Accepted 28 May 2006 by unanimous vote of attending members.
Proposed amendment March 2008
I - Purpose
To further and share our knowledge of textile/fiber and needle arts throughout history and to continually develop our skills and technique in the creation of such objects. These arts are among the earliest crafts practiced in history, the scope of Illuminated Threads will include the study of textile, fiber and needle arts from the earliest times to the modern day. The crafts studied include but are not limited to: weaving, spinning, quilting, knitting, crocheting, tatting, lucet braiding, kumi himo braiding, finger weaving, embroidery, naalbinding, historical costume and chain mail. Any craft that creates or embellishes fabric is acceptable.
Illuminated Threads is also about fellowship and encouragement. It is not about critiquing or finding fault or mistakes. It is about supporting and encouraging the efforts of others. Everyone is welcome.
Illuminated Threads began in West Texas as a guild within the Society of Creative Anachronism (modern medieval recreation group) but the guild was created to exist independently of the SCA or any other historical recreation group. Local chapters may choose to participate in activities sponsored by other groups such as the SCA but Illuminated Threads will remain independent of said groups.
II - Membership
Membership in Illuminated Threads is open to anyone with an interest in historic textiles, fiber arts or fabric making of any kind. Novices and experts are welcome as are everyone in between. Members may travel freely between chapters, retaining any status or rank they may have achieved in the optional scholarship program.
III - Administration and Governing Personnel
Illuminated Threads will be governed by majority consensus voting of all members present when a question is brought to the floor. If the membership needs to vote on something when a meeting is not scheduled, the members of that chapter may be polled through the mailing list. Official votes may not be taken via private email but a meeting held on the Illuminated Threads mailing list will be considered official. Votes must be seen by the membership of the mailing list to be considered official and members must be given a minimum of 24 hours in which to cast votes via email. Any business concerning the mailing list chapter of Illuminated Threads will be settled in this manner.
All business will be conducted by members making motions, motions must be seconded and then may be voted upon as described in Roberts Rules of Order.
Each chapter will elect a Head Mistress or Master who will be responsible for conducting meetings, keeping attendance, bringing any business matters before the membership and taking votes of the membership as needed. In the absence of other officers this person is also responsible for keeping a written record of the business conducted and any votes taken. The Head Mistress or Master will be elected by the same procedure outlined below for other officer positions. Required records will be kept by the Head Mistress or Master from year to year and passed on to the next person holding that office.
The following officer positions may be created by a majority vote of the membership within the individual chapter as needed. The positions may be dissolved with a similar majority vote of members also as needed. Each position may be held for a term of one year. There is no limit to the number of terms a person may serve in that position as long as a vote of the membership is taken once a year. Officers are elected by a majority vote of the membership. Membership must have at least 1 meeting's notice before any elections are held for any position. Also notice of elections must be sent out either in writing or via the email list so that as many members as possible can be notified. Officers may be removed at any time by a majority vote of the membership
Assistant Head Mistress or Master - This person is responsible for conducting meetings in the absence of the Head Mistress or Master and assisting said officer in any or all duties at the discretion of the Head Mistress or Master.
Secretary - This person is responsible for taking minutes and contacting the membership as needed.
Treasurer - This person will be responsible for keeping accounts of any money or properties that the guild may acquire.
Web Mistress or Master - This person will be responsible for keeping the website up to date in a reasonable manner and posting any information the guild deems appropriate.
IV - Chapters
Chapters of Illuminated Threads may be formed with the approval by majority vote of all other existing chapters. Each chapter is subject to this charter and bylaws. Chapters not keeping in compliance with this charter and bylaws will be subject to action under section VIII of this document.
V - Meetings
Meeting times, dates and locations will be chosen by majority vote of the membership in attendance. Each chapter (with the exception of the mailing list chapter) must meet at least once every three months.
VI - Amending the Charter and Bylaws
This charter and bylaws may be amended by majority vote of each chapter at a meeting (not a web meeting) attended by at least 50% of the regularly attending members. A member is said to attend regularly if they have attended at least 2 out of the last 3 meetings. The mailing list chapter will be polled on the list by the web mistress or master. All members must have at least 24 hours notice of any meeting in which proposed changes to this document are being made.
