The Current Structure of the Guild
The IGKT has recently had queries from various sources which have made us realise that it might help you to know more about the Guild, how it is run and how it operates. We hope that this article will help to explain these issues.
The IGKT
The Guild is set up as a UK Charity which gives us a number of advantages, especially with regard to taxation. We therefore must operate within UK Charity Law and are answerable to the UK Charity Commission. They have approved our Constitution which can be found here and on the Charity Commission website
https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/
and then by searching for our charity number 802153
The President
Currently Mikko Snellman from Finland This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The President is the figurehead who represents all the Guild stands for. He or she is elected for a 3-year term by the AGM on the recommendation of the outgoing President.
The Council of Trustees, or Council
The Trustees are responsible for maintaining the ethos of the Guild and its aims, including information and education. They are also responsible for ensuring that the Guild adheres to the rules of the UK Charity Commission and as such must be UK residents. There are 7 Trustees elected by the AGM and who serve a 5-year term which is renewable. Three of them are the officers, nominated by the Trustees and confirmed by the AGM. They too serve for a 5-year term which is renewable just once. They are, currently:
Chairman: Sue Pennison This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Treasurer: Colin Byfleet This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Secretary: Tim Martin This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Trustees: Peter Hennessey, Lynne Hudson, David Bodger, Clive Sandrey
The Council meets several times a year by Zoom ,and in person at the AGM, to discuss issues facing the Guild and raised by the members, topical matters and ways of developing the Guild to promote its aims. These may involve considerable research and discussion. Where appropriate the decisions will be passed on to the Executive Committee for action and implementation.
All Trustees, Executive Committee members and IGKT members are expected to adhere to the Guild's Code of Coduct (Download IGKTCode_of_Conduct) regarding both social and legal behaviour.
The Executive Committee
This is the Guild’s “working party” following through the ideas passed to them by the Council. They also act as a conduit for issues from the Branches. There are 9 members appointed by the Council. They currently represent six different countries. This membership includes a representative from the Trustees to link the two committees. Like the Council they have a Chairman and Secretary appointed from within their membership on their recommendation and approved by the Council. Members and Officers are appointed for a 5-year term which is renewable. The current members are:
Chairman: Darren Samphier
Secretary: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Council Appointee: Lynne Hudson
Other members: Graham MacLachlan, Ralph Streller, John Trevvett, Geert Willaert
National Organisations and Branches
Local Branches and National Organisations have been set up around the world. Any group of members are welcome to set up their own Branch: there is no set format. However to be recognised by the Guild they should primarily be of Guild members and have a proper constituted format, aims and objectives. Many of them have their own membership and a subscription to cover their necessary costs such as a Zoom subscription. Thus Guild members will pay both subs and non-Guild members just the Branch or National Organisation (eg IGKT France) sub. There is a list of Branches in Knotting Matters.
Knotting Matters
This is the quarterly magazine sent to members and currently produced by a group of four editors. It contains articles submitted by members, reports on events held and Branch activities, as well as other important Guild information. It is your magazine so please submit articles and news to the editors via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The Website
This website is still in its trial stage so will change a little from time to time. It is there to convey up to date information on events, activities and Guild issues plus providing information about the Guild, contact points, etc. There is a public section, and the members’ section which is accessible by registration. At present we have no Web Master so please contact us if you’re interested in this important role. In the meantime, please send any comments or information for posting to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
The Guild Forum and Facebook
For some time the Guild has had a Forum for the exchange of comments and queries about knotting. The new website was incompatible with the software used so we had to close it down. It is now archived and available for information via the website for previously registered users only.. There is also a new Forum, soon to be launched, which will bring with the data from the old forum and be open to everyone for discussion. Until then, members are invited to 'converse' via the Guild Facebook site Official International Guild of Knot Tyers (IGKT). This is also useful for disseminating things and events about knotting.
Membership
Membership is open to people who are interested in all things concerning every aspect of knotting and rope. The Guild’s Membership Secretary handles all membership issues and problems. Please contact her via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Publications
The Guild produces a number of its own publications. These are produced and updated by the Publications Team. If you would like to submit something for possible publication, please contact the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in the first instance.
Sales
The Guild holds a stock of Guild publications and a number of different Guild badges. The stock is listed on the Sales page. Please contact our This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you would like any items.
Future Plans
In order to keep members as up to date as possible, we produce an occasional email to all members who wish to receive it. This will carry news and information about forthcoming events. It will supplement Knotting Matters, not replace it, but fill in between issues.
