"Weavers Words" Vol. 5 Iss. 33 Date Sent: December 11, 2001 Back Issues: http://www.angelfire.com/art/weaverswords/ David Collins 408 North Devon Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46219 Phone: (317) 899-5747 davidc@iei.net %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% PLEASE DO YOUR PART AND DONATE TO SOME REAL HEROES!!! New York Firefighters 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund PO Box 65858 Washington D.C. 20035-5858 http://daily.iaff.org/fund.htm New York State Fraternal Order of Police 911 Police Plaza World Trade Centers Fund Hicksville, NY 11801 http://www.nysfop.org/WTCdisaster/Fund.html ALSO, DON'T FORGET TO SUPPORT YOU LOCAL FIRE & POLICE DEPARTMENTS!!! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% ATTENTION NEW SUBSCRIBERS: 1.) Back issues of Weaver's Words can be found at: http://www.angelfire.com/art/weaverswords/ 2.) If you are new to Weaver's Words, more than likely you will read messages about a basket swap in progress. Basket swaps are organized by other weavers approximately every 2-3 months. So if a swap is in progress when you subscribe, be patient and a new swap will begin before you know it. Every subscriber is eligible for each swap as long as you fulfill you obligation from the previous swap. 3.) You can order a copy of the "Basketry Travel Companion", your guide to basket shops, galleries, exhibits and much more across the United States and world wide, by sending me $15.00 via PayPal (a free service) at: http://www.paypal.com/ (Send Payment To ka9zre@yahoo.com) OR Via money order / check at: David Collins 408 North Devon Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46219 %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% HELP SUPPORT WEAVER'S WORDS If you aren't a member of PayPal, please sign up for me. Use the following link: https://www.paypal.com/auction/pal=ka9zre%40yahoo.com For every person who does this, my account will be credited $5.00. If every Weaver's Words did this, I would receive $7,500.00. WOW!!! %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Hi Sent: Monday, December 10, 2001 10:05 AM From: Nella Johnson To: davidc@iei.net David, Keep up the great work. Let every one know I have pine needle baskets to sell. Web Site: www.nellaspineneedlebaskts.com Thanks, Nella %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Response To Remi - Concerning IBA Sent: Monday, December 10, 2001 11:08 AM From: Bskcreed@aol.com To: davidc@iei.net David, Please include this in your next Weavers Words. Thank you. Lynn Pawley Dear Remi, In reference to your recent comments concerning the Indiana Basketmakers Association and the problems that have been addressed by the Board of Directors, I would like to make a few observations and comments. As President of the IBA, I have been elected by the members to perform such duties that would insure the financial safeguard and continued growth and continuation of the IBA. The other members of the board of directors have likewise been elected to perform those same duties. I have served on the board for many years as the IBA Treasurer, so have a great deal of knowledge concerning the financial operation of the IBA as well as day-to-day operations. I have also successfully coordinated 2 prior conventions, as well as assisted with two others to insure their success. The ultimate goal of the IBA is to continue the art of basketry through its publications and through an annual convention whereby information can be shared among its members. The IBA has had its share of success and continued growth over the years and I am proud of whatever contributions that I have made in that endeavor. Although I do not think that a forum such as Weavers Words is an appropriate venue to address the concerns and comments you have voiced in your message, I would like to issue a response. Before I do, however, it would give greater credence to your letter if you would kindly identify yourself by your complete name. If you would email me your address or phone number I would be glad to communicate with you directly. I feel that it is only honorable and imperative that you identify yourself - especially if you are going to make such remarks in a public form in the manner in which you have issued them. Due to litigation which is now underway, I am unable to offer you very many specifics as to the circumstances why 4 members of the board of directors have been dismissed form their board positions as well as relieved of their convention committee duties, and have had their IBA membership permanently revoked. Due to the destruction of IBA property and threatened legal actions, the IBA board had no choice but to convene several special executive sessions to discuss the matter. Due to the pending litigation, the board was legally bound to have no discussion with the parties involved. Despite several attempts to recover IBA property in their possession, the action of deliberate destruction of property had already been accomplished, precluding any remaining discussion. In addition, tape recordings of these special executive sessions holds statements of evidence from some of these same individuals that substantiate and encourage the withholding of IBA property, which lead to it's ultimate destruction. The IBA board is bound by the executive session to NOT discuss the specifics of the discussions held by the board during those sessions. I can assure you