VII - Treasuries
Individual chapters who have a need may set up a treasury. A treasurer must be elected before money may be collected. The money must be kept in a bank account under the name of the local chapter and at least 3 officers (or active members voted by the local membership) will be listed on the signature card. All financial records will be open and available to the membership at any time upon the request of the membership or any officer. Should a chapter dissolve or determine that they no longer need a treasury, the money in the treasury will be donated to charity, the charity determined by majority vote of the local members and the account closed. All records will be turned over to the Head Mistress or Master and placed with the meeting minutes for that year for safekeeping.
VIII - Anything not covered in this document
It is assumed that situations will arise that are not covered in this document. In those circumstances, at least 50% of the chapter's regularly attending members, and any other members but at least 50% of the regulars, may meet with at least 24 hours notice to discuss the problem and by majority vote in act whatever action is necessary to solve the problem. All regularly attending members must be invited to the meeting and a notice must be posted to the mailing list at least 24 hours in advance of said meeting. The meeting may also be conducted on the mailing list or in the yahoo chat room provided via the yahoo website for the Illuminated Threads Mailing List providing at least 50% of the chapter's regularly attending members are present and all have been notified at least 24 hours in advance.
No member or chapter shall be dissolved without due process.
Should an individual chapter become a concern to other chapters, a meeting may be called on the mailing list to discuss the concerns and appropriate actions taken by a vote of the mailing list membership. Any chapter that has not met within a six month period may be subject to dissolution by a vote of the mailing list. Any votes taken via the mailing list are not subject to the 50% rule instead a simple majority of the members voting is all that is necesary for motions to carry. This voting rule only applies to the Illuminated Threads mailing list.
VIIIA - Due Process for members and chapters
Any member or chapter that has violated these bylaws (including the special mailing list rules) or generally accepted rules of conduct for membership in a social group or generally accepted procedures for conducting business or holding office in an organization may be subject to due process. The mailing list has special rules governing member's conduct on the mailing list and the three moderators of the mailing list may remove members from the mailing list without removing them from membership in local chapter. The mailing list has it's own procedure for removing members from the mailing list, see section IX
1. The member or chapter will be given at least 2 weeks notice of the meeting to discuss the concerns brought to the head mistress of the local group or the list moderators of the mailing list. The concerns will be presented in writing at least 2 weeks in advance of the meeting (email is considered to be in writing and official notification). When the concerns affect an individual before the meeting with the local membership or the mailing list the concerns will remain private between the individual and the officers of the local chapter. When the concerns affect an entire chapter, the concerns will be given to the local Head Mistress or Master for posting on the local mailing list.
2. The meeting will take place and concerns will be discussed. All parties will be allowed to present evidence and respond to the concerns. If action is deemed necessary by the membership in attendance at the meeting, a majority vote on motions made will be taken by the members in attendance. If it is determined that an individual or chapter should be placed on probation, a written plan for correction of the concern along with a timeline for the correction to take place in will be placed in the official minutes of the local group or of the mailing list. At the end of the time period for correction, the local group or mailing list will meet again and discuss the results. If the corrections have been made, the probation will be lifted and if the plan has not been fulfilled, then responses will be heard and the group or mailing list will vote on motions for further action or for dissolution or for expulsion from the group.
IX - The Mailing List Chapter
An electronic mailing list will be maintained by the guild for the purpose of communication between all members of all chapters and all others with an interest in the guild's purposes. As this list is open to the public and not specific to any particular chapter of the guild, the following rules of conduct will be observed there and all members are informed of these rules when they first join the mailing list. Any chapter is welcome to form their own private mailing list or group for local notices or to discuss local business, however, members must also be members of the main Illuminated Threads list. Local business may be settled on the local mailing list as long as the procedures outlined in this document are followed and any local votes taken on the mailing list poll at least 50% of the active membership.
DO'S
1. Do post to the list. We’re a friendly bunch.
2. Do be tolerant of other people's opinions and feelings. We are all different physically, culturally, and genetically. Not everyone is interested in everything that gets discussed here. Be patient, we'll get back around to what you like to talk about eventually. Cherish the differences for they make us stronger.
3. Do remember we may not all be over 18. Please keep your messages PG-13 rated or below.
4. Do have fun.
DO NOT'S.
1. No flaming. (by this we mean calling someone or their mother a name or using strong language inappropriate for a public conversation.)
2. No inflammatory posts. (by this we mean messages that are intended to cause an argument or hurt feelings. Please be aware of how you are using the language when you post.
3. This list will remain politically neutral. This includes both government issues and SCA or any other recreation organization's politics. There is a fine line between discussion and argument. Discussion is encouraged as long as mutual respect is part of the equation. Arguing or inflammatory discussion will not be tolerated.
