Membership and Referrals

The Handicraft Club welcomes new members and guests throughout the year with a rolling admission policy.

ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP
To become an Active member, candidates must be proposed and seconded by two members.  This policy also applies to those who are currently Guests with Provisional Status.

It is the responsibility of the proposer and seconder to secure the proper documents for an application package and help set candidates’ expectations about the membership process.

Checklist for Sponsoring a Candidate for Membership
When you are ready to sponsor a candidate, this checklist will help guide you through the process. Our Club Manager and Membership Committee Co-Chairs are available for assistance along the way.

• Members who have been in the Club for more than one year can propose candidates, and those who have been members for less than one year can second (but not propose) candidates.  There is no limit to the number of candidates a member may propose or second in one Club Year.
• Please gather the following three documents:
     1. Proposer’s letter of recommendation
     2. Seconder’s letter of recommendation
     3. Membership application, which is completed by the proposer with the candidate’s input and available in the Members’ section of our Web site.
• Send all three documents to the Club Manager via email ([email protected]) or by regular mail to 42 College Street, Providence, RI 02906
• Introduce your candidate to at least two members of the Executive Board or Committee Chairs (listed in this booklet).

Please also take the following steps to help your candidate have a great first experience:

• Invite your candidate to a tour of the Club or lunch when classes are in session.
• Share the latest course catalog and explain that we expect members to enroll in a class or workshop within their first year and that sometimes there are waitlists. (Active members have the highest registration priority.)
• Explain the nomination process and set expectations about timing:  Our Membership Committee reviews completed applications regularly and presents them to the Handicraft Club Board in advance of its meetings, which are generally monthly.  The Board votes on candidates during its regular course of business throughout the Club Year.
• After candidates are admitted, they receive an acceptance letter outlining membership benefits and fees.
• New members must pay fees within 30 days of receiving their acceptance letter.  We also allow members a “pay-over-time” option by paying 50% upon acceptance and 50% within 180 days.
• Fees are currently as follows:
• Initiation Fee: $500
• Annual Dues: $300 (Prorated based on when the candidate is accepted.)
• Let your candidate know about ways members can volunteer at the Club, e.g., helping with our Open House, joining a Committee, and more.
• Most importantly, stay in touch with your candidate. Make her feel welcome and comfortable as she settles into signing up for classes, visiting the Club, ordering lunch, and attending events

See Handicraft Club By-Laws, Article IV for more information about Membership policies.

GUESTS

We offer two ways for guests to participate, as follows:

Guest with Provisional Status (“GPS”)

• GPS have the best opportunity to try a variety of programs and get to know more of our members, as they can enroll in an unlimited number of classes and workshops in each of three terms over a consecutive 12-month period.
• GPS are invited to join all our social activities and special events.
• For each term, GPS enrollment for classes and workshops opens one week after Active members begin enrollment.  (Those who were GPS as of June 30, 2023 are still able to register on the first day of enrollment.)
• GPS members are not eligible to vote.
• GPS members generally apply for Active membership as their first year is ending (or sooner if they wish).
• To join as a GPS, interested candidates complete a short GPS application available on our Web site, handicraft.org; it is not necessary to know a member to become a GPS.
• GPS membership lasts 12 consecutive months and cannot be renewed.
• GPS pay $300, plus costs for classes or workshops.  This non-refundable fee reduces the initiation fee that they pay if they decide to become Active. As such, GPS members who become Active members pay $200 upon initiation and first year dues that would be prorated depending on when they join.

Guests

• For those interested in trying just one class or workshop, we offer the opportunity to be a one-time Guest.
• It is not necessary to know a member to be a Guest.
• Interested individuals complete a short Guest application available on our Web site and pay a $25 Guest fee, plus costs for their chosen class or workshop.
• Please note that guests are granted admission on a first-come, first-served basis if there is space available in a class or workshop.