Policies

We have an amazing “Stamp with Lela” community, and that is because we are an amazing group of people who love what we do and share what we love. I put a lot of intention into all the different ways we connect, and I thought it was time for me to put some of my guiding principles into writing. If you have questions, thoughts or ideas to add, I am always open to learning and discussion and connecting – just reach out!

This page is organized into three sections – Guiding Principles, Methods of Connection, and Products and Services.

I’ll start with Stampin’ Up’s four Values, then list a few that our downline team came up with as well.

From Stampin’ Up!

  1. WE CARE ABOUT PEOPLE FIRST
  2. WE ACT WITH COURAGE
  3. WE BETTER OUR BEST
  4. WE OWN IT!

Stamp with Lela Community Values

These are either inputs from my downline team, or principles that I hold dear in my heart

  1. Everyone is welcome.
  2. We learn and we are creative. All levels and types of paper crafters are welcome. We grow, and we grow at our own pace. We create, and we create in our own way.
  3. Our gethering place is a safe, fun, positive, supportive and encouraging place to connect. We leave controversial topics outside. We encourage and support each other. We stay positive, although anyone can share about a rough time and we will encourage you.
  4. We are respectful. Every different perspective is valid. We don’t gossip and we limit complaints (or steer the conversation toward solutions).
  5. We are a community of compassionate, inspiring, caring people.

I am very intentional about which communication channel I use for different ways for us to connect. Since there are so many ways and it can get confusing, I will share my intentions here.

  1. In-Person – This is my in-person store front. Events usually include classes and workshops, or have a community service focus (such as Smiles for Seniors). I’m happy to meet 1:1 with you to customize a class or learning opportunity!
  2. Zoom – Please consider this my online store-front. I try to keep our Zoom meetings tailored to a purpose, but first and foremost it is my online store front. I ask that you pretend you are going into a Brick and Mortar store. Events include free and paid classes, stamp-alongs, or just “Stamp with Lela” gatherings. I try to steer away from focusing on sales and promotions, and to have a fun stamp-along type of vibe. But first and foremost, this is my store front. (Please refrain from selling or offering your goodies. Since we are such a supportive community, it’s easy to want to share our goodies with others. But in my store-front, that’s my job 🙂
  3. Facebook VIP Group – This is the Serenity Stampin’ with Lela Meinke group on Facebook. The main focus here is design inspiration, focused on Stampin’ Up! products. (Current and Retired products are both welcome here.) We have a monthly challenge. This is also a great place to share creations you have learned at one of my classes. Let’s inspire others!! Let’s show others what we are learning so e can expand our community! Here I share upcoming events and classes, photos of swaps received, and updates and news from Stampin’ Up!
  4. Facebook Business Page – This is the Serenity Cards and Coaching page on Facebook. This is one main place where I share Stampin’ Up! news.
  5. Marketing E-mails – You will get these e-mails if you have subscribed on my web site. This is where I promote items that I want to emphasize as being something important to focus on!
  6. Gmail and Calendar Reminder E-mails – This is where I will send e-mails about events you have RSVP’ed for. These are usually event related, and the distribution list for each is customized for RSVP’s for each and every event.
  7. Text Messaging – I belieeve that group texts shoud be very limited. I will send time-sensitive texts about events or sales. I am very intentional about every name that is included on each text message, and I usually request that we do not “reply to all.” I am very intentional about the time of day that I send a text. As for individual texts with customers and team members – I LOVE THEM! Please feel free to stay connected. I don’t have my phone on a ringer, so even if your message is very late or very early, it won’t disturb me. I will reply when I can.
  8. Website – I just redesigned my website and I truly intend for it to be the central place for all key information. I am committed to keeping it current. I encourage you to get to know the format – many times your questions will be answered out there.
  9. Physical Mail – As VP of Shipping, I send a lot of mail. I send free catalogs to customers who have purchased from me within the last year. I personally mail hundreds of cards in a year. I do charge shipping fees for products and services – my costs include buying the envelopes and packaging, paypal fees behind the scenes, and actual postage fees. I take a lot of extra care so packages are received intact and with minimal to no damage.
  10. Stamp with Lela Contact List – We have an Excel spreadsheet maintainted by Terry (thank you)! This is a list of people in the Stamp with Lela community – current and past team members, regular attendees at my events, and people who are plugged in somehow or another. Please only use this list for personal connection purposes. This is not to be used for selling your own products and services. People use this list to refer to for sending birthday and other special event cards, or just reaching out 1:1. Please do not use this list for your business.
  11. Cards for Causes Contact List – This is a volunteer list maintained by Amy (thank you). This is a list of volunteers who send cards to others as part of Cards for Causes.