that the Board voted unanimously in their decision and will stand by them united as a board. These members were not removed because "we didn't like them". Quite the contrary. We liked them a lot and trusted them with a job that needed to be done. Unfortunately for the IBA, they failed substantially in those jobs, didn't follow guidelines, and destroyed property or contributed to the destruction of IBA property. The property that I refer to is the entire database of IBA membership as well as all the convention 2002 jury information and basket photographs. In addition, specific programs that were installed on the IBA computer were also deleted. This destruction and threatened legal action prior to the destruction was not taken lightly by the IBA board. It was the responsibility of the board to seek it's own legal counsel for the protection of the IBA, and consequently the offending parties had their IBA membership revoked and are now involved in litigation to recover loss property. This destruction caused a great deal of financial loss to the IBA, which is translated to a loss from the entire membership! It was necessary for all of the convention 2002 work to be recreated in a short amount of time in order to keep on the time line for the printing of the convention brochures. Rhonda Reinesch as convention coordinator, Dollie Koch as IBA Vice-President, and myself as President spent countless hours recreating data, contacting teachers to explain why it was necessary to issue new contracts and to ask them to submit new photographs of their workshops so that those workshops could be represented in the convention brochure, and formatting the convention brochure as best we could. I cannot even begin to tell you of the many hours that were spent on this endeavor, in addition to preparing for the IBA special board meetings and providing documentation for the current litigation against these members. Year after year the IBA seeks members who would like to run for officers, members at large, convention coordinators - all jobs requiring the freely given gift of their time. Some of these jobs require small amounts of time, others large chucks of time for an entire year. Year after year the same people volunteer again and again because these same pleas for new people get ignored, lost in the shuffle of a busy lifestyle, put on the back burner. Call it what you will, however, rarely do any members actually "volunteer" to be on the slate of nominations for officers, let alone request to be Convention Coordinators! These requests has been in the Last Lash for as long as I can remember and I have yet to see anyone volunteer to be "Convention Coordinator" let alone assist with site location so that conventions could be held in the northern part of the state. The nominating committee has to go out into the guilds to solicit members or to ask people that they know to run for these positions or to rely on recommendations from others on the board. Time after time the same people volunteer to "get the job done". They do so because they truly believe in the IBA and want to ensure it's success and they want to come to convention themselves and have a great time. By your reference to a "clique" running the IBA, if you are referring all the hard working members of the board and convention committee chairman and other volunteers who work tirelessly year after year to bring a successful convention to its members, then call them a "clique" if you want. Suffice it to say that there is no clique in the sense of the word running the show. These folks give freely of their time and get the jobs done that need to get done on time. Most of the time they do it with a smile. It is only when comments such as yours are directed in a derogatory manner that everyone gets discouraged. Many on the board have threatened to quit from time to time and walk away as others have done before us. But we don't. Do you know why? It is because we want to see a successful convention year after year and the board really cares about the IBA. The Board has done it's job with a united front, and has done it well to represent the membership of the IBA. Anything less would be a dereliction of the duty that they were elected to perform. Just for further background information as to why we continue to do these jobs in the face of such controversy, the IBA has contracted with area hotels until the year 2006. By contractual agreement, if the IBA were to default on these contracts either by not having a convention or by having a smaller than usual convention, the default payment on these remaining contracts would be in excess of $200,000. This amount would be distributed and collected from ALL of the IBA members who are current member, as well as those who were members when the contracts were signed. Therefore, a successful convention is vital to the continued existence of the IBA. Those who you refer to as "cliques" see the consequences of allowing procedures to get sloppy, membership to slip, money to be unaccounted for, and as a Board of Directors will not allow that to happen. The ultimate goal is the continued successful operation of the IBA and it's continued growth and financial security. Your comment of "It's either their way, or the highway" leads me to believe that you have no idea what is involved in keeping the IBA on successful financial territory as well as having a successfully attended convention. Bringing 700 people together for 4 days and staying within financial restrictions is no easy task. There are specific guidelines and by-laws that are in effect and these must be followed. The board has also put specific reporting safeguards into place to ensure that no actions are done which will jeopardize the future of the IBA. For your information since you are a potential "new member", previous events have occurred in the history of the IBA, which precipitated these safeguards. Similar to this year, there was a coordinator in a prior year who was not doing her job according to the time line and was not telling the truth about it, and was consequently replaced. You may not be aware also, but there was also an embezzlement of $18,000 of convention funds several years ago. Without the efforts of a few of those "clique" members at that time who recovered those funds through the court system, the IBA would have been bankrupt several years ago since there basically was no money in the account because of this theft to pay the convention bills. There is no dictatorship going on. Merely a lot of hard working volunteers who continually get slammed for doing their job -- the job that they were elected to do and are willing to do it time after time! As to volunteering to be on a committee or as a board member, I believe that several others have already expressed their opinions on Weavers Words concerning this matter so I won't belabor that point, except to say that many people are willing to volunteer year after year and do it with a smile and a lot of dedication. Volunteers are vital to the success of an organization. Without any volunteers there would be no organization. You belabor the point in your letter that several weavers emailed you concerning the board decision. I find it hard to believe that this is a true statement and that you are getting the true facts of the matter. As stated above, the board is honor bound to NOT discuss the specific events of the special executive sessions. Therefore I believe that the information you are receiving is hearsay and innuendo and highly suspect as to it's source and cannot have come from any of the current board members. Your comment about this happening in the United States has me shaking my head and remembering just where I heard that comment before in the weeks since this all began, a comment made by one of these same members who has had their membership revoked. I also wonder if your email is a ploy to start an Internet controversy whereby people using fictitious email accounts can write in to say anything that they want. I do not believe that you need to hear "both sides of the story" as you say to make a decision to join the IBA or not. What matters is that the IBA board has been elected to take care of the problem. They exercised their jobs legally and within the boundaries of the IBA by-laws and voted unanimously in the process. The Board is doing the right thing for the IBA. It's time to put the matter to rest. Most people want to just come to convention to weave and have a good time. I suggest you join the IBA and do the same. Lynn Pawley IBA President %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Response To Remi's Letter Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2001 11:23:59 -0500 From: "Wanda Baker" To: ka9zre@yahoo.com, bskldy@yahoo.com David, I want to take this opportunity to say thank you for all your hard work in seeing that the weavers of the world have a format to express their opinions, and to freely obtain information from other weavers. I am mostly a lurker, but I feel like it is time that I stand up for the IBA and all of its board members. I have a response to Remi about this last letter that she has written. I thought that Dolly had explained everything clearly and to the point. I am not nearly as well versed with words as Dolly, but I felt that after this last letter, I was obligated to respond. I am sorry for the length of the letter. I hope you have enough room to put it in weaver's words. Remi, my name is Wanda Baker and I am on the board of the IBA. First, I would like to say that Dolly gave a really profound explanation of what transpired at the IBA meeting without going into details. I think you should re-read her answer, and listen to what she is trying to say. The Board held a closed session to take care of these matters and we were all told that what transpired in the board meeting was to be confidential, for all parties involved. We were not supposed to talk about what went on in the closed meetings. I find that you are very well informed, for someone that is not an IBA member. Or it seems that you have some information, whether it is right or wrong. I feel like you may have run into one or more of the people that are no longer on the board, and as such have only negative things to say about the Indiana Basketmakers Association. If you are not hearing from ex board members, you are hearing from misinformed people, and should not take what they are saying with any truth, they are only spreading malicious gossip, intent on hurting people that are innocent of any wrong doing. Most of the people you are hearing from, I dare say, have never volunteered at IBA, or even held a position on the board. If they had, they would know how hard it is to organize and maintain a schedule and a time line, to get the IBA convention booklet, and all that is important to running a convention, out on time. I for one am a member-at-large, and I am in awe of how smooth Lynn and Rhonda have made things run for this convention. Without Lynn's time line and guidance, our convention would not be nearly as well organized and fulfilling for the convention attendees. And Rhonda has worked very hard, even from the great state of Texas. She had to fly back up to Indian just to attend those closed sessions of the board meeting. Lynn's work, and the work of others, takes place in all the months leading up to our convention. She is well organized, and more than capable of guiding all the people that volunteer, if only they will accept her help. In the situation that transpired last year, the people involved felt that they could take on this responsibility without her help, or the help of others, and were in the process of falling on their faces. They became very belligerent when she wanted to step in and offered to help, and I might add that she only has the best interest of the IBA at heart. (There were some people that did not have the best interest of the IBA, and they only added to the problems.) They were ask to resign, as there would not have been a convention because they did not have everything needed to be on time. The work is hard and the hours are long, and you should not volunteer for the job if you don't feel you are up to the hard work. The only rewards that you get, are seeing that the convention goes off without too many mistakes. You have at least a year of hard work without pay for the work you do for convention and IBA. Lynn had done this for free for a few years now, and she is very competent. She is more than capable of giving guidance to anyone that thinks that they can handle the job. I can say to the naysayers, if they think that they can do a better and more thorough job, step up and volunteer, instead of standing in the shadows and complaining. Just last week, we the board, with helpers, gathered together to put the convention booklets into envelopes, so that we could get them out to the members. We sent over 800 booklets out. All of the booklet information and the pictures, as well as descriptions of all the baskets, had to be gathered again, since there were virtually destroyed by the first group of people that chose to destroy all the information. Someone had to redesign a cover for the booklet and get ready for the printer. This usually takes 12 months or longer, but this has been completed since September. I have to give thanks to Lynn, Dolly, Rhonda and Elaine for the new booklet. I feel it is a really wonderful booklet, I think the convention attendees will like it as well. It took a lot of hard work, and long hours, to put the booklet back up to the high standard that IBA holds for itself. All this is no thanks to the people that tried to destroy it. All I can say is it didn't work. IBA is stronger than ever. You say that you have had a multitude of responses. I find that hard to believe, since I know for certain that there are only 14 active board members that know what went on in the closed meetings. What you are hearing is nothing more than gossip from the few people that thrive on gossip, and negative gossip at that. The spreading of malicious gossip is wrong and hurtful for all parties involved, eventually the ones spreading the gossip will be found out. Please, if you want to know more about IBA you only have to join. Your dues are only $20.00 yearly. If you want to contact me by email I will be more than happy to send you an application and a convention booklet so that you may see for yourself that we have a great convention this year. I am not near as good with words as Dolly is, but just remember Remi, the people that are the most negative, and complain the most, are not the ones that want to do anything for the good of the IBA. They usually do not volunteer, but sit back and complain about the workings, which they no nothing about. If you want to change something, don't complain about it, but volunteer so that you can see the changes made. I feel that if you don't volunteer you should have no right to complain. Again, email me personally, and I will see that you get a convention booklet sent out immediately. Come to the convention, meet the people in charge, don't take any ones word about convention, come and see for yourself. Come and meet all the people involved in the running of convention. You might be pleasantly surprised. They are really nice people with only the good of the IBA at heart. If you don't you will surly miss out on all the fun and the wonderful instructors that come to IBA. Wanda Baker IBA Member-At-Large %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: IBA Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2001 00:23:57 EST From: CHobbsNANA@aol.com To: weaverswords-owner@yahoogroups.com There is no "clique" in the IBA board. There are hard-working members who are doing just that to put on another great convention. In all organizations there are conflicts, which must be solved to be productive. Several of these "hardworking" members have been responsible for organizing these great conventions we have had in the past, and that is their desire for future conventions. You must have cooperation from your members in responsible positions. The board certainly is not going around telling rumors concerning executive decisions that are not for publication. I personally have been very saddened by those who wished to tear down the workings of IBA with their negative attitudes. Dollie was right when she said this is not the place to keep these rumors going. Personally ask those involved, instead of constantly trying to keep things stirred up! Clare A. Hobbs %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: IBA Convention & Teacher Applications Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2001 23:26:20 EST From: Bskcreed@aol.com To: ka9zre@yahoo.com Dear Rowena, I cannot tell from your notice on WW if you are referring to the Indiana Basketmakers Association; however I will attempt to provide an answer to your notice concerning teacher applications. http:\\www.indianabasketmakers.com The IBA web site will include the 2003 teacher applications sometime after January. Please keep checking back after the first of the year. Thank you. The web site will also feature the 2002 convention brochure soon. We hope that you will check back to see all the wonderful class selections that will be offered May 2-5, 2002. For anyone wishing to attend convention, please print a membership application and send it to the address listed on the form. If you would like to receive a convention brochure, please include an additional $3 for postage and one will be sent to you. Lynn Pawley %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Membership Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2001 21:51:03 -0600 From: "Barb Johnson" To: ka9zre@yahoo.com Hi Kim: Could you tell me when is the membership deadline and the fee. I am the editor of Wolf River Basketry Guild, I would be willing to put something in our newsletter, about joining your guild. Thanks, Barb Johnson johnson@gglbbs.com %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Re: [weaverswords] "Weavers Words" V. 5 I. 32 Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 08:00:01 +0800 From: "Susan Reed-Fanfoni" To: weaverswords-owner@yahoogroups.com Greetings, After a week away from the workshop, I am ready to get back into the swing of things. Now the weather is cold, rainy and perfect for Christmas shopping. I am writing in response to Shirley S. about authors and how they feel about the baskets being made and sold from their pattern. I am always pleased to see a basket of my design that is for sale. Seeing how it is my business of selling patterns and kits, I encourage my customers to sell their baskets. When I was at a craft show up in Michigan a couple of years ago, someone had made a snowman and had done a great job on it. I was so impressed with it that I wanted to buy it. My friend said "but that is your design, why do you want to buy it?" My response was "because it is so cute". I reluctantly walked away and someone else purchased it. Still, it was neat to hear the comments folks made about it while I was standing there. Very inspiring for me. And... I still regret not buying that snowman. I hope that this forum doesn't have another heated discussion as in the past Weavers Words about IBA. I realize how hard it is to be a board member and make the right decision despite how unpopular it may be. It is difficult to help run an organization that is made up of mostly women. (I think most of you know what I mean here) It is also difficult to run an organization where board members are located all over the state. Board members do not want to be paid and gladly do the job because they want to. To say that the board can be run as a dictatorship is far from the truth. That is why there are 4 officers and 6 to 8 members at large. They all jointly vote to make a decision. For a member to be removed, it had to have an unanimous number of votes. It is unfortunate that it had come to this for IBA. Politics will exist in every organization that exists. I'm sure many of you have been on a church group and witnessed it there. Each basket organization works hard to provide a convention, to provide a newsletter and to run their organization. Please give credit to these hard working volunteers despite what "may be heard" about that organization. There will always be a "few bad apples" in every group but even those "few bad apples" have made a big contribution. One thing that I have learned as a past coordinator for a NCBA convention, "those who don't do, complain". Unfortunately this has proven itself over and over again. However, many members are very grateful and express their sentiments many times over, which makes the volunteer job worthwhile. Sincerely, Susan Reed-Fanfoni %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Weavers Words - White Baskets And Wreath Patterns Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 20:14:47 -0600 Organization: Heritage Baskets http://www.heritagebaskets.com From: "Sarah Hartman" To: ka9zre@yahoo.com Have been disconnected for a while due to server problems. Is nice to be back with you all. Lori Hasan - consulted with an old Napier book that says to dye the reed white before weaving. However, I've heard of folks "whitewashing" the basket after weaving with a diluted water based paint. Will defer to others who have used this technique to provide the details on the best way to whitewash a basket. Karen Staight - my great grandparents setteled in Richmond, IN and all us kids and cousins were born there. Nice to meet you! Looked through the archives here at the house and have two patterns for the wreath. The first is in the book "Rib Baskets" by Jean Turner Finley Copyright 1987. The second is a pattern by Nan Maynard called "All Occasion Wreath" and is copyrighted 1990. I remember these being all the rage in the 80's. The pattern and the book were purchased from either Royalwood or North Carolina Basketworks but there are probably many other sources. Sarah in the Northwest burbs of Chicago where they are talking it might finally turn seasonably cold. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: WVBA Convention 2001 Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 11:21:54 EST From: SLTARAWOOD@aol.com To: weaverswords-owner@yahoogroups.com I meant to get something on Weavers Words sooner about the WVBA Convention but with everything else going on I am a little late. I felt I should share our success with each of you since I put you through numerous postings over the last several months, about when the convention was going to be and all the info about membership applications. The West Virginia Basketmakers Association Convention 2001, November 9-11 was a huge success. We had a wonderful selection of raffle items and door prizes. Basketmaking businesses and individuals were exceedingly generous in donating to us this year. Our goodie bags were as heavy as Thanksgiving turkeys. I want the businesses and individuals that donated to the goodie bags, raffle and door prizes to know how much we appreciated the donations. The guilds in our state went over and beyond in making and donating baskets full of goodies for the raffle. Which helped put us way over and beyond any records we have ever had in the past for raffle sales. This money will be used next year to begin paying teachers to come and teach at the Convention. Which reminds me teacher applications will be going out very soon. I will post more on that later. This was one of the most successful Conventions we have ever had and it would not have been possible without all the help from our members volunteering their time to the cause. We are already in the process of getting ready for next year and hope that many of you will be able to join us. If you are not a member already you may join by contacting Sharon Sutton our membership chairperson at: sasutton@charter.net There is more on the Convention, in our newsletter, that will be mailed to members this week. We are also running a contest that, you can read about, in the newsletter. The winner will receive free registration to next year's convention. Sandra Lyons, Coordinator %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Reply To Weavers In Indiana Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2001 9:29 AM From: Patricia Steinmetz To: To All, I read Weavers Words faithfully but have not contributed to the discussions in a long time. This has always been a great place to exchange ideas, and solicit helpful information. It is always entertaining to read about the goings on of fellow weavers. That is why I am disturbed by the repeated inquiries from Remi, aka bskldy. I would not normally address an issue like this on WW, but since Remi chose this forum to try and glean information (gossip) I feel I must respond. To everyone else on WW I apologize. To Remi, I have this to say: Since you are not a member of Indiana Basket makers Association (IBA), the recent actions of the board and the dismissal of several of its members is none of your concern. (Sorry to be so blunt). The only people who need to know all the facts are the people who are directly involved. The board does not wish to cause any embarrassment for any of its members past or present, and therefore will only discuss the actions of the board on a "need to know" basis. - You don't need to know. If the removed members are not talking then they must have their reasons. Perhaps it is because they are trying o put this matter behind them. Or perhaps, because there is pending litigation, they have been advised by legal council not to discuss the matter. Whatever the reason, they are not obligated to speak up just because you want to know all the gory details. The IBA board is not proud of what it had to do. We were forced to take action to preserve the integrity and the reputation of our organization. We acted in the best interest of the entire membership. You have made some pretty strong accusations. All of which are based on 3rd party information that your received from who knows where. It seems strange to me that you are so willing to believe all the rumors and gossip, but reluctant to believe the factual information that you received from Dollie, the IBA Vic President. Why is that? Dollie answered your question in the last issue of WW, so why are you still asking the same questions. The answers have not changed. Your insinuations and you continued request for information about past events lead me to believe that your true agenda is not trying to decide whether or not to join IBA, but rather to stir up as much trouble as possible over events that both sides are trying to put to rest. If neither side wants to openly discuss the matter, than why do you feel that you have a right to know what transpired? If you have received so much negative information about IBA, why would you want to join? And if there are as many disgruntled members out there as you claim, then why haven't WE heard from any of them. You are beating a dead horse. Give it up, it is over. The fat lady has sung. Pat Steinmetz, IBA