Coos Curry Small Woodlands Association

Last March I had the honor of being elected as President of the Coos Curry Small Woodlands Association. It’s the local chapter of the
Oregon Small Woodlands Association.

As President of CCSWA, my main focus has been on working with the Board of Directors to encourage more member participation. A scholarship committee has been established to research the possibility of awarding a scholarship to a local high school student. We sent out our first newsletter in September and launched the website at that time.

It’s my goal to increase local membership, provide more services for the members and encourage more member participation.

Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild, Inc.

I’ve been a member of the Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild, Inc. since 1998 and was elected to the Board of Directors in 2003. The following year I was re-elected to the Board of Directors and became the Vice-President. Immediately on taking office I assumed the Office of President as the elected President was unable to take office due to health issues. From that point, I served as President until June 30, 2009.

When I first came on the Board, I really didn’t know what I was in for. Linda Stevens of the Upland Soap Factory was on the Board with me in the beginning and luckily we worked very well together. We went from not even knowing each other, to working together closely for a year and then finally meeting in person! It was an interesting year, to say the least. I now count Linda as one of my very good friends.

The Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild has become a professional organization, providing good and valuable services to it’s membership. It has have a membership of dedicated soapmakers and vendors who are working to improve their own businesses and soapmaking skills and want to see the industry thrive and expand.

The current President, Leigh O’Donnell, is doing a marvelous job and has a strong and dedicated Board of Directors and an excellent team of volunteers.

I’m very proud of my accomplishments during my time as President, and of what the Soap Guild developed into while I was President. Leigh and her team are carrying the ball and the HSMG continues to expand both in size and scope. It’s a strong organization and I’m honored to have been awarded the status of Honorary Lifetime Member.