  • Adhesives – I have a very strict policy that I expect you to bring all of your own adhesives to my in-person events. If you run out, I do have adhesives available for sale. Adhesives are expensive and I just can’t absorb the cost to provide them for you.. One gal even bought a bottle of glue, and I have it saved in a drawer for her in case she runs out again. Exceptions: If it is your first class or workshop with me, I do provide adhesives. If you are coming to make cards for Smiles for Seniors, I do provide adhesives. (Contributions gladly accepted to help defray this cost :).
  • Stampin’ Up! Only – I try very hard to stick to Stampin’ Up! only in my events and social media presence, and I ask others to do the same. The only exceptions are the occasional personal card I may send, or Smiles for Seniors workshops.
  • Retired Products – I encourage you to use your retired products. They are ok in online challenges. They are great for when you buy my kits. I do sell Retired Products. If you are attending one of my events and are templed to offer your Retired Products to someone as a kindness (either free or for purchase), please refrain because I very possibly have one of the same to offer for sale.
  • References to other Demonstrators – This one is tricky. I strongly believe we should give credit where credit is due. I am also careful that we not refer people outside of my business walls to another demonstrator. for purposes of doing business with them. I LOVE that we learn so much from others. I honestly learn from so many others all the time, and I encourage you to do the same. I just ask that you are mindful about when and how you share credit. Many times I just mention the person’s first name and last initial. (Eg, I learned this from Rachel T.) I also ask that you not mention paid products and services from another Demo. (Eg, I paid for this class from x).
  • Food and drinks. Feel free to bring your own, and please keep them off to the side and away from the projects. I don’t provide food and drinks at most of my events, for a number of reasons:
    • This is a paper-crafting activity, and when accidents happen projects can get damaged.
    • I’m very aware that people have different food allergies, sensitivities and preferences. I don’t want to trigger anyone’s allergy (peanuts, alcohol, sugar).
    • Price. Different people have different price thresholds. And I can’t bear the cost of food in the class fees.
    • And honestly, I am just not the best food hostess. There are times I make exceptions and I will communicate them. If we are in a class that is longer than 2-3 hours, I will definitely make sure we make arrangements that are jointly decided upon.

In closing – I want to thank you for both supporting my small business and participating in the Stamp with Lela community. I believe in Abundance – I can have a focus on business AND people at the same time. I call it bringing heart into business.

Most demonstrators run a high volume and transactional business model. I choose instead to have a custom model – I love custom requests. I put a lot of tailored work into the classes and kits and experiences that I offer. I do this seamlessly as part of the experience, but please know I very intentionally add a lot of value in invisible ways. I am very concerned about value with everything I offer. I make kits and offerings and community/learning experiences that I myself would be happy to purchase. I am available 1:1 any time to connect about anything stampin’ related (storage, how-to, purchase strategy etc.)

I am mostly retired, and your participation in my small business makes a difference with each and every transaction. I am able to offer all that I offer because of your participation. Every $5 makes a difference. I focus on community, high quality, and custom services more than a high-volume buy-buy-buy FOMO get-it-now-get-it-all mentality. This takes intention and commitment on my part, and on the part of all of us.

Thank you for letting me be of service! And thanks for making this the best community culture possible.