DOLORES' PART

But, lets begin at the beginning...where do you start when you would like to form a cake club?

HOW I DID IT: A few years previously I had belonged to a cake club. I started a cake club in 1980. It is still operating, but not in my shop anymore. I had just opened my supply shop when I decided to do this. When I decided I wanted to start a cake club, the first thing I did was to take names of people who thought they might be interested in being members. This was the easy part LOL. But when I had about 40 names I decided on a date and called them all for our first meeting. Of course everyone on the list did not show up. But I think we did have 22 interested people who attended this meeting.

I sure wish I had all the instructions I once had for starting a cake club. I had it all organized and sent the instructions all over the world. But now I can't find it and I must have discarded it.  Carol Ising probably DOES have a copy. She attends our chats sometimes. Her email address is IsingC@aol.com. I wish I'd noticed the title of this chat sooner and could have been much better prepared. I also gave a copy to Mail Box News. They are planning to offer the copy again real soon. They wrote to get my permission several months ago.

Chef Nana1: is mailbox news a magazine?
CCChefDol: yes...Mail box News (MBN) is a mag full of cakes
CCChefPwd: Mail box news is a great magazine for beginner decorators
EJ546: how do you get the magazine?
CCChefDol: MBN address is in our cake decorating area here...set it to 1999 to read all messages
CCChefPwd: Subscription only Ej546
CCChefDol: I love that mag - MBN!
MaraTLee: I sent in my check for a 2 year subscription, not too expensive

LAYOUT:    I had an agenda planned. We decided on a day (TUESDAYS) and time (7-9PM). A name for our new club.
NAME: Several people made suggestions, we voted and used the name decided by the majority. We decided on "Sweet Treats Cake Club" I gave them a brief outline of what to expect out of a cake club...demos, business meeting etc.
DUES:   We decided how much dues monthly (or they could pay yearly too) would be. Not sure of the amount, but I think we decided on about $11.00 per year. Or paying monthly $1.00 per month. I did a demo and we talked a lot about decorating.
    We decided that members of the club would do demos, each taking our turn down the list of members. The business meeting  would be first, keeping it as brief as possible.

BY-LAWS: We also had to compose a list of By-laws to be followed:
1. Membership - Attendance, 2. Club Dues, 3. Club Newsletter (which I wrote and members paid me for)., 4. Guest Attendance (members couldn't bring their kids...disrupted etc), 5. Club Charity (you must do something each year for charity to remain non-profit), 6. Fund Raisers, 7. Demonstrations
DUTIES:  Duties of Officers: President (resided over the meetings and led the agenda), Vice President (filled in for the president of absent), Secretary (kept records and took the minutes), Treasurer ( kept money records and deposited all moneys in our club account) , Public Relations Officer (kept scrap book, newspaper clippings, and put an article in the newspaper each month about our meetings, Sunshine Girl: (sent birthday cards, get well cards etc, to members), Secret Pal: (Pals gave each other a cake, gift and card of their choice). I still have a copy of the by-laws if anyone wants a copy.
   We usually had from 25 to 30 members in attendance each month. We had 3 demos per month. We had one FULL demo and 2 mini demos each month. We went down the membership line in choosing. When our name came up, it was our duty and responsibility to do a demo. This was the hardest part of all! Everyone wanted to watch demos but hardly anyone wanted to DO one. It was hardest for new inexperienced decorators. We understood and tried to give them a few months before they were required to do one.

MONEY MAKERS:  Once the club got going we realized we needed to make some money other than dues, so that we could buy things we needed. Here are a few of the ways we made money:

1. WEDDING CAKE DEMO: Once a year I did a wedding cake demo...a wedding cake from start to finish. We would post a notice on the front of my shop and we gave the cake away free to a bride who had entered a contest and won it. We had them submit there name and reason they wished to win the cake. We liked to give it to a bride who was short on funds. We set an entry deadline. Once we chose a bride, we called her and found out her colors and the style of cake she preferred. Then I chose the design that would fit the bride's choices best. We set the size of 16-12-9-6. Members baked the layers...that gets hairy! Once I had to hurry and bake a layer when someone baked the wrong size. Once there was such a hump left on a cake that I was afraid it would crack apart...etc. We invited non-members for $5.00 each. We served refreshments brought by members.

