Monday, July 12, 2010

Fair Square Members

Over the last 6-9 months, participation in the Fair Square rounds have been dwindling down to less and less participants. The 4th of July round had 14 and the last regular round, #19, had 8. Signups for round #20 just ended and there were only 3. There are currently 110 members on the Fair and Square.

I know times are bad right now for alot of people. The economy stinks and job situations are not so good either. I, myself, was just laid off 3 weeks ago. I also know that there are alot of members on here that have not participated for quite a long time.

Therefore, there will NOT be a round #20 and I will evaluate future rounds as they come. I really don't want to just can this entire blog as this one is of an older version and has some perks that the newer ones don't have. This exchange just involves squares--no finishing or extras so I am just guessing as to why the lack of participation.

Feel free to leave any ideas or comments you may have.

Thanks,
Jill

15 comments:

Faye said...

Hey Jill, I am interested in Round 20>>. I guess when I saw the previous post saying you could sign up by July 28, I was just holding off to sign up...I am assuming now the cut off was June 28...?.. I would like to sign up. I try to sign up every other time due mostly to other exchange commitments...But I REALLY do enjoy this exchange b/c it is fairly easy to do without any finishing involved. I hope the members rally and get involved as this exchange is a great one to keep going!! Thanks again for everything you do Jill!!! Faye

DianeM said...

Good Morning - I sent you an email afew days ago requesting membership...I'd be happy to participate :) I like the fact that it's just the cross-stitch that is exchanged.
Smiles, DianeM
P.S. - I'm sorry to hear about your job loss, my household is struggling through that too :(

Janice said...

Hi there Jill, I've noticed the response has been down also but I hoped it was just a temporary lull. Like Faye, I too planned to join round 20 but obviously missed the cut-off date. Maybe it's time to contact current members and see if they are still interested. If you find some that aren't maybe the group can be opened up to new members. Take care Jill and thanks for all you've done to keep this going! Janice

Christine said...

Please throw my name into the pot for round #20. I expressly joined this exchange because of the fact that we don't have to finish the squares and each person can put them to the use they want.

Sorry to hear of the lay-off, Jill. You do a wonderful job of keeping this blog and exchange going and I thank you for that.

LindataxPA said...

Hi Jill - I was going to sign up for Round 20 but got behind and just going to be able to send out Round 19 and 4th of July Rounds tomorrow, so I was following the rules and not signing up because past obligations were not complete. I like the variety of stitching that is available when we are trying to match our partners' likes and dislikes. But it's unfair to you for the time you spend monitoring this and doing the work that comes with pairing partners. No easy decision. If you take me for my word that my other rounds are done and ready to be mailed tomorrow, please include me in round 20.

Linda B

Jennifer said...

I think opening the blog up to new members might energize the exchange. I think there are probably some current members no longer interested in participating, and if so, should be willing to give up their spots to newcomers.

nkuelbs said...

Hi Jill:
I've been one of those who took a good amount of time off from exchanging, and just started back in with the 4th of July exchange. I love this group because it is tailored to everyones likes, but have not taken the plunge to join one of the exchanges that are not holiday related. If Round 20 is going to be revived, I would love to join, and if not I will join in #21. Jill, you have done an amazing thing with all the time you devote to this exchange blog, thank you for all you have done.

Colleen said...

I would love to join and participate in the exchanges, but noted that you were not accepting new membership as of 01/2010. On the chance that you open membership, I will send a letter of application.
Been watching the blog for a while now and Jill, you do a great job moderating. It does take dedication.

Colleen

Michele said...

I love this blog too, very much! I haven't bee participating in the regular rounds lately, just the holiday ones .. I've always enjoyed getting to know my partner for the exchanges .. it's a fun blog!

I do like Jennifer's idea of maybe opening up to new members? Maybe after taking a headcount of those that truly want to stay in the exchanges? I wouldn't want to say you HAVE to sign up for X amount of exchanges, but I think it's fair to say one a year?

and you know if you want/need any help .. I'm here :)

Crossed Yarns said...

Hi, Jill. Sorry to hear about your job situation and hope something will turn up soon. Like a few of the others I thought the sign-up deadline was July 28 so was taking my time. Happy to continue with F&S for this and future rounds. Thank you for keeping this exchange going. Cheers,Pokua

nadia said...

Hi Jill, I can imagine it's frustrating to keep this blog "alive" with so less entries. I'm still an enthousiastic member from abroad and I hope we'll survive this "falling down". I also think it's a good idea to analyse whether the current members want to continue, when people drop out, there will be room for new (enthousiastic) members. Thanks for all the work you put in this great swapblog!

lenna said...

Jill ~ I am so sorry you got layed off. Hang in there something will turn up. My prayers will be with you.
I did sign up for #20 and was waiting to hear from you with my partner choice.
I agree with Jennifer, that something needs to be done if someone is not interested in doing this exchange. I know I waited for about 6 months and then got lucky enough to be picked when I sent my application to you. If these people don't sign up for say 6-9 months they will be requested to give up their spot. I know there are a lot of new people who would love to exchange here.
It's a great blog I have enjoyed it so much. You do a great job of keeping us together and happy. Thank you so much.
Take care and I hope you find something very soon.
God Bless ~
Lenna

Nicky said...

Hi Jill,
I too appreciate the great work you do on the blog. I was one of the very first members of the blog, I think I started in round 2. I counted 26 squares just the other day and I plan to stitch them into a quilt. I decided to take a break from exchanging for awhile as it has become more of a chore than fun. I have always enjoyed emailing my partner and choosing a design to suit their needs. It is a fun exchange to be part of and I'll probably want to continue again in the future. Maybe opening it up to new members might rejuvenate the blog again!
Thanks once again for the great work you do as a moderator!
Nicky

Nicky said...

Hi Jill,
I too appreciate the great work you do on the blog. I was one of the very first members of the blog, I think I started in round 2. I counted 26 squares just the other day and I plan to stitch them into a quilt. I decided to take a break from exchanging for awhile as it has become more of a chore than fun. I have always enjoyed emailing my partner and choosing a design to suit their needs. It is a fun exchange to be part of and I'll probably want to continue again in the future. Maybe opening it up to new members might rejuvenate the blog again!
Thanks once again for the great work you do as a moderator!
Nicky

Sonda said...

Jill,

I'm in my last month of nursing school, so I have been holding off of any exchanges or committments til I'm done. But I truly can't wait to participate again. I have enjoyed this exchange and would like to see it continue.