Full disclosure, I'm failing at retirement this week. I'll get right to the question: Do clubs have orientation sessions where they teach new comers how the equipment is used? This is, of course, if it's a club where you would use things that could cost you a limb or something.
I wondered about the same thing. Like, if I could learn wood working in the club or if I had to know it already to join. And yes, some of the machinery takes knowledge.
All RCSC clubs offer orientation sessions to assist new club members in getting started, including use of specialized tools and machinery. There may be an addition fee for such training sessions.
Cynthia, I went to the Bell Center woodworking shop yesterday. When you join the club, I haven't yet, I'm told they give you a list of tools/equipment and you rate yourself on each tool. If there is something specific you want to learn, someone is there to take you through operating that machine. In fall, they have a Saturday series of classes that teaches you the machines. One machine per class. This is the extra cost orientation. I'll report back after I join.
Every chartered club by the RCSC has to write their own rules and regulations that conform to the board policies. Included in that are the requirements to belong. For example, the Stained Glass club has requirements wholly different from the Canasta club. All of the clubs love to attract new members, and most bend over backwards to make you feel welcome. A good share of the clubs have requirements for members to be monitors a set number of times per month. For folks looking to start a new club, there is a fair amount of work in setting it up, but it all begins with providing a list of 25 or more card holders interested in joining.
