founding Mothers were Marty Bowne, Lee Burnham, Donna Andreas, Jean Hughes and Phyllis Scutt. Presently, The Guild has approximately 90 members.

MISSION

The mission of the Towpath Quilt Guild is to promote awareness and provide educational opportunities in the art of Quilting.

MEMBERSHIP

The only requirement for membership is a love of quilting and an interest in furthering the future of quilting. All levels of quilters are eligible to join, from beginners to experts.

MEETINGS

Meetings are held the second Tuesday of the month, September through June, at the United Methodist Church of Fayetteville, located next to the Post Office on Genesee Street. In the event of bad weather, we follow the Fayetteville-Manlius school closings. The meetings officially start at 10:00 a.m., with a social time immediately preceding the meeting at 9:30 a.m. This time is for socializing, using the library, and signing up for Workshops and Small Group Activities.

In-house workshops (Small Group sessions} may be scheduled for the afternoon of the meeting day. You may bring your lunch or order-out which is available.

MONTHLY MINDER SHEETS

A Monthly minder sheet is available at each meeting. It lists events and happenings of the coming month. It also gives reminders for the following month. It is highly recommended that you read this sheet so that you will know what the Guild is doing.

DUES

Annual dues are $25.00 payable at the September meeting or by mail to the Membership Chair. Guests are welcome to attend a maximum of two meetings at $3.00 per meeting. After that time, the guest fee(s) may be applied to the annual dues.

NAME TAGS

When dues are paid, a Name Tag membership card is issued, which is to be worn at meetings and workshops. It makes it easier for new members to become acquainted, and also for other members to recall names. A drawing for a fat quarter is held for those attending the meeting, with the requirement that you must be wearing a nametag. Also, new members are given a fat quarter at their first meeting.

NEWSLETTER - "ALONG THE TOWPATH"

Our newsletter is published 4 times a year in February, May, August and November. Copies are mailed to all members and are also available on our web site. Articles are due the 15th of the month prior to publication date. All members are encouraged to contribute articles for the newsletter.

Ads will be published at the rates as listed in the newsletter. To have an ad placed, contact the Newsletter Chairperson(s). In addition, each member is entitled to one free three-line ad per year.

WEB SITE

Our web site is www.towpathquiltguild.org. Members are encouraged to check the website every month for changes. Pictures of members' quilts and information are updated monthly.

EXECUTIVE BOARD - OFFICERS

Board meetings are held the first Tuesday of the month, just prior to the regular monthly meeting, except as changed by the President. The Board and all members are invited to attend these meetings. All current activity chairpersons are also expected to attend. The Executive Board consists of the following: President, President-Elect, Vice President-Program, Vice President-Program Elect, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Librarians, Membership Chair, Service Project Chair, Consortium Delegate, Consortium Representative, Newsletter Chair(s).

The elected officers shall consist of President, President-Elect, Vice President in Charge of Programs, Vice President-Programs-Elect, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer. Officers shall be elected on a rotating basis in June. In even years, Vice President-Program and Recording Secretary shall be elected. In odd years, the Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer are elected. Each officer shall serve a two-year term, except a President-Elect shall be elected every year to serve one year as President Elect, and then one year as President. The immediate Past President shall then serve on the Board as a non-voting member and advisor. The Vice President-Programs Elect will also be elected to serve one year as Vice President-Elect (in training) and one year as Vice President-Programs. The Treasurer shall appoint an Assistant Treasurer with Board approval. Other positions may be filled by appointment by the President, with approval of the board.

The nominating committee is formed in March and chaired by the President-Elect. The committee presents the slate of nominees to the Board in April and to the general membership in May. The election is held at the June meeting, at which time the Nomination Committee shall announce the winners. Nominations can be taken from the floor (membership).

The names of the current officeholders are listed in the Newsletter and on our web site.

LIBRARY

The Guild maintains a comprehensive lending library containing books, stencils, videos, etc. Up to three items per month may be borrowed. These are due back the following month. A late fee of $1.00 will be assessed for each item per month.

CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Besides our regular meetings, the Guild engages in a number of service projects during the year. At the present, the service project meeting is held in January, with members cooperating to make quilts for a designated charity. In the past, Ronald McDonald House, Vera House, the Jewish Home for the Aged, and various hospitals are a few or the recipients of our work.

