Who are we?

Here in our part of South Africa we don't have the option of guilds or seminars. We have a weekly meeting of up to about 10 women, at which we give a voluntary donation which goes to pay for books and materials we require. No one is kept from stitching because she can't afford the materials, though of course we are limited by what we have in stock. Material is imported, so very expensive. We meet at members' houses, and provide refreshments in turn.

A visitor was with us last week, and told us she can't afford to belong to her local group because of the monthly fee charged. This could be the cost of the venue - I didn't think to ask her where they meet, but it doesn't have to be at a costly place. She was thrilled to be at our meeting, and see what everyone is doing, after working mostly alone.

Joyce in RSA.

Here in our part of South Africa we don't have the option of guilds or seminars. We have a weekly meeting of up to 10 women, at which we give a voluntary donation which goes to pay for books and materials we require. No one is kept from stitching because she can't afford the materials, though of course we are limited by what we have in stock. Material is imported,so very expensive. We meet at members' houses, and provide refreshments in turn.

A visitor was with us last week, and told us she can't afford to belong to her local group because of the monthly fee charged. This could be the cost of the venue - I didn't think of asking her where they meet. She was thrilled to be at our meeting, and see what everyone is doing.

Joyce in RSA.

Here in our part of South Africa we don't have the option of guilds or seminars. We have a weekly meeting of up to about 10 women, at which we give a voluntary donation which goes to pay for books and materials we require. No one is kept from stitching because she can't afford the materials, though of course we are limited by what we have in stock. Material is imported, so very expensive. We meet at members' houses, and provide refreshments in turn.

A visitor was with us last week, and told us she can't afford to belong to her local group because of the monthly fee charged. This could be the cost of the venue - I didn't think to ask her where they meet, but it doesn't have to be at a costly place. She was thrilled to be at our meeting, and see what everyone is doing, after working mostly alone.

Joyce in RSA.

Sorry, it told me it hadn't gone, then sent it three times!

Joyce in RSA.

Cathy from KY in CA

Sometimes you get out what you put in.

That is fine, but let's not diss an organization that works hard to educate Americans about all types of embroidery, including grants for education, restoration and archiving, lending libraries . . . it's a long list of good will - all of which takes money. That is not elitism.

Dianne

I thought Cathy was bemoaning the fact it was too expensive for her - just like ours is - for a great many people. I wouldn't have said she was dissing them.

It's great they do all you say they do, perhaps they need to give out grants to attend seminars ? Very often these associations grow big, grow grand and then lose sight of the grass roots.

The overall tone of her comments was a slap in the face to EGA and all the many volunteers who help make the organization the success that it is. Calling it an elitist organization because you can't afford to attend an annual gathering is not exactly playing nice. EGA does offer grants for study. I don't need to go to Seminar to enjoy their many benefits. There is a tendency, these days, to expect things for free. Especially when it comes to guilds. I have taught free classes for EGA. Many others do the same at various chapters across the country.

Dianne

I know this place. A bit SE of La Luz, IIRC. Up 77 from El Paso.

Been there. Lived on Holloman AFB for a couple of years. Shopped in Tijuana. Took my M'Cycle driving test in El Paso, had to ride it from 'Gordo to El Paso (Past Dog Canyon), and got caught in a desert T'Storm near Oro Grande. ChiHUAHUA! What an experience. Then failed the damned test. (Turned right from the left side of the right-most lane rather than the right side of the right-most lane. PITA!)

"Gordo was a nice place, quiet. La Luz was mentioned in Hervey Allen's picaresque novel, Anthony Adverse, later made into a B/W film.

DD grad'd from NMT in Socorro. Ate chili burgers at the Owl.

Alex

On the range, as in the Malpais or up near Cloudcroft, or THE RANGE as in up range at WSPG?

Alex, who still has a piece of the high speed test track on a plaque.

Whoops, brainf@rt. That was Juarez, not Tijuana, the latter being a bit west of there. Sorry.

Alex

Actually, Cathy bemoaned the projects as not offering anything for her. And that living near a seminar meant she had to pay a "commuter fee".

I suspect all chapters are different and EGA is not a one size fits all. While it was a while ago, one of my local buddies went to a EGA meeting in Andover MA and had her "travel project" ridiculed for being on aida with DMC (S attended about 15 years ago, our sons were about 2 yo).

Sure didn't make me want to go try it on for size.

But Margaret St. John does CyberStitchers and her experience has made reconsider joining. Ditto for Donna and many others.

I am entitled to voice my opinion!!! If I think the EGA is a useless org, then I am allowed to say it!!! Diss????..... (snicker).

How can you "put in" if it takes 5 months to receive a course? Don't tell me I am not allowed to feel there is no benefit to the org!!

I'll say it again.......You like them, then stay with them.....I can use my money better elsewhere.

just me, Cathy from KY in CA

I didn't say I expected it to be free.....I said it should be affordable for all members. Who are you to determine what my "tone" is. If I feel ripped off, I am allowed to say it.

Slap in the face???.....diss???.....(snicker)

just me, Cathy from KY in CA

Your responses say it all. I'm not against anyone stating their views of EGA. I have stated many negative comments about my local chapter. But there's a difference between expressing dismay at a policy and calling the organization "elitist". That went over the top and is why I responded. It says more about you than about EGA.

Dianne

You need to read my original post, Dianne, I didn't say I couldn't afford Seminar. I said I thought it was too expensive for the average stitcher and a waste of money. Where did I state I expected things for free?

You need to get your head out of your ass and actually read what I said...not what you THINK I said.

just me, Cathy from KY in CA

Ahhh, yes. Speaks volumes.

Dianne

I can't speak for EGA chapters other than the three I have belonged to, and we have plenty of classes that cost $20 or less. In fact, most of them do.

I taught a $5 class in February and that included supplies and instruction.

Our June and July classes were free. Our August class costs $3.00. (January, March, April, May were meetings without classes.)

Do we have an expensive project coming up? Yes. A class by a nationally known teacher that will cost $115, but this will be a weekend workshop and not be done during regular meeting times. The fee is for the supplies and the chapter is paying the teaching fee and transportation.

Are things cheap at National Seminar? Nope. In fact the $100 commuter fee being talked about, is a $250 Facilities Use Fee this year in San Francisco. But I've gotten a tremendous benefit out of belonging to the EGA without ever spending my $$$ at Seminar. I'd say I've been a full participant without attending. (Did I want to go to Seminar this year? Certainly. Next year, I will be there. See I've been planning and saving.)

FYI:

There are free projects offered on the EGA website -

I have been contacted off list by 12 people since yesterday......they are speaking volumes about you....and EGA.

Thanks to everyone for your messages and I will be answering each individually......will just take me a few days.

just me, Cathy from KY in CA

Well said, Donna. I have no affiliation with EGA, but sounds like any national organization with local chapters. Works (or doesn't, as the case may be) on multiple levels, and participation can be suited to one's interests, abilities, and needs.

sue