MaraTLee: Dee, that's a great idea!
CCChefPwd: Neat idea
CCChefDol: ...yes, but not many enter...they don't realize
CCChefDol: I have all the particulars lined up for this if I can get hold of a set of my old notes for you
MaraTLee: Dee, how far in advance did you pick the winner, after all, what if she ordered a cake
MaraTLee: already from someone else, how did they take the cancellations?
CCChefDol: Mara...just in time for me to make her flowers...giving them a chance to enter. Officers chose
CCChefDol: That was NOT allowed...we put that in the agreement I think....they froze the cake...maybe for 2-4 months before the wedding date.
MaraTLee: no, I meant if they cancelled on someone else because they won yours.
CCChefDol: Mara...we tried VERY hard to not allow them to do this.
CCChefDol: I really don't remember exactly how we handled this and I need my notes back!

2. AUCTION: Items were brought for auction by members, (sometimes wrapped), both pink elephant and some really great items...used or new. A member was the auctioneer. With 25 members in attendance we made over $400.00 and had a  GREAT time! Refreshments were brought and served. All proceeds went to our charity.

CCChefPwd: We did an auction one time in a DOS with tickets being bought.
It was a great big box. The person whose ticket was drawn opened the box and another wrapped box was inside.  Then
everyone was allowed to buy more tickets.  The next person whose ticket was drawn opened the box and another one was inside.  This went through several boxes until finally someone’s ticket opened the box that the gift was
actually in. Sure raised a lot of money and it was fun

3. CHARITY: We chose Cystic Fibrosis since a member had a daughter with this dreadful disease.
You are going to ask me why they no longer meet here. This is a long story, but to make it brief, there was no loyalty from them that I provided a meeting place. I got tired of cleaning up and emptying the trash after meetings. Yes, I tried to tell them they needed to do it themselves, but that didn't mean a thing. Now they meet in a club house which charges a $50.00 deposit. If they do not leave it clean like they found it, their deposit is not returned. Otherwise it is free. They only have about 5 members now. Its hard to gain new membership without having a center for 'advertising' this.
   Another good place to meet FREE is in a church. But no one who gives a club free space is going to appreciate the club not cleaning up after meetings.
MaraTLee: Dee. that's why I stopped teaching in my store......LOL
CCChefDol: ...welll I know a group that learned the hard way LOL
CCChefPwd: Sometimes adults forget to act like adults
MaraTLee: There should be a big sign saying" Your mother doesn't work here!!!"
MaraTLee: "please clean up after yourself!"
CCChefDol: Once someone left a giant coke on my counter with cakes displays and it melted through and ran all over the place...ruined a lot
CCChefDol: I tried everything and the SAME people still did it.
Gigimama: I would be ticked off, too!
JWGPKG: Maybe that's when you selectively tell those people they're not welcome anymore.

CCChefDol: we made all the candy in my classroom...made $2,000.00 or about that I think
Cake Wmn: ChefD, where did you sell the candy?
KBius: Chefdol, who did you sell the candy too?
CCChefDol: We sent candies into work with people in a BIG box. Priced

Icing Wiz: Our library has kitchen facilities and is free

4. CANDY SALE: Once the club decided to make chocolates and sell them as a money making project to help with our expenses going to ICES.

WHEN TO MEET?
We have had a cake club in our area for over 25 years and just this last year we have sort of fizzled out.  Several members moved and others have just gotten to busy to come to meetings once a month.   I think we had just gotten lazy and our membership just sort of dwindled down.  You must keep it interesting and alive to keep it going. We are now considering meeting four times a year on Sunday afternoons.   This would allow some of the decorators from the surrounding areas to come to the meetings and give us a longer time we could meet with the possibility of doing more hands on workshops.  In the past we have been limited to 30 minute demonstrations only - because of our time limitation at our meeting site.    With the Sunday afternoon format we can do mini days of sharing demos or workshops.   The hardest thing in doing a cake club is finding a time that will work for members to be able to come to the meetings.  Everyone’s schedule is so busy and then in addition most of them are doing cakes in the evenings so it really gets hard.   We thought maybe Sunday afternoons four times a year might fit into busy lives easier than the second Monday of every month.

