Something's changed... this is the first time in ages I've been able to see one of Jeri's messages without the aid of the digest!
Just a couple of points. No matter where you call from, if you are asking about something in the library and it is a day when Sara is in the office, then you will be put on hold whilst the call is transferred to her, and she may not be at her desk at that particular moment. Calls during lunch are taken by the answerphone. If Sara is not in the office, then it may require a message to be taken and acted upon later. The Guild currently has (or soon will have) a new member of staff in training, and if s/he answers the phone s/he can't be expected to know everything - at least, not for the first six months or so! So please be patient. Also, if you are phoning from abroad, it can be difficult to work out what is being said when lines are not clear and accents not familiar - I have to cover reception at work two days a week and there are times when I have to ask people to repeat themselves two or three times before I can work out what has been said - there are slight differences ! between US and UK English which can also make comprehension difficult! Secondly, our Bank Holidays (in England and Wales; Scotland and NI do their own thing!) are not that difficult to work out. New Years' Day (or the nearest Monday if it falls on a Saturday or Sunday); Good Friday, Easter Monday, the first (May Day) and last (Spring) Mondays in May; the last Monday in August, Christmas Day and Boxing Day (again, if these fall on Saturday or Sunday then the holiday is the Monday or Monday and Tuesday). Most offices I have worked in take Monday and Tuesday off for Easter and the Spring and August Bank Holidays, but I think the staff at The Hollies only have the basic days. Friday is Members Day at The Hollies. Just occasionally we get an extra day at Her Majesty's command, but not very often. Jeri is correct, The Guild's membership has fallen dramatically over the years to the point where membership income nowhere near covers costs, so donations and legacies are very welcome (as they are with any charity). I hate to think what effect the latest Government rulings on minimum (living wage) pay and employers' pension contributions are going to have - it will make survival difficult for many small charities and businesses, I'm sure. Guilds such as IOLI, OIDFA, The Lace Guild, etc are terrific resources for lacemakers and few realise that the relevant magazine is probably the smallest benefit they can gain through their membership. The word "Guild" can be off-putting for a new lacemaker, who might not think they are up to "standard", but believe me membership is probably one of the best moves a beginner can make, in having thousands of patterns, advice, information and contacts at their fingertips either an email or phone call away. No money to buy books? Or the one y! ou want is out of print? Your annual subscription may give you access to a library you can borrow it from. As they say, use it or lose it. Jane Partridge [email protected] > From: [email protected] > Here is a first-rate suggestion: > Jean Leader announced March 26th - on Arachne - the "used book" sale at > The Lace Guild in England, as follows: > AT&T callers from U.S. should dial 011 + 44 - 1384 390739 Immediately > tell the person who answers that you are calling from the U.S., so you won't > be put on "hold". > We never know when the Monday "bank holidays" are, so call other days of > the week. - To unsubscribe send email to [email protected] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [email protected]. For help, write to [email protected]. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
