Our mission is the encouragement of the ancient skills of basketmaking in a traditional sense and in new ways to create vessels of use and display. Through the society of basketmakers new skills and traditions are passed on to the next generation.
OUR HISTORY
The Los Angeles Basketry Guild was formed on September 14, 1985, around a campfire at Judy Mulford’s First Annual Kern River Pine Needle Basketry Campout Retreat. Judy’s vision for the Guild is reflected in the Guild’s motto: “educate, encourage, enjoy.” More specifically, the goal is to share the knowledge and love of basketry, to encourage others not only to create baskets but also to grow as people, and to establish bonds of friendship among the members of the basketry community.
The first quarterly newsletter, written by Judy, was sent out in October 1985 to a membership of 30. The first semi-annual meeting was held on September 21, 1986, at Judy’s Los Angeles home. By then the membership had risen to 90, now it is well over 250.
During the first 14 years, Judy ran the Guild almost single-handedly. At the twice-yearly meetings hosted at Judy’s home, there were speakers and mini-basketry workshops. The quarterly newsletters, which Judy produced with the assistance of her friend Sydney Edwards, were filled with local and national basketry news, information on basket classes, shows and sales, material sources, field trips, and other basketry related information.
In addition, the Guild held yearly retreats with Judy first assisted by Betz Salmont and later by Suzanne Smith. By October 1999, it was time for change. The first of those changes was to move the Guild meetings to a new home, the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History. And, as the year 2000 approached, Judy decided it was time to step down from her position of overseeing the Guild. It was time for others to take responsibility for the Guild so it could continue to grow, mature, and endure. The Guild is now in the capable hands of an executive committee composed of the following positions: Director, Newsletter Editor, Secretary, Treasurer, Program Chairman, Membership Chairman, Web Master , 2 Members at Large.
The semi-annual meetings continue with speakers and mini workshops and are now held at Beach Cities Health District in Redondo Beach, and have been supplemented by field trips to museums and other basketry-related venues. The quarterly newsletter is going as strong as ever, and is now offered on line as well as a printed edition. The annual retreats, which had been discontinued, have been reinstated and are now held every other year
BY LAWS
LOS ANGELES BASKETRY GUILD BYLAWS
Approved January 8, 2011
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this nonprofit organization is Los Angeles Basketry Guild.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
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The purpose of this organization is:
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To stimulate interest in basketry by perpetuation of and education in the art of basketry
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To educate the general public on the historic value and heritage relating to basketry
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To promote conservation of natural materials
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To support and encourage our members to be quality basket makers.
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Restrictions on activities:
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Money shall not be distributed to officers, directors, or other private persons except as authorized by the organization to pay compensation for services rendered and for the furtherance of the purposes set forth above.
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No substantial part of the activities shall be lobbying or otherwise attempting to influence legislation.
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The organization shall not participate in any political campaign for public office.
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All activities will be permitted as stated in the Internal Revenue Code.
ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP
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All basket makers 18 years and older are eligible to join.
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Class of membership is individual.
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The Board sets membership dues.
ARTICLE IV: BOARD AND OFFICERS
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The Board, charged with the management of this organization, consists of the following active members: Director, Secretary, Treasurer, immediate past Director, Newsletter Editor, Program Chairman, Membership Chairman, Hospitality Chairman, and Members at Large.
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The Board shall hold a planning session near the beginning of each calendar year. Additional meetings will be called as needed and can to be held in conjunction with the general membership meetings or via email/postal mail.
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A quorum shall consist of a majority of the Board members.
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The organization’s officers are the elected offices of Director, Secretary, and Treasurer.
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The duration of an officer’s term is two years.
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The duties of the officers are:
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Director: Presides over all meetings of the Board and general membership; appoints all special committee chairs
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Secretary: Records minutes of all meetings, submitting them for publication in the newsletter; carries on correspondence
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Treasurer: Receives and disburses funds, keeps up to date financial records, and distributes a financial report to all the board members, and any non-board members who request one, on a quarterly basis.
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Board members may resign at any time by delivering a written notice to the Director.
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Vacancies during a term of office shall be filled by appointment of the board with approval by the general membership.
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The Guild shall not incur any debts or pay any bills except as officially approved by the Board.
ARTICLE V: NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
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A nominating committee, appointed by the Director, shall select one or more nominees for each elected office. The nominees must be members of the Guild and willing to serve.
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Voting is carried out at the fall meeting and requires a majority of the attending members.
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Newly elected officers take office on January 1 of the subsequent year.
ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS
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Membership meetings are held four times a year, once per quarter.
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Board meetings are held once near the beginning of the calendar year and as needed.
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There are no quorum requirements for a general membership meeting.
ARTICLE VII: PROCEDURE FOR AMENDING THE BYLAWS
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Any member in good standing may recommend changes to the Bylaws by submitting them in writing to the Board.
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Amending the bylaws requires a majority vote of the Board.
ARTICLE VIII: DISSOLUTION OF THE GUILD
On dissolution of the Guild, the net assets shall be distributed to any basket or art related cause, as determined by the Board.