Guild Membership

Experienced potters who wish to become members of the Dorval Potters’ Guild must apply and undergo an orientation process. Orientation periods are 3 times a year – September, January, and May. Orientation costs 100$ and is a 4-session (5 hours) process with an experienced Dorval Potters’ Guild member and includes 1 bag of recycled clay. The goal of orientation is to acclimate the new member to the workings of the Guild, its methods and member responsibilities.

Following the orientation process, the new member will be able to pay a prorated membership fee up to Sept. 1 of that year and then annually hereafter.

Students who would like to become Guild members must be approved for membership by the eligibility committee.  They must have completed at least 2 course sessions before they can apply for membership.

Member benefits:

• Discounts on classes and workshops (15%)
• Priority registration for workshops
• Ability to sell your work in 2 annual sales
• Access to pugged recycled clay at a favourable price
• Access to a small storage space within the studio (if available)
• Access to tools and equipment
• Ability to take out books from the studio library
• Access to the studio 7 days a week except when there are classes or workshops
• Pieces fired by a qualified technician
• Low kiln firing fees
• Access to premade glazes
• Special "Show and Tell" events in pottery studio

Member responsibilities:

• Attend General Meetings
• Sign in the studio log when using the studio
• Leave the studio cleaner than you found it and report all repairs needed
• Help in the clay recycling process - drying batts, removing water
• Participate in studio cleanups
• Help out with 2 annual sales events, regardless of whether you are selling or not
• Attend sales meetings
• Make sure studio is locked and secure when you are the last one leaving
• Fees and charges must not fall in arrears
• Commit to lead one or more of the following Guild committees with member support
  • Administration
  • Library
  • Publicity
  • Event planning (Sales, Rendez-Vous)
  • Studio cleanup coordination
  • Workshop coordinating
  • Web site maintenance
  • Newsletter
  • Membership Administrator: list, cards, form, process, monitoring involvement
  • Inventory maintenance: ordering clay, chemicals, tools
     
• Commit to helping with 2 or 3 tasks from either the list above or the following list.
  • Making glazes
  • Pugging clay
  • Cleaning and rebuilding the pug mill
  • Washing aprons
  • Kiln maintenance – resurfacing shelves, making cookies, vacuuming, …
  • Demonstrations – wheel or hand building
  • Offering public hands-on mini lessons such as at Dorval Rendez-vous

Reference resources for members:

• Member responsibilities Responsibilities (pdf)

• Video - How to Recycle Clay and Use the Pugmill - for members

• Video - Basics of Cleaning - for students and members