MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM
WVCA MEMBERSHIP
Applications for membership are always welcome, especially from crafts people offering crafts that are not already represented in the association.
How to join the WVCA.
Anyone wishing to apply for membership will need to attend a meeting bringing along samples of their work. The meeting will be between WVCA committee members and applicants. It will be arranged for everyone to meet at a suitable location. This is normally at our Abbey Mill shop.
At the meeting, items submitted are examined for quality. Occasionally applicants may be asked to resubmit items if it is felt they need a better finish or slight adjustment. It is the applicant's responsibility to check out Health and Safety issues if applicable, eg, fire retardant materials if needed, or trading standards regulations for toys.
Membership.
There are three types of membership:
Full
Offered to the first applicant producing a particular craft. The member can participate in any activities of the association. A full member has first choice of taking part at any venue or event.
Associate
Generally offered if there is a Full Member with the same craft already in the association. An associate can take part at any venue or event with the agreement of the full member for that craft. If there is more than one associate member for a particular craft, then the member who applied to join the WVCA first, gets priority.
Joint
Offered when two people work together to produce their craft.
Cost
Full membership - £15 per year.
Associate membership - £10 per year.
Joint membership - £25 per year
Abbey Mill.
The main sales outlet of the WVCA is at Abbey Mill, Tintern. However, joining the Association does not give automatic entitlement of a place. There is usually a waiting list and consideration is given to the types of craft already being sold in the shop. Normally changes to shop members only takes place from when the shop closes at the beginning of January to when we re-open in February each year.
How the shop operates.
An elected committee oversee the daily running of the shop throughout the year.
The shop is manned by the members with display/selling space allocated on a near equal basis as possible per member.
Manning the shop.
This is done on a rota basis. Once the rota is sorted (before the shop opens in February each year) it is then the responsibility of members to fulfill their duties. If anyone finds they cannot do a day they need to arrange a swap with another member. There are also a few members who are willing to do a duty for a fee. New members are usually put on with someone who "knows the ropes,"
Shop takings.
Full instructions for banking arrangements are available at the shop. There is a simple coding system to identify each member's goods sold. Anyone on duty will need to take a till float.
Payments for goods sold.
Our bookkeeper holds complete records of all goods sold in our shop. Each participating member receives a detailed sales sheet of their goods sold and payments are made directly into their bank accounts. Each member's sales are confidential.
Tax and accounts.
Members are responsible for their own tax arrangements and NI contributions.
The tax office is very helpful about what you can claim for expenses and general advice etc.
Still interested in joining the WVCA as a member?
If you wish to join the WVCA you will need to attend a meeting, please fill in the form below.
It would be helpful if you could indicate any times you would be available, eg. during the day, not weekends, etc.
You will be contacted to arrange a suitable time and venue.