Hello all, this is my first post, however I have been reading for quite a while. I really enjoy the expertise and knowledge displayed on here and value all opinions. I would like to know if anyone has any suggestions as to how a person could start a woodworking club where members could meet and share ideas and assist others with projects? These type of written forums are enjoyable, but with real hands on experience, I think an individual stands to learn even more. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Larry
Replies
Wow, what a great Idea Larry and I agree and will be looking forward to the posts that will repond to your question.
Incidently...I too am a first time poster long time lurker.
I am a member of the Woodworkers Guild of Rhode Island (http://www.wwgri.org) It is a fine organization and its officers would be glad to provide you with information if you contact them directly via their website.
As DL stated, Georgia has tthe Georgia Woodworking Guild with a web-site. And... you might google with your area for woodworking clubs, you might find existing without start-up. There is also a county wood-working club that meets at Stone Mountain Tool on Saturday morning and I'm sure more for the other metro Atlanta counties. Same with a Scroll Saw club.
Great place to exchange ideas and find and buy used equipment when members up-grade. Vice-versa with a source for selling equipment on an up-grade! Go for it! :>)
Regards...
SARGE.. jt
Go to your local Woodworking Store and see if you can start a Club there. We have a Woodworking Club that meets once a month for about two hours at the Store I work at. We allow them to leave fliers on our sales counter as to meeting times and the topics that will be covered and also let them use the demonstrator tools. The other weeks they meet at each others shops
Work Safe, Count to 10 when your done for the day !!
Bruce S.
Larry,
You might consider updateing your profile. That way everyone would know where you are and maybe someone in the same area would extend an invitation to join their club or might want to hook up with you to start a new one.
Jack
First, have you checked to see if there is one in your area. A couple of instances here where individuals found one only a few miles from them.
Here in Central PA, there are several clubs for woodworkers, turners, carvers, scroll sawyers, and even cane makers.
If you have a Woodcraft or Rockler nearby, check with them. Check Woodcraft's website.
Alan - planesaw
Larry,
I ran into the same problem when looking for a club to join. So I did several things. I went to Wood Craft and asked if they know of any clubs. They only knew of turning clubs. I then asked the folks I buy material from. They knew of none. I then thought to myself of what else I could do. So I posted here, under the classifieds tab. Had a couple replys but no clubs in the area. So I did the next best thing.....
I started the Madison Area Woodworkers Guild (located in Madison, Wisconsin). I posted fliers at my suppliers and at Wood Craft. At our first meeting I was elected President and the rest is history. We (about 34 members) been meeting for about a year now. The third Thursday of the month. One of the members will open up their shop for us to gather and hold the meeting (not to mention check out the shop, tools, ect). We are a non profit (no dues) Guild. I do try and have a theme for each meeting. Let me see, we have had a: jig-fest (alot of great jigs), a spray-fest (where HVLP guns were tried out) and many short classes. Once the meeting starts it takes its own course. I even had a member make membership cards for us so we can get discounts and some suppliers (like Rockler)
If you can't find a group to join, start your own. You are not alone.
Joe
Even a broken clock is correct twice a day...
Look at this url. It even gives a history of how the club got started. It could help you with what you want to do.
http://www.marsh-monster.com/forum/wiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HomePage
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