HOW DO YOU ORGANIZE IT?
You need a little basic structure.
Dues (maybe $10 - 25 a year) to cover incidental expenses such as room rental, coffee,  or a fee to a visiting instructor.
Officers the same as any organization
A really good enthusiastic program chairman - to plan your sugar sharing in the meetings.
A possible club project for your community.   Such as goodies for the cancer kids when they have special check up days at the hospitals.   Goodies for the Ronald McDonald houses.  Anyplace in your community that you can use your special talents to help those who are less fortunate by making their day a little brighter.

WHAT DO YOU DO?
Each member must be willing to share with the others to make this an equal learning opportunity for everyone.  I have learned so many things from beginner decorators.  People who have just playing around with the icing and found some new ways of doing things or happen to be watching some program on cable and picked up a technique none of us knew about.  We had one gal who did a program on just that type of thing.  She happened to have the TV on one day and this person was making piping gel designs that were done ahead of time and placed on the cake.  First you need to reverse your pattern.  Then place it under wax paper  that has been taped smoothly and flat on stiff cardboard.
   She colored some piping gel black and with a number one tip she outlined her design on wax paper.  Let that sit for a few hours and then go back and fill it in with appropriate colors sort of like the color flow techniques.  Now let this sit and dry for at least 24 hours.  When it is dry peel off the wax paper and turn over the design.  Do any additional details necessary and place on your cake with a little wet buttercream under the design.  It is shiny, inexpensive and easy to do.

CCChefDol: piping gel...one gal in club mixed edible glitter in it and it was metallic
Icing Wiz: I didn’t realize piping gel dried like that
CCChefPwd: I didn't either Icing.  It really did look neat and professional
CCChefDol: Yes Icing...I'm going to dry some 'lines' for a 'brick' pattern for my castle

Cake clubs are great for sharing ideas or bouncing ideas off of people who know the problems you might have in constructing something a customer wants.  A place you can come to learn something or share a fun design you did recently.   All our lives are different and we each have other specialties that contribute to our sugar art.  One gal did miniatures and her knowledge there helped the rest of us learn more about proportions.  One gal loves the molded sugar technique and showed us how she makes cake ornaments with the molded sugar.
 
One gal uses cookie molds extensively and shared her knowledge in handling those with us.  You don’t have to have super qualified teachers - you just have to have people with the same interest in the sugar arts and each one must be willing to share information and techniques.  Not just be takers but be willing to give also.  Everyone can’t come just to learn or your club will turn into a class with a teacher resenting always being the teacher.   Each person must be willing to share in the responsibility of doing demos or programs or finding people who will.   Sometimes you have people who are so new to our sugar world that they feel they cannot demo - but they can ask another member in the club to do a program on a specific subject and offer to assist and gather materials for that person.

A cake club in your area doesn’t just happen -  it does take some real effort on several peoples part to get one started and keep it organized and going.  Good luck in starting one in your area.

CCChefDol: having to demo is the worst part to deal with
CCChefDol: mini demos help...they aren't so frightened
Cakestmper: I love to do the demos, its a thrill!
CCChefDol: Cakes...keeps you a little nervous and on your toes, right
CCChefPwd: But when you are a new decorator - you don't think you know anything they want to see
CCChefDol: but NEW decorators know more than they think sometimes
CCChefPwd: New decorators are where we get new fresh ideas.

Icing Wiz: I know I missed the first 15 min. did you discuss how long cake club meetings last? and what do you do during that time? One demo ?
CCChefPwd: Icing it depends on where you meet as to how long your meetings can last
CCChefDol: Icing...ours was Tues, 7-9PM- 1 full demo and 2 minis
Icing Wiz: I thought of organizing a cake club for years now and I had a thought of giving a mini cake to those in the hospital during their birthday
CCChefDol: nice Icing...non profit clubs are required to do one charity to qualify as non-profit
MaraTLee: Ha, in my area, I'm it!!!! but still can't get rich off it.....Why Dee??:)
Icing Wiz: I find the thing I like best about DOS is socializing and networking with people who have your same interests.
CCChefDol: Mara...just you wait...they haven't discovered you yet...honest!
KBius: I mean how, how to start a cake club.

