In Safe Hands - Suzanne Visor
Calling all Members!
I’ve started a new project, although it’s not in my studio, I’m enjoying it thoroughly and learning a great deal from it. I decided I wanted to talk to our members to find out how our they think our organization is doing. I’ve discovered that the members I’ve contacted so far are not only pleased, they have wonderful suggestions. Many have offered to volunteered to follow through with their ideas. For example Marlyse Carroll, from Australia, suggested that the Silkworm have short articles from international members. She volunteered to contribute. I’m collecting all the shared ideas and handing them, gift wrapped with a bow, to the appropriate volunteers leaders.
Silk Painters International (SPIN) has four major components. The first is our beautiful Silkworm. Now it’s a 20 + page magazine that has grown from it’s infancy as a 2-3 page newsletter. The second is our biennial Festival. We bring together the best art instructors, speakers and members to join in celebrating silk art. Workshops, art exhibits and fashion highlight the week long experience. The third is our Website. Our site has grown into a sophisticated interactive tool with more to come. Our fourth and most important component is our Membership. I’m in awe of the fact that, except for four staff members, we are all, VOLUNTEERS.
According to Wikipedia:”Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity and is intended to promote goodness or improve human quality of life. In return, this activity can produce a feeling of self-worth and respect. There is no financial gain involved for the individual”.
Given the opportunity to volunteer for something you are passionate about, is a gift in and of itself. Some of us with art backgrounds have gravitated to silk art and eventually to our organization. Even in their busy lives they have found ways to give back to our SPIN community. Most of us with varying careers have discovered our love for silk art only later in life. Now what could be better than combining those past skill sets and your current passion for silk art? If you want to keep those skills in shape by pairing them with your love of silk art, join our volunteers! There are so many things we could do. Someone could help members add their art photo to the members’ gallery. Another could write an article about chapter projects. One might help us post signs at the next festival or iron silk fashions at the next show. An eagle eyed artist could help organize our website photos.
By improving the quality of our organization you’ll also jump start and energize your own art. Let us know about your skills, passions and talents. We’ll work together to find a niche for you. Even if you don’t have the time to volunteer yourself please take the time to thank those do.
In the next few months I hope to contact each and every one of you. If I can’t reach you by phone I’ll leave my number. If that doesn’t work, I’ll send you a link to a questionnaire which you can complete and submit. However you choose to be involved, I thank you for being a member of Silk Painters International!
