Membership

To become a member of the Upper Midwest Soapmakers Guild (UMSG), you must:
• Manufacture handcrafted soap in a business or hobby capacity AND live or have a principal place of business in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Northwest Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta (east of the Rockies)
• OR sell soapmaking/craft supplies or provide services supporting our small businesses.

Membership Pledge

Place your hand on your stick blender and repeat... :-)
"We as handcrafted soap makers pledge to quality soap making and ethical business practices."

Benefits of Membership The benefits of joining UMSG include:

• Gain information and advice from experienced soapmakers and meet new friends!
• Talk with people who never get tired of discussing all aspects of soapmaking, from the hobbyist to the professional business person
• Use of the UMSG logo
• Discounts from select Vendor Suppliers
• Participation in our gatherings at a discount
• Join our mailing list discussions
• See your products highlighted and your name listed on our website

The Upper Midwest Soapmakers Guild is an open guild. While the board of directors does have to make decisions, board members are elected by our members and are held accountable to them.

Please determine which type of membership is best for you.

• Regular Members: Individuals who make soap and live within the qualifying area.
• Vendor Member: Suppliers and individuals who sell supplies. Vendor Member can qualify for free membership by offering a discount to members.
• Dual Membership (Regular Member/Vendor Member): Suppliers or individuals who make soap and sell supplies.

Membership requirements are as follows:

1) To become a Regular Member each prospect must submit an application for membership and the current membership dues.

2) To become a Vendor Member each prospect must submit an application for membership and the current membership dues. Vendor Members may submit a proposed discount plan for UMSG members or service to the UMSG - if approved by the Board, membership will be at no charge. Please contact our President for further information.

3) To become a Dual Member (Regular Member / Vendor Member) each prospect must submit an application for membership, one bar of their homemade soap with proper labeling and the current membership dues.

4) To continue membership in the Guild each member must be in good standing. A member in good standing will practice ethical soapmaking and business practices and be current in dues.

Annual Dues / Membership Rights

Annual membership dues as of 10/08/07 are $25 for Regular or Vendor Member membership types. Annual membership dues as of 10/08/07 are $50 for Dual memberships (Vendor Member/ Regular Member.)

Dues are non-refundable and are payable in US funds only.

Membership dues will be collected annually in April of each year. Annual dues for new members who join after April will be pro-rated accordingly.

Should it ever become necessary for the "Guild" to ask for contributions from the membership, such contributions shall be voluntary in nature. The rights of membership are as follows:

All members are entitled to the use of the UMSG logo on their websites and products.

Regular Members current in dues are entitled to one vote, chair committees, hold offices and shall be subject to the rights, privileges, limitations and conditions as defined in the By-laws.

Vendor Members current in dues shall have advertising privileges on the "Guild" website and shall be subject to the rights, privileges, limitations and conditions as defined in the By-laws.

Dual Members (Vendor Members / Regular Members) current in dues are entitled to one vote, chair committees, hold offices, shall have advertising privileges on the "Guild" website and shall be subject to the rights, privileges, limitations and conditions as defined in the By-laws.

To Join Us

Vendors: Download the Vendor Member Application (.pdf).

Members: Complete our Membership Application (.pdf) and send it in along with a sample of your soap to the address listed on the application.

Also be sure to join the UpperMidwestSoapGuild list at Yahoo Groups and meet everyone online.