Some other ongoing service projects are pillowcases for Hospice, and hats, mittens and scarves for the children at Seymour School. These projects each have a chairperson.

Service projects are not only a way to help others, but in the process we can use up some of the fabrics in our stash, thereby justifying the purchase of newer yard goods.

QUILT SHOW

The Guild sponsors a Quilt Show every other year, displaying quilts made by members. All members are eligible and encouraged to show their quilts. In addition to the quilts, demonstrations are held, and vendors have booths where the latest in quilting supplies may be purchased. The Guild also sponsors a Craft Boutique where quilted and quilt-related items made by guild members are sold to attendees. On the last day of the show, we raffle off a quilt made by the cooperative effort of our members.

Because the Quilt Show is such a big project, but very enjoyable, all members are expected to assist in making this effort a success. This is our only fundraiser and the money made is used for programs and service projects.

RAFFLE QUILT

A raffle quilt, a cooperative effort of all members, is made and awarded at the bi-annual Guild quilt show. All members, whether beginner or expert, are asked to help in producing this joint effort.

All members are responsible for the sale of at least 20 tickets. We ask members to either sell the tickets or purchase them. We also sell tickets at venues, such as National Quilting Day, community events, etc. The profit from the raffle goes to pay for guest speakers, guild projects and workshops, etc. Without this, we would not have funds to promote the art of quilting.

WORKSHOPS

Each year we sponsor various workshops, led by local or nationally known teachers. These may he in conjunction with the lecture given at the meeting. Our workshop policy is as follows: Payment must be made at the time of registration. Checks are held until the day of the workshop. If for any reason the workshop is cancelled, your fee will then be refunded in full. Scholarship funds are available for in-house workshops for members who need help paying workshop fees. A form needs to be filled out and t he chairperson will keep the information confidential.

On the day of the workshop, you are requested to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to start-up time, so that you can set up and get all your materials ready. Wear your nametag. This enables the teacher and other students to relate better to each other.

SMALL GROUP SESSIONS

Small Group Sessions are scheduled for the afternoon of the meeting day. These are informal sharing sessions for any member, whether beginner or not, during which experienced (not necessarily expert) members demonstrate their method of doing a particular task, such as appliqu�, putting on bindings, paper piecing, etc. Topics are chosen and announced at the meeting prior to the small group session.

BIG SISTER/BROTHER PROGRAM

This program is designed to assist new members to become acquainted with all aspects and activities of the Guild. A new member is assigned a Big Sister/Brother who is available to answer questions and make the new member feel welcome at meetings. Any current member can volunteer to become a Big Sister/Brother. It is a great way to start a new friendship.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Each year the Guild awards three $60.00 quilting scholarships to qualified members. The scholarship recipients are chosen at the June meeting by a lottery of the entries received. In order to qualify, you must be a member in good standing for a period of three years and submit an entry form. To be a member in good standing means that your dues must be current and that you have worked on a committee(s) and/or the service project during this period.

Another scholarship is awarded to members who need assistance to pay for the in-house workshops with guest teachers or guild teachers. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must be a member in good standing for one year and submit an entry form. This information will be confidential and only be shared with the Program chair and Treasurer.

CONSORTIUM

The Guild is a member of the Quilters' Consortium of New York State, a network of approximately 25 guilds established for the purpose of sharing thoughts and ideas on quilting. A Delegate and a Representative represent each guild. Meetings are held several times a year in various locations sponsored by member guilds. The Consortium hosts a bi-annual Quilt Show in which all guilds are expected to participate.

OFFICERS:

The elected officers shall consist of President, President Elect, Vice President in Charge of Programs, Vice President Elect-Programs, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer. Officers shall be elected on a rotating basis in June. In even years Vice President-Program and Recording Secretary shall be elected. In odd years, the Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer are elected. Each officer shall serve a two-year term. Exceptions~ A President-Elect shall be elected every year to serve one year as President~Elect and then one year as President. The immediate Past President shall then serve on the Board as a non-voting member and advisor. The Vice President-Programs Elect will also be elected to serve one year as Vice President~Programs-Elect (in training) and one year as Vice President Programs. She will also serve the following year as an advisor to the current Vice President-Programs. The Treasurer shall appoint an Assistant Treasurer with Board approval. Other positions may be filled by appointment by the President, with approval of the Board.

