New Woodworking Guild in South Dakota

Large spaces define the West.
Vast distances between communities have always been a problem for organizers. Kids often travel hundreds of miles for a high school football game or a band concert. Families, churches, community groups and charitable organizations have to a special effort to get together, especially during the winter months - when a pot luck dinner might involve a six hour drive through blowing and drifting snow. You have to be pretty darn keen on Grandma's barbecue hot dish...

Those long distances have also been a problem for woodworking clubs. The Guild of Master Craftsmen in Wyoming is based in Casper, and that's half a day's drive for members in Jackson Hole, Cody or Cheyenne. The same is true in South Dakota where the two major cities, Sioux Falls and Rapid City, are 300 miles apart. Thankfully, technology is now shortening the distance. Following the lead of businesses that allow employees to telecommute, and colleges who have created distance learning programs, the new South Dakota Woodworker's Guild is hoping that the Internet will bring all of the state's woodworkers together, if not physically then at least over a modem. The idea is that each small community can have its own chapter, and all will share a Web site. Once a year, all of the chapter members can meet for an annual show, and during the year they can swap information and resources online, buy and sell through classified ads on the Web site, start discussion forums and even seek discounts from suppliers and other benefits.

The first chapter to be organized meets in Spearfish at 7 PM on the last Thursday of every month. Located just 8 miles from the Wyoming line, Spearfish is a university town with about 9,000 residents and 4,000 college students. It serves as a hub for several northern Black Hills communities, including Belle Fourche, Sturgis, Lead and Deadwood. The new Guild has already begun working with the local Honor Guard on a program to build triangular flag cases for the families of Veterans. During November, they will launch the Guild's new Web site at www.sdwoodworkers.com, which will contain a calendar that includes fairs, galleries, classes, craft shows and other woodworking venues and events in South Dakota. And early next year, members will begin a program of building hand-made wooden gifts for underprivileged children, with a view to being able to make a presentation by Christmas 2008.

A typical club meeting begins with a few minutes of mingling, and then the members conduct business such as electing officials, working out policies such as the date and venue for the show, and so on. Then, there's a handout and discussion on some aspect of woodworking (the October meeting is all about glue). There's a suggestion up for discussion that the members can tour each others' shops, too. Other events at the monthly meetings will include inviting guest speakers to talk about various aspects of woodworking; bringing projects for Show & Tell; and having a question and answer session if anybody is having technical problems.

If anyone has questions or suggestion for this new Guild, please send them an e-mail.