GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE CAPITOL CITY QUILT GUILD LANSING MICHIGAN Purpose: The Capitol City Quilt Guild (CCQG) was organized in March, 1984, to encourage fellowship, cooperation and learning among are quilters and to promote public appreciation for creativity and high standards in quilting. Monthly Meetings: Guild meetings are held monthly at Union Missionary Baptist Church, 500 South Martin Luther King Boulevard, Lansing on the third Thursday of each month. Doors open at 6:30 pm social time is between 6:30 pm and 7:00 pm and the meeting begins at 7:00 p.m.The Guild year runs from May to April 30. Programs: Monthly programs are presented by the Guild members or outside speakers. When the Guild has a speaker, guests are asked for a $3.00 donation at the door. Workshops by the speaker are often scheduled on the Friday and Saturday after the program, and the cost is subsidized by the Guild. A fee is assessed for participation in a workshop. Election of Officers: Election of officers takes place each year at the April meeting. New officers and committee chairs take office in May. If interested in coming on the Board, please contact the Vice President either by email at VicePresident@capitolcityquiltguild.org or at the Vice President`s table. Membership: Membership is open to anyone interested in quilting. Dues are $30.00 per year, payable at the March or April meeting, or by mail to the membership chair, received by April 30. Anyone joining in November or later meetings shall pay one-half dues In the amount of $15.00. A guest may attend two meetings before joining. Please inform the membership chair of any address, phone or email changes. Library: The Guild Library has over 350 books which members may check out without charge for one month. New books are frequently added. Members may check out up to five books each month. There is a late fee of $1.00 per book per month. The librarians are always happy to receive your suggestions for future purchases. Newsletter: The newsletter editor writes the bi-monthly newsletter As the Needle Turns. The newsletter is either mailed to members who wish to receive it that way, or can be read at the Guild web site: http://capitolcityquiltguild.org/newsletters.php. Contributions of articles and information are welcome. The newsletter deadline for contributions is the 1st of each even numbered month.  Please inform the membership chair of any address, phone or email changes. Name Tags: Name tags are required at each meeting so that we can get to know each other. If you forget your name tag, you may purchase stick-on label replacement for 25 cents at the registration table when you sign in. CCQG Pins: Guild pins are available at the registration table for $5.00. Don`t be without one! Vice President`s Table: All guests are encouraged to stop at the welcome table to learn more about the guild. Meet some members there and learn about our meetings, small groups, community activities and other Guild projects and events. President`s Block: President`s blocks are created by guild members and given to the outgoing President each year at the April meeting. This is a way of saying "Thanks for a job well done." The President`s colors are announced in the newsletter, and patterns for the traditional Ohio star are available at the Vice President`s table. Challenge Quilt: Each year members are ``challenged`` to create a quilt for presentation at the March meeting. The Challenge rules are announced by the Assistant Program Chair at least six months before the March deadline. Completed quilts are voted on by members at the March meeting. Heartwarmers Project: Quilts are made by Guild members for chronically and critically ill children in local hospitals. These quilts are collected at the March and September meetings; however, quilts will be accepted any time by the Heartwarmers chair. To date, CCQG members have made over 3,450 quilts. When donating quilts, be sure to attach a CCQG label, available at the Vice President`s table. Tiny Treats: Tiny Treats is a quilt block raffle held each month for members only. Patterns and instructions are included in the newsletter. Make one, two, or three blocks each month and enter your name once for each block.  Find more info at http://capitalcityquiltguild.org/treats.php Fat Chance: Fat Chance is an opportunity for members only to win fat quarters of fabric for their stash. Check the theme of the month, bring one fat quarter (18`` x 22") to the meeting, and enter your name in the drawing. Special Events: Special events such as National Quilting Day and field trips are held during the year, and will be announced at meetings and in ``As the Needle Turns." Community Involvement: Throughout the year, the Guild demonstrates quilting at community events such as Fenner Arboretum, Woldumar Nature Center, and the East Lansing Art Fair. We have provided quilts as fundraising for charitable organizations such as Habitat for Humanity. Guild members make quilts for Haven House, Ronald McDonald House, City Rescue Mission for Families, for emergencies such as Hurricane Katrina, Christmas stockings for shut-ins and have provided programs teaching children to make quilts, Small Quilt Groups: Many small groups sharing similar quilting interests exist within the Guild, and meet regularly. Information and a list of small groups are available at the Vice President`s table. Belonging to a small group is a good way to get acquainted and learn new skills. Quilt Show: Every odd numbered year the Guild holds a show in the Lansing area. The show provides an opportunity for members to display quilts they have made and gives the public an opportunity to see and learn about quilt making. Members also donate hand made items for a silent auction, and a gift boutique, for the public as well as members to purchase. Raffle tickets are sold at the show where all can buy a chance for a full size quilt.