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Posted by SewVeryCreative on September 11, 2007, 11:08 pm
> Yeah, Connie, we're suffering from what all organizations suffer from -
> stagnation and death.
Yep, and it's a shame ... when wonderful orgs get a reputation for being a
bit too much on the "greedy" side, it hurts us ALL. :-/
But what else is a guild supposed to do? It takes money to get new members
(putting on quilt shows, supporting classes at local senior centers, civic
groups, etc) ... and they have to get the operating cash somewhere. And most
guilds, I think, don't want to penalize their existing members. :-/
I really feel for you ... I'd hate to be in the position that you're in. But
at the same time, I think you'd be tactful enough to handle it better than
others. I get the feelin' that even an unhappy vendor is less likely to be
furious with you than anyone else. You're seeing the situation from *their*
perspective. You think it's ridiculous ... others in your guild might take
the position that the guild is ... well ... entitled.
((((Cindy))))
Quilty hugs!!
Connie
>
> Cindy
>
>
> "SewVeryCreative" <ConnieATsewverycreativeDOTcom> wrote in message
> >
> >> Before I go off the deep end (as I have been ever known to do), I
thought
> >> I'd ask around here and see if any of you have heard of this.
> >>
> >> About 6 months ago, our guild board decided to put a new clause in our
> >> contract with speakers/presenters. We voted on it and it passed. I
must
> >> have voted for it, though for the life of me I can't figure out why
> >> unless
> > I
> >> just really, really wanted to get out of there.
> >>
> >> This is what the clause says "Venders and Presenters will pay the LBQG
a
> >> flat rate of 10% on all sales of tools, patterns, etc. made during the
> >> workshop and the evening meeting. This will be payable at the end of
the
> >> evening program."
> >>
> >> Well, I'm the Program Chair for next year and I'm telling you - Vendors
> > and
> >> Presenters aren't liking this a bit. Most say they've never heard of
it
> >> before, a couple that I was really counting on said "no thanks".
> >>
> >> I brought it up at Bored meeting last night and didn't really generate
> >> any
> >> interest in revisiting the issue in spite of (or maybe BECAUSE of) my
> >> whining.
> >>
> >> I told the board that I had told more than one person to just raise her
> > fee
> >> to cover the loss.
> >>
> >> We had a person come from a long way away (Eleanor Burns' sister, Pat)
> > last
> >> year. She didn't charge us a thing for the program or even expenses.
She
> >> did sell a lot of patterns, fabric and rulers. I asked if we would
have
> >> expected her to pay this 10 %? Nobody had an answer.
> >>
> >> I also told them there was no way I was going to be the one to go to
> >> these
> >> people with my hand out and beg for the 10%.
> >>
> >> Another woman just emailed me and asked what she was supposed to do
about
> >> the sales tax issue? I told her I don't know.
> >>
> >> I don't know what to do. I am pretty sure I can't win this battle with
> > this
> >> board, but I may have a better chance when we change over in October.
> >>
> >> Have any of you heard of this practice?
> >>
> >> Thanks for any thoughts even if it's just "shut up and sit down".
> >>
> >> Cindy
> >>
> > My old guild did that at *quilt shows* (and/or charged a flat booth
fee),
> > but programs for regular meetings or classes?? Nope. If we did, we'd not
> > have any!!!
> >
> > In fact, as a rule, even with my current guild, we PAY presenters and if
a
> > vendor puts on a presentation/teaches a class, well that would count,
too.
> > Assuming of course, that we're talking about someone coming and teaching
a
> > class or presenting a new technique or how to use a product.
> >
> > Is your guild suffering from low membership? I've heard guilds that have
> > low
> > membership do things like this sometimes to generate some revenue
without
> > charging the members more dues ...
> >
> > Quilty hugs!!
> > Connie :-)
> >
> >>
> >
> >
>
>
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