I sent out an email to a whole lot of my guild members. There's been a lot of infighting and bickering and complaining and I told them all that I was sick of it. There's conflict between older longtime members and newer members too. As one of those newer members, I was excited and became the webmaster. In the year that I've been there, I've watched the last few months become consumed by petty bickering. I don't like that. I want it to change but I don't know how and it's sad because I really like being a member.
One of the things is that the new coordinator has been trying hard to change policies and move the guild forward. I find her to be really visionary and progressive as you can't have a stagnant group. However, she's met with a lot of resistance from longtime members who seem to resent it and her style. There's also a vocal minority who just don't seem to want to try to change in any way and aren't making an effort at all. I'm sorry to say it, but my guild is in a state of flux right now that will either make it or break it. It has been good for me--one of the few things in life I've been dedicated to on a regular basis. I hope they're able to get it together.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
Gulds often go through these changes/ My own guild ended up dividing in to two guilds some years ago. Maybe that is the answer for you all -the progressives may need to move on!! Right now we have a happy mix and we seem to get along. I think what unites us is our community outreach. We give away over a thousand quilts to different organizations and receive grant monies from many organizations to help us and it is a good thing that we all are proud of!! I hope you can work it out because guilds are an important part of the social fabric of quilting!!
Interpretation in art is the revenge of the intellect.
--Susan Sontag
I hope it works out for you. I finally couldn't take it and had to leave "my" guild. I've joined 2 others, but it will take a while to feel like I really belong. Too bad a few people can ruin the whole experience.
"my" guild has had this fight most of the time I've been a member. Finally, this year, things have reverted to such a low level that it will probably be my last year in the year.
We fight about money, we fight about activities, we argue about everything!!
I'm kind of with Gerrie... maybe those of you who see the need for some change need to break off and form your own guild (I know.. finding a meeting place, setting up bylaws all of that... it's the work that keeps us in older established guilds)...
Invite those who might be interested to come join... and let the others stagnate.
Post a Comment