NOBO Handweavers

In case you missed the meeting last night (it was loads of fun as usual), we talked briefly about NOBO sponsoring an award at NEWS. Kathie, our NEWS rep has previously posted the details on our website.  Please refer to that post and note the deadline of June 1st. If you have the resource guide from NEWS 2009, the awards that were offered last time are listed on page 13.  One suggestion was to give an award for the best use of fleece from endangered or rare breed sheep. This could be something for the fashion show OR gallery show. It was suggested that $50.00 might be appropriate. Please log in to express your views on whether you think this is a good idea. We should probably decide during the April meeting. Thanks.

Gail, our Town Crier, suggested the addition of a position that would oversee our guild’s involvement in events.  Coming to mind would be the example of Fiber Revival.  In this case, the “Organizing Chancellor” would make sure NOBO Handweavers is represented by having a space filled with weavers and their looms.  This person would seek members who would volunteer their time to weave under the eyes of the public, arrange for the display of woven pieces, etc.  NEWS is also in our future.  The member in this position could help with the set-up of our guild’s Rare Breeds display.  Again, as with all positions, there is flexibility.  There is the basic responsibility and then it is up to you to tailor the position to your liking.

We have had a few repeat officers come forth but we are nowhere near filling required positions.

I am organizing a group tour of the Sheila Hicks Exhibit currently on view at the Addison Gallery at Phillips Academy in Andover.  A staff member can be available to take us through on the following days: Thursday, 2/10 at 11:30AM or 2/17 at 10:00 AM or Friday, 2/18 at 2:00 PM. The tour would take approximately 1 hour.While there is no charge for a special tour, we can consider a voluntary donation. The exhibit closes on February 27th with normal viewing times Tuesday through Friday from 10-4. Please let me know if you would like to take advantage of this special opportyunity as soon as possible.  Thanks.

Bear with me as this is going to be a bit of a lengthy post.  I will keep it as condensed as possible but I am trying to share some of what would have been presented during the business part of our January meeting (had it not been for our seventh snowstorm).

Come April, NOBO Handweavers will be 3 years old!  Hooray!  This is quite an accomplishment.  And in April we will celebrate!  However, before then, we have some work to do to insure the continuance of our guild.  During our March meeting, we need to be able to know who the new officers will be for our April 2011-March 2012 guild year.  We do have a Nominating Committee – Betsy, Patricia, and Margaret.

Please come forth to be considered for filling a position.  Every member of our guild is highly valued and has much to offer.  You do not need several years of weaving behind you to successfully hold a “court” position.  These positions, though having basic responsibilities, are flexible and you may certainly put your own signature on them. Approach the position of an officer as you approach your loom – determined, enthusiastic, creatively.   That is the fun part.  There are no shoes to fill.  What is best is a change of guard, offering different ways and views.  Design a position if you see something is missing.  Eileen made a terrific suggestion – consider sharing an office with someone.  For example, Lady/Sir NOBO and Lady/Sir Heddle could alternate the running of meetings, more of a co-presidency.  We all have varied strengths beyond our strong, communal love for weaving.  I have seen them first hand during many a guild meeting.  Everyone is more than capable.  A guild needs the active participation of all members for it to stay strong and especially for it to grow.

The following is the list of open positions.  The least number of members to fill each position is in parentheses.   Please email me with your interest.  A sign-up sheet will also be circulated during the February meeting.  Then between February and March, the Nominating Committee will meet.  We will present our new officers during the March meeting.  The April meeting will be the first of their “reign”.

Lady/Sir NOBO (1) Head of guild

Lady/Sir Heddle (1) Second in command

Ladies/Sirs of the Draft (3) Program Planners, deciding upon a program for each meeting.

Scribe (1) Secretarial duties, such as minute taking and posting on site

Shepherdess/Shepherd (1) Introducing and keeping track of new members

Town Crier (1) Posting/Emailing relevant guild info, such as meeting reminders

Keeper of the Written Word (1) – Librarian

Lady/Sir Calendar (1) – Posting guild/fiber events on NOBO’s site calendar

Victular (1) – Food coordinator

Organizing Chancellor (1) – Responsible for overseeing/directing NOBO Handweavers’ involvement with events, Fiber Revival for example

Vicki, our Exchequer, is willing to stay on, thank goodness, as she brilliantly keeps track of our gold coins  (Thank you!).  Ted, our ever-so-patient In-House Royal Scribe, has also agreed to put up with all of our web/computer questions for another year (Thank you!).  Dave, our Roving Royal Scribe, is sticking with us and will continue to masterly master our website (Thank you!).

The Ladies of the Warp and Weft and Lady NOBO have started work on the Path of Enlightenment, also known as the Levels of Achievement in Weaving – Apprentice, Journeywoman/man, and Master.  This is a long-term endeavor.  I would like to continue with this at the appropriate time (we got slightly delayed by something absolutely wonderful, the birth of Sir Benjamin!)  If Mary and Melissa would like to continue on as well, that would be grand.  If anyone else is interested, please let me know.  A complete change of faces on this doesn’t make sense as we have time invested in some grand ideas (if I may say so).  A few more members participating would be welcomed but at the least, we need 3 people to work on this.

The April meeting will be our birthday party and the May meeting has already been taken care of by the present program planners – a visit with fiber artist Judith Shangold.  New Ladies/Sirs of the Draft will need to figure out programs starting with the June meeting.

Take some time to seriously consider participating in an office for the upcoming guild year.  I understand we are all very busy and who needs another commitment, right?  But there are ways to work together to make this work for you.  Don’t hesitate to approach me with any ideas or questions you may have.

The February 24^th meeting will be “Weaving Wearables”.  “Marketing – How to Sell” will be shelved, possibly to reappear another time.

See you next month!

Our January meeting is “Weaving Wearables”.  On www.weavingtoday.com there is information about the Handwoven/Vav Garment Challenge we spoke of during a past guild meeting.  The challenge actually opens today.  Handwoven will select among the entries – 5 loom-shaped garments and 5 tailored garments.  All 10 will appear in the Sept/Oct 2011 issue of Handwoven AND they will be sent to the Swedish handweaving conference in Boras, Sweden, 2011.  Just a very big hint form Lady NOBO as I know our members are very capable of participating in this challenge!  Either way, be sure to come to the guild meeting wearing your wearable.

Also, a reminder for members to consider being part of the Nominating Committee for new officers.  Although Spring seems a long ways off right now, our 3rd anniversary meeting in April will see a new Lady/Lord NOBO and court.  Please come to the January meeting ready to volunteer a little of your time to partake in the Committee or a lot more of your time (it is worth it!) to submit your name in interest of being considered to become royalty for a year.

See you on the 27th!

We, Ladies of the Draft & Lady Margaret, have attempted to organize our guild meeting time so that it is as productive as possible.  This time pie is a visual breakdown of how we see future meetings running.  Let us know if you have suggestions.

PLEASE CLICK on this link to zoom in on the pie – http://wcs.pair.com/NOBO/Time_Pie.jpg

Rose Corrigan, first to step forth and be our Lady Calendar aka Calendar Girl, will be on the lookout for fiber events AND will add them to our website calendar.  Please share any fiber-related activities, near and far, with Rose.

Gail Gentile has identified the lack of and agreed to fill the much needed position of … Town Crier.  Gail will be pronouncing the main agenda of upcoming meetings and “posting a notice” on our website.  She will do this well in advance of the meeting so everyone will know what is planned for the evening.  Some surprises are still guaranteed though!