4. Net etiquette: No posting of: attachments, advertisements, chain letters, snowballs, dying child letters, and since most are fake, we will include virus warnings. Do not crosspost any messages from this list or to this list without permission of the original message writer. We understand that some of these are passed unintentionally ie, dying children letters, and we will take that into consideration. Attachments will be removed by Yahoogroups before the message reaches the rest of the list so you need not worry about a virus being transmitted through a list message.
RIGHTS:
Moderators: reserve the right to monitor or moderate messages for inflammatory remarks and content that would cause undo turmoil on the list. The moderators will decide what is appropriate or inappropriate for the list and any actions that need to be taken to keep this a fun and safe place to play. Major list decisions and/or changes in these guidelines will be at the discretion of the moderators. Any changes to these rules will be on a majority vote of the moderators.
List Members: will not be unsubbed without due process (warning and moderation before banning). Moderators will contact list members privately concerning violations of list policy or other concerns of this nature. No rule changes will go into effect until the list has been informed of the change.
Note: All messages are automatically archived at the Illuminated Threads page at Yahoo groups. Posting to the list means that you agree to allow Yahoo Groups to archive your written words for as long as they choose to keep them. the archive is only open to members of the list.
You may access listmember features and change your subscription by going to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/illuminatedthreads/
the list moderators can always be reached at:
Pam ceryndip@juno.com
Jane jlusk@crcom.net
Rebecca ldy_muiriath@yahoo.com
X - Guild Favors - Section amended to eliminate favors in Feb 2009.
Guild members may choose wear a favor to show their membership and standing in the guild. The Illuminated Threads Guild will be represented by a white Celtic triquetra with a colored circle interwoven through the triquetra. Any member may wear the white triquetra with a gold (yellow) circle. The color of the circle denotes the highest level reached by the member in the Scholarship Program. Apprentices will wear a white triquetra with a red circle. Journeymen will wear a white triquetra with a blue circle. Guild Masters will wear a white triquetra with a green circle. The triquetra can be affixed to a neutral background on a traditional favor. It can be tatted, embroidered, braided, or created by whatever method you desire. Instructions for needle tatting and embroidering the triquetra are located here.
Non-member favors may be given to those that assist guild members. The guild triquetra may be used for this with a purple circle interwoven through the white triquetra.
XI - The Scholarship Program
If members wish to measure the progress of their skills, there is an apprenticeship or scholarship program available within the guild. This program is for the purpose of individual progress and is not a competition between members. This program is not a requirement of membership. Members may participate or not at their own discretion.
This scholarship program is not set in stone. We are also not looking for perfection or fault. If a member demonstrates reasonable competencies in the required assignments, they should be allowed to pass to the next level. That said the items made must demonstrate competency in the skills required. The sample must be large enough to show consistency in the skill being demonstrated. The sample or item must also be finished. Depending on the craft the edges bound, the ends woven in, etc.
Success will be determined by a majority vote of the guild mistresses or masters present at the meeting where the member has declared their intention to challenge the next level in the program. This must occur at a regular meeting of the guild chapter and the regularly attending guild members and any master's level members in the chapter must be notified of the intention at least 24 hours prior to the meeting so that they can be placed on the agenda for the meeting by the Head Mistress or Master. If at least 3 master level members are not present at the meeting, the individual may be elevated to the next level in the program by a ¾ vote of all guild members present who agree that the individual has demonstrated the required competencies and completed all requirements for the level. Appeals can be made to the guild masters and the majority decision of the masters will settle the matter.
Any member in the program can challenge any level at any time. New members to the guild who arrive with experience in their chosen area and can demonstrate competencies in both basic and advanced skills may be allowed to skip the requirements of the earlier levels and may be named to a higher level in the program at the time of initial entrance into the program. This will be determined by the guild masters present at the regular meeting. The individual must announce their intention to enter the program and request an evaluation from the members prior to the meeting as stated above.
Mailing List Chapter members who do not have a local chapter may participate in the scholarship program through the mailing list. They will have to provide photos of their required items so that competency in the required skills may be determined by the masters level members on the mailing list. Photos may be posted to the webpage controlling the mailing list: http://groups.yahoo.com/illuminatedthreads/
There are 3 ranks that a member may accomplish within the guild:
Apprentice - This level is open to all members.Apprentices are expected to be working on their basic skills in the chosen craft. They are also expected to begin studying the history of the craft and may specialize in a particular period of history if they wish. They are not expected to use period materials but may if they choose to. In order to advance to the next level, the apprentice will be expected to complete a list of requirements that will allow them to demonstrate their competency in the basic skills of their craft. The apprentice may chose a specific mentor to work under or may work under all or may choose self study. See below for the current list of basic skills and requirements for the most common textile areas.
