Meeting called to order at 9:30 a.m.
Guests and new members were offered the opportunity to introduce themselves. Volunteers were thanked, including the Board, County Fair coordinator, Webmaster, Programs committee, Library committee, Welcome committee, Historian, HGA and CNCH representatives, Interest Group leaders, and Facilities volunteers.
Effective with the May 8 general meeting, the Guild is relocating to the Mid County Senior Center (MCSC) Annex located at 829 Bay Avenue in Capitola, behind the Woodworm party supply store. The new location has more parking, a kitchenette and allows food and beverages in the Annex, allows the Guild library to be stored on site, has outdoor seating for lunch gatherings, and has additional resources that may end up being utilized by various Guild interest groups. The cost of renting the MCSC Annex is roughly the same as the cost of the Friends Meeting Hall but with the advantages listed above.
The Ann Blinks collection, long a part of the Guild library, comprises approximately ten individually boxed weaving samples with a written description and draft for each. These items used to be loaned out for study to members (and other guilds via mail), but the collection has not been touched for many years. Interest was expressed in the collection when it was described at the February general meeting and now the Guild Librarian is asking those interested in the collection to take responsibility for it by forming a committee that will store and make use decisions for the collection moving forward. The collection will not be retained if no further interest is indicated, though before disposal an attempt will be made to place the collection in a textile arts archive. The collection will be displayed at the April general meeting.
Guild Bylaws have recently been updated and sent to all active members via email for reading before today’s vote on the update. A call for a move to vote was asked for. A member requested a change to the Bylaws, adjusting language about summer meetings from “there are no general meeting in July or August” to “the Board can schedule meetings to meet the needs of the Guild.” A move to change the language as described was proposed, seconded, voted on, and passed unanimously. Next, a move was proposed to accept the updated Guild Bylaws. The move was seconded, voted on, and passed unanimously.
The Guild Secretary displayed the Information Manual maintained by the person in that position. The binder includes minutes of the past year’s meetings, Treasurer reports, Guild and CNCH Bylaws, Board and Volunteer job descriptions, and Library shelf list. The Information Binder is meant as a bridge between members and the Guild website.
Board positions open for the upcoming year include President, Secretary, and two Programs committee members. Please speak with the members currently holding those positions for more information and to express interest.
2025 brings the Guild’s 70th anniversary. We are wanting to generate ideas for how to celebrate this wonderful milestone as a guild and for the community. Where and what might take place? A gallery or museum event? A “show and tell”? What might the event title be? “Textile Arts Are Still Around!” was suggested.
The Treasurer provided her report. The PVQA show was a great success, our guild’s booth sold ~$5,900 worth of items made and donated by members, and of that the Guild got $523.70.
The County Fair representative informed members that our location at the Fair will be changing this year. We will be moved from the Ag History Project building to either the Crosetti or the Harvest building. Our Fair representative sent an email to membership describing the situation and the options at the two available buildings, asking for feedback. That feedback will be collated and a decision made based on the information gathered.
Special Interest Groups provided news of their activities. LeAnn shared that the Basketry group is working on pine needle baskets. Maggie shared that the Tapestry group will be meeting on 3/28 at 11:00 a.m. at the coffee house in Felton next to Safeway. Bruce will host the April spinning group on the first of the month at the usual location. Peg represented the Dyeversities and described the Castro Adobe open house on 9/21 where Guild members have again been invited to display textile arts processes. It’s possible that a dye plants garden will go in at the Castro Adobe, and this interest group is visiting other possible dye garden locations. Joan shared that the big weaving group continues to meet once a month at various member homes, and the “newbie” weavers continue to meet on the other Tuesdays of the month. An Inkle loom weaving interest group is forming, see Peg for more information.
Member Roberta V. suggested participation in an upcoming exhibit of metal arts showing the relationship between fiber arts and metal arts. The Tannery and the MAH are possible exhibit locations. Roberta will provide additional information at the next general meeting.
Members shared recent completed work.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 a.m.