Does anyone know if there is a group other than the local chapter of ICES that meets regularly. If not, would anyone be interested in joining a group that meets around once a month just for chatting and maybe learning something new? Not formal or anything, just a friendly common interest group. No fees, no hierarchy etc.

Or, if anyone feels that spending $60 on an ices membership has value, I'd like to hear that too.

Joy

would love a group...

ices for me is problematic in that all their meetings start early on Sundays, and I'm in church (also church treasurer -- last minute checks!) -- I understand why not on Saturdays (weddings) but -- still -- I could make a Saturday meeting more so than a Sunday, unless it was right close in Fayetteville (even a Sun. mtg. in Fayetteville would have to start no earlier than 1P so I'd be out of church)

also, their meetings all take 2+ hours to get to from where I'm at. I can only imagine what it's like for people out on the coast. for an 11A mtg. in the triangle I would have to leave home no later than 8A just to be sure to be there on time.

and at this point, the national convention is just so out of reach financially that I haven't bothered to join.

the big challenge is all our competing schedules (I work full time and deco on the side) and the distances involved.

----

anyone care to convince me ICES is worth it?

would love to join , if you start a club just let me know my email is [email protected]

would love something like that.
I am a member of ices but so far have not be getting my moneys worth meeting are just at bad time so may not rejoin next year.
Even if we did not meet in person a lot we could make a group like on yahoo groups that we can share ideas and any helpful information, and then try to meet in person on occasions
let me know

I would love a group so count me it too. If a group is created, I can be contacted at [email protected]

Thanks a bunch

I'd be interested!

Great!! I'll wait and see if there are more responses before setting things up. I'm not sure what to do about distances though, maybe rotating through members homes/hometowns and organising carpools?

Doug - I love reading your posts. I would love to meet you!!

Joy

Count me in! I'm in Smithfield, about 20 minutes east of Raleigh. Let me know if a group develops!

[email protected]

PS ~ I wanna meet Doug, too! He's my hero!

I'd definitely be interested! I'm in Fayetteville (about an hour or so from Raleigh/Durham area). Email address: [email protected]

I don't know anything about ices...however I'm in Wendell (about 20 min east of Raleigh) and would definitely be interested! Let me know. [email protected] or www.myspace.com/howiesmom

Add me to the list. I am in Elon, North Carolina.

I am currently a member of ICES. I love the group, and the members are great. However, (isn't there always a however) I have a problem attending meetings because of time and distance issues. I'm in High Point, so any meeting is at least 90 minutes away. For me that means leaving at around noon on Sunday to attend meetings that start at 2PM. My other issue is that Sunday is about the only day off I get. If it's a toss up between getting some rest, spending time with my family, or going to a meeting that involves 4 hours of travel time...ICES loses.

As for the convention, I haven't been in two years. They are just too expensive. I'm going to IBIE in Orlando this October. Total expense is under $700 for my husband and I. I just can't justify the ICES convention expense. I, too, am considering letting my membership expire when it runs out next year. Sixty dollars for the newsletter is a bit much.

I have a shop in High Point and would be willing to host a get together occasionally. If anyone is really interested, please email me: [email protected].

I'd be interested, too. I couldn't meet on Saturdays, though, so don't let me hold the rest of you up. I could meet Saturday evenings during the winter because Shabbos ends earlier, but that's about it.

Kathi
[email protected]

Add me as well!

Okay - so far we have had respondents from the following areas:

Lumberton
Smithfield
Fayetteville
Wendell
Elon
High Point
Raleigh
Cary
Durham

I am not sure where some of these places are, but it seems there is a concentration around the triangle area and then some outer lying areas. I would be happy to host our first meeting, but was wondering if there is anyone midway between Lumberton (the furthest away I think) and Raleigh who would like to host? Any date suggestions? I am free any Sunday (Doug has problems with travel time for Sunday) and a lot of Saturdays (problem for KathiK)

Doug - what time would you realistically be able to make a meeting hereabouts (on a Sunday)?

depends on where

if in fayetteville -- as early as noon (hurry pastor -- talk less! only person left to hurry up -- the organist already plays so fast it's hard to keep up at times!) (and how knows, since I am the treasurer and on council -- maybe could talk them into letting us use the church parish hall for a meeting)

raleigh and environs--well now it's 2pm

I too would be very interested!!! I am in Sanford, which is in the very center of NC. About 45 min from Raleigh, about 45 min from Fayetteville, 45 min from Durham, 45 min from Chapel Hill, and about an hour from Lumberton.

Any of these places would be convenient for me to travel to or I would be happy to host a meeting here!

Okay everyone

Southerncake has kindly offered to host. She is in Stanford, which sounds pretty much equidistant from everyone. The date she has suggested is Sun Sept 16. Does that work for everyone? If not, please suggest another date and we will see what works out. I was thinking of meeting at around 2pm. Should we ask for a demonstration from someone at this meeting, or just talk about what we want from a group like this?

I'm really looking forward to meeting all of you!!

Joy

Sounds good to me!

Thanks for getting the information out Joy!! I am open to other dates if anyone has any suggestions. If we can get a couple of options down by tomorrow (Saturday), I can go ahead and check to make sure the location I have in mind is available.

Also, I am very flexible as far as time. I am thinking 2 p.m., but if that is too late/early please make any suggestions you may have. I thought 2 would be enough time for most people to get out of church and get to Sanford/Lee County.

I am so excited!!!!

16th @ 2P sounds good to me too.

(of course, kindly supply map/directions)

(are we to bring anything? punch? chips? dips? finger food? pie? jell-o mold? -- note how I'm avoiding cake/cookies!)

I live in Monroe which is right outside of Charlotte I am about 1 1/2 from Lumberton and 2 hours from Raliegh

I would love to join a group like this! Count me in, I've let my ICES membership lapse because of time and money involved. Sanford works for me! Please keep us updated on time, place, etc. Also if we can help in anyway, food, drinks, etc.
Joy, I'm also in Durham so if I can help, please pm me!
Leslie

ooo...don't shoot me but.....
'
should we call ourselves....

::drum roll::
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icing heels?

I think we should make this a meet and greet. I am guessing we will only have about 2 hours and none of us have actually met each other - so I forsee lots of talking (will you be able to cope with the competition Doug?). We can then, as a group, decide on the format of future meetings. Seeing as I started this whole thing I don't mind "chairing" this meeting. Southerncake - thanks for your generosity!

BUT please - I am not a dictator!! If you all would like a demo that's good too.

Joy


Oh - and what about Frosting Heals!! (spelling intended)

I agree with Joy that it should be a "meet & greet" and then decide how we want to proceed with our future meetings. It will be nice to put names and faces together! I wonder if any other folks from CC have put together a "meet & greet" in their respective area, if so, they would be a good resource for our group.
Leslie