posted 2 Mar 2021, 23:21 by Suella Postles
By IT Admin on Mar 02, 2021 10:59 am
Last Thursday 18th February a notice from the Embroiderers Guild
arrived advising members that the Trustees had called a General meeting
to be held on Thursday 4th March. The proposed resolution leaves the
members with very little option and no chance of time to negotiate or
explore any other options. And in their opinion the branches and regions
are no longer viable financially- 1500 people did not renew in
September this alone represents lost income of £57k. This whole
situation, has arisen very quickly and there are many reasons why
immediate steps were also taken to freeze the Bank accounts, and why a
system was put in place in order for branch treasurers to pay off any
invoices already in process for February, March and April.You can find
the notice of the meeting and Answers to Questions here:https://embroiderersguild.com/Also there is a podcast interview with Dr Penny Hill, Guild Trustee via stitchery storieshttps://www.stitcherystories.com/This
is indeed a very sorry situation that we find ourselves in, the Guild
has had many troubles since it was formed, finance, premises and
management have been constant issues, and we all have experience and
opinions on this, and how we got here or were brought here, and I
suggest that if you have specific questions they are forwarded as set
out in the notice from the trustees.Many existing members have expressed
their disappointment,disapproval and disagreement with this
situation,understandably and it is very difficult for some to see any
positives - however this situation also does present opportunity for
us.I have had contact with many branches who have said they do not want
to lose contact and they feel strongly that the relationships that they
have with each other through branches should carry on and they are
willing to set up as independent stitch groups - and as we are hopefully
moving out of the oppression that Covid has wrought upon us we may soon
be able to resume a new normal in many ways. Albeit with the Apron
strings of the Guild removed. Firstly we need to build the network that
will connect and sustain us over the first few stormy months ( the data
protection requirements mean that our regional data base is likely to be
unavailable very soon)Therefore, the regional committee would like to
ensure we have those connections, and Alyssa Robinson from Market
Harborough, has initially set up a WhatsApp group that we can use to
begin with. So that these contacts are not lost we would like one
contact please from each existing branchPlease text a mobile telephone
number to Alyssa to be added.07788842203 or contact
Alyssaharborougheg@gmail.comStating name and current branch.Alyssa
has offered to collate this group for us for the purpose of purely
staying connected until we have other systems in place.The existing
Regional Committee, all its former committee members and Chairs have
always worked hard for the Region and we are still here and willing to
help where we can. East Midlands Region has always been active and
financially stable.Embroidery and a love of stitch and textiles is what
brought us all together and I wholeheartedly believe this will hold us
together, we are after all the same people, just a different umbrella
now.Please use your vote and hopefully we will go forwards with at least
a start up grant, our other branch and regional assets in our
possession and not taken by a liquidator.Thanks to everyone who has been
part of these fantastic branches and the part they have played in
spreading our embroidery joy.Marianne Young.
Read in browser »
| | |
|