The chapter is the basic unit of the International Friendship Quilters (IFQ). Chapters often interact with other chapters on specific projects and work as a group among themselves. Chapters can consist of members local to a specific area or members spread across the globe who function as a virtual chapter through the wonder of the internet.
The Virtual Chapter Leader will have a maximum of 20 members in their group (this group size can be at your discretion so long as it does not exceed the maximum). You will communciate with other members via email, hold meetings in the IFQ Chat Area and post messages in your own forum. You also have a web page devoted to your chapter that will help spread information.
As a Virtual Chapter, you will also interact with other Chapters. How you do so is decided upon by the individual chapters. You may decide to issue a challenge to both groups and then post the pictures of the result. Or you may research a technique together. Or you exchange projects. These exchanges will be documented and posted so other chapter members can see your fun.
As Chapter Leader, you will appoint a Deputy to assist you and fill in for you should you go out of town, take a vacation or be unavailable for any reason. It is important to keep the lines of contact open. Since we are spanning such a large area, communication is key. It is the Chapter Leader who is the link between the IFQ administration and the chapter's members. The IFQ essentially works as the hub for communication between the various chapters. The Chapter Leader has direct communication with James & Suzy and other Chapter Leaders. The members of this special group have the opportunity to meet regularly in IFQ's chat room to brainstorm, trade ideas and have fun!
A Chapter Leader is entitled to an email address at friendshipquilters.com. This is a handy tool for sorting your email. The Chapter Leader also has an area in the forum set up for their individual chapter. This is a great place to post information specific to your chapter. There is an administrators forum that is only visible to Chapter Leaders to help with their communication with other leaders.
The forum also provides an easy way for Chapter Leaders to send out emails to all of their members in one simple step. A definite time saver!
The Chapter Leaders have access to an upload area on the site to facilite sending pictures or text, documenting their chapter's activities.
Chapter Leaders may set up on line meetings in the IFQ chat area. This is a fun way to get to know people across the world. Don't worry if you have never had any experience in a chat room. Most of our members start out as beginners and it's amazing how quickly they take to it! It's a wonderful way to meet other quilters and share. Before you know it, you'll be addicted!
Each chapter may choose their own name. The naming convention for a Virtual Chapter is: V - [individual name] Friendship Quilters. For example, we have the V - LadyBugs Friendship Quilters.
Being a Chapter Leader is a fun and rewarding adventure. Our Chapter Leaders are a creative and dynamic group who enjoy having input in the direction that the International Friendship Quilters heads. You not only have James & Suzy to help you with any questions but you also have frequent contact with the other Chapter Leaders.
If you have further questions, you can contact us.
We would love to have you join us as a Virtual Chapter Leader. If you are interested, please contact us and we can send you further information.
