Midwest Weavers Association
…encouraging creativity and craftsmanship in handweaving and other fiber crafts…by sponsoring a regional conference every other year.
Update:
We have just learned that some of your replies to our recent messages asking for volunteers have not been successfully redirecting to my personal email. If you did respond to earlier messages and have not received a response, please resend your message directly to Betty Huttner. We want and need your assistance and advice.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS:
Last fall, as we shared news of the cancellation of the 2021 Midwest Weavers Conference in our newsletter, we also informed you of the Board’s desire to consider and implement some operational and institutional changes that members have been requesting and that would ensure the vitality of MWA for decades to come. The recent unveiling of our new website and the introduction of an online payment option for dues were the first of those changes.
We next need to determine what revisions might be necessary to our By-Laws and Standing Rules, so that those changes might be presented and approved during an upcoming membership meeting . This work and other tasks ahead require more than the efforts and insights of five board members. To be successful, we need the voices and participation of our membership.
We’ve described below four different ways that you might contribute to make MWA stronger. Some roles call for a short commitment of time, while others are longer term. All are vital to our organizational success.
- Board of Directors vacancy: We have a current vacancy on the Board for a term ending in 2025. Duties are outlined in the By-Laws that are appended to the Conference Guidelines on our website.
- Standing Rules Committee (5−7 members): This committee will meet monthly July through September for 2-hour virtual meetings to identify, discuss, and finalize necessary revisions to the Standing Rules.
- Nominating Committee (3 members): One six-year Board seat will be open at our next meeting. The committee will work as necessary between July and October 1 to identify and communicate with potential candidates. This task has traditionally been completed via phone calls and email.
- Webmaster/webmistress: the new website is built on Word Press. We partner with a firm that handles the technology aspect. The webmaster/webmistress is responsible for updating the content in conjunction with the Board. Estimated time commitment: 1-2 hrs/month
If you have interest in any of these roles, please reply to this email or let a member of the Board know before June 1. Conversely, if you know someone who might be the perfect fit for a job, consider giving them a nudge or send us their name so we can follow up.
We know the biennial Midwest conference is important to you. If you are able, please consider helping us ensure that they continue in the future.
The MWA Board of Directors
Message from the Board Chair
The Midwest Weavers Association (MWA) is an entirely volunteer organization which fosters cooperation among individuals and handweaving guilds in the Midwest area of the USA. The best known expression of this is the biennial conference which is sponsored by the Association and usually held in June of odd-numbered years. The MWA leadership solicits Guilds who are interested in hosting the conference, and then provides these Guilds with a wealth of information, guidance and financial support in producing the conference. For more information on how you can be a part of this effort, please contact any Board member.
Betty Huttner, Board President
