Marcia

The guild I belonged to when I lived in VA. had a "meet the quilter" each month. One member of the guild was asked to bring her quilts for a trunk show. She talked about them, what inspired her to begin quilting, how long she had been quilting, what her favorite patterns, techniques, etc are. It was fun to get to know other members of the guild this way.

quilterella

At Guild that I was program Director on, I organized a Mystery Tour. The first year, we went to another guild and watched "Laurie Swim" as a guest speaker. The second year, we did a mini-shophop of the 3-4 local Quilt Shops and went out for dinner. Each year cost each member between 20-35 dollars, including their meal. It was a great way to get to know the other guild members better. We also have quilt challenges every year, where the theme and directions are given out in September and judged the following September. Last year's was Recycling your Old Shirts...but you could use store bought fabric for the binding and backing only. Good luck at Guild, hope you get lots of ideas.

Joanie2

Our guild started a luncheon 12 yrs ago. There are 4 local guilds in our area and the pres back then felt we should share our knowledge and love of quilting with each other. This way we could know our quilting sisters and exchange ideas. It's a big deal to us--there are over 300 who attend. We come up with a theme, decorate our tables, have name tags, games, prizes and other gifts put together by the host guild or donated by the local shops (not necessarily quilt related), a block of the party that every quilter makes and then we divide up into 4 equal piles and each guild has a winner of blocks, lunch of course, show and tell and lots of goodies. We even give away a quilt put together by members. It's a chance to meet many wonderful quilters. Everyone goes home happy and next year's guild starts planning. This year is our turn again and we are having a hen party with all things chicken. Our quilt challenge involves that theme. There will be categories
wall hanging, quilt, wearables, other art stuff. It's going to be fun.

gentry

I am new at this and they have ask me to be the President this year! I was just wondering if there is a agenda that you follow each month? How do you go about what you focus on each month? We have a small group and I would like to make it so people would want to join and have fun!

cathyvv

Show and Tell is very popular at the two guilds I belong to. At one of them, we also have occasional "Show and Throw". That happens when something in the guild closet has been in the closet for a very long time and no one has shown interest in it during that very long time. If no one wants it, or decides to use it in a charity quilt, it is donated. It amazes me how often members - all have access to the closet - say "Where'd you find that? It's pretty."

Sometimes those pretty fabrics magically turn into charity quilts.

Pagzz

I was special projects chair at one guild. One year we did an ostrich round robin. an ostrich doesn't fly so you keep and work on your own quilt. everyone starts with a block or something for the center ( a ufo works good for this) and then every month I would draw two options out of a jar for the next round ie. add a new color, or use triangles. each month the quilter chose one option and added a border to her quilt. I think we had five rounds. at the end all participants had their names put in a drawing for a gift basket. I think this works best when there are two options and flexibility. Not everyone would want to add embellishments for example.

we also would have fat quarter lotto. pick a color or theme each month and everyone who brings a fat quarter is put in a drawing to win a bunch of them. we usually had two winners each getting 8 to 12 fat quarters.

quiltingshorttimer

Great info! I'm prez (until Jan) of a 180 member guild that meets monthly in the morning and then repeats in the evening for those that can't make the mornings. In July and Dec. we have evening only potlucks (July is our annual challenge) and hold a show in late Sept. So programs in Sept is prepping for the show. We also try to have our members present the programs in Jan. & Feb due to possible weather cancellations. We are fortunate (in KC area) that there is a quilt network that holds a fair for presenters to connect with guild program chairs. We also try to have a workshop or sew day once a month.
Probably one of our best "programs" is the beginner quilt class that is offered for all members (and can be repeated) as it really draws in new members and keeps us dynamic. It's 5 classes (6 hrs each) that teach the basics and includes mentorship which really helps get new members really feeling part of the guild.

twinkiedog

We have a small guild. They wanted to do a shop tour. But couldn't get them all on the same time, day etc. Plus some had to go home to take care of spouses. So I got a projector, I figured I would show how Missouri Star quilts was started. So I arranged all the chairs like a bus. Made cardboard tires. Had a isle down the center. Told everyone to bring sweaters for the trip. I told them the weather is Missouri. The president had a bus drivers hat. I the vice president was the bus hostess. We had a stop for the bathroom. We drew names for prizes I purchased from the Internet. We had snacks. Everyone was thrilled that it was different and fun. I have been asked to do it again.

QuiltnNan

this is a cute idea!

oksewglad

Catching up on this post as I'm on our local program committee...we have about 35 members. We hope to invite an area quilter who quilts on old table linens for one meeting. Planning on talking about batting, needles. And maybe a vintage trunk show.

I like the 5" charm swap idea. We have done the ugly fabric exchange and played strip poker as well.