Membership Growth Committee Updates

Thanks for all the hard work

See the photos and kudos for
Quilters' Connection - Watertown Super Stars

November Lecture & Quilt Display

See the Bookmarks for the QC November Lecture and Quilt Display at the Watertown Library - see the sample.

And Lecture, Hatch Classes, Quilt Exhibit, and Auction Flyer.

Hatch Classes 2021-2022

See the list of Classes with Photos and description

QC's First HATCH Class

As part of QC's fall outreach to Watertown residents we taught our first class at HATCH, the Watertown Free Public Library's maker space. Deborah Rocha, assisted by Karen Hohler, taught beginning sewers how to make LOVE blocks on October 4. The group was so enthusiastic that they chose to meet again on the 12th to learn how to quilt and bind their pieces! What a great start. Other QC members will be teaching 6 more classes November through January.
The classes are only two hours long so each teacher makes up precut kits to speed up the process. That way the focus is on how to piece, iron and square up. That's quite a bit to learn in two hours and our first group was focused and determined to get it done!
Here are photos from the first class:
   

   

                        

MGC Update for May 2021

Quilters' Connection Applies for Grant
QC Summer Picnic

The QC Membership Growth Committee Needs You!

Got ideas? Like to brainstorm? That's what MGC does. We spend an hour or two every month or two (by ZOOM) and think about ways we can enhance the current member experience and reach out to potential members.
Currently the committee members are Julie Balzer, Nancy Crasco, Beth Gorman, Janet Spillert and Karen Hohler.
We talk about needs, priorities and reality. What needs doing, what can we do. Each person contributes according to interests, time and ability. That varies over time. Our first project in 2018 was to make the monthly meetings more welcoming by instituting a door greeter and adding explanatory signage to the various activity tables. Our biggest project to date was producing the brochure that we disseminated throughout the area.
We are now looking to expand the committee, hosting summer outdoor socials (for vaccinated members), and reviving the name tag challenge (to wear to the summer social).
Future thoughts are to create small group activities so that members can meet each other or enhance skills, and to do video stories that can become part of social media.
Would you like to join? Have a thought about someone who might? Let us know. We'd love to welcome you to the committee.
Thanks. membershipgrowth @ quiltersconnection.org. Or call any one of us. We are listed in the membership list.

Management Growth Committee - Welcome Package

The first QC welcome packets have gone into the mail.
The first 15 new members will receive a quilted membership badge with free-mothioned name from Betsy Habich.
Want to get on the fun? Contact Karen Hohler.

A question for members
Would you be willing to create a small hand made gift for a number of new members once we have reached Betsy's maximum of 15? It could be a name tag or something else of your choice. Please respond to Karen H.

Quilters' Connection Volunteer Opportunities are plentiful. Please check out the Membership Growth Committee page for more information.
For update, see the QC mgc updates pdf.
Want to help?
The Social Media and Marketing Committee is growing! and needs your help. Plans are here.
Please email Karen Hohler at membershipgrowth at quiltersconnection dot org.

New Member Packets

The new membership packets are now ready and have been distributed to QC's six newest members. This is an effort to not only personally welcome new people but, in addition, to help orient them as to the opportunities inherent in membership.
The packets contain a hand written welcome letter, a general information letter (password i.e.), a QC membership list, the list and description of QC committees and activities, programs for 20-21, workshop registration form and two brochures to share with friends.
We hope that this will help new members learn about how to get engaged quickly - particularly in this exceptional time of the pandemic.
A special thanks to Betsy H. who volunteered at a Board meeting to create freeform sewn name tags for each new member. She is sending them out individually so people receive a second surprise! Betsy has agreed to make 15 name tags.

A question for members

Would you be willing to create a small hand made gift for a number of new members once we have reached Betsy's maximum of 15? It could be a name tag or something else of your choice. Please respond to Karen H.

