President
Handcrafted Soap Makers 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.

I've been President ever since - re-elected in 2005 then again in 2007 for two year terms. The 2007 term will be over June 30, 2009 and I won't be eligible for any further terms on the Board or as President. It's a volunteer position, done for the love of the Soap Guild.

When I first came on the Board, I really didn't know what I was in for. It was a rough time for the Soap Guild. There had been power struggles, in-fighting, politics and general unprofessionalism. Members were leaving in droves and the overall public relations of the Soap Guild was tanked.

It was hard trying to pull all the pieces together. Linda Stevens of the Upland Soap Factory was on the Board with me 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.

That first year we spent most of our volunteer time putting out fires and trying to pick up the pieces. I am very pleased with progress made so far. The Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild has become a professional organization, providing good and valuable services to it's membership. All the earlier stuggles and difficulties have gone by the wayside; those particular individuals who thrive on the drama have decided that the Soap Guild is not the right venue to fill their needs. Instead, we 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. It's a great group to work with and for.

The HSMG has also has a strong and dedicated Board of Directors. Jackie Thompson and LaShonda Tyree have both been on the Board since 2004. Leigh O'Donnell has been on the Board since late 2005. Linda Stevens served from 2003 - 2006. Judy Green served for two years from 2005 - 2007. Robert Kishtok has served since 2006. Rosann Drielsma filled in for 6 months when Cindy Chandler was unable to complete her term. Coming on the Board now (to replace Judy and Rosann) are Nadine Laurent and Pam Lyons, both of whom I look forward to working with.

Some of the accomplishments during my time as President:

• Better online exposure for handcrafted soap makers with the Soap Gallery and additional ways for consumers to Find A Soapmaker
• Steadily increasing membership numbers January 2005
• Regularly improving Annual Conferences, with the 2007 Conference in St. Louis being the largest, and most successful, conference ever held by the HSMG. (This was largely due to the excellent leadership of Board Member and Conference Chairman, Leigh O'Donnell of Adirondack Soapworks.)
• Increased exposure of the HSMG and handcrafted soap through ads in Herb Companion Magazine, Natural Home Magazine and Body and Soul Magazine. In addition to the exposure, these ads also produce hundreds of sales leads that members can contact to promote their soaps and products.
• Implementation of Product and General Liability as a member benefit in Fall of 2006. Insurance was and is a major issue within the handcrafted soap industry; many soapmakers were being threated with having to close their businesses because of lack of affordable insurance. This issue is now resolved with the insurance benefit provided with membership.
• Publication of one large, full-color issue of the Handcrafted Soapmaker Journal per year, starting with 2006.
• Adoption of a Code of Ethics
• Improved administrative services through a contracted Management Office in Birmingham, Alabama
• Improved website, allowing members to update and change their own information directly on-line

There is always more to do, but as it stands, I am proud of what I have accomplished to date as the President of the Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild (all done as an unpaid volunteer, too!).