Members Benefits

The AWGB offers members the following benefits

  • Membership of a National Body dedicated to the promotion of woodturning and the interests of all woodturners
  • A training programme offering a range of support to assist members improve their capabilities
  • Grants to cover a range of turning activities including provision of equipment, including loan lathes ā€“ see grant scheme below
  • Opportunity to join over 60 active Branches throughout the UK giving fellowship support and advice
  • Quarterly newsletter full of useful and interesting information
  • Discounts at a wide range of suppliers
  • Free listing on the website for members offering demonstrations, tuition, commissions (NB we expect anyone using this service to have the appropriate insurance cover in place)
  • Opportunity to have you website linked on the AWGB website
  • The help and fellowship of both amateur and professional members
  • Opportunity to attend displays of members work at major exhibitions and shows
  • Opportunity to attend a major international seminar every two years
  • Opportunity to attend regional demonstrations and activities run by our branches
  • Support for members from our regional representatives
  • Access to a comprehensive and cost effective insurance scheme for Public Liability and All Risks insurance cover for all clubs

Details of Grants available to Affiliated Branches, Associated Clubs, Members and those wishing to become Members.

Grant Structure

Now that we have the Roger and Nina Stewart Fund, which forms part of our Grant scheme, we have reviewed our processes and the process below will be used from 1st February 2018.

Grant Authorisation

We have a Grant subcommittee which meets regularly. The Grant subcommittee will have varying powers as detailed below within each grant area.

A Membership Grant can be requested by contacting the Treasurer or the Membership Secretary.

Where the amount exceeds the limits below the Grant Committee will refer to the Trustees for a decision. This will streamline the award but still provide the appropriate governance over our funds.

Grant Structure

The current grant structure is explained below:

  • Demonstrator Grants
  • Event Grants
  • Discretionary Grants
    • Membership grants
    • Discretionary grant up to Ā£1000 per award
    • Discretionary grant over Ā£1000 per award
    • Training grants

Demonstrator Grants

The Demonstrator Grant is currently Ā£350 per Branch.

Event Grants

We will allocate funds per annum into the Grant Fund to pay for ā€œeventsā€. An Event should be run by an Affiliated Branch or an Associated Club. They can include a wide range of events but we would expect these to be related to an open day, mini Seminar day or weekends such as Woodworks at Daventry.

As not all the members of an Associated Club are AWGB members there will be a two tier award.

  • AWGB Branches ā€“ maximum grant Ā£300 per branch
  • AWGB Associated Clubs ā€“ maximum Ā£150 per club

This provides an extra benefit for Associated Clubs.

Branches/Clubs should complete an application form (download form).

Event grants are awarded on the basis that the AWGB will underwrite any loss for the event up to the limit of the grant awarded. We expect a financial report after the event showing the profit/loss so we can establish if there is a loss we need to reimburse. The application will be reviewed and agreed/rejected by the Grant subcommittee.

Discretionary Grants

There will be three levels of Discretionary Grant:

  • Membership Grant
  • Discretionary Grant up to and including Ā£1000 per award
  • Discretionary Grant over Ā£1000.

The Discretionary Grant shall be funded by the Roger Stewart Fund. The Main AWGB Fund will periodically add into the Roger and Nina Stewart Fund as circumstances permit.

Membership Grants

A maximum of 10 grants p.a. agreed by the Treasurer and the Membership Secretary (both Trustees).Ā  If more expenditure in any calendar year is required on membership grants this must be referred back to all Trustees.

Application form required (download form).

Discretionary Grants up to and including Ā£1000

For any purpose falling within our objects, supported by a suitable application and focused on those who are disadvantaged in some way, on benefit, low earnings etc.

Reviewed and agreed/rejected by the Grant subcommittee.

Application form required (download form).

Discretionary Grants over Ā£1000

For any purpose falling within our objectives, supported by a suitable application and focused on those who are disadvantaged in some way, on benefit, low earnings etc. Reviewed and approved/rejected by all Trustees following initial review by Grant subcommittee.

Application form required (download form).

Training Grant

We rely on members letting us know what courses they would like us to run and most requests result in a training workshop. For members requests for training which fall outside the workshops we usually arrange, we may offer a grant of up to Ā£100 towards the member booking the course themselves. Before such an award is made, the AWGB will review the suitability of the course, the trainer and whether a more cost effective alternative is available. Successful awards will be paid direct to the trainer on confirmation the course has been booked. A separate grant application is not required for a training grant, it will be considered internally and the applicant notified.

For members attending the Certificate in Woodturning course the AWGB will contribute one third of the cost which will be paid directly to the member on completion of the course.

General Comments

Grants to individuals will generally be made to those who are members of the AWGB or who would like to join it, and financial help may extend to the membership subscription.

Grants to organisations will generally be made to BranchesĀ  or Clubs Associated to the AWGB but we may consider grants to other organisations where the grant would support our charitable objectives.

There are a range of projects for which we could make a grant. Some examples of suitable activities are:

  • Basic starter turning kit – lathe, turning tools, chuck & accessories; safety kit
  • Additional tools/equipment for someone wishing to expand (for example if they want a chuck but have the rest)
  • Travel and reasonable expenses to/from AWGB / WCT training events
  • Target deprived areas with taster sessions / introductory training with a view to setting up a longer term development programme or club/support group in the area (an idea that requires more work)
  • Disadvantaged youngsters. For example working with Social Services to target young people with a poor home life, in foster or local authority care with a view to setting up a longer term development programme or club/support group in the area (again an idea that needs more work)

In the event that the grant is for equipment then the AWGB will buy the equipment and retain the title.Ā  It will be loaned for as long as required. In the event that the recipient ceases to make use of the equipment for any reason the equipment must be returned to the AWGB. We will mark equipment accordingly and maintain suitable records.

Seminar Scholarship

A number of scholarships are available to AWGB members of all ages. Priority will be given to applicants who would otherwise be unable to afford the cost of attendance. An announcement will be made when applications are being accepted in seminar years.

Forms for all the above grants are available form the link or from the Resources page