Potter's Organizations, Rules For Membership?

[SShirley]

Our potter's group has been around for several years, growing from a small "Potter's Lunch" club to become more of an official group with officers, dues, non-profit status, and about 22 members. We often participate in shows and craft fairs as a group, where the group pays the fees from our treasury, and any of our members can participate. We have started to experience occasional problems with a few people who want to join just to participate in a particular show - and suck up most of the sales - and then we don't see them again till the next time they want to do a really good show. They don't come to meetings or help with anything or bring snacks or do demonstrations or things like that. We would like to create effective rules for the group that would address that problem. We realize that with any group there is a core group who do more than the rest, but we would like to create more of a level playing field wherever possible.

 

So, we were wondering what other groups do. Do you have rules limiting membership? How does your group work?

 

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

 

 

Thanks.

 

Sylvia Shirley

Pittsburg Kansas

[Seasoned Warrior]

Our potter's group has been around for several years, growing from a small "Potter's Lunch" club to become more of an official group with officers, dues, non-profit status, and about 22 members. We often participate in shows and craft fairs as a group, where the group pays the fees from our treasury, and any of our members can participate. We have started to experience occasional problems with a few people who want to join just to participate in a particular show - and suck up most of the sales - and then we don't see them again till the next time they want to do a really good show. They don't come to meetings or help with anything or bring snacks or do demonstrations or things like that. We would like to create effective rules for the group that would address that problem. We realize that with any group there is a core group who do more than the rest, but we would like to create more of a level playing field wherever possible.

 

So, we were wondering what other groups do. Do you have rules limiting membership? How does your group work?

 

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

 

 

Thanks.

 

Sylvia Shirley

Pittsburg Kansas

 

 

 

 

You might consider a two tier membership plan and allow both groups to participate. On scheme might be credits for participation so that those who participate regularly get to be members for less. Another consderation might be a strict two tier membership and give those who only want the benefits of the sales to participate as an associate member at a hgiher fee. This problem could actually improve your cas postion for the active members. Of course another way would be to have a surcharge as a percentage of sales at your sale events.

 

Regards,

Charles

[Username]

At the Art league that I belong to, they require all members to volunteer four hours a year(!) to belong, and participate in any sales. If you want to take part in their Holiday show, you must volunteer eight hours.

Also, they take a percentage (25%) of each sale.

You might institute one of these policies, modified for your situation. Taking a percentage of sales might be a problem, as it would require you to track all sales, which can be problematic, but it would fend off a few of those hoping to take advantage of your sales.

Require some sort of volunteering or participation during the year, or perhaps BEFORE a big show; perhaps members could be required to attend a minimum number of meetings, and be required to bring a snack, or something. If they don't help out, no show.

A moratorium on entering your group sales might help, perhaps require new members to be members for three months, six months or a year before being allowed to take part in shows.

In short, it seems like any measure which requires these "Johhny-come-latelys" to DO something for your club, and show their serious intentions before they can reap any benefits, would help weed out the ones that are only in it for the sales $$.

[Chris Campbell]

I like the idea of requiring some hours of volunteer work before you can be in the show ... But ...

that could backfire as I am sure many of the people who regularly attend meetings might not like

being compelled to work when all they want is less competition at the show.

 

Instead of paying the fees from your treasury, perhaps the cost should be divided between the participants.

Everyone pays to be in the show and those who don't want to are not subsidizing those who do.

This could alleviate some of the resentment without excluding some good work that attracts buyers.

[clay lover]

Sorry to be late seeing this, it is interesting to me. Just some thoughts.

 

One question, how do these people "suck up all the sales"? Do they make more pots, work in their studios more, have more attractive work? How is this sucking up of sales happening?

 

Other question, Is the core group of a few that "do all the work" also making all the decisions? Are there committees that spread duties around? You could require participation on these committees.

Maybe these other people feel outside the working of the group.

 

Just some thoughts, I would be interested in hearing more on this. Group dynamics can be potent, and there is usually more than 1 view of what's going on

Could you talk with these people who are not participating fully and learn more about how they feel?