apprentice members

The Guild gives seven people the privilege of using the facilities of the Guild in exchange for work done for the Guild.

BISQUER loads and fires bisques for the classes and is responsible to the Second Vice-President (Kiln Director).

CLEANER cleans the facilities weekly and before scheduled workshops and is responsible to the Third Vice-President (Maintenance Chairperson).

CLAYMAKER mixes clay for all classes and workshops as needed and is paid for mixing clay for Guild members, and is responsible to the First Vice President (Purchasing Chairperson)

STUDIO ASSISTANTS supervise and assist students during class practice sessions (open studio) and help with class firings. They also make glazes, slips and washes as required by teachers and are responsible to the Class Chairperson.

MAINTENANCE ASSISTANT maintains equipment at the Guild, does minor repairs and routine maintenance and arranges with the Third Vice-President for major repairs, and is responsible to the Third Vice-President (Maintenance Chairperson).

Apprentice Members pay no membership fee nor dues for the duration of their apprenticeship. They do pay for shelf rental, clay and glaze materials, and firings as do all members. They have no vote at Guild meetings. They must meet the eligibility requirements for Guild membership and have a Membership Application and a Volunteer Time & Talent Check List (norbert, we may want to make these forms downloadable later) on file.  Acceptance into an apprentice position is expected to be a minimum one year commitment.  After a year, his or her application for Regular (Probationary) Membership may be considered along with all other applications when openings occur, unless the Apprentice wishes otherwise.  If openings do not occur at the end of a year's time the Apprentice should continue to function in then-assumed role until there is such an opening. However, acceptance for Regular (probationary) Membership is not automatic, nor scheduled with any time frame.  When an Apprentice becomes a Probationary Member, the current membership fee and dues become applicable and are to be paid on a monthly basis.

An Apprentice Member may continue his or her position for up to three years, as long as his or her performance is good, and he or she wishes to stay.  Apprentices may be dismissed for non-performance, non-compliance with rules, non-payment of bills or for long absences. If for some reason an Apprentice is unable to carry out the work in any particular position, he or she may be considered for a different apprentice position when available or released with the possibility of keeping an application on file for Regular or Apprentice Membership.

If an Apprentice is ill or cannot work for a short period of time, he or she should make arrangements with another Apprentice or Guild Member to cover the work for that time. The appropriate officer should be advised of the arrangements.