Guild Auxillary?

I would ask them WHY they want you come under their umbrella... when my guess is that anyone from the guild who wants to help you all sew would be welcome? What do they have to offer you that you don't already have?

I would really make them spell it out as to why it is important to you (my gut reaction -- because your group is getting good press for the good work you do -- and their guild is "invisible" within the community.

What do think? Why do you think they want you to "affiliate" with them.

Kate in MI

Don't want to sound sour here, but it seems you have nothing to gain and a lot to lose. Why do they want you "under their umbrella" - to control you or to bask in your notoriety? What are they offering as incentive to put your group under theirs?

You could always respond by inviting any guild members who are interested in joining your work to join your informal group on the clear understanding that you are happy with your informal arrangements and do not wish to change them.

Re the grant - things are probably different here but the only time I got involved with this sort of thing I asked for the grant to be made as an account at a local store (signature required and the store gave us a discount for our charity work and ordered anything we asked for) rather then as a monetary grant. It kept things simple, we got good value from the store that got some PR from supporting us, and the "sponsor" was assured that the money all went for the intended purpose wihout masses of account keeping.

That group was also very informal but once talk of grants and donations started floating around I maintained that some controls were needed and this was quick, simple, easy and to everyone's satisfaction at that time and place.

I don't see what the benefit of joining the large guild would be for your group. I'm sure the guild would like to have your good deeds associated with their name, but I'm not sure what you would get in return. Perhaps the larger guild would subsidize some of your purchases needed to make the charity quilts, but there might be more strings attached than you prefer. Think it over carefully. KJ

My advice is: No. You already have exactly what you need to continue doing good things for people in need. The guild has nothing to offer except the things you listed that get in the way of true charity. If you say no and the "regular guild" excommunicates you, that would make for some interesting press. Stick to your guns. If somebody wants to give you a grant, maybe you can take it or maybe you need an established tax-exempt organization to accept the money and give it to you per receipts for supplies. I'm guessing you can find a church or food bank or even your local Red Cross to help you. I am realizing that the "regular guild" is all about propigation of the regular guild. It's great for what it does, but charity is usually not included.

Sunny

Mauvice > Several years ago a group from my regular guild formed a small sewing

IMHO...I think you can accept money. No problem for you. But if the organization/person wanting to donate wishes to use it as a charitable donation and deduct it on their income tax they have to give the money to an established tax exempt organization. That is my understanding.

Betty in WI

It won't be possible to keep control of the small group once it is part of the guild. However it is possible to graciously say "no thanks" to the large guild. It might take some practice, but you could say something like what I've written below.

"Thank you so much for the invitation to join your guild. We are honored that your guild would like our little group to join, but we prefer to remain an informal autonomous group so we must decline your offer." Debra in VA See my quilts at

If your regular guild is already tax-exempt, it might make it easier to get grants and buy materials without paying sales tax. Otherwise, I don't see any benefit. It might be easier to apply for tax-exempt status for your small group, though I don't know what's involved there.

Julia > Several years ago a group from my regular guild formed a small sewing

Howdy!

Oh, goody, I was hoping you'd say that, Mauvice.

As Debra says, you can politely say "Thanks, but-- no, thanks."

Btw, you can ask for donations for batting, etc.. If y'all have a name for your little group, use it. One of the local quilting groups (in the next small city) has lots of fun being "independent" of the guilds. They move quickly, as you say. They document most of their quilts and donations w/ pics to the quilts and receivers; they use this to show others what they're doing, that they are a real group of quilters, that they do charitable work, and that any and all donations will be used as requested. Some of these quilters are members of a guild, but their group is not. Works just fine. So, you want donations for batting or backing or other supplies? Speak up. (Not being in the directory I don't have your addy, but my email is as shown. ) Congrats and pats on the back for y'all's Good Works.

Good luck!

Ragmop/Sandy

Thank you for the offer Sandy, but we really have lots of generous folks in the area, guild and non guild members who have given us lots of supplies, as a matter of fact we have exceeded our alloted space in church store room where we meet! Just another testament to the generosity of quilters/sewers in general. we also got a wonderful donation of FAb fabric from Carol Doak when she posted here, looking to donate to groups, that was an excellent windfall and we have put it to good use. It finally dawned on me that we could just ask for gift certificates at our local store and stay just as we are, without going through the rigamarole(sp??) of incorporating and becoming a non-profit organization. It just seems to me that we are taking several people away from sewing if we were to go that route, which is why we formed the group to sew what we want.....we wanted loose rules and freedom to act quickly with a gift of a quilt. soooo that is what we will do ....I am sure all who belong will agree. I love the idea of the group in your area who does this, I would welcome trading info from someone in that group if they are interested. BTW we are called Round Barn Quilters, which refers to the HUGE round barn that is the land,mark of our local fair, Central Wi State Fair. Also, should be in the new directory if I did it right, so I may ask at some point for orphan blocks or help filling out a quilt design(like last year when we could've used some blues to round out a quilt) We did it though, it went to our local swim team to raffle. Mauvice

Sandy Ellison wrote: