In 2020, Deb Staehle asked me if I’d like to join the committee planning the 2025 ANWG Conference, as secretary. At the time, it was a big ask. I’d never even been to conference before (the Oregon conference was COVID cancelled). What did I know about a conference?
Even more important, I’m old! Five years is a big commitment. Would I even live to attend the conference? In spite of my misgivings, I said yes. Eventually, Deb asked me to co-chair with her. As I contemplated that huge commitment, all I could sense was joy. She had put together a team of really great weavers, organizers and planners. They were eager and capable. There was none of the typical miscommunication and drama I’d experienced with other groups. Yes! I’d love to step up!
Since then, the conference team has grown to about 24 people. Some attend monthly executive meetings. Many report progress via email. I’m impressed with their enthusiasm and determination to get things right and to help one another. Today, many conference elements are firmly in place. But. . .
With only 15 months until the Yakima ANWG conference), we still have critical positions to fill. We can’t do it all. If we want these features at our conference, we need volunteers to take them on. This is my invitation to you. Wouldn’t you love to step up?
Some of these positions might be taken on by an entire guild. (For instance the Whidbey guild has committed to doing both the Juried and Open Shows) Others are individual chair and co-chair positions. Every one of them will have access to Bend conference reports, the support of those who have done these jobs before. None of these require monthly meetings. Take a look and see if you belong on our team!
Publicity: This position involves brainstorming ways to invite fiber artists of all kinds to Yakima. We have a social media person to help here, so FB and Instagram are covered. This might be a guild commitment. We especially want to emphasize an invitation to the vendor event.
Conference Bags: This involves putting written and gift material in conference bags for attendees. A guild might take these on. Funding is by the Conference Committee.
Transportation: This person helps to organize transportation for teachers arriving at Sea Tac or the Yakima Airport, and getting them to the YCC. This could be a guild activity.
Activities: This involves choosing what happens during conference week that isn’t learning related. The sky is the limit: Spinning circles. Demonstrations. Winery Tours. Gallery tours. Craft Beer tours. Even hikes, etc. Again, this might be something a guild might take on, with some organizing a spinning circle etc.
Signage: This person organizes the signs directing conferees around the building to classrooms etc.
I’ll be blogging twice monthly until next September, keeping you up to date on all the latest developments. Then, we’ll be publishing weekly. Sign up here to get the latest scoop on the ins and outs of conference planning, development, teacher info, vendors etc. There is so much to tell. . .
Happy Weaving!
Bette Nordberg
ANWG Conference 2025 Co-Chair
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