New Member Handbook

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Membership Requirements

  • Valid SCW Recreation Card Your Recreation Card must be current. Payments are verified.
  • Orientation Completion All members must successfully complete all three days of the New Member Orientation Class.
  • Annual Dues Membership dues are paid annually and are due by January 31.
  • Invoices will be emailed out on Jan 1 or shortly there after.

Member Responsibilities

  • Give Back to the Club members are encouraged to volunteer through monitoring, shop support, and other opportunities.
  • Maintain a Safe and Clean Shop practice safe, clean, and courteous work habits at all times.
  • Respect Other Members treat fellow members with respect. Members are expected to follow the discipline process outlined in the club by-laws.
  • Help Fellow Woodworkers the club thrives on cooperation—many members are happy to pause their own work to lend a hand.
  • Share Resources share knowledge, plans, books, websites, and other woodworking resources to support the community.

Safety Requirements & Cautions

Safety is every member’s responsibility. The following requirements and cautions exist to protect you, other members, and the shop.

Emergency & First Aid

  • First Aid and 911 procedures are in place—know where supplies and emergency information are located.

Eye, Face & Lathe Protection

  • Safety glasses are required at all times in the machine room.
  • Face shields are required when operating large lathes.
  • Lathe safety cages are recommended; use is a personal safety decision.

Clothing & Personal Safety

  • Footwear
    • Closed-toe shoes are required.
    • No open-toe shoes, sandals, flip-flops, or similar footwear.
  • Clothing & Accessories
    • No loose-fitting clothing, jewelry, or unsecured long hair.
    • Gloves are not allowed, except with a specific exemption (e.g., wood allergies).
    • Long sleeves are discouraged. If worn, sleeves must be tight from elbow to wrist to prevent entanglement in rotating machinery.

Alcohol, Drugs & Medications

  • No alcohol or recreational drugs are permitted in the shop.
  • Use caution when taking prescription or over-the-counter medications that may impair judgment, balance, or reaction time.

Personal Stability & Mobility

  • Members must be able to operate machinery without canes, walkers, or similar supports.
  • Table saws may not be operated while sitting.
    Sitting places the face at blade level and limits safe reach past the blade.
  • Lathes may not be operated while sitting.

Lifting & Assistance

  • Use proper lifting techniques.
  • Ask for help when moving heavy or awkward materials to avoid injury.

Space Awareness

  • Be aware of:
    • Other people
    • Moving wood
    • Machines
    • Power cords
    • Carts and vacuum hoses
  • Maintain clear walkways and safe working distances.

Table Saw Safety (SawStop)

  • Activating a SawStop brake costs:
    • $150.00 for standard saws
    • $250.00 for the dado saw
  • The fee is payable immediately.
  • No exceptions. No excuses.
  • Consider the alternative: injury, emergency room visit, medical costs, recovery time, and the saw being unavailable to all members until repaired.

Finishes, Chemicals & Spray Paint

  • Use of finishes and chemicals is limited.
  • Products with offensive odors must be:
    • Applied and dried outside behind the shop, or
    • Used at home
  • Spray paint must be used outside behind the shop.
    Be mindful of over-spray.

Lockers

  • Lockers are available by waiting list:
    • Under-bench locker: $50 per year
    • Wall locker: $35 per year

Bench-Top Work Space

  • Bench space is shared.
  • No member owns or rents a bench.
  • Be respectful of others’ space and time.

Broken, Damaged, or Dull Tools & Machines

  • Report issues by filling out a repair slip located on the maintenance room door.
  • Admit mistakes when they happen—this helps everyone learn and keeps the shop safe.