MQG Mandatory Membership- What does this mean for the PMQG?
What are the changes, and what does this mean for the future of the PMQG? An explanation and FAQs.
We received word from The Modern Quilt Guild (MQG) this year, 2025, that they have formally ended our previous agreement with them. This agreement allowed our members to decide if they wanted to be members of the MQG as well as the PMQG. That is where the additional $15 MQG membership option came from. All other modern quilt guilds associated with the MQG since its founding already have these membership dues included in their local guild dues. Because the PMQG was founded before the MQG, our guild had this agreement in place with the previous administrators of the MQG. We were the only guild with this special agreement.
In 2026, the MQG will no longer honor this agreement, and we must join to keep our Guild as it is today. This means PMQG must fully engage with MQG or risk losing our guild name, funds, and structure. If we were to disengage, we would have to rename the guild, donate all of our funds to charity, and start over with nothing and risk litigation. It is time for us to put the past behind us and move forward as full members with the MQG.
After carefully reviewing the MQG letter, our guild bylaws, and our options, the PMQG Board believes the best path forward is to remain part of MQG. This is an important moment for PMQG and its status as a guild. We do great work as a guild both for our membership and for our community at large. We do not want to lose this. This is just an inevitable bridge that finally needs to be crossed and we are going forth all together to the other side. Together, we can move forward, stay connected with MQG, and keep building the vibrant PMQG quilting community we all love. Doing so provides significant benefits:
Keeping our name, our funds, and our membership and no risk of litigation.
Every PMQG member would have an MQG membership, access to the MQG website, classes, information, library, social media community chat pages, etc.
Access to national programming, speakers, and resources.
Leadership and educational opportunities for board members.
Stronger visibility and connection with the modern quilting community nationwide.
Many of you that opted for the MQG membership in past years already receive the benefits of the national membership and understand the value and the community offered.
What This Means for You, Our Members:
Beginning January 2026, dues will increase to $70 per year to cover both PMQG and MQG memberships. We know this is a big change, so:
Scholarships will be available ( $25 off new dues) for any member who requests assistance.
Business memberships will adjust to $115 annually.
A new Sustaining Membership ($99) option will be offered in 2026 with PMQG swag and recognition for members who wish to give extra support for our scholarship funds, DEI programs, and helping pay for our great programs, and our charity efforts. This will be like a sustainer membership like OPB has and like the Rhythm Section for KMHD Mt Hood Jazz radio.
Looking Ahead
Staying with MQG and continuing as the PMQG will allow us to keep our funds and to continue offering:
Scholarships for membership, retreats, and workshops
Maintaining relationships with local quilt/fiber arts based businesses
Monthly Sew Days at Mill End
6 In-person meetings online meetings and monthly Lecturers and Workshops
Retreats, Exhibits, and Community events.
Charity groups supplies and support
Adequate storage and supplies to support our growing guild.
FAQS (updated as we get more questions and information)
If you already have an MQG membership through another guild, the MQG will not refund any money.
We will continue with 9-11 hybrid/online meetings for our stay-at-home and remote members. (We usually take off for the summer). We will try and have 4 online workshops as our lecturer schedule allows. If you have lecturers who do online courses, we would appreciate that information for Programs.
We will be having a virtual retreat every year, if possible
If there are other questions, we look forward to hearing from you, and you can always contact the board through the PMQG email - portlandmodernquiltguild@gmail.com
Thank you for your understanding and support,
The Portland Modern Quilt Guild Board 2025