It is no coincidence that our beloved association was named a Guild and its soon-to-follow affiliate groups were named Chapters. As the Founder, along with other generous volunteers with knowledge of by-laws, we began to create them for our association. In 1995, when our pursuit of 501c3 status was granted, our bylaws regarding this issue read as follows:
“Section 4 Chapters
4.1 Names and Domain
Local Chapters, State Organizations and Regional Organizations, termed
chapters in
these Bylaws, who wish to become members of the CGOA shall adopt a name
including
“Chapter of Crochet Guild of America”. CGOA shall assume no liability for
its chapters.
4.3 Recognition
Chapters shall adopt Bylaws consistent with these Bylaws and the purposes
of which shall be substantially the same as those of the CGOA. Chapters may be
unincorporated or incorporated under the laws of the state in which the chapter
is located.”
On November 3, 2017, the Membership
voted to approve updated By-laws and this section did not change substantially.
I’m a firm believer in keeping the
mind agile, keeping a fresh perspective and reviewing any updated modes of
thought. Accordingly, I took a class
this past Spring at the Indianapolis Art Center called Brain Expansion where I was delighted to find one of the topics of the
series was entitled “Ancient Guilds.”
Our initial thoughts in 1995 about
how Chapters were related or affiliated with the larger association were based
on dictionary or thesaurus definitions: “Guild: a formal association of people
with similar interests; ‘He joined a golf club;’ They formed a lunch society.’ Chapter:
a local branch of some fraternity or association; ‘He joined the Atlanta
chapter.’”
“Medieval Guilds were generally one
of two types: merchant guilds or craft guilds.1 Guilds arose beginning in the
High Middle Ages (AD 1000-1250) as craftsmen united to protect their common
interests.2" Crocheters in the 1990s or before are likely to remember much
attention being given to knitting, often to the detriment of crochet.
When crochet did receive a bit of
spotlight, it was often mistakenly labeled as “knitting” by uninformed press or
journalists. As our Guild began to grow, we began to develop “power in numbers;”
and as a group, we were able to make more of an impact when it came to convey
our understanding of crochet.
“We can certainly appreciate the benefits
and the joys of belonging to a group with like interests to our own. Being able
to share one’s enthusiasm and knowledge about a craft or a skill with others
who are equally enthused gives great satisfaction.
For centuries, guilds have been a way
for crafters of all kinds to share and obtain knowledge. In the fifteenth and
sixteenth centuries in Europe, the chief objective of the craft guild was to
supervise the processes of manufacture and to control the monopoly of working
and dealing in a branch of the industry. It was necessary for them to band
together for mutual protection against unfair labor practices and treatment.
By the middle of the eighteenth
century, the usefulness of such guilds had all but disappeared. However, women
still banded together to share patterns, techniques, and fellowship.
Most guilds are designed to do four
related things: educate, promote the craft, aid the artisan and record their
achievements. A good guild is really a chain
of many interconnected links, serving as a forum both for gathering and
disseminating information.”3
“The groups, or fraternities of
craftsmen from and by whom the medieval Guilds were formed represented the
complex pattern of medieval life. Industries that were essential both to
support life, and the smooth running of the country's economy, needed
regulation by authority to control production, and above all, quality. For
maintenance of proper standards of workmanship was an early tenet of the first
Guilds.
Quality and its maintenance was a
prime object of the early Courts and remains a principal cornerstone of the
present Craft Guild. However, whereas the early companies had teeth, and were
able to discipline errant members by fine, the modern guild has no such teeth.
Quality is maintained by personal pride, and the obvious commercial
disadvantage of poor workmanship.
The guild has modeled itself – as far
as modern circumstances allow – on the historic craft guilds which once oversaw
the quality of the work produced by their members. It arranges for apprentices
to learn their skills under the tutelage of more experienced members. New
members are accepted as Master Crafters only after their work has been judged
by their peers.”4
If there was a time when your area
had no CGOA chapter or you have been instrumental in creating one in your town,
I hope you will recognize that without the “umbrella” of CGOA, probably many
groups (chapters) would not exist. Our organization has introduced us to other
crochet enthusiasts, to crochet skills and to tools to start our own chapters.
My hope is that you will continue
your membership in CGOA with pride, encourage each crocheter you meet to become
a member, and to uphold the standards outlined in our by-laws in order that the
caliber of our association remains at its very best. Guilds embrace long-held
traditions that strive to benefit its members. Loyalty and volunteerism are
essential links in our interconnected chain that will ensure that we are
constantly moving forward for the betterment of all members. CGOA is the only
Guild that exclusively serves crochet enthusiasts as well as beginners with the
express mission of crochet education.
If you have questions, ideas for
improvement, or a story to share, your Board of Directors or Committee
Chairpersons would love to hear from you. Due to the many chapters who have generously hosted our conferences and volunteered to work so hard during the conference weekends, we are now approaching our 25th Anniversary in 2019. All chapters' loyalty to and understanding of the mission of CGOA is essential to the cohesiveness that keeps us strong and to the furtherance of our strength and influence in the world of crochet.
1-www.britannica.com/topic/guild-trade-association
2-Wikipedia
3-Blakley
Kinsler, Gwen. Society of Craft Designers Newsletter; May/June 1994; p. 4.
4-“Ancient
Guilds;” Vandra Pentecost; Indianpolis Art Center; http://bowyersandfletchersguild.org/about/index.html
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