Beginning in 2025, the first Saturday of every month is an in-person gathering from noon to 2 p.m. at the Northwest Recreation Center (NWRC). Meant as a daytime, weekend, in-person general meeting, First Saturday meetings are a time for WSSA members to share and shine.
These Saturdays will be in-person only to allow members to do short presentations, demonstrations, or casually meet up without having to stress about setting up the audio and video technology required for hybrid Zoom meetings.
Some Saturdays may involve a pre-planned demonstration, others some hands-on fun. Many may simply be an available time to get-together and have casual conversation or a place to meet-up with someone who will show you how to figure out that draft, or how to warp that loom. Study groups should feel free to contact programs@wssaustin.org to use an individual First Saturday for an in-person gathering.
Why Saturday?
Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, WSSA has been making the most of meeting virtually over Zoom, eventually turning our monthly Program Nights into an array of guest speakers from across the country and even overseas. We’re immensely grateful for this opportunity to bring programming to the guild that we could not have possibly afforded otherwise.
But we all miss seeing each other in person too. And try as we might, show-and-tell online just isn’t the same.
We tried the hybrid thing for a bit, but soon learned that – although the enthusiasm was there – many guild members no longer feel comfortable driving at night, or they simply weren’t able to manage an in-person meeting on a weekday night. Furthermore, we didn’t have enough gear, or enough members with the technical experience, to make a hybrid Program Night stress-free for volunteers, and one where everyone could see and hear comfortably and participate fully.
So, we’re sticking with invited guests and occasional member presentations via Zoom for our monthly Program Nights. Check out the members-only calendar for the all the upcoming programming for spring of 2025.
Unfortunately that left our reservation at the Northwest Recreation Center (NWRC) unused. And it’s a fantastic space! And free! With good parking! And nicely located! We decided to see if we could move our reservation to another night and… yes! We were able to move our reservation of the room to the first Saturday of every month from noon until 2pm.
This opens up a whole new set of possibilities for us all.
When is it?
The first Saturday of every month, from noon until 2 p.m.
Where is it?
At the Northwest Recreation Center (NWRC), Northwest Recreation Center, 2913 Northland Dr, Austin, TX 78757
What is kind of events are there?
It depends.
There can be demonstrations, presentations, or even a mini-class. Or it may just be an open couple of hours to meet and weave, spin, knit, crochet, and chat. It’s also a convenient time to meet up with someone who could help you with that question you had.
What’s happening in 2025?
Here’s a tentative schedule for 2025. I hope you’ll participate and make this weekend meeting time your own.
Please note that a volunteer is needed on March 1 and on May 3, to open the room and close up afterward. Contact Fazia at programs@wssaustin.org if you can volunteer either day.
Study groups should feel free to contact programs@wssaustin.org to use an individual First Saturday for an in-person gathering. Likewise, contact Fazia if you would like to do a demonstration or presentation on a First Saturday.
January 4: Show-and-Tell EXTRAVAGANZA and New Member Welcome
February 1: SHARE
March 1: Open
April 5: Demonstration of sprang weaving by member Sara Tittizer
May 3: UFOs – Finishing up unfinished objects
June 7: Tentative activity – see guild announcements
July 5: Tentative: Cotton spinning demonstration
August 2: NO MEETING
September 6: Post-summer Show-and-Tell
October 4: Open
November 1: Open
December 6: Open