View as a PDF Constitution 2026

Introduction

The Worcestershire Guild was founded in 1952 by Alan Knight and his wife Alice Barnwell with seven other like-minded artist-craftsmen who were steeped in the traditions of the

Arts and Crafts Movement.

( a full history of the Guild can be downloaded from the Guild website.)

 

The Constitution of the Worcestershire Guild – Contemporary Craft

 

Name and Definitions

 

1a) The society shall is a non profit making mutual association and shall be called  ' Worcestershire Guild – Contemporary Craft'

1b) The Committee of Makers is the whole number of Full Members.

1c) A Full Member is a maker who has been elected by the Committee of Makers at   an Ordinary meeting having completed all the necessary criteria.

1d) The Organising Committee are members who are elected at the AGM.

 

The Objectives of the Guild

 

2a) To bring together independent Designer/Makers, who show commitment to their work and who produce high quality, original and well designed items in the pursuit of excellence.

2b) To organise shows and/or exhibitions where members' products are made available to the public.

2c) To combat the isolation of self-employed craftsmen with the mutual help of the Members, both professionally and socially.

2d) To promote interest in and knowledge of the various crafts to a wider audience.

 

Rules

 

3a) Members may only exhibit work designed and produced by them. If they wish to exhibit work in a different medium, they must first seek the approval of the Committee of Makers.

3b) Members are expected to comply with the layout of each show, which is prepared by the Exhibition Secretary.

3c) When exhibiting, Members are expected to play an active part in putting up and taking down the shows.

3d) Any work considered to be sub-standard  may be removed from a show at the discretion of Members of the Organising Committee, after discussion with the Member concerned.

3e) Members must ensure that there are stewards covering their stands during a show. They should also help generally with sales and steward other Members' stands in an emergency.

3f) All Full Members are expected, within 5 years of becoming Full Members, to serve on working parties or hold an office on the Guild Organising Committee. All Members must also attend at least one meeting a year. Failure to do so could result in the Guild withdrawing the opportunity to exhibit at Guild shows.

3g) Members are expected to be ambassadors for the Guild.

3h) The Guild shall be self supporting and non-profit making, i.e. Members shall not benefit personally from any Guild funds.

3i) Full Members may share a stand at shows by arrangement with the Show

Organiser.

 

Equal Opportunities Policy

 

4a) The Guild welcomes on an equal basis, everyone who shares its aims and who fulfils the criteria for membership.

4b) The Guild will support and enable Members' participation in its activities.

4c) The Guild will make accessibility a priority when booking venues for shows.

 

Admission of members

 

5a)  Membership is not exclusive to residents of Worcestershire.

5b) The number of Members from each craft is not limited.

5c)  Applicants will complete a form, obtainable from the Membership Secretary. The Organising Committee may then invite them to take part in a show as a Guest Exhibitor. Full Members at the show will complete an anonymous questionnaire indicating whether they approve that the Guest Exhibitor can progress to becoming a Guest Member. All Full Guild Members will be sent the details and are entitled to vote. The applicant will be notified in writing by the Membership Secretary, as to whether they have been successful or not.

5d) Successful applicants will be offered Guest Membership for a probationary period during which they should exhibit at a minimum of 3 Guild shows over a period of not less than 18 months, after which their Full Membership will be subject to an anonymous vote at a Guild Show and/or an Ordinary Meeting and by email to the full membership.

5e) The Membership Secretary will introduce Guest Members to a Full Member of the Guild, who will act as a mentor.

5f) The Membership Secretary also has the right to invite a designer/maker to exhibit at one show, where space permits.

 

Membership categories

 

6a) Full Member. These Members can exhibit at all shows. They have full voting rights and can hold any office in the Guild. They pay subscriptions, show fees and commission on sales at shows.

6b) Honorary Life Member. These are Members who have made an exceptional contribution to the Guild. They are proposed and elected at a Guild meeting and do not have to pay a subscription although they have Full Membership rights.

6c) Affiliate Member. These are makers, who, through personal circumstances do not wish to exhibit at shows. They receive all the Guild papers and may attend meetings, but may not vote. They pay a reduced subscription. They should inform the Membership Secretary of their intention to become an Affiliate Member and must maintain this status for a minimum of 2 years. Full Membership can be resumed by submitting their work to the Committee of Makers at a meeting.

6d) Guest Exhibitor. These are makers who are on probation in the Guild. They can exhibit at shows and attend meetings, but have no voting rights and cannot hold a Guild Office. They pay subscription, show fees and commission on sales.

 

Cessation of Membership

 

7a) To cancel membership, notice must be given in writing to the Membership Secretary.

 

Expulsion

 

8a) Any Member may be expelled by the Committee of Makers if they infringe this constitution or behave in a manner likely to bring the Guild into disrepute. A letter will be sent to the Member giving at least 7 days notice of a meeting where they can answer the complaint against them.

 

The Organising Committee

 

9a) An Organising Committee will be appointed at the AGM, comprising a President, Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Publicity Officer, Exhibitions Secretary, Exhibition Administrator, Equipment and Training Officer, Social Secretary and  2  Investment Managers.

9b) Officers are not entitled to any remuneration but may claim out of pocket expenses.

 

Annual General Meeting

 

10a) The Annual General Meeting should be held not later than March 31^st each year. Members will receive not less than 14 days notice of the AGM in writing.

10b) Members who wish to submit a proposal for consideration at the AGM must send details to the Secretary 28 days prior to the meeting.

10c) No business may be transacted at the AGM unless there is a quorum of Full Members present. A quorum is one third of the total membership of the Guild.

10d) Reports from the Organising Committee will be presented at the AGM, as well as the annual budget. Copies will be sent to each Member 14 days prior to the meeting.

10e) Subscriptions, show fees and commission will be approved at the AGM each year, according to the recommendations of the Treasurer as outlined in the budget.

10f) Recipients of awards such as the Alan Knight Award, Ray Key Award

and Peter Bennett Award may be decided at the AGM.

 

Extraordinary Meeting

 

11a)  An extraordinary meeting may be called at any time by a letter to the Chair or the Secretary signed by 5 Full Members of the Guild. 7 days notice shall be sent to all Members stating the business to be discussed.

11b) The quorum shall be the same as for the AGM.

 

 

 

Ordinary Meetings

 

12a) Ordinary meetings shall be held at least 4 times a year.

12b) A quorum for these meetings is 10 full members.

 

Surplus Money and Accounts

 

13a)  Any surplus money shall be used to further the objectives of the Guild.

13b) The Committee of Designer Makers will appoint a qualified accountant to certify the Guild accounts each year.

 

Amendment of the Constitution

 

14a) The constitution may only be amended at the AGM.

 

Dissolution

 

15a) The Guild may be dissolved at any time by a resolution which has been passed at a meeting of the Committee of Designer Makers by a majority of at least two thirds of the total full membership.

15b) No less than fourteen days notice shall be given in writing of any such meeting.

15c) A resolution to dissolve the Guild will include instructions for the dispersal of any assets belonging to the Guild after all debts and liabilities have been settled. Such property shall not be distributed among the Members of the Guild but given to organisation(s) that share similar aims to the Guild.