President Joan T. welcomed everyone to our Annual Business Meeting/Covered Dish Dinner. Our meeting time started one half hour earlier than usual to allow for everyone to enjoy the feast before us. Somehow, without even trying, we always manage to have a great variety of main courses, sides and desserts.
Minutes - the Minutes of the prior Business Meeting were distributed to members via email prior to the meeting. There were no corrections suggested for the minutes.
Treasurer’s Report - the Treasurer’s Report was also email to members prior to the meeting. A brief overview of the status of the account was discussed. It was noted the Pat L. and Robin T. recently took 11 boxes of charts and stitching items to Fireside Stitchery in Malvern, PA. Fireside Stitchery will sell the items on eBay and share the profits will Lamplighter’s. We don’t expect this current batch of items to be online until mid to late summer 2023. Everyone agreed these sales have been very beneficial for our Chapter.
Membership - Membership Chair reported 27 current members. Annual Renewal of Membership is in May. In order to process all the renewal applications and get the information to the Regional Offices by the end of May, Robin requested all membership renewals by turned in by the May meeting. Robin will work with Caryl to process all the necessary paperwork with Regional and National. Robin will send the necessary information, via US Mail, to members without email.
Regional Updates - Marian will be attending the Regional Meeting. While there she will be taking a crewel class with teacher Judy Jeroy. Marian will bring the project back to the Chapter to teach.
Regional representatives are also taking a survey on the interest of a retreat in the Fall of 2023. The location will be Painted Post, New York (Near Corning, NY). It will be from Thursday to Sunday. All meals and lodging are included in the registration cost of $275.00. More information will follow as plans are formalized.
Outreach - we discussed some options for an Outreach Project for next year. Robin shared information on a recent project she participated in with the Chattanooga EGA Chapter. She will follow up with them for more information. Project options were discussed and possible recipient groups were also discussed for this group project. More information on Outreach projects will be discussed at future meetings.
In other Outreach, we will again set up a table at the Salem County Fair in August. More information and a schedule will be shared once determined.
Meeting information - We were scheduled to have a class on punch needle in May. Unfortunately the instructor is having some shoulder issues and has had to cancel. She looks forward to rescheduling in 2024. Instead for our May Meeting, members are being asked to bring in their favorite stitching tool to share with the group. Bring something usual and have others try to figure out what it is and how you use it.
For June, we will have a stitch-in and discuss our plans for summer stitching.
Stitch in Public - Details need to be completed for a Stitch in Public Day at JoAnn Fabrics.
Joan spoke about classes that are available to any member that are offered at other Chapters. Also, there are several petite projects that are going to be retired. Visit the EGA website and save any you may like before they are gone. Look for these projects as well as virtual lectures in your emails from Regional and National
Coming next year, we will celebrate our 50th Anniversary. Plans are being made for some special projects and events. We will dedicate each meeting from January 2024 though December 2024 celebrating our anniversary. If you have any ideas or suggestions or would like to work on the committee to help with the event, please let Joan know.
Show and Tell - It may have been small but it was mighty! First up, this blue and white canvas piece by Stacy S. This was a class with a Texas EGA Chapter. Stacy had to join as a plural member to participate in the class.
