Daleen

At our guild we have several committee reports, i.e., Fun with Fabric, Service projects, etc. We sometimes have a speaker but also our members will demo blocks, techniques. Over the summer we had a demo carrosel which featured 5 different demos. We try to keep the committee reports short but informative. We give out several ideas for projects that members are free to do. Of course show and tell is probably the highlight of the meeting!

mckwilter

We start with 30 minute "meet & greet" with refreshments, then have a business meeting. Then we have a program which usually lasts about 45 minutes. We are small (70 members) so rely on local teachers mostly. We have a lottery block -- each person who makes blocks gets a ticket for each block they make, then the holder of the winning ticket wins all the blocks (unless we're lucky enough to have enough participation to have two winners). We also have a strip lotto -- each participant brings in as many 2-1/2" strips of that month's theme as they want and gets a ticket for each strip. The holder of the winning ticket wins all the strips. We have a raffle, usually 8 - 10 small items. Tickets are 5 for $1.00. One of the LQSs always donates 2 or 3 gift certificates each month. We have a UFO showing -- bring in a UFO to show and commit to having it finished by the December meeting, and Show & Tell, which is always the last item on the agenda. We try to limit it to no more than 3 items per person, and it's not limited to just quilts. Any quilting, sewing or crafting item can be shown. We have also had a brown bag exchange and a placemat challenge. The area coordinator for Meals On Wheels was the program speaker, then members voted on their favorites, then all the placemats were donated to Meals On Wheels. It was fun and informative, and helped with the 501(c)(3) requirements. For Christmas, we are going to do a Christmas stocking challenge. Each member can vote for their favorite stocking by putting a dime in the stocking. The stocking with the most money in it will be the winner (and stuffing the "ballot box" is encouraged). The winner will get a prize and the money will all go to a local assistance ministry. We also do food collection and school supply collections. Each year we do a silent auction. We do a special raffle each year for our birthday party, and have raffled off 3 sewing machines and a sewing chair donated by one of the local LQSs.

mckwilter

I am very happy to say that my 30-yr. old daughter started quilting last year. We starting crafting when she was young, and she has learned to crochet, knit and sew as she has grown. She joined the Guild I belong to and loves it. She now has a large group of older sisters, aunts and grandmothers to learn from, which is something she didn't have while she was growing up.

madamekelly

Our local guild has three baskets to put your name in. One for remembering your name tag, one for bringing a show and tell item, and one that you put your name in if you brought a FQ for the drawing. Names are drawn at the end of the meeting. Prizes are items donated by members, FQ, quilt pattern, notions, etc. we have also had a block of the month, visiting teachers, group member tutorials, etc.

lass

This past month the program chair arranged a fashion show. We brought anything we had made that Wasn't a quilt. Things like footstools, sweatshirt jackets, placemats, a jumper, purses, a hat, etc. It was fun to see how talented our gals are!

quiltingshorttimer

My guild is 150+ strong and holds meetings 1x/month with a morning and an evening meeting to accommodate members schedules. We start with a business meeting (with the Board meeting before the meeting so the business meeting is kept short) and then have a break, followed by program and show & tell. We have had many interesting programs--from more costly professional teachers trunk shows, to members presenting a technique or tool. My favorite have been the 2 ladies that came in and talked about how to dye fabric; a local group of quilts that do round robins with each other and are terribly creative and fun; a demo from a guild members on the flammability of different bats; and just this month, we all brought UFO's to share and commit to finishing this year--that was really interesting! We also have about one workshop/month--sometimes a professional instructor, sometimes a guild member teaching, sometimes just a work day on our (many) community service projects. We also have 2 retreats a year and have classes--beginner and experienced.

Texas_Sue

We break our show and tell down into "Angel Quilts"- quilts made for Scottish Wright Hospital for kids all the way from infant to teens; "Quilts of Valor" and personal show and tells. We also do drawings for door prizes. This can be donations from vendors or from members. I've gotten really nice quilt kits, batting and even a gift certificate to a nearby retreat. This month we're having a guild wide garage sale during our meeting. We bring material, books, notions - actually anything that is in working condition and fabrics, kits, etc.

Y'all have a great day - Susan in Texas

Bonnie K

My guild is large and we have a lot of different activities. We have a block of the month where a committee will give a pattern and one piece of fabric to make the block. People will take the supplies, make the block with the guild fabric and some of their own and then turn it in the next month. We then draw names of everyone that turned in their block and some lucky person will win enough blocks to make an entire quilt. It's a lot of fun.

kuntryquilter

we have 2 meetings a month, 1st & 3rd Wednesdays. The 1st meeting is the business meeting, Committee reports are given, We have show & tell then some type on program. At the 2nd meeting is always a Sew-in day. Sometimes we work on charity quilts with donated material, sometimes we have a teacher that shows us new techniques.

Daylesewblessed

I think part of the success of a guild is maintaining balance between social, learning, creativity, and charity, while always working toward the mission of the guild. Our guild's mission, like many others, is to promote the art of quilting. One of the things that we do annually is hang quilts in the public library. We do this in lieu of a traditional energy intensive quilt show. Activities should have a cost/benefit ratio, so that all members can retain enough time and energy to QUILT!