Benefits

MMWTC holds a general membership meeting every month. Members typically begin to arrive about 6:15. The meeting starts at 6:45 and, depending on the demonstration or program for the month, may run as late as 9:15-9:30. The meeting format includes a brief business meeting, introduction of new members and guests, show & tell, our "Red Cup" wood & tool raffle, refreshments and - for 10 months - a turning demonstration. We traditionally hold a major tool auction at one monthly meeting late in the year, and a holiday party.

We have a mentoring coordinator who helps match experienced turners with members who would like to learn a new technique or tips for making a particular project. We have members skilled in all areas of woodturning ... bowls, spindles, segmented turnings, pens, ornaments, tool sharpening, and many other items. Our mentoring coordinator will introduce you to someone who can help you.

Our skill-building workshop coordinator works diligently to schedule a monthly workshop, typically on a Saturday morning at the very well-equipped shop of one of our members in Purcellville, VA. Class size is limited to 8 students. The cost of classes is typically about $10-$20. Lunches are ordered locally, or pack your own.

MMWTC frequently arranges for a nationally-recognized professional wood turner to conduct a multi-day workshop at one of our member's venue in Purcellville, VA. This member is a gracious host to the guest turner, and regularly makes his 8-lathe shop available for multi-day workshops. We make every effort to schedule professional workshops late in the week through Sunday so that those members who are still working don't have to use many vacation days to participate. In the past we have been fortunate to have had John Jordan, Stuart Batty, Jimmy Clewes, Mark Sfirri, Sally Ault, Rudy Lopez, Donna Ziles Banfield and others share their expertise with our members.

MMWTC provides live demonstrations, typically at 10 of our monthly meetings. These demos may be conducted by members of MMWTC, or by members of another local club, such as Catoctin Area Turners, Apple Valley Woodturners, Montgomery County Woodturners and Chesapeake Woodturners Club. Occasionally a turner with national or even world-wide recognition will present the monthly demonstration. To help defray these program costs, a mandatory fee of $5 or $10 is collected at the door.

If you have a website dedicated to your woodturning business or hobby, you can post a FREE link with logo and basic info on the MMWTC website. Click the Members' Websites tab in the Menu bar to see the current links.