quilter711

Can someone explain the process that quilt guild's follow when setting up a teacher for a class? I recently attended my first class that didn't seem very well organized. This made me curious to see how other guilds handle it. The issues were:

I think the teacher was over paid. Should the students be refunded or does the teacher keep the monies? We had to pay up front and then see how many members would sign up for the class. The up front monies were estimated at 10 members signing up. We had 18 members!!

Three items were to be purchased from the teacher if you chose to do so. Some students that had signed up for the three items were not able to purchase them. One of the items was fabric! No fabric, you cant' sew. How do you ensure that everyone has what is needed? Some members were walking away with 2 and 3 bundles of fabric.

I would appreciate any ideas and thoughts that I could make to the guild to have everyone enjoy a day of learning!! Thanks in advance for your help. This is a place of wonderful members that I value greatly!!

Lucky Patsy's

These are all questions you should be asking the person who set up the workshop for your guild. I would assume the teacher required a minimum amount to put on the workshop and would get more money if she is teaching more students. Does your guild have a set of written policies and procedures regarding workshops? If not, you might want to volunteer to start a committee to work on one. I have been to several workshops with my guild and some have been well organized and others not. The less successful ones were sometimes the fault of the teacher and sometimes the fault of the guild program director.

Digitizingqueen

Wow that sounds horrible - our guild has the monthy progrma presenter do the classes they always have lots of information and supply lists and other stuff - it just sounds like you got an enexpirenced teacher - we have to have amin to have the classes it is part of the deal they make with the lectureer

quilter711

It must be North Carolina night!! Thank you both for your suggestions. I think the written procedure/policy suggestions is the way to go. I read the by-laws - not much information. A minimum number to attend is good. I think this should keep it affordable for everyone. You can always depend on great suggestions on this board.

LindaM

I think that our guild instructors are paid a flat fee - does not depend on how many come. If there are lots sign up (usually they always fill up a month before!) then the fees that are over the cost of the instructor, go back to the guild for special guest instructors, speakers, etc etc - usually all decided by the guild.

ging10ging

I would think if I pd to take a class that the teacher would be organized and know what they were supposed to do even if to many showed up alto you would think the class size would be limited so they would have time to help everyone. Maybe you can help them. Sue

gal288

As an instructor, I always make sure I have everything needed, usually more than I have been told I will need. It sounds like you had an inexperienced instructor and guild coordinator.

I charge a flat fee, based on the class difficulty, anything over that goes to the guild. I also do not surcharge on any items I provide for the class, only the price of the item.

I agree with Sue, that the class size should be limited to what the instructor indicates so that there is enough time for everyone. Very often the level of experience varies greatly in classes, some students require more help than others. I usually remain after for any followup questions, and offer after class assistance through my email and even invite the ladies to come to my studio and work on their quilt, no charge.

I believe that if someone pays for a class, they are entitled to a finished quilt. Very often class times are so limited, and so much has to be gone over, there is never enough time to finish.

I want to see a finished quilt for all my students! My studio is always open to all students to work on any quilt that they have signed up for a class here.

quilter711

*Sue, thanks for the suggestions. Class size will be a definite on my suggestion list.
*Linda, I love your suggestion for any additional monies to go into the budget for programs. This will really
help a start up guild!
*Peg, you are an amazing instructor and dedicated to the art of quilting!! If you are located in MA, please send me a
PM. If you are not in MA, maybe you would be interested in putting the classes on the road The quilting board
should be able to keep you busy.

I appreciate everyone's time in helping me out. The board is always a great quilting resource!

Happy Quilting!

Holice

Just a couple thoughts.

When determining the cost per student, remember to consider all the costs of bringing that instructor. Add travel expenses if nessary - mileage etc as well as the daily or per student fee.

Be sure all know the supply requirements and if the instructor has a kit, ask if it is mandatory to buy the kit or if students can make their own. Your original post appears to indicate there was some miscommunication somewhere about the number of kits required and if there might be any extra for purchase after the class. It is a good idea to do this after the class and not before so all will have sufficient supplies.

In your supply list be sure and add a statement about machines being in good working order and all accessories needed are brought including the manual. One would be suprised how many students don't even bring the necessary special foot and wonder why other feet won't work.

If it is an all day workshop, be sure and provide food for the teacher or if other arrangements are made.

Another of your question about how a teacher charges.

Some on a set fee depending on the length of the workshop plus the travel/mileage
Some a set fee up to a certain number of students and then a per student additional after that.
Some will ask for a per student fee.
Some wil have a fee which includes kit and some not.

When making initial contact with a potential teacher, it is helpful to give as much information about the group as you can, possible class size etc.

If the initial contact is a general inquiry be sure and let the teacher know what your decision is. I am sure, as I do, pencil in the dates to avoid conflict. If you decide not to have the teacher then he or she can release the date.

My opinion of one of your comments is: If the cost per student was based on 10 students and there were more, then after the expenses for the teacher was paid then the rest would go into the treasury of the guild unless before hand there was a decision made to reimburse each student. Some guilds will give an estimate of the cost per student and make the final determination after sign up.

Above all, a guild should avoid any misunderstanding, confusion on the part of teacher/student and program director.

CorgiNole

I've participated as a student, not an organizer, in guild workshops.

From what I can see, our guild has a set price per workshop - $25 for members and $40 for non-members if there are still spaces. The guild collects all of the registration fees and would retain fees above and beyond what they negotiated with the instructor or cover any deficit. At the end of the year, I think it balances out.

The instructor should provide a supply list (and it should be the correct supply list - one of the workshops I attended, it had been so long since she last taught that particular one, that she attached a supply list without proofing it first. There weren't critical items missing, but they would have been nice to have).

The instructor would collect the "kit fees" if there are required or optional kits, and I would expect there to be enough available for all participants.

A well organized and well run workshop is something that keeps guild members happy and returning. Our guild just announced two exciting instructors for next year, though not which of their workshops will be offered. I'll definitely be rejoining in January.

Cheers, K