Greetings to all members of EQI! …
Welcome to the October 2023 edition of President’s Chatter.
October means: The Bus Trip has come and gone! What a great day!
I hope everyone who went had a nice time. Congrats to those lucky enough to win the special prize packs that each shop we visited donated.
I will leave the bus trip story for someone else to talk about.
We are holding our AGM! Finally!
The Committee apologizes for the September fiasco! But, due to VERY short notice, from Lowther Hall, regarding their VCE Trial Exams being held earlier than in 2022, including the day of our AGM, (even totally surprised the Freemasons!) there was no time to make alternative arrangements to gather, and we had to cancel.
Fortunately, our Saturday Stitching went ahead. Sitting at those desks brought back some memories! Also, EQI has two new members from Saturday. Welcome back Fiona and welcome to EQI, Lana.
On Saturday, we received loads of donated fabrics and “other” textile items. We sorted, stashed, binned and Op-shopped the lot!
A thank-you has been sent out to donors.
And I repeat from September’s President’s Chatter:
As far as meetings go, this (the AGM) is the most important one on our calendar!
Please attend in October. Nominate for committee and/or a Valued Volunteer position. Have your say in the future of EQI and make sure EQI has a future.
And, again, as I have said previously:
The old “well, someone else will put up their hand, we always have committee personal problems etc.” is not good enough!
It’s time for members to put up their hands and lend a hand.
Usually, we were not affected by the Lowther Hall VCE Trial Exams as the school has held these exams on the week of the 4th Wednesday (our previous Evening “Sit and Sew”)
As for 2024, it looks like EQI will be converting back to holding our AGM in October, as the hall will not be available on the 3rd Wednesday in September. As long as our AGM is held within the times that Vic Consumer Affairs requires us to hold it, we are fine.
Additionally:
In 2024, EQI will be holding our biennial quilt exhibition, our first exhibition since Covid hit and we will need a sub-committee to run this.
The EQI general committee has two roles: governance and management. Operations, those “daily” issues and jobs that occur are not the general committee’s responsibility. That’s for the members and Valued Volunteers to be responsible for.
Nomination forms, the 2023 AGM Agenda, proxy forms etc. are available for perusal on the website, in the member’s area.
The Annual Report will be available at the AGM.
Our October Gathering day will also include a very special Guest Speaker: Rhonda Irving, winner of the Vic Quilters Showcase, Excellence in Piecing Award, sponsored by EQI, will be bringing along her winning quilt (and others, of course) and telling us all about her quilting journey.
This is the month that EQI heads off to Castlemaine for our annual Retreat. It is held at The Castle Motel, 1 Duke St. Castlemaine, where we have exclusive use of the large conference room and facilities. You can bring your sewing machines and hand stitching. It will be held from Thursday, October 19th to Monday 23rd. You can come for the 4 night/5 days or your choice of how many night/days you wish to retreat!
Personally, getting away for 4 nights/5 days to stitch, shop, eat and have the odd glass of wine is my mini holiday heaven! The only thing members have to do is book your room at The Castle Motel (phone: 54722433) I suggest you book your room ASAP as it is a popular place to stay when visiting Castlemaine. Members and Guests are invited.
As I am the V.V. coordinator of the Retreat, please let me know if interested, you have booked or have any questions. This may be the last year that this event is offered if more members and guests do not sign up.
The Christmas Challenge has been announced, “Make a Christmas Decoration to Hang on the EQI Christmas Tree” What a fun, creative challenge! Hopefully, EQI will be purchasing a very nice Christmas tree for all your decorations!
I will catch up with everyone on Wednesday, October 18th and Saturday, October 28th.
Kerry Roe
President.
Essendon Quilters Inc.
