I write this blog as more of a information sharing about the exhibit and how much it is about culture and people getting together to enjoy the wonderful works of art so this one is different.
Most of the readers of this blog will belong to groups so here is what happened and please comment as I really want to know if I am off base here.
The week of the exhibit a local guild is having a year end dinner so I called to say that I had quilters coming from Africa during that week and that it might be nice if they could attend the dinner I was told it was for members only.
I was totally taken back by this as I do understand the members only this is truly a one off chance for everyone. What would your guild do?
It's funny what happens sometimes. Personally I would have been thrilled to talk with those quilters from Africa and imagine many people at the guild would have too. How sad for them! Recently I missed a quilt show deadline by a day and was refused, even though the show turned out to have a low number of quilts.(I called early morn when I realized)
ReplyDeleteIn thinking about it, I believe there are a couple of reasons that could be at play here. One, certain group members have been very emphatic about following rules and all else are afraid to overstep their bounds and make an allowance; or Two, the person approached was the one that was a dyed-in-the-wool rule policeman at that guild. Of course catered events can present a problem, but I think "Most" people are willing to make adjustments, especially for foreign visitors who could not have known about the event beforehand. After all, it is a "goodwill" gesture - the kind of thing that betters the world. And we NEED a better, more friendly world!
What an incredible missed opportunity! What a fabulous evening of sharing culture and quilting experiences that would have been for that guild! Can you imagine that show and tell? My own guild would have moved mountains to have made it possible for the African guest quilters to attend.
ReplyDeleteThis is not who we are as Canadians! It makes me sad!