Who We Are - Our Values

Service to the Guild – The Guild is a volunteer organization that depends on committed members to maintain the programs and opportunities that it offers.

Service to the Community – The Guild is committed to sharing its talents, skills and resources to benefit the larger community.

Inclusiveness – The Guild welcomes individuals from all walks of life and holds that diversity strengthens and builds community within the organization.

Collaboration – The Guild relies on open communication, respect for others, and consensus in its programs, activities, management and decision-making processes.

Safety – The Guild constantly pursues a safe environment for work, socialization and interaction.

Craftsmanship – The Guild values technical excellence and artistic creativity in the craft of woodworking.

Our History

The Guild of Oregon Woodworkers had a simple beginning.  In 1978 a small group of professional woodworkers in the Portland, Oregon area began meeting in an effort to find a better way to market and sell their products.  The Guild was formally born. 

The Guild Evolves Over Time

Not surprisingly, the Guild changed over time.  The mission of the Guild has changed significantly with the introduction of non-professional woodworkers and a non-profit focus on the community.  In the last 7 years the membership has grown to over 1,100 members and a number of new programs have been started or expanded including:

• Community Service Projects
• An extensive library
• Education programs (now over 150 classes per year)
• A  Visiting Masters Program
• Expanded woodworking safety instruction
• A hand-crafted wooden toys program
• An Estate Assistance Team that helps the families of deceased woodworkers
• The introduction of family woodworking options
• Being a major partner in the annual Gathering of the Guilds at the Oregon Convention Center
• Participating in local county fairs, street fairs and art events
• An industrial level woodshop for member use.

The Guild has no employees, being managed totally by volunteers.  With this volunteer workforce, it has become one of the premiere woodworking Guilds in the country.  We are active, diverse, friendly and dedicated to craftsmanship in the use of one of nature’s most precious gifts—wood.

There has never been a better time to JOIN the Guild of Oregon Woodworkers.