Craftsmanship: How it Helps You

     As a member of the foremost graphic arts organization in the world, you are among people who have a common bond, striving for the same purpose. What you make of your membership in this far-reaching Association depends, to a marked degree, on what you yourself contribute.

    The first and foremost benefits you receive from your membership in this organization are from your local club meetings and activities. They provide an educational meeting each month, at which some phase of the graphic arts is discussed. Presentations showing new developments, and more important, a forum where you can express yourself and discuss your problems, are all a part of the educational program of your club.

    There is always a fine spirit of friendliness, helpfulness and cooperation between Craftsmen. They take pleasure in assisting each other in every reasonable difficulty, exemplifying their slogan, Share Your Knowledge. This simply means that whenever you have a problem in your own business which you are unable to solve, you can always find a fellow member who has the solution and is eager to help. The network of contacts that you can develop through craftsmanship can be invaluable.

    Because of this spirit of friendliness, helpfulness and cooperation, you acquire a new circle of friends with whom you have a great deal in common. Some, in time, will become your personal friends because of these common interests. If you would have friends in the club, be friendly and make an effort to become acquainted with other members. You will also find a valuable asset in the Craftsman's Personal Library maintained by the Association at its Headquarters offices. From this source you may request free pamphlets of every description pertinent to inks, paper, composition, presses, and many other phases of the graphic arts. A wide variety of videos and books are also available for loan to members.

    The International Association holds an annual convention at which the program features top-flight speakers and technicians. There are also numerous clinics where common problems are discussed and where club officers learn how to effectively manage their clubs affairs. The business of the International Association and election of officers also takes place.

    For the purpose of conducting coordinated sectional activities, Craftsmen's clubs are assigned to geographic districts. Each district holds an annual conference which includes business and technical meetings, entertainment and social functions, and an opportunity for plant visits and sight-seeing trips. Because many members are not in a position to attend the International conventions, this is an opportunity for the member to extend their field of knowledge beyond the confines of their home club and meet fellow Craftsmen from other clubs in the district.

    You may expect these things as a member of this Craftsmen's club. It is by no means all. For if you become a real part of the activities, accept assignments on committees, share your knowledge with your fellow members, and are friendly and cooperative, you will receive far more than you ever expected - and you will have invested so little.