President’s Message Karen Kehl
Hello Quilters,
How did it get to be May?
First, I need to thank Trish McTighe, Judy Walsh, all the quilt show committee chairs and volunteers
for a fabulous show! We may have been in a smaller venue, but we made a big impact. We will
have some facts and figures about the Celebration of Quilts at our May meeting.
I want to take a few minutes to reflect on how being in the Friendship Star Quilt Guild has changed
my life. When I first joined the guild, in January of 2017, I was relatively new to the area, and I
realized that I wanted socialization outside of my work. I was hesitant to join a quilt guild because I
didn’t think my quilts were “good enough” for a guild. I don’t think I shared a quilt in Show and Tell for
more than a year. 2017 was a quilt show year, and I was stunned at the talent and dedication of the
guild members. I was a little intimidated by the awesome quilts, but I was also encouraged by the
kind words about my one entry. Shortly after the show, someone who volunteered at the admissions
table at the same time as I did, asked if I wanted to be part of a new small group. I said yes, and I
have never regretted that decision. My small group friends have encouraged me, and critiqued my
work, pointing out where I might benefit from learning new techniques to make me a stronger quilter.
Over the past 6 years, all of you in the guild have encouraged and supported me in ways that I never
thought possible. I certainly would not be teaching quilting and designing quilts without my
experiences with Friendship Star Quilters.
Events like the quilt show, and experiences like those I have had are only possible due to the many
volunteers who run the guild. We all enjoy coming together to see beautiful quilts, talk to old and new
friends, and learn new techniques at our meetings. And we certainly enjoy events like the quilt show,
and yard sale. Without volunteers to plan, organize, and run the meetings and events, the guild
would not exist.
At the May meeting, we will be taking nominations for all Board positions. As of right now, we are
seeking:
President
Vice President
Co-Treasurer (2 needed, Trish McTighe has been nominated for one position)
Secretary (1 needed or 2 Co-Secretaries)
At this time, we only have one nominee for Co-Treasurer, and all of the remaining slots are open. I
will continue with the Executive Board as an ex-officio member, and I will certainly be available for
questions and advice to the new President, but I cannot serve as President in the upcoming 2023-
2024 FSQ year.
If you want to see the guild continue, and if you have any interest in any of the officer positions,
please talk to me or to another member of the current board. Kathy Swartz, Trish McTighe, Barbara
Van Den Berg and I are all happy to answer your questions. If you are interested in being nominated
for a position, please let me know. You may also nominate yourself from the floor at the May
meeting, or up until the election at the June meeting.
Thank you for all the gifts the guild has given me. I truly have changed for the better because of each
of you.
Take care,
Karen Kehl
