Annual Awards Dinner

The Annual Awards Dinner was the final highlight of the Conference. A huge number of awards were presented! It was the culmination of three jam-packed days, and was a great way to end off the Conference.

Attendees arrived for dinner to be seated at beautifully decked out tables complete with the final gift. Everyone was instructed NOT to open them ... so the presents remained on the tables tempting everyone until the announcement of the 2010 conference!

Certified Soapmakers

This year Advanced Soapmaker Certification for both CP/HP and MP was offered for the first time. Certification Exams were held twice during the conference. We ended up with 21 Level 1 Certified CP/HP Soapmakers, 7 Level 1 Certified MP Soapmakers and 3 Level 2 (Advanced) Certified CP/HPSoapmakers. In addition, 10 soapmakers passed the Level 2 (Advanced) CP/HP written exam and 1 passed the Level 2 (Advanced) MP written exam; they will be fully certified after they send in soap samples and pass that portion of the exam.

See all 2009 Certified Soapmakers with pictures

Longevity Awards

The first set of awards went to the 26 members in attendance who had been members of the HSMG for 5 year or more. It is our way to acknowledge those members who have consistently renewed and by doing so, have supported the HSMG. All the certificates were presented by HSMG President, Marie Gale.

See all Longevity Award recipients with pictures

President's Volunteer's of the Year

Every year the President selects one or two volunteers who have gone far above the call of duty. They are honored with the "President's Volunteer of the Year" Award. Congratulations to our two 2009 awardees, Maria Gelnett and Kelly Bloom!

Maria Gelnett

Maria Gelnett Maria was a volunteer on the Conference Committee in 2009 and when one of our Board members had to leave for personal reasons, she was willing to step in and fill the spot. Right away she took over the Programs and Services Committee and leapt forward, tackling the tasks at hand with enthusiasm. Although not officially elected, she was a dedicated member of the Board and got a tremendous amount done, bringing the Programs and Services Committee to where it is today.

Kelly Bloom Some time ago, member Kelly Bloom started offering a special discount at her business, Southern Soapers, for any person who joined or renewed their membership in the HSMG. Essentially, she has provided a $20 rebate to all joining or renewing members. She did this completely on her own and it has been a great benefit to the HSMG. In addition, Kelly has offered Certification Scholarships, which cover a complete Certification (from Basic to Master) for 4 Members.

Honorary Lifetime Members

Our bylaws state that the status of Honorary Lifetime Member may be awarded to a member who "shall have rendered notable service to the HSMG". This year, in a somewhat unusual move, the Annual Meeting was re-convened at the Awards Dinner for the purpose of receiving and voting on recommendations for conferring Honorary Lifetime Member status on three HSMG members. The recommendations received are quoted below.

Linda Stevens We, the members listed below, wish to recommend that Linda Stevens be awarded the status of Honorary Lifetime Member. Linda is one of the longest-standing members of the HSMG and has been involved and participatory during her entire tneure in the organization. She has written articles for the Journal, spoken at numerous conferences (including this one) and served on the Board of Directors for 3 years. As a member of the soapmaking community, Linda has always endeavored to assist other soapmakers, to teach and educate and to assist the HSMG however possible It is our firm belief that Linda has earned the status of Honorary Lifetime Member in the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild. Signed: Marie Gale, Leigh O'Donnell, LaShonda Tyree, Sr. Cathleen Timberlake, Elaine Koronich, Maria Gelnett, Denaige Shanks and Jackie Thompson

LaShonda Tyree We, the members listed below, wish to recommend that Linda Stevens be awarded the status of Honorary Lifetime Member. LaShonda has served onthe Board of Directors to her full term limit (5 years). While on the Board she served as Secretary and Treasurer, and also as Chair of the Marketing Committee and Conference Sponsor Coordinator for two years. Her participation and contribution to the HSMG has been stellar It is our firm belief that Linda has earned the status of Honorary Lifetime Member in the Handcrafted Soapmakers Guild. Signed: Marie Gale, Leigh O'Donnell, Sr. Cathleen Timberlake, Elaine Koronich, Maria Gelnett, Denaige Shanks, Linda Stevens and Jackie Thompson

A Surprise Send-Off for Out-Going President, Marie Gale

HSMG President, Marie Gale, who has been a longtime member of the association, on the Board of Directors since 2003 and President since 2004, presided over both the Annual Meeting and the Awards Dinner as usual. What wasn't usual was that several present and past members of the Board of Directors had some plans to send Marie off with a bang...

At the end of the Annual Meeting a motion was made to postpone ajournment until the Awards Dinner on Thursday night. Marie, looking thoroughly suspicious had no choice but to put the motion to a vote. Since the membership was alerted to the motion before they entered the meeting, it passed with ease.

At the Awards Dinner, the Annual Meeting was reconvened and the two Honorary Lifetime Memberships (above) were presented to the members. At that point, Leigh O'Donnell took over as "Presiding Officer". With much pomp and circumstance, a procession including Linda Stevens, Jackie Thompson, Kevin Dunn & Dennis & Kayla Fioravanti entered the room with a throne and a sceptre (a very lye damaged wooden spoon). The procession presented Marie with her gifts and she was officially crowned with a ceremonial shower cap by Leigh O'Donnell.

Since there was some time while the votes were being cast, it was decided to use the time wisely by sending Marie off in style with a proper and complete roasting.

The roast began with Jackie Thompson comparing past and present members of the Board of Directors to cats (cool cats, wampus cats, catwoman etc). Of course Marie was dubbed "The Cat in the Hat". Then several other roasters got up to BBQ Marie in style. After she was done, good and crispy, it was decided to switch over to allow people to come up and say some nice things, so she wouldn't leave too sad!

Rob Brown (Lebermuth), Kelly Bloom (Southern Soapers), Anne-Marie Faiola (Bramble Berry), Donna Maria Coles Johnson (Indie Beauty Network) and Dennis & Kayla Fioravanti (Essential Wholesale) got up to point out how many great things Marie has done for the HSMG. There was no doubt that her accomplishments and hard work will never be forgotten and have made the HSMG what it is today.

Then it was time to count the votes and Honorary Lifetime Membership was awarded to Marie Gale, a small token for such a fantastic president and person. After a standing ovation and a few tears the reconvened Annual Meeting was adjourned.

2010 Conference Announced!

The final business of the night was the announcement of the location and date of the 2010 Conference. Attendees were told they could finally open the gifts on the table.

While presents were being unwrapped, a slide show was being shown. Of course it was pictures of the area of the 2010 conference. When the attendees got the presents open, the location and date were presented. Every attendee received a USB flash drive with the HSMG logo, candies, an invitation (and discount coupon) to the 2010 Conference and information on Denver, Colorado.

Join us there!!!

Next: 2010 Conference!