Who are we?

The old "people are emailing me in my support." Doesn't prove anything. When you termed EGA as elitist, I considered that offensive. That's an emotionally charged word. Perhaps you didn't mean to say it. Also, speaking nasty toward me does nothing to elevate your own status. Perhaps you need to get your own head out of the proverbial sand.

No organization can be all things to all people. As well, different chapters have different social cultures. That doesn't make them elitist, and it doesn't make EGA elitist because their seminars are expensive.

Dianne

Talk about beating a dead horse!! I will state once again...read what I said, not what you think I said.

EGA is a rip off...I just waited 5 months to receive a CC...then found out there is going to be no support for it. The organization is a disorganized joke!! Every experience with them has been like dealing with the Keystone Kops!

If elitist is such "an emotionally charged word", then why did you use it??.....I didn't. I said I had no interest in attending seminar, I didn't say I couldn't afford it, you did. You shouldn't put your words in my mouth.

Why don't you go to my original post and remove YOUR assumptions?? I am allowed to post my opinion, and will do so any time I have the urge.

If you don't like my opinions, don't read my postings!! (Dis.....snicker, snicker)

just me, Cathy from KY in CA

thick skill one more time........

Karen,

Local chapters respond to what the members want. Usually. If enough people were clamoring for $20 classes, I would think you'd be having $20 classes. I've been on my chapter's board for 4 years now and there is always a certain amount of doing things one way because that's the way it's always been done. My opinion is that the local chapters are as good or as bad as the programs chair and the president make them. I've been fortunate in that all my experiences have been good.

Donna in Virginia

I did. You called EGA elitist.

I had an opinion about EGA and your post. I stated it. What's good for the goose . . .

Dianne

Your word...not mine...........

Glad you're finding the area to your liking. People are so nice there, and it's certainly a relaxed pace. I actually did raised beds for roses, and they did well, and for some of my plants. It's tricky gardening in the desert, of course where I was the altitude was much higher (about 1 mi above sea level) so that also made a difference.

True. Socorro has had some good growth with the school, and some other things. When my big project was being built, we were pretty much the biggest employer by far in the county and that led to some interesting bar growth. There used to be a really good Mexican restaurant - El Sombrero - not fancy - but excellent food. As opposed to the fancy historic place in "downtown" - which was okay for a change, hey - they had linens - but not as good food wise. Personally, spent way too many hours with chili-cheeseburgers & beer at the Owl en route to the range.

I just saw a sign that there would be Hatch chiles at the Wegman's by me next weekend...I'm sure the price will be ridiculous, but I'll have to get some.

Oh, sorry if I wasn't clear. It totally is in TX, not the mini-hamlet in NM (home of The Owl, immortalized in Martin Cruz Smith's book "Stallion Gate"). But, we'll do the car and tour thing regardless. Assuming optimistically that life goes well til then.

Thanks for the offer - I'll definitely holler - at least a get together will be worthy!

Ellice in No VA

It is also actually factored into the total contract for the event. Organizations like EGA, ANG and even in other fields will often use virtually every meeting space the hotel has. Part of the total costs for those spaces becomes reduced based upon the guaranteed/expected room block. So, it's an offset in which the organization may be receiving significant discounts on classrooms, breaks, stitching/lounge areas, set-up fees, etc based upon the expectation of room income. As Donna knows, I do some event planning with my own little company, and frequently negotiate free event space as part of a catering contract when rooms are being booked (as in for weddings, tech conferences, charity galas). People in the event business work at these kind of negotiations, and hotels know what their costs are so things like commuter fees at conferences have become more common over the past 10 years as profit margins have shrunk. After all, the hotel is indeed entitled to earn something, while the organizations do not expect to be gouged.

On the seminar front - I've been to several national ANG seminars, and found each one to be a fabulous experience. I go to take classes that will let me learn something I may not be able to, and have made friends from across the world. I have found an amazing cross-section of stitchers - from many different backgrounds, socially and economically. Personally I've found that the people from one of my chapters are not particularly friendly there, but there will be cliques no matter what. OTOH, I've been astounded by the friendliness and helpfulness of stitchers/teachers/guild "luminaries" who are so famous that I'm in awe/shy to speak to them. Sure, there are plenty of those with $$ to spare. But, there are many who make the conscious decision that they will go to seminar every so often, and plan/save for it. In our case, no vacation for my husband & I last year 'cause of seminar - it was a conscious choice. Similarly this year - though next year he'll go with me.

As with local chapters - there are some who do demonstrate some sort of stitching elitism - it's a move past it and find the people and opportunities that resonate with yourself. It's just life.

WRT seminar expenses - both EGA and ANG have regional mini-seminars that are much less costly and provide a condensed dose of that shared experience, both with fellow stitchers and the opportunity to take classes with noted instructors.