The nominating committee is formed in March and chaired by the President-Elect. The committee presents the slate of nominees to the Board in April and to the general membership in May. The election is held at the June meeting, at which time the Nominating Committee shall announce the winners. Nominations can be taken from the floor (membership).

Workshop Etiquette

Attending a Quilter's Workshop is usually an exciting experience for each of us. In the excitement of learning a new technique and being in the presence of an admired teacher as well as quilting friends, ones behavior may inadvertently disturb classmates and teacher alike. You may find the following suggestions helpful to avoid embarrassment and make the workshop experience enjoyable by all who are in attendance.

Excessive talking is disruptive. To be a good student, listen to the teacher, not your neighbor. Direct your questions to the teacher. Do not attempt to answer questions for the teacher.

Listen carefully to instructions and read all written material.
Teachers are hired because they have displayed expertise in areas or techniques, which the group wants to learn. your normal procedure is different, give the new way a trial. If you don't agree with the instructor keep it to yourself or speak to her later. For the others in the class, this teacher may be the "fountain of wisdom".
Keep food and drinks away from the working area. There will be a place set up for eating.
Workshop directions are not to be copied or taught without written permission from the teacher. You could be breaking copyright laws.
Wear your nametag.
Remember to say "thank you" to the teacher.
Make every effort to stay for the entire workshop time. If you must leave early, let the teacher know and make arrangements to get instruction from fellow classmates.
Be sure to leave promptly when class is over. Don't delay the teacher from her travel time.

Adapted from APPRIZE, the Embroiderer's Guild of America, Inc. Newsletter Vol. 3, No. 2. June 1987.

TOWPATH QUILT GUILD WORKSHOP POLICIES

When you pay for a workshop, we do not deposit your checks until we have a minimum sign-up. That way if we have to cancel a workshop we can simply return your checks to you. This means your check may not clear the bank for a while.

Please sign up as early as possible. We need to have a minimum of 10 signed for a workshop in order to commit to the workshop teacher.

Fees paid for a workshop are generally non-refundable. If you cannot attend, call the workshop coordinator as soon as possible. If she can fill your space from a waiting list, the substitute can pay you for your space

Scholarship money is available for in-house workshops. Members in good standing for at least one year can fill out a request form. You can ask for full or partial workshop fees. The information on the request form will be confidential and only shared with the chairperson, program chair and treasurer.

TOWPATH QUILT GUILD, INC.
STANDING RULES

Section 1:
Towpath Quilt Guild accounting year is 1 July to 30 June.

Section 2: Membership
Membership is open to all with an interest in quilting and related activities.
Board members are elected officers and committee chairman and are voting members of the board. All guild members may attend board meetings as non-voting members.
All guild members are also members of Quilters Consortium of New York, Inc as long as the guild remains a member.
The out-going president will serve one year on the board as a non-voting Advisor.

Section 3: Meetings
Board Meetings: Guild board meetings are held the 1st Tuesday of the month except July, August, December and January. The President may call a meeting in the summer to plan the year�s activities.
General Meetings: General meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of the month except for July, August, January and February. The meeting time is 9:30am for social time and to check out library books and 10:00am for meeting. Program or lecture may follow the meeting.
Other: January, service project workshops, February in house workshop (free to the members) and August workshop, members pay a fee, which includes lunch. June is the annual picnic and December is the Christmas party.
Canceled Meetings: Meetings canceled for snow or other weather related closing will follow FM School closings.

Section 4: Dues
Annual dues are $25.00 due the 1st of September each year, $20:00 if paid before the 1st of September and $12.50 after March 1st.
Guests pay $3.00 and may attend three meeting before they are required to join. Guest dues will be deducted from their annual dues upon joining the guild.
Dues may be increased by a majority of the board.

Section 5: Activities
Monthly Block Raffle: members that wish to participate in the block raffle make one or more of a choose block. For each block their name is entered in a drawing to win all the blocks. More than one name may be drawn depending on the number of blocks made.
Monthly Fat Quarter Raffle: members that wish to participate in the fat quarter raffle bring one or more fat quarters of a predetermined color and or theme. For each block their name is entered in a drawing to win all the blocks.

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Standing Rules, con�t

Monthly Raffle Basket: members purchase one or more $1.00 tickets to win the monthly raffle basket of �goodies�.

