American Association of Woodturners

If you know four or five people who are woodturners and you don't quite know where to begin in forming an organization, the AAW would be glad to assist you. There is no charge for starting a chapter in your area. AAW can provide you with ideas for places to meet, for organizing the first meeting, and for meeting topics as well as a 'sample' charter.

AAW chapters become an integral part of the largest woodturning organization in the world meeting one of the AAW key objectives - providing "organization" to those interested in woodturning.
AAW chapters will provide a communications conduit to local membership as many other organizations connect with members through local organizations such as suppliers of woodturning equipment and materials.
AAW chapters provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and knowledge about woodturning.
AAW chapters are eligible to apply for Educational Opportunity Grants every other year, which are available through AAW.
AAW chapters in the U S and Canada have available to them AAW supplied liability insurance, that usually meets the requirements of schools, businesses, individuals or landlords who furnish chapter meeting places.
AAW provides counseling and materials to AAW chapters to assist the chapters in expanding their membership and programs.
AAW chapters are an important tool of the developing woodturner providing linkage to a broad network for mentoring, problem solving, critique, exhibit opportunities, selling opportunities, trades and purchase of woods, and a forum for information exchange.
AAW chapters receive emailing from the national organization at least quarterly about important national and local chapter activities.
AAW chapters receive a certificate of AAW affiliation and an AAW banner for display in public forums.

To start off, read this document, prepared by the AAW Chapter Committee Chair.
Establish a set of Bylaws from which your local chapter will be organized. For a sample set of Bylaws in Word format, please click here. And click here for the same file in pdf format.
Many chapters produce a local newsletter that informs members about woodturning activities in their area. Click here to access a list of our local chapters, many of which publish periodic newsletters.
AAW will provide you with membership applications which you can use to advertise your chapter through local woodturning vendors and suppliers.
Please check the listing on the local chapter web page to see if there is one close to you. Local Chapters are located in the U.S. and Internationally.
You may contact the national office or email the Chapter Committee chair listed here. The Chapter committee is also listed in the left menu of this page.
AAW Local Chapters may choose to pursue 501c.3 Federal, and State tax exempt status, offering members the ability to make tax deductible donations. Here are several documents and forms that may be helpful in this process: