Originally Posted by Minda
Let's try and keep everything on this thread positive with positive suggestions. There are many, many threads started already to post negative thoughts about quilt groups. I'm hoping this thread will help people involved with guilds be able to post suggestions on how they make new members feel welcome.
Hi Minda, I like your positive attitude and that is precisely what is needed at guild meetings. In the military and in the Foreign Service, someone is asked to be a newcomer's mentor, if you will. If a newcomer is shy, this friend can then introduce her/him to the others, and answer any questions the new person might have.
Here's another one of my stories from when we were newly posted to North Africa. We always seemed to arrive at post after the school year began. Our little daughter, Rebecca, was entering first grade. The night before we were to take her to school for her first day, Rebecca came to us in a panic, saying that she had to learn French in order to understand her school. She had been hearing the French that was spoken in that country. We tried calming her by reminding Rebecca that she was going to the American School where English is spoken.
That first day of school found my Rebecca clinging to my hand. When we entered her classroom, a little girl jumped up and shouted "Rebecca, where have you been? I've been waiting for you. Come sit by me." This little girl is named Jennifer whom we had met in the States before they left for their assignment. Need I write that my Rebecca bounced right into that classroom, soon to be taking the lead. And we love Jennifer to this day for welcoming our daughter so warmly over thirty years ago.
A friendly welcome and a warm smile is what is needed. :lol: