The intention of this site is to help traditional quilt guilds adapt to being unable to meet in person. Many guilds are facing restrictions due to Covid and because their traditional meeting places are not available.
We are using Zoom because it works. We are here to help you! Don’t feel alone, thousands of guild volunteers in the USA are going through what you are. You are welcome here. You’ll find information, experience and friendship and help here. Please read on…
A Couple of Years Later…
Many guilds have been using Zoom and structuring alternative meetups and they are willing to share what worked – YAY!
But Our Members are Older…
The first thing thing I hear most is “but our members are older”, implying that they are not capable of using Zoom. Not true! They are using smartphones, iPads, computers and they are already Zooming with family, churches, book clubs and other guilds. Many are wondering WHY their guild isn’t Zooming! National Teacher Mel Beach says “If you can learn to use an electronic sewing machine, you can learn Zoom!“
Quilters in guilds that have been using Zoom have discovered that not needing to drive, not needing to carry anything, or who are unable to leave home for health reasons are finding Zoom guild meetups an important part of their life. Guilds who want to keep those members must adapt to holding (at least some) Zoom meetups even if they hold in-person meetups. Read more about that on the “Hybrid” page.
Ease Your Quilt Guild into Zoom Slowly (call it a friendly meetup)
The first time my guild met on Zoom we had three people, as a trial and test. Our self-confessed least-internet-technical-non-computer quilter volunteered to try it and we each decided that if she could do it then everyone else should be able to!
It took our non-tech-savvy quilter less than a minute to get connected, with microphone and video on, and start chatting!
We’ve all been in isolation for so long that we chatted for quite some time and just enjoyed being able to see each other.
Then we put the word out via emails and the guild’s Facebook group and set up another meetup. Not a formal guild meeting, just a face-to-face informal meetup and that was also a total success, with 10 members joining in. We had another meet-up shortly afterward, with additional quilters who couldn’t make the prior meetups, and we have more scheduled.
Tips To Help You with Zoom
- Add the following text just above the link in the email:
- Join the Zoom Meeting by clicking the link below at (insert your time). You will not need to type in a password, it is embedded in the link. If you have never used Zoom there are tips at the bottom of the email. (see suggested text below)
- It helps to have a designated emcee to move the conversation along, acknowledge and encourage each person to speak, otherwise people talk over each other.
- Begin each session with a short orientation to using Zoom, with tips like:
- be as close to your home router as possible if you are on wi-fi;
- be aware that we can hear the sounds in your home and how to mute your microphone if there are noises in your home.
- Ask that participants physically raise their hand, or use one of the reaction buttons to request to speak in order to keep people from talking over each other.
Guild Meeting Topics & Themes
A meeting theme helps generate enthusiasm to participate. Theme suggestions:
- What’s on your cutting table or what are you working on?
- What’s your oldest UFO?
- Show Us Your Studio. This works if the participant is using a tablet. Ask them to move very slowly, to allow the tablet camera to capture while they are moving around their studio.
- Coffee Chat/Sip & Sew – what’s new in your life. Members want to share news of their children, grandchildren or other family members or their health. the Hostess can ask each person how they are doing and put them in the spotlight if they want to show off something they are working on.
Keep Your Bees Happy
Vary your meeting days and times to accommodate the schedules of the members. Offer multiple meet-ups per week. If you have a large guild, you may organize meetups by preferred technique, such as “applique group” or “scrappy quilters”.
By starting with small, informal meetings you create a comfort level that allows guild members to get used to virtual meetings and eventually meet officially for board meetings and membership meetings. Let members explore the Virtual Background feature for fun, bringing in quilt photos, vacation pictures or other themes.
Learn With Other Guilds Using Zoom
Click here to watch videos of guilds using Zoom and hear their transition stories! Much of the information on this site is available at no cost, and we have Roundtable Meetups with guild members from across the country at no cost at all to you. But, if you want more, we offer that too…
More Tips On Using Zoom
Start Learning Zoom with Zoom Training Webinars
You can learn the most about Zoom by watching their recorded webinars. They are the best source of training. I recommend these two:
Use this link to go directly to Zoom Recorded Training Webinars.
Click on Getting Started With Zoom Meetings.
When the window opens, click on Watch Recording (circled in the photo).
You can pause the recording to take notes; back up and replay sections that you need to hear again.
When you’re ready to go to the next level, watch the second recording, on the same page, simply called Zoom Meetings.
Each recording is almost an hour long. With pauses and note taking you might want to plan for over an hour, however they are well worth viewing if you plan to host Zoom meetups for your quilt guild.