Direction 6: Consortium Delegate and Representative
The president appoints the delegate and representative to attend the Consortium meetings. They are responsible to prepare a brief description of guild activities to present at the meeting and to inform guild of consortium activities.
The delegate will be reimbursed for lunch and mileage to attend the meetings.

Section 7: Events
February Workshop: The February workshop is open to all guild members at no cost. Paid guild members teach various workshops. This workshop is normally held at the same location as guild meetings, currently United Methodist Church in Fayetteville.
National Quilting Day: The guild participates in National Quilting Day by presenting some type of quilting activity for the public. Members are asked to give demonstrations and or spend an hour or so at the guild display. Tickets for the guild raffle quilt may also be sold at this event unless its not allowed at the venue.
June Picnic: The June picnic is an annual event and the last meeting before summer break and when the items made for the service project are presented. The picnic chairman chooses the location. The food may be a potluck or catered. There is no charge for the potluck but if a caterer is used there will be a per member charge.
August Workshop: The August workshop is to provide members an opportunity to get together during the summer break. There is per member charge for this workshop to pay for lunch and facility use. Non-members may attend. A non-member fee will be charged. Charge is determined by cost, the goal is to break even.
Members may be asked to bring goodies for morning coffee, if so they are usually entered into a drawing for some �fat qtrs�. Members may also attend just for lunch and pay only the lunch fee. . Paid guild members also teach this workshop.
Christmas Celebration: This is the last guild activity before breaking for the winter months. The celebration begins at the regular meeting time and location, morning goodies, lunch, various activities such as silent auction, sale of donated items and other fun things. Lunch may be potluck or catered. The overall cost for the celebration determines cost to the members.

Section 8: Library
The guild library is one of the most popular benefits of guild membership. You must be a member to check out the library books. You may sign out 1-3 books per month, due back at the next guild meeting. In November and May you may sign out up to 5 books that are not due back for 3 months (the time between meetings).
Books may be renewed by phone, in person, by email or snail mail. There is a $1.00 fine per book per month for overdue books.
Guild members are encouraged to request books to be purchased for the library.

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Standing Rules con�t

When the library is culled and when donated books are not put in the library they are offered to the members at a greatly reduced price.

Section 9: Newsletter
The guild newsletter �Along the Towpath� is published quarterly and is available to guild members as part of their dues.
Guild members are encouraged to submit articles of interest to the newsletter editor.
Guild business members may advertise in the newsletter for a small charge which may be changed by the board.
No copyrighted material will be published without permission.

Section 10: Program
The program committee selects the program, which could be a lecture, a workshop or both. The committee makes arrangements for the lecture and or workshop.
A sign-up sheet is made available for members to sign up for workshop. Payment is expected at time of sign up. No one is guaranteed attendance or receives a class handout until payment has been made.
Workshops must pay for its self or be cancelled. No refunds will be given after the cut-off date as stated on the sign-up sheet.
One member of the committee may attend the workshop at no cost.
If a member is hostess for workshop instructor that member may attend the workshop at no cost. Also hostess will be reimbursed, for main dish, if entertaining the instructor at dinner.

Section 11: Scholarship
The guild awards three to six scholarships ea year at the June picnic. Scholarships are good for one year, from June to May and are not to be used for Towpath Guild workshops.
You may pay for your scholarship and be reimbursed by the treasurer or request the treasurer pay directly.
Winners are not eligible for next years drawing. To be eligible you must have been a guild member for at least three years and have served on a committee of been an active participant of the guild.
You are expected to share your experience at a designated meeting/workshop.

Section 12: Presidents Quilt
The immediate past president is responsible for the out going presidents quilt. Members may be asked to contribute a block, assist with quilting etc.
Expenses up to $100.00 will be reimbursed. Additional funds maybe requested and approved by the board.

February 2007

TOWPATH QUILT GUILD, INC BY LAWS

The purpose of the Towpath Quilt Guild, Inc is to promote awareness and stimulate interest in quilting, as well as provide educational opportunities in the art of quilting.

Article I � Membership

Section 1 � Eligibility for membership: Application for voting membership shall be open to any person that supports the purpose of Towpath Quilt Guild Inc. Membership is granted after completion and receipt of a membership application and payment of dues.

Section 2 � Annual Dues: Dues shall be payable in September each year, persons joining after March 1st will pay half the annual dues. Guest may attend two consecutive meetings, paying a fee per meeting, which will be deducted from their dues if they join the guild. Dues may be changed by a majority vote of the members at the annual meeting in June.

