​Member Facilities

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​The clubrooms are available to members - unless otherwise notified by the Management Committee - 365 days a year between 6.30am to 10pm.

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The club building (pictured above) has a kitchen/meeting room, a library of books for inspiration and knowledge, which may be borrowed, 2 dedicated classrooms (one for wheel work and the other for hand-building), a workroom for members, a gallery ("Tote Modern"), kiln room, glaze room, clay room, an office and of course bathroom facilities. 

• There are 4 electric kilns (firing to 1250) and a small test kiln used constantly and 2 gas kiln used monthly or when enough work is available to fire. Several times a year there are raku and pit firings for members and class participants.​​
• ​The club work room is where clay construction happens whether it be hand-building or on the wheel.  There are 6 wheels,  2 slab rolling machines and a wide selection of  molds, texture materials, tools and other equipment.​​​​​​

• The glazing room is used for glazing. There is a wax area, a spraying area and a large selection of glazes and tools for applying different glazing techniques and test samples for inspiration. 
• The kiln room houses the kilns.  Work waiting to be fired is stored here too. Firing charges are based on a volume basis. The firing price is inclusive of glaze materials and the second firing after glazing.
• The clay store room holds a large selection of different types of clay. Members can buy clay at a lower price than non members. ​ 

 Eligibility for Membership of Otaki Pottery Club

To be eligible for membership of the Otaki Pottery Club (“OPC”) applicants are expected to have the technical ability in the ceramics craft to carry out the type of work they want to make. 
 
It is understood that new members will need some help with locating materials and equipment, however they should not depend on other members for unreasonable help with using equipment or potting technique. Applicants who do not have prior experience are very welcome, but we would suggest they attend at least four terms of one or more of our classes/courses run by OPC.

In applying for membership applicants must provide evidence of their competence at making pots e.g. courses attended, exhibitions, relevant previous membership with a pottery club. The person supporting the application must be able to attest to the applicant’s ability, experience and suitability.

Your application will be tabled and considered at the next Committee Meeting and you may be required to attend classes/courses for at least a year before becoming a full member.

Full members are entitled to full use of the Club and its facilities after attending an orientation tour and are a financial member of the Club. The orientation tour of the rooms is intended to make new members familiar with the facility, safety measures and administrative procedures. This tour is not intended to provide any instruction on the craft of pottery.

The club workroom is set up for hand building and throwing. Several pre-mixed glazes and oxides are provided for firing at 1100C, 1200C and 1250C in the electric kilns and at stoneware temperatures in the gas kiln. The kilns are operated by skilled club members. Other members are welcome to assist.

The Club has supplies of clay for sale and a good range of equipment, small and large, for members to use.

The work rooms, mainly the floors and benches are cleaned weekly by a paid cleaner, but club members are expected to thoroughly clean any surfaces that they have used while in the rooms. This includes any spillages on the floor.

​All members are expected to take part in one of the four (4) cleaning bees held each year or pay a fee in lieu.
 
Like most clubs, we are a volunteer organisation.  The club cannot operate without the input of its members. Activities that require member support on a regular basis include:
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• Day-to-day club cleanliness
• Glazes (mixing, developing, testing)
• Kilns (firing, fixing)
• Rooms (overseeing)
• Rooms maintenance
• Library
• Fundraising
• Classes, workshops and events (planning, organising)
• Raku and Pit firings
• Communications (newsletter, website, Facebook)
• Secretarial
• Finances
• Membership

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Associate Membership

This is for people who want to remain members but not be actively engaged with the Club on a regular basis. The Applicant will:

• be able to participate in the clubs’ social activities.
  
• get a regular newsletter and have speaking rights.
  
• not have voting rights or hold an access code to the rooms.
  
• not have to do a cleaning bee or participate in fundraising activities unless they choose to do so.
  
• not carry out practical work at the club rooms.

People who want to become an Associate Member will have to apply in writing to the Committee

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Club membership application form

2023_membership_application_form__1_.pdf
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Download File

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Membership Obligations

All members are required to do a 2 hour cleaning bee each year or pay an amount determined by the committee. This system may change this year but members will still be required to help with the cleaning.
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​Members are also expected to assist with fundraising activities, especially at the Festival of Pots.

Anyone accessing the club rooms must record their arrival and departure time in the register located in the kitchen. This is essential for security and insurance purposes.

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Otaki Pottery club subscription for 2022/2023

2022/2023 Full Membership
$200 incl gst if paid before 30 April
$220 incl gst after 30 April 
or two equal instalments of $110.00 for 6 months to 30 September and $110.00 for 6 months to 31 March 2023 
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Full Membership includes an access code to the rooms
 
Associate membership:
$35 incl gst

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