How large is the Guild and when was it founded?
The Southwest Florida Quilter's Guild was founded in 1993 and today counts about 200 members from at least five Southwest Florida counties.
Where and when does the Guild meet?
We meet at the Terry Park Extension Service on SR80 (3410 Palm Beach Blvd) in Fort Myers. The meeting room is located in the rear of the Extension Service building. The Guild's monthly meeting is the third Tuesday each month at 6:30PM.
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What happens at a monthly meeting?
The meeting room doors open at 6:00PM. A refreshment table is set up by our Hospitality Committee. The time before the meeting is a Social Time. Community Service projects are turned in, Finishing Touches entries are tallied, and members can browse the Library. Near the Library area, a rack is set up with information from businesses and other Guilds.
The business meeting is called to order at about 7:00PM, when Committee reports are given and announcements are made. Door prize winners are drawn by the Membership Committee during the business meeting.
Following the business meeting "Show and Tell" is held, giving members the opportunity to "Strut their stuff" to the "Ooooh's" and "Aaaah's" of the audience.
The Program is usually held after the Business meeting is adjourned. The Program, always exciting, may be a guest speaker, an evening of technique demonstrations, or even an evening of shopping courtesy of a local shop.
How much does it cost to join and what are the benefits?
Guests are permitted to attend two meeting without charge. Annual dues are $30.00. A badge with your name and guild pin is $11.50.
A wonderful array of activities are open to Members.
Guild members receive the monthly Newsletter and are entitled to first choice of Classes.
Many area quilt-related businesses offer discounts to Guild members.
Members may enter their pieces into our biennial Quilt Show without an entry fee.
Other opportunities for participation include ongoing activities such as Block of the Month and Finishing Touches The Guild maintains a library of several hundred quilt books that are available for loan on a monthly basis. A monthly Fun Day, held on the second Saturday each month from 10:00AM till 4:00PM offers an opportunity for fellowship in an informal setting (see the calendar page for additional information).
What Community Service projects are available?
The Guild supports several Community Service projects. Currently quilts are provided for Head Start programs, the Ronald MacDonald House, Tender Loving Care and Hope Hospice. Past recipients have included Gabriel House and ACT abused women's shelter. A annual event is the Holiday Ornament Auction held in November. Proceeds from this event benefit local charities such as the Nations Association Soup Kitchen and Food Bank. This year's Auction was held in conjunction with a highly successful canned food drive that also benefited the Nations Association. The Service project featured at the Quilt Show in January 2004 was child's quilts for the Lee County EMS vehicles. A portion of the proceeds from the 2006 quilt show were donated to The Susan G. Koman breast cancer Foundation and The Ronald McDonald House. Presently we are sponsoring the Extension Agency Children's Quilting Camp and sewing classes for Girls Making It on Purpose.
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