I did something different this morning. I addressed my memo to Arachne, and typed my address in the "copy to" box. Maybe that triggered something causing my memo to be delivered to a wider audience? I'm now doing this again, to test it. Wow! Jane mentions internal office situations at The Lace Guild. I hope customers and potential members will not be discouraged. I like to focus on the bright side, and very much appreciate 20 or more years of Lace Guild membership. With lots of Public Relations experience behind me, I prefer to stress the best The Lace Guild has to offer. Every nation has their own holiday schedules, based on their history. Canada has Thanksgiving Day a month before the U.S., as an example. Good Friday, Easter Monday, May Day, Spring Day, last Monday in August and Boxing Day - are not official holidays in the U.S., though some may be optional. I think it best to let what I said be as was stated. Generally, not calling any business facility in another country on Monday is all-around good advice. I like reaching them between 10 and 11 a.m., so it is clearly before lunchtime. Repeat: Just as soon as your call is answered, state the nation you are calling from and ask not to be put on hold or transferred to a phone that is not guaranteed to be answered. I use a Guild calendar to verify British Bank Holidays, since I order 6 calendars each year to use as gifts. But, most people in other countries will not have that advantage. Arachne is an international group with 24 time zones, and my recommendation takes time differences into account. My memo about where to get lower-priced used books took the better part of a Saturday morning to write and edit, but I thought it might be beneficial for all to be reminded about items The Lace Guild has for sale. Jane has written about the library. That may be where book purchase orders are processed, but I would not assume so. I was writing about the products for sale, including the most recent list of used books. Quite different from borrowing a book in a lending library available to in-country members. I think the greatest benefit of belonging to The Lace Guild for anyone in another nation is The Lace Guild's quarterly magazines! They are something tangible to celebrate internationally. Please borrow one from a member, so you can see for yourselves. A friend is still dealing with effects of a security breach that occurred when Pay Pal was first introduced. So, I never mention it as an option. If you know it to be foolproof, by all means, use it. Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center --------------------------------
In a message dated 4/2/2016 4:23:35 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: ... 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.. Secondly, our Bank Holidays (in England and Wales; Scotland and NI) 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).....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 you want is out of print? Your annual subscription may give you access to a library you can borrow it from....Jane Partridge - 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/
