Purpose

QCNYS, Inc., a non-profit organization, was formed in 1986 for the following purpose:

  
To foster and promote knowledge and participation in all forms and aspects of quilt making.

To act as an information network for quilt guilds with similar objectives in promoting interest in quilt making.

To readily inform quilt guilds and individual members of resources available to them.
 
To foster education through the cooperative sharing of speakers, teachers and programs.
 
Our primary goal is to be a source of information for our member guilds; a place to share program ideas and expenses for our guild programs; a source of vendor information for quilt shows; a means to advertise your guild quilting events; a forum to discuss organizational problems and find solutions; and of course, a place to share our love of quilting.

 

History

The NY/PA Quilters Consortium was founded in the fall of 1986 when a small but very enthusiastic group of officers from area guilds met at the Apple Tree Restaurant in Vestal, NY.  There, surrounded by hand-quilted art on the restaurant walls, the concept of a networking consortium became a reality.  The prime goal of becoming a viable information source for member guilds gradually evolved to include quarterly meetings and the publication of our newsletter, Networker Notes.   Networking includes sharing interests in quilting techniques, programs, and teachers, as well as organizational problem-solving workshops for specific officers such as guild newsletter editors and program chairpersons. 

The Consortium has grown and so have the beneficial outcomes.  In October of 1991, the name was changed to Quilters Consortium of New York State as the majority of the member guilds were from New York State.  In 1995, the Consortium incorporated and changed its name to Quilters Consortium of New York State, Inc. 

In 2003, the organization voted to expand its membership from only guilds to guilds, individuals and quilt related businesses.  In 2004 a membership category for non-profit organizations was added.

 

QCNYS, Inc. Past Chairs

 

2000 - 2004                 Norma Lamb (Thread Bears, Log Cabin Quilters)

1999 - 2000                 Elaine Schmidt (Irondequoit)

1998 - 1999                 Pat Barnum (Endless Mountains)

 

1997 - 1998                 Susan Toukatly (Mohawk Valley Quilt Guild)

1995 - 1997                 Pat Nelson (Piecemakers - Elmira, Endless Mountains Guild)

1994 - 1995                 Cele Rosenthal (Plank Road Quilters Guild)

 

1994                            Willa Baranowski (Southtowns Piecemakers)

1993 - 1994                 Arlene Lee (Lake to Lake Quilt Guild)

1992 - 1993                 Cele Rosenthal (Towpath Quilt Guild)

 

1991 - 1992                 Barbara Shamp (Lake to Lake Quilt Guild)

1990 - 1991                 Laurel Barber (North Country Quilt Guild)

1986 - 1990                 Diane Sutherland (Common Threads Quilters)

 

 

Events - Activities - Publications

Quilters Holiday

In even numbered years we coordinate with member guilds to produce a large three-day event that includes a quilt show, classes, lectures, merchant mall and silent auction.  The next Holiday is scheduled for June 13, 14 & 15, 2008. 

Quilters Gala

The Gala is a large one-day event produced in non-quilt show years for member involvement and enrichment.  The last Gala was held on September 22, 2007 in Cicero, NY at Driver’s Village and featured Linda M. Poole. 

Delegate Meetings

Quarterly gatherings are held for members to share information, attend workshops and handle Consortium business affairs.  Meetings are held in March, June, and September, on the third Wednesday of the month, and in December on the first Tuesday.  Member guilds and businesses volunteer to host these meetings at various locations around the State.  Guilds may advertise their events and programs at the meetings.  Officer elections take place at the Annual meeting in September. 

Program Chairs Meetings & Build Your Guild Conference

Program Chairs meet and exchange information regarding guild programs once a year, usually during the June delegate meeting.  The first Build Your Guild Conference was held in 2006 for guild members to exchange ideas on topics such as websites, newsletters, new members, volunteers, quilt shows, teacher contracts, etc.  Information was collected from each discussion group and published in the Build Your Guild Notebook, a resource for members. 

Networker Notes

The Networker Notes is published in February, May, August and November.  Copies are mailed to each member guild’s president, program chair, newsletter editor, and  Consortium delegates.  Individual and business members also receive a copy. 

Service Project Grants

Grants to fund community service projects are awarded each December to member guilds through an application process.

 

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