Chapter Advisory Board Elected Positions
It is a requirement by the American Sewing Guild that each chapter have a President, Treasurer and Secretary. The Willamette Valley Chapter of ASG has also chosen to include the 1st Vice President and 2nd Vice President in the elected category.
Each officer is elected for a one-year term and may not serve more than four terms per position. The President may not serve more than four (4) consecutive terms. Terms run from January 1st through December 31st.
The duties of the President include:
I love to sew. My father purchased my first machine for me when I was 12 years old. I spent many years making men’s shirts, vests, and other garments (I tried to wear my first pair of pants I made to school when girls couldn’t wear pants. LOL) Even costumes and bridal wear for family and friends. My grandmother loved to sew also and would mend for others during the depression to make some money. I have her treadle machine and button tin – cherished treasures to me.
I joined ASG in 2008 when Sally was the president. I love to sew and was seeking others to share this passion. Though not attending many meetings in the beginning, I knew Sew Inclined was a great place to start. They are so welcoming, and I just jumped in one night. An opening on the board for Secretary came up and I decided to give it a whirl. I became Secretary while Judy Wells was president. Then the Salem area sewing enthusiasts wanted a garment group much like the Corvallis group. With the help of others, The Clothes Encounters Neighborhood group was formed, and I helped lead it for a couple of years.
During my last few years of employment I took on more demanding jobs and backed away from all volunteering. Now that I am retired, it is time to get back and give back to the community. I love to sew, and this is a great way for me to enjoy sewing, friendships, learning and sharing the sewing bug with others. I’d love to see what we could do as ASG to share these skills with the younger generation.
By the way, I love to sew!
The duties of the 1st Vice President include:
• Contact possible speakers, get CAB approval, arrange the date, time and place for each event.
• Organizing the terms and contracts for the speaker and venue of event.
• Decide the menu for each event with CAB approval.
• Along with the CAB, set the price of the event by providing a suggested summary of costs.
• Organizing a group of volunteers to help with the event day.
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Kelly Beringer 1st Co-Vice President Special Events I was born and raised in the Midwest - Wisconsin and Michigan. At 18 I moved to Colorado, married at 19 (too young!), and moved at 20 to Oregon. I first learned to sew inHome Economics class in middle school. My “final” project was to create a piece of clothing for myself. I still chuckle when I think of that two-piece swim suit made out of orange (very 70’s!) 100 percent cotton! You can only imagine the fit without any stretch! Early on I made quite a few pieces of clothing for myself and my husband. I then became more interested in home decorating, and recently just crafting of ANY kind. I’ve been a member of the ASG for about five years now. As 1st Co-Vice-President, I have a lot to learn about the ASG world, and the CAB. In this position I look forward to meeting many of my other Willamette Valley sewers (aah, as I type that word, I see why some use “sewist!”). Already learning! |
Kathy Howald - 1st Co-Vice President Special Events
I have been an ASG member for many years, first in St.Louis, Missouri, and now here in Oregon. After retirement I moved to Oregon in 2011 so I could be with my granddaughter and soon to be grandson. Now I have three grandchildren who keep me very busy but they also keep me sewing. In fact, they offer me many sewing challenges such as costumes with no pattern, but their mother started that with a wedding dress with no pattern. I hear a lot of “Grandma can you make me this today and can I help?” and wouldn’t trade it for the world. Through the neighborhood groups I have learned many new skills, techniques, and challenges, but more importantly have met and made friends with truly wonderful people. I am looking forward to the new opportunities of learning, meeting new people, and the rewards of working on our community projects.
The duties of the 2nd Vice President include:
Jan Bechler - 2nd Vice President
Secretary
The duties of the Secretary include:
The Treasurer is responsible for:
The Treasurer is also responsible for maintaining the financial paperwork and records in accordance with the records retention policy established by the National office.
Tina Martin - Treasurer
American Sewing Guild Advisory Board Appointed Positions
Neighborhood Group Leader Coordinator
There is one NGLC for the groups on the east side of the Cascades and two for the groups in the Willamette Valley.
Support and Encouragement
This person sends cards to Chapter members who have been ill, are recuperating, have suffered a loss or celebrated a momentous event such as a wedding or birth in the family.
Historian
Clarice Gibb - Historian
The position of the Historian is to keep records of what our Chapter is currently involved with:
The Newsletter Editor plans the newsletter production.
Marsha Minten - Newsletter Editor
Website Editor
The Website Editor maintains and updates the website to keep content current:
Marsha Minten - Website Editor
American Sewing Guild Neighborhood Group Leader
Volunteer Position
The neighborhood group leader is the group's guide. They serve as the contact person for the group, field phone calls from interested members and non-members, and guides the pace and content of the meetings. They communicate the group's activities and concerns to the chapter's advisory board and communicates news from the board to the group.
