The meeting was called to order by the President, Paula Mooney, at 1:00 p.m.
Secretary’s Report – We dispensed with the reading of the minutes since they were previously distributed to the members via email. A printed copy of the minutes is available for review at each meeting if anyone is interested.
Treasurer’s Report – The checking account balance on September 13th was $3,102.56. There were no receipts during the last month, and expenses for the same period were $2.00. The ending balance on October 11th is $3,100.56. Retreat fund allocation is $1,360, and chapter funds are $1,740.56.
Membership Committee – We had one visitor at the meeting today, and we currently have 77 members. An updated roster will be included with distribution of the minutes. Members should take a moment to check their personal information on the roster to ensure it is accurate.
Program Committee – Sharon Musch encouraged members to check the Guild website (www.qgotv.org) to check out the latest information regarding upcoming Guild programs and classes. Micki mentioned that Mary Shara has added a free-motion quilting class to the schedule. It will be held January 20, 2012 at the library, and the cost is $10. Mary is a very experienced quilter who has won awards at the national level, and she should have many hints to share with her students. If you are interested in attending any of these classes, please contact Sharon at sharonmusch@comcast.net or see her at a meeting to register.
Old Business:
1. 4-H Community Service Project – Carol Fox indicated that a Steering Committee has been established, and they will be meeting later this afternoon to do some planning for the first meeting with students that is scheduled for October 20. There are currently 5 girls signed up for the sewing club. Carol has visited both Wal-Marts (on 466 & 441) and Joanne’s and made requests for donations for the club. The plan is to supply each student with a basic box of supplies.
There was a discussion regarding the appropriation of funds from our treasury for this effort. Cathy Barlow made a motion to move the unused funds previously allocated to the Quilts for Kids project to the 4-H project, with the addition of money from the treasury to bring the total allocation to $300. Carolyn Page seconded the motion. The motion carried.
2. 2012 Dues – The Guild has decided that members will not be assessed $5 for donation quilt tickets as has been done in the past. The Guild dues for each member will be $5 for 2012. After a brief discussion, Jo Loder moved that annual dues should be $15 ($5 to the Guild and $10 for our chapter). Barb Dunn seconded the motion. The motion carried.
Janice Tingle is currently accepting dues from anyone who would like to pay them. Your 2012 Guild membership card will give you a discounted admission price to the MarketPlace event in January. In order to have the card in time for the event, you should pay your dues by November 15, 2011. Checks should be made payable to Allamanda Quilters.
3. Retreat – There are 19 members registered for the retreat. The retreat will be held on February 21-23, 2012 at the Life Enrichment Center in Fruitland Park. A deposit of $50 will hold your spot, and the final payment is due by December 1st. Double occupancy is $165, and single occupancy is $210. This is a great event, and if there is any way you can make it, you should try! There is good food and plenty of time for sewing and getting to know your fellow quilters a bit better! If you are interested in attending the retreat or in getting more information about it, please contact Monique via email (billfoley@bellsouth.net) or at an upcoming meeting.
4. Nominating Committee—Allamanda Chapter – Marilyn Paluszak and Janice Tingle presented the slate of nominees. Cathy Barlow and Sharon Musch are running for the President position, and Dee Dean, Heather Farnell, and Mary Spinelli are running for the Treasurer position. Each person presented a brief statement describing their qualifications and expressing their desire to serve as an officer of the chapter. Voting will be conducted via paper ballot at November’s business meeting. Installation of new officers will be held at the holiday luncheon.
5. MarketPlace 2012 (One Stop Shop Hop) – There are currently 51 vendors signed up for this event! Allamanda’s job for the event is to sell tickets at the door. The sign-up sheet has been available at the last few weekly meetings, and all spots are filled except for the 2-hour shift from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday the 21st. If you’re able to help with this, please contact Dona Black at dona918@gmail.com. Don’t miss all the latest information about the Marketplace event on the Guild’s website!
6. Holiday Luncheon – Dee Dean is taking reservations for the holiday luncheon at each meeting. The luncheon will be held on December 6th, and the cost is $15. Checks should be made payable to Allamanda Quilters. The luncheon will be catered by Red Sauce, and there will be plenty of door prizes and games! Please see Dee at an upcoming meeting to reserve your spot!
7. Allamanda Block of the Month Blotto (A-BOMB) – The first A-BOMB, the origami shirt appliqué block, was collected at this month’s meeting. Jo Loder was the lucky winner of 19 blocks! Janet Agostinelli distributed the new A-BOMB block for this month, and all the finished blocks will be due at November’s business meeting. For this month, a small square of the pieced block has been provided with the pattern, and each member is to match other fabrics with it to create a coordinated block.
New Business:
1. 50/50 – The 50/50 drawing has been handled on an ad-hoc basis over the last few months, and Paula asked for a volunteer to monitor the process of selling tickets, collecting money, and selecting a winner each week. Barb Dunn volunteered, and she also won the 50/50 at the meeting! Talk about karma!
2. Guild membership cards – There was brief discussion about the problems we’ve been experiencing with the current process. Marilyn and Micki will take our concerns to the committee that is currently editing the standing rules for the Guild.
3. Carolyn Page mentioned that A Quilter’s Dream, the quilt shop in Leesburg, will be closing. The owner’s husband is retiring from his job, and she is also retiring and closing the shop. Paula reiterated how important it is to do your shopping at our local quilt shops so that they can stay in business.
We had quite a few items at this month’s show-and-tell. They were all so beautiful and inspiring! Check out the pictures when they’re up on the website! We thoroughly enjoyed seeing the creativity of our members!
The meeting was adjourned at 2:17 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Cathy Barlow