Section 3 � Non-voting membership: The board shall have the authority to establish and define non-voting categories of membership.

Article II � Meeting of Members

Section 1 � Regular meetings: Regular meetings of the members shall be held on the second Tuesday of each month, September through June inclusive unless otherwise designated by the president. Other meetings may be held in July and August as determined by the Executive Board.

Section 2 � Annual meeting: An annual meeting of the members shall take place at the June meeting. At the annual meeting the members shall elect officers for the coming year

Section 3 � Special meetings: Special meetings may be called by the president, the Executive Board, or a simple majority of the board of directors or by written request of ten (10) members of the guild. The purpose of the meeting shall be in the request. Except in cases of emergency, at least three days notice shall be given.

Section 4 � Quorum: The members present at any regular meeting shall constitute a quorum.

Section 5 � Voting: All issues to be voted on shall be decided by a simple majority of those present at the meeting in which the vote takes place.

Article III � Executive Board and Board of Directors

Section 1- Executive Board, Board of Directors and Duties:
The President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer shall constitute the Executive Board.

Board of Directors: The Executive board and committee chairmen constitute the Board of Directors, which is responsible for overall policy and direction of the guild and delegates responsibilities of day-to-day operations to the guild committee
Section 2 � Terms: The President and Vice President will serve one year. All other elected board members shall serve two-year terms.

Section 3 �Board Meetings and notice: Board meetings shall be held on the first Tuesday of the month except for July, August, September, and January. The newly elected president may call a board meeting in either July or August. In unusual circumstances electronic/telephone meeting may be conducted at the request of the president.

Section 4 � Quorum: The committee chairmen present at any board meeting plus not less than four (4) of the elected board members shall constitute a quorum.

Section 5 � Executive Board and Duties: There shall be five officers of the executive board, consisting of the president, vice president, recording secretary, corresponding secretary, and treasurer.

The president shall convene regularly scheduled board meetings, shall preside or arrange for a member of the Executive Committee to preside in the following order, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.

The vice president shall preside in the absence of the president and will compile information and print the �Monthly Minder� to be distributed at the regular meeting of the guild.

The Secretary shall be responsible for keeping records of regular meeting and board actions, including the taking of minutes, distributing copies of board minutes, making regular minutes available to members at meetings, sending out announcements when requested by the chair, and assuring that board and regular meeting records are maintained.

The Corresponding Secretary shall be responsible for the general correspondence of the guild - that is correspondence that is not a function proper to other offices or to committees. If correspondence of an official character is to be read, it is normally read by the president..

The Treasurer shall make a report at each board and regular meeting of the guild. The treasurer is responsible for developing and reviewing the annual budget with Executive board members. The Executive Board must approve any major changes to the budget. The financial records of the guild are public information and shall be made available to the general membership and board members at the respective meetings.

Section 6 � Vacancies: When a vacancy on the executive board exists mid-term, the president will fill the vacancy with the approval of the executive board These vacancies will be filled only to the end of the particular board member�s term.

Section 7 � Resignation, termination and absences: Resignation from the executive board must be in writing and received by the Secretary. A board member shall be terminated from the board due to excess absences, more than two unexcused absences from board meetings in a year. A board member may be removed for other reasons, by a three-fourths vote of remaining board members.

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Article IV � Committees

Section 1 � Committee formation. The Executive Board may appoint committees, as needed, such as Program committee, Activities committee, Events Committee, Quilt Show Committee, Service Project Coordinator, Publicity, Newsletter etc. The president appoints and or approves all committee chairmen.

Section 2 � Executive Committee: The elected officers serve as the members of the Executive Committee. Except for the power to amend the Articles of Incorporation and the bylaws, the Executive Committee shall have all the powers and authority of the board in the intervals between meetings of the board and is subject to the direction and control of the full board.

Section 3 � Nominating Committee: The Nominating committee shall consist of at least 3 and not more than 5 members appointed by the president. Officers of the club shall be elected at the annual meeting in June and will take office at the end of that meeting.

Article V � Parliamentary Authority

Section 1�Parliamentary Authority: Roberts Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings of all meetings when not in conflict with these by laws.

Article VI - Amendments

Section 1 � Amendments: These bylaws may be amended when necessary by two-thirds majority of members present, upon prior written notice at a regular meeting of the guild.

Last revised January, 2008