FAQs
For members-to-be and new members:
What is CyberPointers?
CyberPointers is the online chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild (ANG). Membership is open to all members of ANG. All levels of stitchers are welcome, and we provide programs, workshops and lectures for various levels of experience.
When are the meetings?
The general meetings are held in odd-numbered months (January, March, May, July, September, and November), from the first Thursday through the following Monday. A project or technique program is part of each meeting. An attendance poll is taken each day to assure the presence of a quorum.
How are the meetings conducted?
All meetings, programs and workshops are conducted through the groups.io platform, which is accessed primarily through your email but also has a website and apps for mobile devices. Messages are posted and will come as email, and files and photos are posted to the website/app. We have a Show and Share for each meeting where you may post photos of your recent projects.
What educational opportunities are offered?
In addition to the programs during the meetings, we offer 3-4 workshops each year, which are conducted on the groups.io platform via a special group. These usually come from recent national seminars and are run by the professional designers. Files are posted periodically with additional instructional information, the sort of things that the teacher talks about during an in-person workshop. The designer is available to answer questions, and students are encouraged to post in-progress photos of the project. These workshops normally last about a month, with weekly posting of the additional instructions and tips.
We also offer 2-3 lectures each year, via Zoom. Each one lasts about an hour, is given 2 times, on different days of the week, to accommodate as many members as possible. These are not recorded.
How do I join CyberPointers?
First, make sure you are a current member of ANG and have your ANG membership number handy. Then click on Chapter Info in the menu at the top of this page, then on Join CyberPointers. Fill out the registration form and submit it, specifying payment by check or PayPal (PayPal allows you to use a credit card if you don’t have a PayPal account).
Note that we close down new memberships during October, because our renewal cycle begins in November and that prevents members from joining in October and having to renew immediately in November.
For current members:
What is the difference between the website and groups.io?
The website is open to the public and is used to inform everyone about our educational offerings. All registration is done through the website. Groups.io is private and available only to members of CyberPointers, and is used for the day-to-day operation of the chapter. Meetings are conducted on groups.io, as are the meeting programs and workshops.
How do I login to groups.io?
Send an email to internet@cyberpointers.org and she will send you a pdf file with the instructions.
When do I renew my membership?
The renewal cycle runs from November 1 through December 31, with a grace period until January 31. Announcements will be made when the next renewal cycle opens up. Be sure to renew your ANG membership first, before renewing CyberPointers.
How do I contact a CyberPointers board member?
Click on Contacts in the top menu of this page and you will be able to email any of the board members using the links provided.
How can I volunteer to make sure CyberPointers thrives?
Decide what appropriate skills you have that would be useful. This could be anything from organizational skills, communication skills, number crunching, to web page maintenance, social media posting, and too many others to name. None of the jobs involved with CyberPointers takes a lot of time, leaving you plenty of time for stitching. Then email the nominating committee to let them know you would like to volunteer.
Education:
What type of education does CyberPointers offer?
CyberPointers offers six (6) meeting programs per year, one at each general meeting. These may be led by the designer, or by a member who has done the project, and sometimes they come from the Needle Pointers magazine or from the Chapter Project Book. In addition, three or four workshops are offered each year. The workshops are led by the designer/teacher, last for about one month, and have weekly lessons that include additional tips and information on the project. Two or three lectures are offered each year, via Zoom. The lectures are scheduled twice, on different days of the week, to accommodate as many members as possible.
How do I find out what workshops and programs are coming up?
Click on Education in the menu bar at the top of this screen. This will list the programs, workshops, and lectures that are on the schedule. In addition, if registration is currently open for something, a link is put into the sidebar on the right side of each screen. Just click that and you will go to the detail page where you can register.
How do I register for a program, workshop or lecture?
The registration dates for each program, workshop and lecture are posted with the details about the workshop. If a kit or printed material is involved, registration may occur well in advance of the program or workshop. A message will be posted when registration opens. At that time, the registration form will be available on the workshop page. Just fill out the information and specify PayPal or check for payment. International (other than Canada) members will need to contact the Registrar to get the total price including shipping.
How can I see a photo of an upcoming workshop?
Click on Education in the top menu of this page, and then on the program, workshop, or lecture you are interested in. A photo is provided along with the other detailed information.