Knifemakers’ Guild Memberships

Membership Information Outline

a. Qualifications:
Only individuals who have successfully completed the Probationary Membership requirements set forth in Subsection 2 below shall be qualified to be Voting Members.

b. Obligations:
To maintain Voting Member status, Voting Members must fulfill the following obligations:

i. Display Handmade Knives at one annual Guild-sponsored show (an “Annual Show”) during every four-year period following election to Voting Member status, up to age 55.

ii. Engage in the making and selling of Handmade Knives;

iii. At the Annual Show, Voting Members shall not display or offer for sale any knife that is not a Handmade Knife; and

iv. Pay membership dues in accordance with Article II, Section 2.

c. Extensions:
Extensions: An extension of time to fulfill the display requirements in Subsection 1.b.i. above may be granted by a majority vote of the Board in the following circumstances:

i. A member seeking an extension shall submit a written request claiming hardship and setting out the facts that he or she feels justify the extension. Upon a finding of hardship by the Board in its sole discretion, such extension shall be for one year, or for such period of time as the Board in its sole and absolute discretion deems equitable or appropriate; or

ii. A member who is serving on active duty in military service may submit a written request for extension. Such extension shall be for the term of the active duty.

d. Voting:
Voting Members shall be entitled to one vote per membership. 

1. Probationary Members

a. Qualifications:
Only individuals who fulfill the following criteria shall be eligible to become Probationary Members:

i. Engage in the making of Handmade Knives;

ii. Submit to the Board promotional material representing his or her Handmade Knives;

iii. Submit an application for Probationary Membership to the President, or his or her designee(s), signed and dated by at least four (4) Voting Members in good standing who recommend the applicant for Probationary Membership; and submit a Member Comment Form and an Application Score Sheet; and

iv. Following submission of his or her application, attend the next Annual Show, at which space is available as determined by the Board, and display a minimum of four (4) Handmade Knives for inspection by the Board or its duly appointed committee. At the annual membership meeting following such Annual Show, the Board will either approve or reject the application for Probationary Membership.

b. Obligations:
To maintain Probationary Member status and to become eligible for Voting Member status, Probationary Members must fulfill the following obligations:

i. Attend and display a minimum of four (4) Handmade Knives for inspection by the Board or its duly appointed committee at the second Annual Show following the granting of Probationary Membership by the Board, provided display space is available at such meeting as determined by the Board in its sole and absolute discretion. At the annual membership meeting, the voting membership will vote on whether or not to grant Voting Membership status to the Probationary Member; and

ii. Abstain from making any claim to be anything other than a Probationary Member of the Guild.

c. Extensions:

i. Failure to fulfill the requirements of Subsection b(i) above in any year due to a lack of space available at the Annual Show will extend the probationary status for one year. Failure to fulfill this requirement after the one-year extension will result in immediate and automatic termination of membership.

ii. A member seeking an extension to fulfill the requirements of Subsection (b)(i) for a reason other than lack of available space shall submit a written request claiming hardship and setting out the facts that he or she feels justify the extension. Upon a finding of hardship by the Board, an extension shall be granted for one year, or such period of time as the Board in its discretion deems equitable or appropriate.

iii. A member who is serving on active duty in military service may submit a written request for extension. Such extension shall be for the term of the active duty.

d. Voting:
Probationary Members shall have no voting rights.

e. Dues:
Probationary Members are not required to comply with the dues requirements set forth in Article II, Section 2.

2. Associate Members

a. Qualifications:
Only individuals who fulfill the following criteria shall be eligible to become Associate Members:\

i. Actively engaged in trades relating to Handmade Knives, as determined by the Board in its sole and absolute discretion; and

ii. Apply in writing to the President and include photographs or promotional material describing their trade.
Upon satisfaction of the foregoing requirements, the Board may, in its sole and absolute discretion, grant Associate Membership status to the applicant.

b. Dues:
Associate Members shall pay dues in accordance with Article II, Section 2.

c. Voting:
Associate Members shall have no voting rights.

3. Honorary Members

a. Qualifications:
Only individuals who fulfill the following criteria shall be eligible to become Honorary Members:

i. Not engaged in making Handmade Knives, but advances the purposes of the Guild as determined by the Board in its sole and absolute discretion; and

ii. Sponsored by a Voting Member or Probationary Member in good standing.
Upon satisfaction of the foregoing requirements, the Board may, in its sole and absolute discretion, grant Honorary Membership status to the applicant.

b. Voting:
Honorary Members shall have no voting rights.

4. Knifemaker Emeritus Members

a. Qualifications:
Only a Voting Member who, because of health, age, infirmity, or other reasons deemed acceptable to the Board in its sole and absolute discretion, is no longer able to continue making Handmade Knives, may become a Knifemaker Emeritus. The Voting Member must apply in writing to the President requesting Knifemaker Emeritus membership. The President shall present the application to the Board for vote thereon. Upon the Board’s granting of membership, the prior class membership of such member shall terminate immediately, along with all rights, privileges and obligations associated therewith.

b. Voting:
Knifemaker Emeritus Members shall have no voting rights.

4. Founding Members

a. Qualifications:
Only those individuals who were/are engaged in making Handmade Knives and were responsible for founding the Guild may be Founding Members.

b. Voting:

i. Founding Members shall be entitled to one (1) vote per membership.

ii. Honorary President shall be enitled to one (1) vote.

Membership Forms

Membership Forms: Membership Application | Application Score Sheet | Probationary Membership Comments