Greetings to all members of EQI! …
Welcome to the August 2023 edition of President’s Chatter.
August means: Spring is just around the corner!…oh! For some sunnier times, when our quilts can be washed and hung on the lines to dry in the breeze. There are other signs, blossoms and bulbs emerging to add colour and scent to our gardens and magnolias flowering at their best.
Just a reminder: For members’ convenience: our new Tyro EFTPOS machine is available at every EQI Gathering, Saturday Stitching day and other events for any payments.
It’s also time to “Celebrate Creativity” with our biennial Quilt-In, in combination with the Vic Quilters Winter Gathering which is getting closer: Saturday, August 26th. I am really looking forward to hearing Rae Telfer talk about her quilting journey. Also shop at Tranquility Crafts, Can-Do Books, Black Forest Quilting, Moonee Ponds Sewing Centre and the Very Snuggly Stash table! Don’t forget to book with Vic Quilters through “Try booking” and reserve your seat.
Click here to go to Try Booking.
It’s time to show off EQI to the rest of the state, slay them with our morning and afternoon tea tables (Please bring a plate to share) and raise some funds for ourselves (for a change) through the special efforts we will have in place. Including “Guess the Number of Squares”, an Emma Jean Jansen designed raffle quilt and our “10 tickets for $10 for 10 bags” activity. Not to mention, bring your scissors, knives etc for sharpening at the VIP price of $8 an item with $1 from each item going back to EQI!
To make this activity succeed we need every member’s help. Please fill in the gaps in the roster, make some more finger pincushions and don’t forget your challenge blocks!
Our AGM is fast approaching. Yes! I did say this last month, but, this is perhaps the most important annual activity for every member to take note of as the committee needs your help. So, here we go, again! It will be held on Wednesday, September, 20th. This is also the day of our monthly Gathering. Please make sure your Membership is paid and the membership form filled in. We have a very small committee that has and is doing, an amazing job. EQI needs a bigger committee, to help carry the load and look to the future. We need a Vice President and at least, 3 more committee members.
Nomination forms are available at the front desk. Meetings are via Zoom once a month, (Yes! That means we talk a lot!) It is the place where the planning and decision-making for the organization occurs. It is a place where members, who join, can play a role in the future of EQI. The EQI committee has both a management and a governance role.
Members also need to look at the Valued Volunteer list and start filling in the gaps. As a V.V. you do not have to be on committee. You do consult with the committee and, at times depending on the position complete certain jobs when requested or required by the members.
Membership: Our future (and I am being very serious regarding this!) depends on increasing our membership and members are encouraged to do their bit and spread the word. Bring along friends and guests to gatherings, maybe you have a niece/granddaughter interested in stitching? Or a group or business that you can give a flyer to? Personally, I am looking forward to building up our membership to 100 in 2023-2024 and celebrating Essendon Quilters Inc.’s. 40th Birthday in 2029. It’s always positive to have goals. I don’t want 2029 to be the last one for Essendon Quilters Inc.
The “member” tested pattern (thanks to Irene Goulden) for the new “Table Toppers” will be made available at the Gatherings. EQI needs, at least, 7 more of these new “Toppers” made for our use. Members can choose fabrics from the storage room fabric boxes to make these.
We also have new “craft caddies” to replace the ageing ice cream containers used for our scraps at Gatherings and other events. The new rule: please DO NOT place teabags or food in these. There is a rubbish bin at the end of the kitchen bench for this. They are for all those loose threads, broken needles and fabric “bits” for the rubbish.
In July, Andrea Taylor aka (on Facebook): bitternbythebug was an impressive Guest Speaker. Now I just want to go visit Japan! Got any good ideas for our Guest Speakers in the future???…please let the committee know!
The Bus Trip is happening!!! On Saturday, September 9th, we are off to Bacchus Marsh (Crafty Sisters), Ballan (Millrose Cottage and Chrissies Timeless Treasures) and Ballarat, (Gayles Patchwork Emporium and Eureka Patchwork) … IF and only IF we get at least 20 members and friends signing up and paying. We have a total of 14 members on the books so far. That means we need at least 6 more for this activity to go ahead. The August Gathering is the cut-off point for this event. Please sign up and pay your $35 for a day of fun.
October is the month that EQI heads off to Castlemaine for our annual Retreat. It is held at The Castle Motel, 1 Duke St. Castlemaine, where we have exclusive use of the large conference room and facilities. You can bring your sewing machines and hand stitching. It will be held from Thursday, October 19th to Monday 23rd. You can come for the 4 night/5 days or your choice of how many night/days you wish to retreat! Personally, getting away for 4 nights/5 days to stitch, shop, eat and have the odd glass of wine is my mini holiday heaven! The only thing members have to do is book their room at The Castle Motel (phone: 54722433) I suggest you book your room ASAP as it is a popular place to stay when visiting Castlemaine. Members and Guests are invited. As I am the V.V. coordinator of the Retreat, please let me know if interested, if you have booked or have any questions. More details to come! This may be the last year that this event is offered if more members and guests do not sign up.
The Christmas Challenge will be announced at the August Gathering and it is going to be a popular one!
Just one more note to add. EQI is a place for members interested in quilts to come and meet, be entertained, catch up on what others have been doing and promote fellowship and friendship. Please be aware that it is not the place for discourteous behaviour.
I will catch up with everyone on Wednesday, August 16th and Saturday, August 26th.
Kerry Roe
President.
Essendon Quilters Inc.
Thanks for your notes Kerry but I started hunting (and that’s another issue) for the minutes/notes from the last meeting and the last listed is from May…. I only found your message under “Blog” which really doesn’t give an indication what it really is.
Yes, Bev, please take a look in the latest E-news., just out. Sometimes, life-events get in the way of notes getting out on time.