The current round of Secret pal exchanges is coming to an end now -
your June
packages should be posted very soon now and should include a note
revealing
your identity (and email address). Because this is the round in which
you
identify yourself to your pal, I will not be monitoring the thank you
messages,
although if a package fails to arrive I will still make enquiries.
The new round of Exchanges will start in July. Please send your
applications
to me by Friday 17th June. I will work on the pairings over that
weekend.
Because a large majority of people have asked for overseas pals it has
been
difficult, even within USA, to pair people with a new same country pal,
so
this time the same country option is not available, you will almost
certainly
get someone from abroad.
EXPLANATION
For the newbies, a Secret Pal is a person you send gifts to anonymously
for five months, then reveal your name with the sixth package. You
would
be receiving gifts from a different person than the one you send to. The
thank you's for received gifts are to be posted to Lace-Chat.
The gifts are supposed to be tokens of friendship, not expensive items.
Favorite things to send are sweets/candy, chocolate, tea, bobbins,
thread,
regional specialties, pin cushions, small pieces of lace or bookmarks,
patterns,
notecards, toiletries etc. It's also nice to include something about
the
area in which you live, pictures of your lace and in the final package
maybe
a photo of yourself. Anything you like will probably be liked by your
Secret
Pal.
SECRET PAL ADMINISTRATOR
I am Brenda Paternoster from Kent, England and it's my third time as
Secret Pal
co-ordinator.
------------------------------------------
APPLICATION
Arachnians who wish to participate should apply by Friday 17th June. I
will try
to have all the secret pal assignments finalised by the end of June so
that the
packages have time to be assembled. They should be mailed by 5th July.
This exchange will run from July 2005 until December 2005 when you will
reveal
your identity. This is a SIX-MONTH COMMITMENT.
To apply, send an email message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the
following information:
1. Your name
2. Email address
3. Complete mailing address
4. Affirmation of the following statements:
_________I have read and understand the rules of participating.
_________I will mail my packages by the 5th of each month.
_________I will email a thank you message to Lace-chat within
THREE DAYS of receiving each package.
_________I will notify the coordinator immediately if something will
prevent mailing my package on time or if I have to withdraw.
_________I understand that I will be summarily removed from the round
if I fail to fulfill my agreement.
5. Give a brief bio of yourself to assist your Pal in selecting items
for you - stage in life, family, pets, favourite activities, favourite
colors,
types of lace you make or like, non-lace hobbies, pierced ears or not,
food
allergies or diet restrictions (no nuts, sugar, chocolate, etc),
preferred
bobbin styles if you do BL, and anything else you wish to share. The
more info
you give about yourself the easier it will be for your secret pal to
choose
goodies for you.
6. Please tell me the names of people with whom you have already been
paired
with in previous rounds of secret pal exchanges.
RULES
1. Please be prompt in mailing by the 5th of each month so that your
secret
pal gets the package by the 15th of the intended month. It is
depressing
to expect a package and not get one. If you must be late, email me
[EMAIL PROTECTED] before the mailing deadline so your special
pal
can be notified.
2. Include a real, usable return address, not your own. Mine will be
fine
for UK use. Other countries please find a friend who will let you use
his/hers.
All packages need a return address in case of delivery problems.
Packages
sent abroad should bear the necessary customs declaration.
3. When the package arrives, as soon as possible post a brief note to
LACE-CHAT (not Lace!!!) to say Thank You. This lets your sending pal
know
that it was safely received. It's not necessary to write a long
message--
just acknowledge the package. You can send your thank you messages to
lace-chat@arachne.com even if you don't take chat. alternatively you
may
send a message to the co-ordinator at [EMAIL PROTECTED] to
forward
to your pal.
4. Pack carefully. A padded bag may not protect a fragile item. Liquids
aren't good in containers going overseas, and are not recommended in any
package. UK's Royal Mail states that anything "resembling a powder" is
best
avoided or at least double wrapped.
5. If you have not received a package by the 20th, tell the
administrator
so she can find out what has happened. If a person cannot continue the
exchange, the pal will be given to someone else so he/she will not be
left
out. Please let the administrator know if you cannot continue.
6. It is nice to include (or send separately) a personal note to your
secret pal. Be aware, a letter included inside a package could cost
extra
postage, at least in the USA. From UK small packets are OK with a
letter.
You may choose to send the letter in an envelope separately.
7. Enjoy!! It's fun to receive mystery packages, and to send them.
Brenda Paternoster in Kent England
Arachne Secret pal administrator
http://paternoster.orpheusweb.co.uk/
To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line:
unsubscribe lace-chat [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
