Project Guidelines

Guild Sponsored Workshops & Projects: Definitions

What is a “Guild sponsored workshop” or “project”?

A WORKSHOP is a hands-on event that has an educational focus. It could be one day or two weeks long. Building and completing a frame is secondary to the main goal of successfully teaching a skill to the participants.

A PROJECT has the raising and completion of a frame or other construction as its primary goal. It can last several days, but generally involves more people than a workshop.

To qualify as a Guild workshop or project, an event must meet certain criteria described below.

The benefits of Guild sponsorship for the client and organizers include assistance in organizing the event, in finding potential funding sources, in locating appropriate instructors, equipment and expertise, and promotion through the Guild office, mailings and publications. Registration for the workshop takes place through the Guild office; this requires close coordination so that inquiries can be handled efficiently.

In recent years we have been combining elements of Workshops and Projects together to create events that meet our educational goals, are open to a wide-range of skill sets, that generate some income for the TFG, and above all are meaningful and rewarding experiences for all participants.

The Board of Directors decides what projects/workshops to accept by asking the following questions:

1. Does the project benefit the public or another worthy (non-profit) organization?

2. Is there an educational focus of the workshop that can benefit the membership and is consistent with good timber framing practice?

3. Is there substantial public relations benefit for the Guild (media exposure)?

4. Are there opportunities for raising funds for the Guild?

5. Is Guild involvement essential for the project to proceed?

The Board should be able to answer “yes” to at least three of these questions before taking on a project.

In addition, the workshop and project must satisfy the following criteria to be considered:

1. It must be appropriate in scale and time frame.

2. It must be an enjoyable and useful experience for the participants, either because of its location or spirit. It should teach skills or demonstrate techniques that will be useful.

3. It must have a strong local base of support and resources. A local timber framer/Guild member should sponsor the proposal and be willing to act as Project Coordinator. Facilities should be adequate.

4. It must be documented well or otherwise generate an article of interest by one or some of the participants for review in Timber Framing.

5. It should not conflict with other Guild events (the Guild should be able to put all of its resources to work to make it a success).

6. There should be long term returns for the Guild’s investment of time and energy. The Guild and the craft of timber framing should be recognized and acknowledged throughout the life of the structure (by a plaque, inscribed logo, visible framing, etc.), or by establishing a relationship with the client that will continue to reap benefits.

7. Every effort should be made to make attendance for members as economical as possible, without undue compensation or profit by the organizers. Guild workshops should be primarily for Guild members, while members should be encouraged to lead their own introductory workshops for non-members in their area.

8. Participating in the project should not risk the Guild’s economic or legal status through contractual or personal relationships. Insurance coverage and licensing requirements, if any, should be determined.

9. Materials, stipends for instructors and administrative costs should be provided by the recipient of the project. Essentially this means that the "client" gets the volunteer labor that the Guild can muster for free, but must pay for the expert labor and materials.

SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL

An application for Guild sponsorship should include the following:

1. Budget
   Expenses shown should include:

   administration fees for the organizers
   design and engineering fees
   amounts of other contracts necessary to begin and complete the project
   rentals of tools and equipment
   room and board costs
   printing
   postage
   phone
   travel allowances
   insurance
   amenities (refreshments, T-shirts and the like, if provided)
   miscellaneous expenses, including the TFG cost to your for the project workshop

   Income would include:

   grants, donations, sponsorships, raffles
   miscellaneous income

2. Goals of the project

3. List of participating organizations and explanation of their roles

4. Preliminary drawings

5. Explanation of how the project meets criteria mentioned above

6. Schedule

7. Housing and food arrangements

8. List résumés of organizers and coordinators.

Applications should be submitted at least nine months in advance, more if funding and design assistance is required.