Membership Information
The Woodworkers Guild of Georgia, founded in the Spring of 1982, is a non-profit 501(c)(3) volunteer organization comprised of approximately 200 members, and growing fast. While most members reside in the Metro Atlanta area, we do have a number of members who live throughout the state, and beyond. This is because we use Zoom for most member meetings and events, and members also have online access to the recorded presentations. So you can watch and participate from anywhere.
Guild members share a common passion for woodworking. Guild members have a variety of woodworking interests, including furniture design and construction, tools and equipment, lumber prep, joinery, jigs and fixtures, shop design, turning, carving, finishing, CNC, software, and many more.
Membership Cost
The annual membership fee is currently $50 for an individual membership and includes the following.
Monthly Programs
Every month an evening program features a wide variety of woodworking subjects (see list below this block), ranging from classes by member or professional speakers, or demonstrations of a skill or tool. Monthly member meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month. Historically meetings have been held at Woodcraft on Holcomb Bridge Road, but for most of 2020 and 2021 have been held successfully on the Zoom platform. Most meetings are recorded and are available on our website with member access.
ShopWatch
While members can watch monthly Zoom meetings from their homes, the ShopWatch program allows members to watch the meeting from one of multiple member shops around Metro Atlanta. Watch the meeting, make new friends, and get a shop tour all at the same time!
Symposiums
Presentations by nationally recognized woodworkers during our annual Symposium brings a high quality of woodworking knowledge to the audience, including notables such as Bob Van Dyke, Rollie Johnson, Peter Gedrys, Garrett Hack, Phil Lowe, Marc Adams, Will Neptune, Chris Gochnour, Kelly Mehler, and Jeff Miller. Because of COVID and changes to our meeting location, Guild members will be presenting. We will return to having nationally recognized speakers as soon as we are able.
Education
Hands-On events are held as an extension of one of our regular meetings or Symposiums. This helps members put into practical use what is taught in meetings. For example, members met to build and assemble toys for our community outreach program following a presentation on toy building. In 2022 Hands-On events are being replaced by the Guild Academy, a curriculum based program for new and established woodworkers to learn the woodworking craft.
Mentoring
Our mentoring director will connect you to members that are highly accomplished and experienced woodworkers who are willing to teach both general and specialized skills. There are no costs involved but many benefits.
Community Service
The Guild has a commitment to the community. Projects during the year allow members to improve their woodworking skills and benefit a variety of non-profit organizations. Our toy program allows members to make toys in their shops using downloadable plans available on our website.
Patron Sponsor Discounts
Our Patron Sponsors are retail woodworking suppliers of equipment, supplies, and wood. Many offer discounts to our members that can offset the cost of membership many times over.
Website and Social Media
A state of the art website that manages membership and includes archives of past meetings and events in both photo and video formats. The Guild’s Facebook and Instagram accounts are also popular with some of our members.
Newsletter
The monthly newsletter keeps you up to date on happenings in the Guild and offers articles of woodworking interest and how-to articles on a variety of subjects.
Library
A Video Lending Library is available for members with over 200 titles available for reservation.
The Future
We are currently in a growth mode for both increasing our membership and finding an Education Center for meetings, classes, and events. Hopefully it will include a bench and machine room. Our Board of Directors has authorized a Strategic Planning Committee to study the possibility of a location appropriate for our needs.
The future is bright, come join us!