But for all of this, the neighborhood group belongs to the members of the group and not to the leader. They do not rule the group; they don't present all the programs; They don't make all decisions for the group without involving them.
Lots of groups have co-leaders or even tri-leaders. One person might like to handle the running of the meeting, while another acts as the contact person and keeps the newsletter editor up-to-date. There are also groups that have no designated leader----the jobs are split among the group.
The following rules have been established by this Chapter as a supplement to the bylaws and Procedures Manual set forth by the National Organization. The intent is to better clarify how our Chapter functions and to facilitate a more efficient operation of the Chapter Advisory Board. The president shall be the official representative of our chapter. Any other representation must have prior approval by the president and or the Chapter Advisory Board.
Chapter Advisory Board (CAB) Positions and Meetings
The Willamette Valley Chapter fills the following positions:All individuals in the positions listed are members of the Willamette Valley Chapter Advisory Board. The approval of a majority of those members present at a CAB meeting shall be required to adopt any resolution or to decide any question. Issues arising that must be decided between meetings may be voted on by an email vote.
The Chapter Advisory Board meets at least quarterly. CAB members may attend a meeting using electronic means.
In the event that any of the Officers or CAB members are unable to fulfill their term of office, a new Officer or CAB member shall be appointed by the Chapter President with CAB approval.
Two (2) consecutive unexcused absences from a scheduled Chapter Advisory Board meeting shall constitute grounds for termination from the Chapter Advisory Board. Unexcused absences are defined as a CAB member who does not advise the president that they are unable to attend the meeting. Termination shall be implemented by a majority vote of the Chapter Advisory Board.
All business correspondence, Chapter business and information received from National must be submitted to the chapter president prior to distribution to the membership of the chapter. This includes all chapter business sent to National and any full chapter correspondence.
The President and Treasurer will prepare the incoming budget recommendation for the Chapter Advisory Board (CAB) meeting in November. This proposed budget is to be approved by the current CAB. Budgeted revenue will be based only on the membership dues for the proposed budget year. The final approval of the proposed budget will be at the first CAB meeting of the new year.
The Treasurer, President and Secretary are authorized to sign checks. All funds collected on behalf of the Chapter should be turned over to the Treasurer.
The quarterly accounting report shall be prepared by the Treasurer, reviewed and approved by the President.
The budget should be written to include:
a. An annual stipend to the neighborhood groups of $50. Neighborhood Group Leaders will submit their request in writing specifying items purchased with attached receipts. Monies can be used for group supplies, printing, postage, supplies for the hosting facility or presenter cost.
b. In honor of Rita Hathaway, a donation will be made to promote youth sewing.
c. A donation to “Make It With Wool” organization
d. Community service activities and supplies.
e. The general operating expenses of the Chapter.
7. All expense reimbursement must be submitted by December 10th to be included in the current year budget.
Nominating CommitteeAt the Spring CAB meeting, the current president will appoint the chair for the nominating committee from members of the CAB. The current president and the current secretary shall not be the committee chair. If all CAB members are running for election again, a nominating chair may be selected from the chapter membership. At a mid-year CAB meeting, the chair will present names of members interested in running for office. Screening of potential candidates and selection of nominees will be completed by early September.
The Annual meeting shall be held in the Fall and may be combined with another event. This meeting will be for the purpose of existing officers’ reports and electing the new CAB. The CAB term will be January through December.
A person interested in joining ASG may attend two (2) Neighborhood Group (NG) meetings before submitting application for membership and dues. Benefits of membership include attending any NG meeting, chapter newsletter “Sew What’s New in the Valley”, National ASG correspondence publications and access to the Willamette Valley Sewing website.
Chapter members may place an ad for sewing related items or sewing related services once a year at no charge in the Chapter newsletter. The free ad may be approximately 25 words.
Our chapter will hold, at a minimum, the following chapter wide events each year.
The CAB may approve a refund up to 50% of the event fee; if the refund deadline has passed and the member cannot attend the event or leaves early from a multiday event due to unforeseen circumstances approved by the board.
Emails sent to multiple people should be sent using Blind Copy (BCC) to protect the privacy of each recipient. Everything possible should be done to protect member privacy.
Maintaining membership records for the chapter is the responsibility of the 2nd Vice President.
This includes:
The 2nd Vice President will prepare and send a new member packet which may include:
Welcome letter
Name tag and holder
ASG member pin
Copy of leadership listing for chapter
Address for the Chapter website