I would like to start a woodworking association in my area and wondered if anyone here might be able to give some advice on how to start one and maybe give some examples of what your local woodworking association does. The more detailed the better.
I also have an ulterior motive for looking into this. There is not a hardwood/woodworking store in my area (not less than 75 miles) and I want to open one in the future. I would like to see the response, however from a woodworkers association to see what the demand is. So, if you have any advice on opening a woodworking store, feel free to chime in as well.
Thanks,
Marc
Replies
Cank,
Where is here? Welcome to Knots
Edited 2/7/2004 5:42:59 PM ET by BG
It would help if you told us where you are. Its possible there's an assoc. already near you.
As far as woodworking assoc. go, I'm a member of the American Assoc. of Woodturners. They have a very active network of local chapters with a national symposium every year. You can check out their website at http://www.woodturner.org. There's some info about staring a chapter available.
Sorry about that. I am in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Hi Mark... Three years ago I joined an already established woodworking club here in New York. We meet once a month at a local Historical Societys meeting hall. Most meetings are built around one speaker. Topics covered recently were Veneiring, Vacuum bag laminating, Dovetails by hand / dovetails by router, Miniature work on a lathe, Wood Finishing, and 'round-table meetings where several 'small' topics are discussed. Meetings start with the usual 'club business', a Show-and-Tell where members bring in one or two items they have made, a raffle and then the guest speaker. Being close to New York City we have the chance to hear from some 'major players' in the woodworking field.
To start a club, first arrange for a meeting location that is easy to find and get to. Since you are trying to get this club started, you must assume that you will be the president for the first year or two. Pick a night (second Tuesday of the month or whatever is best for you) and then contact anyone who can (will) give you publicity. The Grange, 4H, Local and not-so-local newspapers are all sources of publicity and membership. Set up a coffee pot and have several boxes of cookies to keep those who show up happy. You may find a small number of people will show up for the first meeting. Hopefully a large number will show up. Talk to those who attend. Find out how they describe themselves... novice, intermediate or advanced woodworkers, find out what they would like to learn and who is willing to stand up in front of a group and talk about one aspect of woodworking. All clubs need some form of dues to pay for printing and postage, coffee, door prizes etc. Depending on your location, $10 a year may be all you need to cover printing & postage of meeting notices and pay for the meeting hall. Perhaps more if your expenses are higher. Do not forget to get everyone who attends the first meeting to fill out a simple 3x5 index card with their name, addrerss, phone and e-mail address. This way, even if they don't join immediately, you have names of interested people.
Enough of the basics for now. I hope others on this board will add more info. Best of luck in this interesting adventure. SawdustSteve Long Island, NY (E of NYC)
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