The Idaho Gourd Society was organized in 1998 and celebrates its fourteen anniversary in 2012.  The membership roll today includes many of its charter members and there are currently more than 100 members.

The purpose of the Idaho Gourd Society shall be to band together those persons who are interested in the culture, uses, history and/or crafting of gourds, and to provide instruction and education to accomplish these interests.

Membership shall be open to all persons who are willing to support the activities of the Idaho Gourd Society and pay an annual membership fee.

The objectives of the Idaho Gourd Society are to:

• Promote the culture and crafting of gourds;
• Provide informational and educational service to its members; and
• Provide an annual show for the promotion of gourds and gourd art.

In the beginning....

On November 7, 1998, the very first meeting to establish gourd interest was initiated by Heather Mingus and Barbara Merrill and held in Heather’s barn in Eagle, Idaho with 30 people attending.  Meeting places, dues, newsletters, shows and officers were discussed.  It was cold, blustery, and crowded, but there was a lot of gourd glow!  Five people volunteered to get together for a Committee meeting at Barbara Merrill’s gourd studio on December 12, 1998, to develop a basic plan for the Idaho Gourd Society and bring it to a general membership meeting.  The next meeting was held at the Boise Samaritan Village on February 13, 1999, where Bylaws were presented, dues were collected, and officers elected.  The very first president was Heather Mingus.  Other presidents elected after Heather were Medora Neale, Lyndell Kline, Veletta Murphey, and Caryn Nicolosi.

Vice President

Corlis Kent

208-323-0293

President

Liz Meyer

208-461-2021

Board of Director

Donna Kirk

Member Information is no longer available online.  For information, please contact  the IGS  President or Treasurer.