Board Member - at - Large 2003 IBA Convention Coordinator %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: WW: IBA Volunteers Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2001 9:17 AM From: mkoch To: davidc@iei.net Remi - Basket Lady This is Dollie Koch, the IBA Vice President. I am sorry that your first impressions of the IBA board have been so clouded. I had hoped that you would set aside petty gossip and make a fair decision based on your actual experiences with our association. I have found first hand that your "first impressions" should be made based on "your own experience, not someone else's view." I am also sorry you consider me "one of the bad apples." I take my job as IBA's vice-president serious. I am interested in one thing only, and that is "to do what is best for the association as a whole." I act as the vice-president, not as an individual. I have always tried to be a fair person and not let emotions lead me. Sometimes that in itself can be a very hard thing to do. I review the facts and try to make a decision based on what "I" see. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. And everyone has their own interpretation of what they think is the truth. I think everyone tries their best. Out of courtesy to the 4 ex- members, lets not use their names. They know who they are and what has transpired. I am not going to give you a blow for blow account of what happened. But it does appear that you or someone is trying to bate us to do so. Let me assure you that not one person on the board took this particular job lightly. And the decision made by the board was not an easy task. It was a very hard vote to cast for everyone involved. The board acted and the vote was unanimous. We voted for the association, not against any one individual. Some of the voting board members have been personal friends of these ladies for years. Don't think this was an easy task for them. But it was a necessary one. Once the board was pushed to a certain point, no further discussion was needed, their actions "SAID" it all. Besides, how does one defend NOT following the chain of command, NOT following previously agreed upon guidelines and programs, and what valid explanation could there be for the destruction of IBA property. The IBA board consists of hardworking people that consistently volunteer their time, year after year, to provide IBA members with the best convention possible. IBA, has a great number of Volunteers that step forward each year. They get the job done, have a great time and go home with a smile. Most importantly they volunteer from the "heart." It's sad that these same people you call bad apples have to endure constant sniper fire to get the job done. And amazingly, they keep coming back to do it again and again. For someone that is new to the northern Indiana area, I am glad you are able to meet new friends that share a common interest in basket weaving. But, I must add, it appears that you are quick to make judgment on those you do not know and are relying on petty gossip in doing so. Don't sell yourself short. Give IBA a chance, I think you will be pleasantly surprised. Happy Holidays and I hope to see everyone at convention in May, 2002. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Weaver Words Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 13:01:57 -0800 (PST) From: [Send an Instant Message] "ricki smarte" To: Ka9zre@yahoo.com David, Thanks for this great forum you have created. Normally I just lurk and feed off the great source of information provided by all of you. But this issue is all too familiar. I have been weaving for over 15 years. I am also a native of northern Indiana, but have recently married and relocated with my husband. Some years ago, I too was a member of a northern guild. I still weave, but spend a lot of my time quilting these days. However, several of my best friends still participate and weave frequently. Remi, or whoever you really are, your comments make me question your true identity and question your real motive. If you'll notice, most of us sign our real names. Not only are you casting a shadow over many wonderful northern ladies but you are unfairly accusing some wonderful IBA volunteers that put forth a lot of effort each year. For several years there have been a number of northern Indiana guild members holding a grudge against IBA. It started around the time Lora Khoury took office as President. She had "her own" way of doing things. She worked with aboard of volunteers. Lora volunteered her time, coordinated one or two conventions and took a lot of grief from some of these northerners. For whatever reason they resented her NEW way of doing things and didn't want to cooperate in any way. Instead they sat back and complained, planned and plotted to make her life (and others) as miserable as possible. I can say this, because I know this first hand, I almost got caught up in this pettiness myself. Something I am not proud to admit. A good friend questioned my intentions and it made me take a good look at myself and the others. I didn't even know Lora or any of the board for that matter. I acted on negative hearsay. I joined IBA, attended a few conventions. I saw formyself how hard Lora and the rest of the IBA volunteers worked so "I" could have a great time. I learned a good lesson. According to my friends back home, these few troublemakers still have that chip on their