Syracuse, N.Y., NAMES Quilt Chapter Breaks With National Foundation Over Contract Dispute
The Syracuse, N.Y., chapter of the NAMES Project Foundation, the national organization that oversees the AIDS memorial quilt, has ended its affiliation with the national group, making it the seventh local chapter to break with the group over a contract dispute, the Syracuse Post-Standard reports. The national foundation in December issued new guidelines limiting the availability of quilt panels and requiring local chapters to pay higher shipping and handling fees for quilt panels sent for display. Syracuse chapter President Carol Cavalluzzi said her group decided to end its 11-year affiliation largely because the national group would not "guarantee ... access to panels made by Central New Yorkers." Local residents "want to see panels of people from Nedrow, from Syracuse, from Oswego. It's very personal," she said. According to Julie Rhoad, managing director of the NAMES Project Foundation, the new guidelines were "meant to provide clarity" and were designed to "create a more collaborative process" between the national group and the local chapters. However, Cavalluzzi said that the national office was relying on local groups for funding instead of raising funds for itself at the national level. The break means that none of the 3-by-6-foot panels from outside of Syracuse will be displayed in the area, but local members will continue making panels, Cavalluzzi said (Addison, Syracuse Post-Standard, 5/13).
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