The Mission of CGOA:
The Crochet Guild of America provides
education,
embraces innovation,
and creates connections,
while setting the national standard of
crochet
To
all members: I wish to interview future “Unsung Heroes” for this Series. If
your chapter has a member whom you think deserves this honor by setting an
example of the Mission of CGOA, please contact me at crochetkween@gmail.com
Pam Oddi
By Gwen Blakley Kinsler
Pam Oddi
She attended the Inaugural Crochet Conference in1994 and brought a wealth of abilities along: computer and organizational skills plus experience with not-for-profit groups. While at her first conference, Pam was happy to help wherever needed; getting involved became her contribution at each consecutive conference. Her path to CGOA leadership was becoming evident!Volunteering to take over
the Chain Link Newsletter in 1995 led Pam to become the CGOA Vice
President in 1996. During her tenure, she coded the first website for the
fledgling organization. She also had the foresight to obtain the domain name
that is still in use today: crochet.org! Pam thinks of her work for CGOA, as
the webmaster from 1996-2006, with pride as one of her “lasting contributions.”
I asked Pam if she has a
favorite saying, and she recalled her mother encouraging her to realize that
“one gets out of volunteering what is put into it.” Pam stepped up to be the
CGOA President and served from 1997 until 1999. She says, “My membership
afforded me the opportunity to meet a diverse group of crocheters, as well as
famous designers from so many places in the US and the world. Crocheters become
fast friends and designers are real people who know me.”
Having attended several
conferences, Pam got to know members of the Northern IL Chapter of CGOA
(NICGOA). In 1999 she moved to Illinois with her husband, Andy, from Northern
Minnesota. Soon after, she joined NICGOA
and has been a member ever since! Her service to her chapter became her focus,
yet she always maintained her dedication nationally to CGOA. Pam believes that “Each
CGOA member needs only to determine what skills they can offer. Each of us has
something that we can contribute; and it is sure to lead to a feeling of
belonging to the group!”
Pam wanted to find connection
especially the in-person kind, to find meaning and purpose in her hobby. She
hopes to inspire other CGOA members to do the same.
When I asked Pam what she
discovered that is unique to crochet or is personal to her, she quickly
responded. “Crochet cannot be done by machine; it cannot be mass-produced! Calling herself a “progressive activist,” Pam quips, “I need to learn to do
that!”
Pam’s long-time membership in CGOA has had many rewards in addition to her friendships. She believes that for everyone effort is required to get the most out of membership. She recalls, “I went to all the conferences, took all the classes, and earned the CYC Teaching Certificate. I can now write patterns or modify others. It would not have happened without CGOA.”
She explains, “Today crochet is my passion and volunteering for the Crochet Guild of America is my hobby.” In recognition of her many years of service to the Guild as a living example of the Mission of CGOA, Pam received a Lifetime Membership in 2004!
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