CCChefDol: ...help...like Pwd said...once Sue went & helped a member who broke her leg...until 2 am!
Gigimama: With the internet (and Dolores' message board!) it is easier to get info now
EJ546: sometimes meeting once a week is too much
CCChefDol: Pwd, I think it would be very hard to get together around here on Sundays!
CCChefPwd: once a month even gets to be to much
EJ546: yes true
Icing Wiz: I like the 4 times a year idea with my busy schedule
KBius: Every couple of months would be something to look forward to
CCChefDol: I was willing to do a demo every month, but one gal wanted the 'limelight' and wouldn't let me...gets bashful people off the hook too
MaraTLee: Yeah, the 4X a year is a good guide line
CCChefPwd: We have several people who would have to drive over an hour to get here and
EJ546: is there a fee to the 4 x yr workshops?
CCChefPwd: Sunday afternoons would work better for them
Thinkchoc: sorry, I was late-how did you initially get the cake decorators together to start the club?
CCChefDol: True..IF family outings don't interfere...wouldn't work here I can tell you
CCChefDol: Think...I had a supply shop and I took down names of people
CCChefDol: Pwd...whats wrong with Tuesday nights???
Thinkchoc: I'm having a hard time trying to even find any cake decorators that live here!!
EJ546: yes but when there is something you want to do..you try to make the time!
Icing Wiz: yes,I find that same problem with my students agreeing on a day
CCChefDol: Think...can you get the sake supply shop to help? Or put up a notice at it?
CCChefPwd: Meeting at night would exclude those who would like to drive in from out of town.
MaraTLee: Icing, you set the date and if interested they will be there...
EJ546: yes Mara
Thinkchoc: Most of them have gone out of business here
EJ546: is there a fee if you only do the 4x year demos?
CCChefDol: ...post a notice in the local newspaper too...but don't expect much response
CCChefPwd: There would have to be EJ - you will still have expenses and someone has to pay them
MaraTLee: Think, were are you located?---you might just need to fill that niche
CCChefDol: EJ...the only reason for a fee is to help cover club expenses
Thinkchoc: Long Island, Mara
EJ546: so how much would you ask others, not members to pay for the meeting?
CCChefDol: Think...'most' maybe were too many...look for a nice shop owner and ask. It will benefit the shop also...people buy what is shown etc
OnlineHost: GOOO8 has entered the room.
CCChefPwd: Any one attending who is not a member should be expected to pay a fee.
Icing Wiz: I thought of calling or sending postcards to all my past students
CCChefPwd: If they joined that could be waived
Thinkchoc: Thanks, Dol I'll try that
EJ546: good idea Icing
MaraTLee: that's a way to start Icing
CCChefDol: Icing...I'd definitely CALL
MaraTLee: Yes, follow up with a  call....
CCChefDol: Icing...set a date first...honest Tuesdays really worked out well
Icing Wiz: I know it won't be Thursdays LOL
RachDminor: I love the hospital idea, too .. very much.
CCChefPwd: Gives you practice and makes them know someone cares
MaraTLee: but you have to ask first, they value their privacy
CCChefDol: ...I bet cake decorators spend more time on this computer that they would at a club meeting
CCChefDol: "must be willing to share...constantly NEED reminded of that!
RachDminor: I never really thought of a cake club, but I know I couldn't wait for the next line to come out about
CCChefDol: One thing about clubs...NEVER get boogged down with looong bus. meetings! Bus. meetings are real boring to many of the members
CCChefDol: ...if you had 50 members you still have trouble finding people to demo
CCChefPwd: Right - unless they are like you and I Dee - I am sure you did more than your share  LOL
CCChefDol: Yes...I 'filled in" LOL
CCChefPwd: I would imagine you and I both "filled in" a lot.
KBius: Pwd, people are so competitive in our area, I'm afraid it wouldn't go over to well. any suggestions
CarolA5238: Next month Sam Rodgers (one of our members is going to teach some of us the
CCChefPwd: Help turn it around KBius.  Someone has to start the sharing idea
CCChefDol: KB...home decorators won't be so much like that

