The National EGA Organization by Teresa McPherson |
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Jeanette Lovensheimer was our Special Guest at the Stitch Chat this week. She is the past President of the National EGA. (EGA is Embroiderer’s Guild of America.) Jeanette has been stitching since she was a teenager and just had a mid-fifty birthday. She has been a member of the EGA since the mid-70’s. She started as a chapter officer, then on to the regional level where she became the Carolinas Regional Director. Following that she did a tour as National Secretary, Vice President, then President. Now she is back to being the Florence SC local chapter President. She likes to do counted thread and canvas better than anything else, but she also likes to quilt.
Embroidery is the embellishment with a needle onto any ground fabric that includes canvas and any other type of material. Embroidery encompasses counted thread, canvas work, quilting, smocking, crewel, silk and metal—any other type of needle work that you can do with a needle with an eye. Associated arts include tatting, bobbin lace, weaving, knitting, etc.
The EGA was started in 1958 as a branch of The Embroiders Guild of England. It originated in New York City, but quickly decided to branch out on its own and grew rapidly to where it is now the largest of all needlework organizations. The National Level of the EGA consists of a 20 member all volunteer board which makes all decisions regarding operations with the help of representatives from all over the country. Headquarters is located in Louisville, KY and consists of 3 full time staff members who keep the organization running. EGA has been in place for the past 38 years and has been a very positive influence in education in all forms of needle arts. JillXS assured us that the staff at National Headquarters are terrific. She has had many occasions to deal with them and says they are well organized, not to mention prompt in responding. This is really impressive since they have to meet the needs of 20,000 members. The EGA has 13 regions that are a part of the intermediate level of EGA. Each region has a set of officers and hold seminars every 1 or 2 years. Being a chapter member automatically makes you a region member. The Regions allow for direct input into the various decisions in that all 13 Region Directors are members of the National Board and they represent the grass roots of the organization. They also allow for less expensive classes to be taught locally where more members can take advantage of National Programs. Members-at-Large (MAL) are full members of the EGA that do not belong to a chapter for a variety of reasons. Perhaps location, inability to travel, or they just like to work alone. MAL are entitled to all the benefits of membership except holding office and voting. Our chapters are the voting members of the organization and therefore if you are not a chapter member you do not have input into this. Also MAL are not Regional Members. When asked if MAL are able to attend chapter meetings, Jeanette said that most chapters need the support of all members. However this is up to the chapter and it only costs a few dollars more to be a chapter member; you also learn about the region events by being a chapter member. Chapter membership allows for networking with other stitchers which is always inspiring. Membership at large is still good in that you are able to take advantage of all the educational programs and seminars but much of the work is done alone. EGA holds conventions/seminars. You have to be a member to attend. All publicity is usually distributed through "Needle Arts" the quarterly membership magazine.
In addition to various educational offerings, there is an extensive lending library available as well as a collection of heirloom pieces. They also have a gallery with a showing of contemporary works of members. Jco55Ly said she has met wonderful people, traveled and learned a lot all because she found EGA and all they had to offer. Jeanette was asked if the EGA offered correspondence courses. She said that as soon as your name is sent to national you should receive a packet with a membership card and enclosed will be a publication called "Education Supplement" which describes all offerings including many correspondence courses, videos, slide programs, library information, etc. DMCstchr asked if you someone else has to take the correspondence classes with you. Jeanette said that GCC (group) can be taken by as many as 22 people. This cuts the cost of the program. The participants can all be from different places—if several members want to sign up together they must organize, appoint a group leader and notify Headquarters. A little more in depth information was given on the educational programs. There is a Master Craftsman section where members can challenge themselves through six steps of different levels of one technique. Counted Thread, canvas, crewel, silk and metal with judging at each level. It is quite an accomplishment to achieve these awards. There are also programs for Teacher and Judge certification. Annual seminars are held in various locations, usually in the fall of the year, with almost every technique of stitching, conservation, design, being offered. They are week-long events filled with days and nights of shopping, shows and program, well worth the time and money. It was also noted that EGA has an excellent program for teaching fundamentals of all types of needlework and encourages beginners to join. Education is the main focus of this organization and it is not just for professionals. There is a School of Advance Study (SAS) which is a 3-4 day program of intensive study on one topic. These classes are held often in Louisville where our library/collection resources are but sometimes are held at other museums (Winterhur) or even in Paris (Lesage) or Italy. They are widely received and limit the classes to just a few students. CALLOWAYJ let us know that the local EGA chapter in her area put together an exhibit in every branch library and main library throughout the city. She said it was incredible and made her want to branch out from cross-stitch.
When asked if you could visit at other chapter meetings while traveling TessCarCo was told yes. Every president has a listing of all chapters and presidents. The other avenue to get this information is from national. A letter to find out when they meet would be necessary. Jill Martz had just seen the newest slide show from National, "One Woman’s Odyssey in Wearable Art," about Kate Doty. She said it was excellent! She wanted to pass along the information and recommend it to the rest of us. Dual memberships were discussed. When you have a dual membership your primary membership is in a chapter where you pay the dues which included national, regional and local chapter—to become a plural member of another chapter you only need to pay the chapter and sometimes the regional dues. You never have to pay national but once a year.
The EGA was asked if they would like to participate in decorating a tree at the White House. Along with American Needlepoint Guild members, we each had an opportunity to allow two members from each sate to design and stitch a stocking for the tree in the Blue Room. The theme was "The Night before Christmas" and the offering were great. Unfortunately all designs are now belong exclusively to the White House. JillXS said she understands that the featured tree is to be shown for two years. Stitchers were concerned about their needlework afterward. It is being catalogued and will be stored properly in the White House archives ... whatever those are.
You can write for information at egahq@aol.com. You may ask about joining the EGA either as a member-at-large or they will tell you if there is a chapter nearby. Membership dues for MAL are $24 per year. Chapters dues range from $30 to $40 and are set individually by each chapter. Visit the EGA website at http://www.egausa.org
Written for the purpose of informing and stimulating the creativity in other lovers of counted cross-stitch. Permission is granted to redistribute this article in its entirety for noncommercial use provided that this copyright notice is not removed or altered and that no portion of this work is sold either by itself or as part of a larger work without the express written permission of the author.  |