shoulder and it's bigger than ever SOMEONE must have talked to the 4 women involved, otherwise, how could you even consider the gossip you are getting as credible???????? You should be ashamed of yourself!!!! I did make a few phone calls after your last post and it is my understanding that these 4 women had their membership revoked for several valid reasons. It's also my understanding that these 4 women were well liked by the board members themselves. So that should tell you something right there. THEY DID SOMETHING WRONG. Not one person said these 4 women were not nice, that was not the issue. I commend the board members for not wanting to air this unfortunate situation. I am sure they are not wanting to embarrass these 4 women anymore than necessary. You might consider that yourself. Volunteers receive no money, very little praise and for many reasons unknown to mankind continue to help each year. I made several new friends, friends that mean a lot to me. I take the time to look and evaluate things differently these days. I haven't been to convention lately, due to personal commitments, but have met and talked with many of the board members now in office at different conventions and a few that are no longer giving of their time, because of those few unkind, ungiving, vengeful few from northern Indiana. But, don't think it's just a few northerners; you will find people like this all over. Remi or whoever you really are, why is it a group of hardworking volunteers are referred to as a "clique" when it suits your purpose. Any other time they would be referred to as"a group of people coming together to volunteer". I used to hear this term used in a negative manner at guild when friends would gather together around a table and weave and catch up on each others news. After all that's what guild is for. Webster's definition of "clique" is; an exclusive group of persons and/or a group with a common interest. What is wrong with that????? Yes, I know your definition is somewhat different. No doubt this is the same type of mentality that has run off many a volunteer. They used to call Lora, Karen Bridgewater and the others a "clique" too. Remember Karen. In my opinion, and we all have one, your posts are just a way to stir up a lot of negative bull about a group of women that have been loyal to IBA and its members and that are trying to do the best job they can. It's also "MY OPINION" that you just might be one of the 4 women you are referring to...Now that's makes sense! If you girls can't play nice, maybe you should stay home, and it looks like some of you were sent home just for that reason. Please don't bother to send me hate mail, I don't respond to it. I just hit DELETE. If you can't stand the heat don't start the fire. Sue Smarte Homesick and Weaving a quilt basket. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% Subject: Selling Baskets Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2001 17:42:13 EST From: NanoAnd@aol.com To: weaverswords-owner@yahoogroups.com Shirley: In my thinking if you want to weave another person's basket design you should purchase a pattern. I know this doesn't always happen but I think in an Ideal market that is how it should be. I also believe that buying a finished basket alone does not constitute buying a pattern. Buying a finished basket doesn't credit the author for the idea or guidance it only credits the weaver for the labor and skill of the craft. So if you want to weave the basket I think you should buy the pattern. However, I believe that patterns are guides and ideas and should be credited as such. And I believe this credit is given by the purchase of the pattern. I do not believe the finished product (the woven basket) belongs to anyone but the person who wove it. After all no matter the pattern each basket woven is a creation unique to the weaver in style, skill and experience. As an author, I would not expect my patterns to be purchased and woven but not sold at shows? After all how is our craft different from woodworking, knitting, sewing, doll making, stained glass, quilting, clay crafts and the like? These all use patterns for their work. Even house building for that matter, you pay for the blueprints once (crediting the architect that designed it) then you buy the supplies and then using your skill (or hiring it from a 3rd party) you build a house. Should you then not be allowed to sell that house? These are my opinions alone, I will be interested to read the opinions of others. Happy weaving everyone! This note added later... all this got me thinking so I emailed the government Copyright web site and asked them how the copyright law applies to patterns and this was the response given: "Copyright infringement occurs if you are reproducing the pattern or instructions for creating the baskets, that written documentation belongs to the original author. But any material you create from following those directions belong to you to disperse of in any manner you choose. mah" copyinfo@loc.gov Thanks for the thought provoking questions. Nano NanoAnd@aol.com Waiting for winter in the great "up north!" %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%% That's All For Now Folks. To Post A Message Use: davidc@iei.net or ka9zre@yahoo.com To Subscribe Use: weaverswords-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To Unsubscribe Use: weaverswords-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com