March Meeting Notes 1.0

Thanks to everyone who showed up! It turned out to be a productive meeting with lots of discussion and ideas.

All the information generated by the survey is very useful; it was proposed that the guild take that information
and use it to narrow down the possibilities to the three most popular locations given in the survey, and based
on that, a vote will be held among those who attend. That way, hopefully, we can decide on what will end up
being the guild's permanent home. However, it has also been decided that the vote on this issue is best conducted in-person; if you're not present when the vote is held, you won't be able to vote. I know this is upsetting, but for the good of the guild, the more people who attend, the more voices will be heard.

There is also the possibility that the guild will resume charging dues, especially if we end up choosing a location that requires a fee for use of space, and to help defray costs of future events and workshops. This also brought up the idea of bringing back guild officers: Fearless Leader, Treasurer, and Pen. Nominations are accepted--nay, encouraged!

The last piece of business discussed was the idea of adding a quarterly meeting to be held on a Saturday at the Brattleboro library. The rationale for this is that it would potentially give those who are unable to attend the regular meetings a chance to get together with the rest of the guild at a time and place that's convenient for more people. Quarterly meetings will likely be held on the Saturday closest to--or on-- the Solstices and Equinoxes, sometime during the day. There was also the suggestion that if folks want to do a lunch-type event that, rather than having a pot-luck, we consider doing a brown-bag lunch so that those with food allergies or other dietary concerns will be able to eat and not have to be worried about potential reactions.

Lots went on! It was a good meeting and we're grateful to those who attended and shared so many good ideas. Thanks, guys!

January Meeting Notes

The River Spinners met at the Friends Meeting House in Putney tonight and there was much discussion among those present. One of the subjects discussed was the continued use of the Meeting House as a meeting place for those who wish to attend; the fee has already been paid without using guild funds, which ensures that the guild may use the space for the month of January.

Those present discussed and concurred that resumption of the twice-monthly meetings would be a good way to encourage community outreach as well as giving other members an opportunity to participate if they missed the first meeting. Meetings will be on the first and third Thursday of the month, from 7 to 9 PM. For now, the main goal is that we continue to meet so that the guild can continue to function; those wishing to offer a dissenting opinion are encouraged to attend meetings and bring suggestions so that we can find a mutually satisfactory solution to the problem of finding a permanent home for the guild. The next meeting will be on January 16th at 7 PM at the Putney Friends Meeting House.

Those present also discussed opening the guild to knitters and weavers, thus becoming a fiber guild as well as a spinning guild in the hope of furthering the aim of encouraging wider participation and attracting new members.

Everyone who was present had a good time getting to know our newest member and enjoyed having a chance to get together in the new space. Many thanks to all who attended and offered input and fibery goodness. ^_^ Looking forward to seeing folks next Thursday. There will be cookies! (And possibly truffles...)

September Meeting Notes

The guild is considering changing to a less formal structure with out officers or collecting dues.
Among the changes discussed at the September meeting were the possibility of seeking a new, more central location and meeting at an earlier time, potentially from 4 PM to 6 PM on the first Thursday of the month. Potential locations discussed were the Putney Library, Putney School, Putney Community Center, and the Putney Cares Barn. We will continue to meet at the Brattleboro Savings and Loan until December, by which time hopefully we will have made a decision regarding the new location. Beginning in January, all future meetings will be elsewhere. Members are encouraged to email the list to discuss this and any other ideas for a new location, and any other suggestions for changes to the guild.
Once the guild have chosen our new location, we will compile a detailed list of all the equipment; this equipment may also be made available to the public, though anyone interested in making use of it will be expected to pay a deposit and provide contact information. The "rental" period will be a certain number of days, at the end of which the equipment must be returned to the guild. All this is also open to discussion among current guild members.
Please bring any thoughts, suggestions, and ideas to the October meeting!

May Meeting Notes

Alison very kindly arranged for us to watch a dvd of Judith MacKenzie prepping and spinning exotic fibers ranging from angora to cashmere, and beyond. There was popcorn and a brief discussion to see if there was any interest in making use of Six Loose Ladies' new facilities for a dye workshop, as well as the possibility of taking a field trip to a bison farm outside of Townshend.