The Woodcarvers Guild

The Woodcarvers Guild

This particular guild is interested in revitalizing and reviving the ways of our forefathers in the manner in which they handled and worked wood. So many things become lost because of modern technology that we specifically wish to bring up, and place in a written form this information that may otherwise be completely lost. This guild will study the craft of hand carving tools and the accruements of these tools.

Purpose of the Guild

To gain and share knowledge and appreciation of medieval woodcarving skills. To learn and preserve the methods and techniques of woodcarving from 1066 to 1603AD of Western European culture as the techniques of our forebearers. We strive further to be able to pass on these techniques and skills to future members of the Adrian Empire and of the guild. The Woodcarvers Guild encourages members to strive to become masters in their chosen woodcraft skill and technique and to pass on their knowledge and to teach others.

Membership Requirements

The Woodcarvers Guild is open to all members that are in good standing of the Adrian Empire who have an interest in any medieval hands on woodworking skills, which will span many centuries of knowledge. Member may work on either solo or group projects, and may participate in classes, demos, and guild meetings.

Joining and Leaving the Guild

Any interested party may express their interest in joining the guild and request entrance into the Woodcarvers Guild from the Guild Master or designated spokesperson. Guild members will take the Guild Oath, which is provided by the Guild Master. Members will be encourage to explore their interests and focus on all craft areas or specialize in specific craft of interest. Knowedge learned will be freely exchanged between menbers of the guild and the populace. In addition members will be requested to provide their contact info to the Guild Master and Woodcarvers Guild.

Member wishing to leave the Guild must submit a letter of intent to withdraw from the Guild to the Guild Master or to any designated guild member. Once a letter is received the member is released from any obligation to the guild immediately. Any titles and ranks achieved within the guild will be relinquished. To rejoin at a later time the member must petition the Guild Master of the Woodcarvers Guild for the return of previous ranks and titles. If any particular apprentice or journeyperson is consistently engaging in dangerous wood working practices they may be arbitrarily asked to leave by the Guild Master.

Lack of Attendance

If a member of the Woodcarvers Guild shows lack of participation by not attending classes, demos, events, and or submission to arts and science list, and contributions of interst and knowledge to the Woodcarvers Guild for a period exceeding (1) year (year is from July 1st to June 30th). Membership and all rankings will be deleted from the Woodcarvers Guild records

A lasped member of the Woodcarvers Guild may petition the Guild Master of the Woodcarvers Guild in writing, stating of why they wish to be reinstated with ranks if any to the Woodcarvers Guild.

Ownership:

All personal projects, research materials by the individual of the Woodcarvers Guild shall remain the property of the individual artist, but the Woodcarvers Guild may make copies of research and take photos of the medieval woodcraft projects to keep for its archives.

Ranks:

Pre Apprentice - A Pre-Apprentice is someone who is new to carving and medieval woodworking, has little or no experience in woodcraft skills or the use of period tools. These members are borrowing or using tools supplied by the guild. No wood crafted arts or science list entries are required at this level, however they may if they so choose. This level may request apprenticeship with another guild member or the Woodcarvers Guild member of journeyperson or higher rank; or work on their own receiving help and guildance from other guild members of journeyperson and/or higher rank.

The Objective is to learn and to care and maintain tools and to become familiar with their use. At such a time where they choose to purchase their own tools, members will adcance to an Apprentice ranking. This rank if pre-apprentice is not reflective of skill level but instead the level of commitment to the guild.

Apprentice - An Apprentice is someone who has already purchased their own tools and is prepared to present woodcrafts and carvings to the Adrian Empire. These presentations may be o the Arts and Science List, or given as a gift or display. This level may still may still apprentice with a Guild member of journeyperson ranking or higher or work on their own receiving help and guidance from members of the Woodcarvers Guild of jouneyperson or/and of higher rank.

Objective: One must have been entering arts and science list with a woodcraft entry and must also have acquired hand tools and knowledge in maintaining and be familar with their use.

Journeyperson - A Journeyperson who is apprenticed to an individual may terminate their apprenticeship at this time if they feel confident to do so. A Journeyperson is encourage to work a demo and share their knowledge with the public, and are required to enter their woodcrafts on the Arts and Science List. A Journeyperson will be required to research and prepare woodcraft articles for the local Chronicles.

Objective: Journeyperson will be able to contribute knowledge, skills or and techniques in either woodcarving and or carpentry skills: To be able to copy and reproduce an understanding of the technique in the styles and manner of the era of western Eurpean culture from 1066 to 1603 AD. Woodcarving skills may be combined into the same project as set forth by the woodcarver's purpose.

Master - A Master works independently from design to execution on any number of different styles and types of work or projects. Master success will be at such a level they may provide thier creations to the public. (Meaningful employment is any work that people will exchange coin of the realm for). A Master will also create meaningful pieces of woodcraft art. A Master will create originally designed and executed pieces for the Arts and Sciences lists. It is recommended that a Master will share knowledge through individual instruction or classes. Master will also be required to attend and display at one demo a year. Lastly, Master will have a portfolio collection of their pieces and crafts.

Oath

Guild Member’s Oath:
Here do I swear by month and hand to be true, and honorable, to uphold the rules of the guild, and to treat thy other members with respect, and appreciation for their talents and skills. To be truthful and act in good faith and manner, and that my honor is my guild’s honor.

So say I

Guild Master’s Oath:
On thy part with mallet, chisel, and square, I herby swear to protect you in all things guild, and to treat you justly, fairly and honestly, and to provide to the best of my knowledge. To seek out what knowledge I don’t and to exchange knowledge freely. My honor is your honor and our honor is the Guild’s honor.

So say I

Rules of the Guild

Guild Meetings

The Woodcarvers Guild shall hold at least two official gathering meetings per year that will take place at Imperial Banner Wars (May) and Imperial Wars (September). Rules and amendments will be brought up at these times. Any members of the Woodcarvers Guild in good standing may present a new rule or amendment to a rule at a guild meeting where a vote will be taken. In the event of a tie the Guild Master will be the decider. Meetings may also be called forthwith in the Woodcarvers Guild as needed to resolve and mediate issues within the guild.

Selecting a Guild Master

The rank of the Local Guild Master for the woodcarvers shall be subject those available among the guild members. Ideally, they should be of the highest-ranking level, however if no one of Master Rank is present to take on the position the next willing highest ranking member will become the representative of the Guild. The term as Guild Master will be on a five year basis, and the Guild Master shall be elected by the membership of the Woodcarvers Guild. The election shall be held during (or around) the time of Imperial Crown War and the Guild Master may serve many consecutive terms as the members elect them. The Guild Master is required to keep his or her Adria membership up to date.

In the event that a Guild Master must step down during their term, the members of the Woodcarvers Guild shall convene to elect a successor to finish out the term. They will then hold elections on the regularly scheduled date as listed. If a Guild Master does not renew their membership as set by Adrian Empire laws they must step down and relinquish their rank as Guild Master of the Woodcarvers Guild. The Guild Master may also step down voluntary, but must submit a letter of reason of why stepping they are stepping down. At time of step down of the Guild Master, the next ranking official of the Woodcarvers Guild will be temporary instated as Guild Master until there is an election of a Guild Master.

Guild Master

The Local Guild Master shall be in charge of approving advancement of its members and providing the guild badge to each member. The Guild Master will keep copies of the members portfollios as well as their individual contact information.