CarolA5238: We had one of our member describe the professional ways of decorating. that was interesting. way to hold a 24' bag.
CCChefPwd: I do hope you meant a 24 inch bag   LOL
CCChefDol: 24" bag...tempting LOL I use an 18 " one with no prob
CarolA5238: He works it like a bag piper handles his bag pipes. Somehow he tucks the end of the bag under his arm.
MaraTLee: actually you wrap the bag around your elbow and hold the twisted end in the free hand ,

CCChefDol: Maybe we should post demo ideas here sometimes for you all?
RachDminor: Or keep looking for others (in classes .. even beginners).  I sort of liked one batch of women I was in several classes with, but now I'm in a WONDERFUL group with gum paste and we're going to get together after the classes are over.
CCChefPwd: That is one thing I don't want to know.  I can not imagine a 24'bag full of icing.  LOL
CCChefDol: Rach...good time to start a cake club!
RachDminor: hadn't thought of that til this minute .. you're right, Dolores .. I really like all of them and
KBius: good idea, take a new class to meet people, Thanks
RachDminor: we're all having fun and supportive .. it's rare
CCChefPwd: You have a good start on a cake club right there Rach
CCChefDol: Rach..sounds like a real nice group and a fantastic start
RachDminor: I'm not really competitive at this cuz I'm not great ... I'm horrible with music, but yes, this could really be nice .. thanks for the idea :)
RachDminor: I wonder how much trouble it would be to have, on a web site, people listed to contact who want to form
clubs, by area ....
CCChefDol: oh...dont know...they've been posting about clubs etc on my message board...

Icing Wiz: I love molded sugar too so easy!
MaraTLee: Icing, I buy a sleeve of styro cups for .99 and make all my sugar vases in them.

CCChefPwd: Talking about cake clubs - the ICES show is only a couple of weeks away.
CCChefDol: 2 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Panic!
CCChefPwd: I sure hope you guys are going to be here for our chat during convention
GOOO8: It must be quite exciting with the growing anticipation. I'll be tuning in no doubt!
CCChefPwd: We are going to be doing it live from convention and we really need for all of you to be there for us to have someone to talk to.
RachDminor: when will that be, Pwd?
MaraTLee: How many 'puters will there be available to use??
CCChefPwd: The 6th of August - Dee and I will be both a convention and we will be doing the chat info from convention. But we need you to talk to us that night so people attending the convention will know

CCChefDol: Mara...I have one...anyone else??? I sure hope someone else brings a laptop besides me!

KBius: I went to an ICES meeting last week for the first time and they seemed disorganized
CCChefDol: KB...may have been a glitch you didn't know about...give them a second chance
KBius: Possibly, although the president ,uh, Millie, was there and she seems like a tremendous lady, very impressive woman.
Cake Wmn: Chef Dol, have you all decided on a pin or sticker or what ever for us
CCChefPwd: I have about 100 of the name tags left from last year that we can use
CCChefPwd: We will give them to everyone on Thursday night.
CCChefDol: Thursday's chat will be the BEST opportunity for all of us to meet

CCChefPwd: If anyone is interested in buying a thriving cake shop (In Texas) let me know. At: CCChefPwd@aol.com

CCChefDol: well...there are a LOT of cake decorators all over the country and
a cake club is most likely possible if someone wants to take the job on

Gigimama: Just one of the little pics from the shows, from the Maryland show, a barnyard cake, but the picture is terrible
RachDminor: uh oh .. what's MBN? :/
Icing Wiz: yeah out of the 20 pics sent to ACD they put one in last year and apparently threw the rest away

ShariE1071: what size stacked cake will serve 25-30 ppl, not a wedding cake
Gigimama: Shari, a 9" and 6" will make 24-30 larger servings
Cake Wmn: How big of cake would you make for 75 people if making a Black