May meeting

Membership: Monica Hay reported tonight’s attendance: 96, guests: 2, new member: 1, renewals: 1. She announced changes to the membership form and is now accepting renewals for 2016/2017. New form is available on the website. Fee remains at $35 for the year.

Sunshine: 1 card sent to Bev Westra

We Care: Diane Williams reported 12 preemies and 46 toques and 6 incubator covers were donated in April. We need 6 more quilts to meet our goal of 150 for the year.

Program/Workshop: Tonight’s program is ‘Machine Maintenance’ with Bernie and Shelley.
Renelle reminded members of the bus excursion on May 28 and the June 10th Wrap-up party.

Publicity: Noreen Miles listed a variety of events that will be taking place in the coming months. Please check the BMQG website for details.  Upcoming events May Lorna Shapiro is having a blow-out sale on June 4.

Archives: Ann Malo reported that photos taken at the retreat are available for ordering.

Community Quilt: Salima Mawji, Director of Annual Giving at RCH was on hand to receive the 2016 Community Quilt. Proceed raised from their silent auction will go to the RCH NICU and Surgical Services.

Spring Retreat @ Camp Squeah, April 22-24/16: Lynn King reported that the retreat was a great success. March 17-19 will be booked for the spring retreat in 2017

Fall Retreat @ Loon Lake Sept 26-29/16: Joanne Nelson advised members that registration is full. She is taking names for the wait list.

Quilt Show 2016 @ Maple Creek Middle School Oct 22, 23/16: Gail Stone confirmed dates and location of quilt show. Raffle tickets are now available (by prepay) from Anne Malo. Anne can also supply a photo of quilt if requested.
Joanne N requests that all quilts be registered by the end of August. Form for registering quilts is available on the website. A 4×6 photo must accompany all registrations (photocopy paper unacceptable). Please include a description/story about the creation of the quilt with the entry form. Registering by the June meeting makes the entrant eligible for an earlybird draw for a free 2016/17 membership. The quilt does not need to be finished before registration. Hanging sleeve must be sewn on and a suitable hanging dowel must be supplied by entrant. Modern and Art quilts will be in same category. Labels will be available at Oct meeting.
See Ruth Stebbing for volunteer sign-up information. You can sign up through the BMQG website or in person at a meeting.

Nominating Committee: Mary Ann announced that she has completed her duties as all positions have now been filled for 2016/2017. Georgina Ferguson and Debbie Miller have volunteered as Members at Large.

New Business: Heather MacArthur will be taking quilt donation for Fort McMurray to Alberta in June. Please have all quilt donations to Monica at Quilted Treasures by 5pm June 4/16.
Wendy Lynn announced a request for quilts from the Delta View Care Centre. No motion was made to make a quilt for donation to this South Surrey facility.
Sharon Jan presented a need by the RJ Kent Veterans residence on Shaughnessy for a raffle quilt to raise much needed funds. The facility is for low income veterans or their spouses and funds are needed for audiobooks, reading lamps and insurance for their bus.
Mary Ann Cox made a motion to reinstate the Community Quilt for this project. Seconded by Diane Williams. Motion carried. Mary Ann and Shirley Leeson, individually, volunteered to coordinate the project.

Announcements:
Virginia Lewis teaches basic sewing skills at a women’s prison and is requesting durable( bottom weight/drapery) fabric donations for making ‘release bags’ by imprisoned women. One metre by WOF pieces of fabric is preferred.