Forest of Dean Craftworkers Guild

1. The aim of the Guild is to encourage the making and selling of original, high quality, items by members; thus providing work and mutual support to fellow craftworkers.
2. There will be a Committee with a minimum of five members comprising a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary and one other. These will he elected at the Annual General Meeting held during May of each year. One ‘Friend’ may hold office and vote on the Committee. Members can be co-opted onto the Committee as necessary.
3. Three Committee members shall form a quorum at a meeting of the Committee.
4. The Membership will elect a President.. This office will be an ‘Honorary Office’ and no membership fee should be paid by the elected President.
5. Full Membership Meetings will be held twice per year, one in October when policies craft etc., will be discussed. The Annual General Meeting will take place during May each year. Members may bring any problems or queries to the attention of the Committee, meetings of which will be held at regular intervals, dates of which can be obtained from any Committee Member.
6. To ensure a high standard of craftsmanship, a prospective member must first apply to the Guild Committee, which may invite him or her to exhibit samples of work for sale at the next convenient show. The display of work will be evaluated by the Guild Committee, taking into account any comments from existing Guild members.
7. The annual subscription to cover administration expenses will be agreed by Members at the Annual General Meeting.
8. For people who do not wish to become full and active members of the Guild, there is a ‘Friends Association’ at a reduced annual fee of £2.00. ‘Friends’ are non voting Members of the Guild but they will have free access to view shows and will receive copies of all correspondence. A ‘Friend’ will also have their name and address listed in the Guild booklet.
9. Junior Membership of the Guild is also available under the same entry rules as for a full member for those under the age of sixteen years. A reduced annual subscription of £2.00 also applies to this grade.
10. All Members will be required to pay their first subscription upon acceptance into the Guild. Any Member accepted after 1st February will not be required to pay any subscription until May of the following year, provided that the subscription on acceptance was paid.
11. All Members will be required to pay their annual subscription on the first day of May each year to be eligible to vote at the Annual General Meeting. ( If a Member fails to pay the annual subscription by 1st July in the same year, he/she will no longer be considered a member.) Any Member who leaves the Guild for any period will be required to pay a re-entry fee of £10.00 plus the annual subscription and provided that there are no alterations to that Member’s craft, will not be required to submit work for re-evaluation. Re-admission of any resigned or lapsed Member will be at the discretion of the Committee.
12. Craftworkers will be invited by the Committee, to exhibit or demonstrate their work at shows, according to space available and in the interest of providing a balanced show. In the event that too many Members wish to participate in a show, then Members will be included on a first come first served basis.
13. Members exhibiting at shows will be required to abide by ‘The Rules for Shows’ in force at the time. Each member will be given a copy of these rules and agreement to exhibit at a show will be regarded as acceptance of them.