Journeyman - This level is for those who have mastered the basic skills and are now working on more advanced techniques. They are also expected to continue studying the historical aspects of their craft. In order to advance to the master craftsman level, the journeyman must create an original, finished project demonstrating mastery or advanced skills and techniques in their chosen field of study. There can be one large project or several small projects or a combination of projects. A variety of skills should be demonstrated. Appropriate written documentation explaining the history, methods or construction and materials used must accompany the project(s). It is strongly encouraged that the individual discuss their project with their chapter guild masters before beginning so that all involved can be assured that it will meet requirements.
Guild Master - This level is for those that have demonstrated mastery of advanced skills and techniques as well as knowledge of their chosen craft over time or in a specific historical period. Masters are expected to continue to improve their skills and to increase their knowledge of their subject area. Masters are expected to act as mentors and to share their knowledge and assist anyone who asks to the best of their ability. This guild is about encouragement and supporting others in our shared crafts. Masters are expected to support and encourage. It is not a Master's job to find fault but to gently correct mistakes and provide constructive criticism where necessary but never negative criticism. This is supposed to be a fun and enjoyable experience, it is part of the Master's responsibility as a teacher to do their best to maintain a positive atmosphere for their students to work in.
XIa - Basic Skills and Requirements
This is only a list of the most common ares of study. Members are welcome to work in other areas. If a list of basic skills is not available here, ask the members of your chapter or a group of members in your chapter to work with you to create a list of basic requirements for the craft. Please share this list with the webmistress so it can be shared with all the guild members. You may not be the only one interested in that area of study.
Quilting
Samples or a finished project(s) must be provided including the following quilting stitches or techniques: piecing, applique, intarsia (reverse applique), quilting (at minimum running or back stitch depending on the historical period), tying, and binding.
Weaving
Samples or a finished project(s) must be provided including the following weaving techniques or patterns: tabby, twill (any structure), a striped fabric (any structure), a polychromatic pattern other than a stripe (any structure). The twill requirement is for 4 shed weaving only, it is not required of those using a warp weighted or rigid heddle loom at this level.
Spinning
Samples or a finished project(s) must be provided including the following skills:
thick yarn or thread, fine yarn or thread, plied yarn
Knitting
Samples or a finished project(s) must be provided including the following stitches or techniques or skills: garter or knitting stitch, perl stitch, increasing and decreasing, a join of 2 pieces, panel and circular knitting
Crochet
Samples or a finished project(s) must be provided including the following stitches or techniques or skills: single, double, triple and half double stitches, increase and decrease, join 2 panels, fillet crochet.
Tatting
Samples or a finished project(s) must be provided including the following: double stitch, half stitch, rings, picots, split rings, chains, and polychromatic tatting of at least 2 colors
Lucet Braiding
Samples or a finished project(s) must be provided including the following: basic 1 color square braid, 2 color braid with a gimp, 3 color braid with 2 gimps, 2 color braid with thread exchange, flat braid, beaded braid
Kumi Himo Braiding
Samples or a finished project(s) must be provided including the following: round spiral braid of at least 2 colors, round chevron braid, flat braid any pattern other than spiral and chevron, 1 braid of any complex pattern other than spiral and chevron.
Finger Loop Braiding
Samples or a finished project(s) must be provided including the following: 5 loop braid, 7 loop braid, spiral pattern braid of at least 2 colors, chevron pattern braid of at least 2 colors, 1 braid of any complex pattern other than spiral and chevron
Band Weaving
Samples or a finished project(s) must be provided including the following:
Inkle weaving: a striped band of at least 2 colors, 3 other complex patterned bands of your choice.
Tablet weaving: a checkered band of at least 2 colors, 3 other complex patterned bands of your choice.
Embroidery
Samples or a finished project(s) must be provided including the following stitches: backstitch, stem stitch, chain stitch, french knot, cross or long arm cross stitch, satin stitch, couched thread, and something with beads.
Naalbinding
Samples or a finished project(s) must be provided including the following: blanket stitch (O/UO f1), Oslo stitch (UO.UOO f1), York stitch (UU/OOO f2), panel and circular knitting
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