Personally, I'm wary of painting an organization as diverse as EGA, or any of the stitching guilds, with a broad brush of elitist. As someone in a teaching program, who has seen these contracts - the teachers aren't getting wealthy. But putting on these large seminars is pricey, and, the teachers do deserve a reasonable recompense. In the teaching community - as a newbie myself - I'm lucky enough to gain some insight, lesson to discussions of making things more easily affordable and available to our stitchers. There's a great deal of discussion as to ways in which to make classes that may have been taught at a seminar available in some future way to non-attendees - thru cyber classes, correspondence, etc. It's not trivial as all things aren't equally translatable to distance learning, but while the average stitcher doesn't have to get involved in the details, a little benefit of the doubt towards guild leaders and teachers would be nice. These people are aware that seminar expense is an issue. Working on options to make them more affordable, as well as other opportunities for education really is happening.

Whew - sorry for the babble. Just makes me a little sad because while I do know there are the "stitching snobs" out there, all of my seminar experiences, from national to local/regional, have been really fine. Maybe some less than great classes (more at the local level) - but at national I've only had one not good experience with a class being not up to snuff. However, my overall experience always has me so enthused and full of ideas that I'm bursting by the time I come home. And I truly appreciate the variety of people I've established friendships with - meeting over our love for the needle-arts, but becoming friends for more than that.

Ellice in No VA

And how so lucky you are to have them there. In this area we also have some really well-known teachers/designers. It's so great when you can do local classes.

Ellice

Not apples to apples, as those like CATS are based upon their merchandising/sales expo. Consequently the classes are less expensive because the money is made from the shopping.

The guild seminars have essentially an LNS brought to the seminar, as well as a bookstore. There is a 1-night shopping expo. Classes aren't quite the same situation, either. Not to say there aren't some fine classes available.

Ellice

Ah, I'm feeling semi-homesick. My first time in the Owl, coming back from working on the range, my techs got there first, and as I ran in the door behind them - they told the gals at the bar "she doesn't pay." The Owl was about 1/2 way from work to the motel in Socorro - so a regular stop. The benefit of being close to the only female working on the range (besides the older wives of a couple of retired EOD tech guys) seemed to be my having the fun of beers and chili-cheese burgers with the crews. I will say, I found it kind of infuriating (being as even though I was younger, I was still kind of the boss) - but it was a lovely sense. It took me about a month before I finally was able to run in the door ahead of the gang and slap money down announcing "drinks were on me" - for a whole lot of great guys working hard, hot and dusty!

NMT - good school. Did a little guest lecturing kind of stuff there.

Ellice

North end, as in WSMR. Going to the south end, usually got to do it on a noisy chopper ride.

Nice. You don't want to know about my stuff - though I did get to be keeper of the keys for some historic sites on the range (visitors kept coming thru to see some special work, so I got to give the tours).

Ellice

Back when Juarez wasn't the danger zone it is now. All our foreign colleagues would have to make at least one day trip to Juarez. Yup, some interesting highlights resulting.

Ellice

Nice broad stroke there. While there indeed are many of those people participant, you'd be amazed at how many active volunteers, teachers, and participants are precisely the opposite of your assumption. Women with careers - professional ones ranging from professors, doctors, engineers, librarians, to people who just work at whatever they must to earn a living. Far fewer of the SAHW - and many of the guild members I know who are SAHW don't come to seminar's because of the taking care of children obligations. But as with anything - like you making time to work with your fibromyalgia group - people make the time to volunteer because they're interested. I know a lot of single/divorced/widowed working women who still volunteer and go to guild classes/seminars. But, yes there certainly are those lucky enough to have the financial resources to not blink - just not all of us.

One of our local EGA chapters only has its meetings on a weekday morning - it's not so good for the many working women (its an old chapter). They have great classes - but it's out of the question for many - unless it's a special weekend thing.

ellice

Historic places..... during the '60's the FAA complained that we had a rocket launching tower up range. It was left over from the days after WW-II, when they launched V-2's from there. Rather than put money into bringing the tower into FAA compliance, the order was given to bring it down. We took a team of EOD men up there and collapsed in with explosive charges on its legs. I still have pix of the event, taken with an old Graphic 4x5 camera.

Alex, who provided the crowd a great show on Armed Forces day, with a crashing F-111, for which he received the Air Force Commendation Medal.

Excellent!

That's quite an accomplishment, glad you're around to share the tales.

Ellice

I am Rich, from Delaware. I love to cross stitch. I am a floss licker too.

Will be married for 24 years on 5/18, have one daughter living in Florida with 4 grandkids.

I also play pool, bass fish, bird watch, and play guitar.

Does anyone here remember a stitching group on AOL? That's been a long time ago, I almost forgot about it. I learned a lot between that group and this one.

I am currently stitching a Lizzie Kate "Boxers" called Autumn.

I find it harder and harder to find patterns I like but I do have a lot in my stash.

I am Sara from Delaware. Never met Rich though :-). I do remember the AOL boards and there is a fb group for folks who were there.

Currently working on Herbularius, aka Herby, by Chatelaine Designs.

Sara

I'm Susie, a nurse who cross stitches, but mostly cut-thread and hardanger. I WAS was one of the AOL people (chvystro)...where is the FB page, please?