Branch Membership Guidance

This guidance was issued by the Council of the Guild of Glass Engravers meeting on 9 May 2009 on the principles relating to membership of the Guild’s branches.

1. The Guild exists to encourage and nurture interest in and the teaching of glass engraving. The branches are one of the main ways in which this is achieved, as well as being an important source of support and development for members. These guidance notes have been issued for the avoidance of confusion and nothing in them is intended to discourage branches from doing all they can to attract new members.
2. The basic principle is that anyone who is a full member of a branch should also be a member of the Guild. However, branches may, at their own discretion, invite non-members to educational events such as workshops, and if appropriate, create some form of affiliate membership for people who are unwilling to be members of the main Guild but wish to learn more about glass engraving. Branches may also make appropriate arrangements for anyone (e.g. carers/family members) attending a meeting purely to assist a less abled member of the Branch.
4. It should be usual to charge Affiliates or non-members attending an educational event a higher fee than that paid by full members. This should not apply to anyone attending purely to assist a less abled member.
5. Only full Guild members may participate in exhibitions. Membership of the Guild is also necessary to benefit from the following: receipt of the Guild newsletters, access to the Guild Library, access to the Mentoring scheme, access to the members-only section of the Guild website and the right to exhibit work on the website.
6. The majority of the Branch members must be GGE members in order for the branch to be eligible to apply for grants through the Keith Black Fund. Branches are urged to use their best endeavours to encourage Affiliate and non-members to join the Guild so that they can enjoy the full benefit of the Guild membership.

Any branch member with a query relating to these Guidance notes is asked to contact the Guild Administrator in writing, either by post or e-mail, so that the matter can be considered by the council or, in case of urgency, the Chairman.

These Guidance notes supersede previous council decisions on the subject and are placed in the Guild Procedures Book for future reference.

(Guild procedure book June 2009 updated April 2026 for the new website)