Special Interest Groups (SIGs)

The process to form a new SIG is simple.

1. Read the “Board SIG Policies.”

2. Send a request for participants. We can assist by utilizing the Guild’s email capabilities. The person initiating the request will be the contact, with responses being sent to that person.

3. Each SIG will have a lead member. If the person who made the initial request does not want to lead, another member will need to be designated.

4. To be officially established, the leader of the SIG will send a proposal to the Program Director. Please include the names of all interested members.

5. The Program Director will present the proposal to the Board of Directors at their next meeting for approval. Once approved, the new SIG will be overseen by the Board of Directors with periodic check-ins required.

MNWWG Special Interest Group Policies
Revised January, 2023

Purpose
This policy was developed to guide and define the organization and operation of The Minnesota Woodworkers Guild Special Interest Groups Program and to provide clear guidance on a number of operational activities.

Policy Statement
Special Interest Group Formation – A representative from the Special Interest Group shall email a petition to the Program Director with the request for the Special Interest Group formation. The Program Director will present the petition to the Board of Directors at the next scheduled Board of Directors meeting for approval. If approved, the Special Interest Group shall be subject to oversight by the Board of Directors.

Special Interest Group Rules and Policies – Special Interest Groups may, but are not required to, develop their own operating rules and policies to facilitate management of the Special Interest Group; however these operating rules and policies may not be in conflict with the Guild Policies and must be approved by the Board of Directors.

Leadership – Special Interest Groups, consistent with their own operating rules and policies, shall select leadership for the Special Interest Group.

• The Special Interest Group must consist of members in good standing of the Guild.
• The leadership shall be responsible to operate the Special Interest Group in a manner consistent with the Special Interest Group’s Operating Rules and Policies and with the Guild’s Operating Rules and Policies.
• The Special Interest Group leadership is responsible to meet with the Board of Directors, or it’s designated representative(s), in order to ensure effective communication between the Special Interest Group and the Board of Directors.
• The Special Interest Group and the Special Interest Group leadership do not have the authority to enter into any contract or legal agreement on behalf of the Guild or the Special Interest Group. Such authority is only permitted by the Board of Directors.

Meetings – Special Interest Groups are encouraged to hold meetings on a regular basis, and the Guild will make Guild media resources available to the Special Interest Group to provide advance notice of meetings, pre-publicity of meetings and news articles of meetings. These resources include the Guild web site, print and on-line publications, Guild based e-mail, and other resources as may be suitable.

• Meetings are only open to members in good standing with the Guild. Special guest presenters will be given an exception.

• Due to the size of a venue, attendance at a meeting may be limited and advance registration may be required. In the event that a Special Interest Group has developed a series of meetings (i.e., a project based activity) where it is advantageous to participants to be able to attend the entire series of meetings, the Special Interest Group membership may reserve seats at future meetings for these participants.

• Fees may be collected for optional items such as materials, food service, etc.; however, payment of such fees cannot be a precondition to attend a meeting.

The Board of Directors is the sole governing body of the Guild. In the event of a Special Interest Group failing to operate in a manner consistent with the Guild policies, the Board of Directors retains the right to dissolve the Special Interest Group. The Board of Directors also retains the right to remove a Special Interest Group lead from that position if the Board of Directors feels that action is in the best interest of the Guild.

In the event of the dissolution of any Guild Special Interest Group, for any reason, all funds in the Guild treasury associated with that Special Interest Group would revert to the Guild’s general fund, and any supplies or assets belonging to that Special Interest Group shall revert to the Guild and the Board of Directors shall determine how to reassign or dispose of them.

Disclaimer

In the event of an accident resulting in personal injury, there is potential liability for both the Guild and the host. The Guild’s business liability policy would respond if there were a liability claim at any off-site location, but the individual home owner’s policy would likely respond if an injury occurred in their home. The details would depend on the claim and what happened. The best way to avoid any issues is to emphasize personal safety at all times. Nevertheless, each Special Interest Group host should understand the risks and contact their insurance agent if necessary for a better understanding.

The Box Making SIG has been meeting about every 4 weeks. So far we have built a simple left-lid box with mitered corners, reinforced with external splines, discussed box finishing with oils and shellac, and practiced box joints. We even explored mortise and tenon joinery as might be used on larger boxes. The topics for all of our meetings but the first, which I had offered, have come from the SIG members themselves.
SIG Leader:  Ed Neu

The Hand Tool SIG is interested in hand tool woodworking, and the various tools and skills that support those methods. Meetings include focused work on specific skills (such as flattening/joining by hand, saw sharpening, dovetailing, string inlay), and visits to the Midwest Tool Collectors regional tool meetings.
SIG Leader: Erik Preston

The Luthiers SIG is a bunch of folks with very diverse backgrounds who are interested in building stringed instruments, from violins to mandolins, guitars to mariachi inspired acoustic basses. We hope to share inspiration, material and hardware sources, methods of work, and eventually offer feedback on each other’s work.
SIG Leaders: Jason Holtz and Mike Nesnidal

The Design Group SIG will emphasize design rather than fabrication, exploring a variety of design forms, from traditional to totally free form. With an intent to be totally interactive and guided by participants’ interests, we will aim to move from beginning with an idea to working out final details for our woodwork (not only furniture!) pieces. Inspiration and imagination will be encouraged as a base of all design.
SIG Leaders: Charlie Kocourek and Roger Knudson

The CNC SIG members share knowledge and assist on all aspects of CNC woodworking including but not limited to: software; machines; materials; project planning; incorporating into current workflow; sourcing free and paid files; getting started in CNC.
SIG Leader: Donavan Cummings