QC Brochure Distribution

Response to the new QC brochures has been most favorable. Over 800 brochures are out in communities so far. Most are in the display pictured. Check the list below.



Is there a place we've missed that you could deliver a display? Use contact info as above.
Ann's Fabrics, All About Quilts, Cambridge Quilters, Fabric Corner, Quilted Crow, Sewfisticated (Framingham and Dorchester), Fabric Place Basement, In Stitches, Quilted Threads, Quilters Common, Tumbleweeds, NEQM, Burlington Electric Quilting, Comfort Quilt meet-ups, Third Piece, Bead and Fiber, Bits and Pieces, Mary Rose, Salem Arts, Emmas's Quilt Cupboard, Franklin Mill Store, Marblehead Arts Assn, and numerous small locations.
Thanks to: Terry G, Sarah F, Donna M-O, Betsy A, Pat M-B, Glenda H, Kathy W, Gail W, RoseMary K, Cathy P, Felicity H, Renate P, Jane N, Deb R, and Pat C.

MGC including SMM

Welcome Package

The first three QC welcome packets are going into the mail Tuesday morning.
Betsy Habich will make the first 15 new members this year free motion sewn name tags.

Want to help?
The Social Media and Marketing Committee is growing! and needs your help. Plans are here.
Please email Karen Hohler at membershipgrowth at quiltersconnection dot org.

Volunteer Opportunities

Welcome to Quilters' Connection!
QC is a non-profit organization run and maintained by its members.
There are no staff members.
Without members stepping up to help maintain the organization, there is no organization.
Dozens and dozens of members voluntarily take care of small to complex tasks.
We have found that volunteering helps to foster community and personal relationships, thus enriching the QC experience.
In QC Volunteer Opportunities you will find short descriptions of the committees and jobs that make QC work.
More detailed explanations can be found on the About QC page: QC Committees Description.
Volunteer opportunities are available for all kinds of skill sets and for all levels of availability.

QC MGC Happenings - UFOs, Mini Show & Tell, Problem Solving

UFOs are Landing. Get on Board!

at the 6-7 PM Community Hour Before the February 27 Member Meeting

Does your sewing room look like this?
   

   

Are you drowning in UFOs - Unfinished Objects?  :  :  :


It's not too late to join Sarah, Sandy, RoseMary, Karen and Felicity
in a pledge to finish one of three chosen projects by each of the February, March and May member meetings.
List three projects that you want to finish.
Email your name and the list to membershipgrowth at quiltersconnection dot org.
Bring one finished project to each of the member meetings noted above during the 6 PM community hour.
Share your accomplishment.
Put your name into a drawing to win some sewing supplies of your choice. A drawing will be made at 6:45.
Have fun. Feel accomplished. Check out other member projects. Get a chance to win!

			  Name: 
			  Projects I want to finish: 
			  1. 
			  2. 
			  3.
			  

Mini Show and Tell

at the 6-7 PM Community Hour Before February 27 Member Meeting
Strut your stuff. Share your work with fellow QC members.
Show your latest pieces. Share old pieces you are particularly proud of.

The great part of doing this mini Show and Tell is that
we will be able to look at each other's work up close, to ask questions,
to share techniques and perspectives - all at our leisure.
   

Problem Solving

at the 6-7 PM Community Hour Before the May 21 Member Meeting Stuck?
Don't know how to start?
Don't know how to finish off?
Come, collaborate with Nancy Crasco and fellow members.
Get lots of opinions and help.
Bring in pieces that you want to discuss with other experienced members.

QC - Up for a CLIO Award??

Have you seen QC's new Public Service Announcement filmed by WCA-TV?
Julie Balzer and RoseMary Koch starred while explaining to Watertown residents
what a guild is and what QC is all about.
They did a great job inviting Watertown residents to become members.
Check it out:
The PSA is playing now on Watertown community tv.
Enter watertown . vod . castus . tv in your search engine.

Click on the picture of RoseMary and Julie.
Enjoy!