TL;DR
The new guild season starts in October. Current and new members can all attend the September meeting. This season’s Board of Directors includes new faces and returning officers. Look for a call for volunteers to support various committees that are forming.
Greetings
Hello Toronto Knitters Guild! I hope this letter finds you in good health and good spirits. I am Mary Tarr, TKG Secretary ‘24-’26, and newly elected President for ‘26-’28. As we are preparing to embark on a new Guild season, I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce myself and share some of my thoughts.
Membership Season
Toronto Knitters Guild season goes from October to September with a two month summer hiatus in July and August. The upcoming September meeting is “Officially” the last meeting of the 2025-26 Season. New Memberships purchased for 2026-27 season include the September meeting, knit night, and all benefits of membership (discounts, etc). Active members have the entire month of September to renew prior to the Official start of the next guild season in October.
Old Board/New Board
This new season starts with sincere gratitude for the dedication and hard work of our Board of Directors.
Departing board members
Deborah Roed and Genevieve Chornenki
Two past presidents who will continue in an advisory role (non-voting)
Sara Joyce and Cathy Briant
Continuing board members
Kristen Pytlowana, Danielle Taylor, Joanna Fromstein, Sarah Dawn Adams, and Samantha Chezy
New board members
Warmest welcome for our newest board members joining us in the roles of vice president and secretary, respectively:
Phaedra Livingstone and Jennifer Webster
All hands on deck
Our Board is awesome, we are dedicated volunteers, but we are spread very thin. Several individuals have taken on multiple roles over the past several years which is not sustainable long term. Life events happen. Every volunteer should feel supported with back-ups and contingency planning, so when sh*t happens, we aren’t worried about guild stuff. My goal as president is to build up our committee membership, distribute workloads and get more hands on deck without adding more work for our beleaguered crew.
In order to accomplish this I will:
- Reduce barriers for volunteers
- Find user-friendly technologies for communication and collaboration
- Identify tasks that can be streamlined, combined, or split.
- Define clear roles and time commitments
- Newsletter, knit night, events planning
- Bite-sized commitments (e.g. one month contributions)
- Co-work/two-person team (alternating months, or collaborate with a friend)
- Committee openings
- Special Skills / Consultants
- Newsletter, knit night, events planning
- Provide incentives for volunteering
- Membership Fee reduction
- Resume content- Career / Skill Building, Volunteer experience
- Letter of Recommendation
- Mentoring / Menteeing
We need you, our members, to lend a hand if you are able, to keep this wonderful guild operating. I will ask for your patience as we learn how to manage new volunteers, communications, training, etc. while also keeping everyone’s workload manageable and within the guild’s vision, mission and values. I am confident that once we get started we will have smooth sailing (and lots more time for knitting).
Closing
In the lead up to October, the board will be planning the guild’s budget, calendar and committee needs and goals. Keep an eye out for volunteer sign-ups.
I’m looking forward to the upcoming season and reuniting with you all.
Sincerely,
Mary Tarr
President,
Toronto Knitters Guild
Celebrating the Joy of Yarn
TKG Vision/Mission/Values
Vision
We foster a supportive and welcoming fibre community, encouraging learning, inspiration, and sharing the joy of yarn.
Mission
We facilitate learning and social activities and opportunities.
We provide platforms to connect with those that are in the fibre industry.
We offer opportunities for the Guild to respond to the needs of the community.
Values
Culture of Inclusivity
Transparent Communication
Embrace the Guild Rules of Conduct
Encourage and inspire creativity
Provide space for learning and exploration
A community of openness
