Membership Benefits

Membership benefits are based on the type and level of membership. The chart below compares the benefits for each membership type. Below the chart is a description of each type of membership at the basic level and the benefits that go with it (click the link in the chart to go to the description). For more information on the membership levels and the benefits that go with them, see the Benefactor Levels page.

Benefit	Personal	Soapmaker	Vendor	Dual	Corporate
$1M Product Liability Insurance
Member Forum
Subscription to The Handcrafted Soapmaker
Member Resource Library
Soapmaker Certification Program
eNews
Referral Program
Advanced Lye Calculator
Annual Conference Registration Discount
Annual Conference Vendor Table Discount
OnLine Soapmaker Roster Listing
Image in Soap Gallery
OnLine Vendor Listing
Personal Listing Page
Sales Leads
Public Info Requests
The Handcrafted Soapmaker Ad Discount
Right to Vote
Right to Serve on a Committee
Right to Serve on the Board of Directors
Associate Memberships
All Patron Benefits
Priority Placement of Banners & Ads
Branded Lye Calculator
FREE Conference Registration or Vendor Table

Product Liability Insurance    [Back to Top]

Soapmaker membership in the Handcrafted Soap Makers Guild, Inc. automatically includes $1 million product and general liability as part of the membership benefit. The insurance is effective immediately upon receipt of dues and processing of the membership. See the Insurance FAQ for detailed information about the insurance.

Existing Insurace Coverage: For soapmakers who already have product liability insurance, the insurance portion of the membership may be waived and the membership price adjusted accordingly.

Member Forum    [Back to Top]

The Member Forum is place where members can exchange information, ask questions, keep up-to-date on HSMG goings on, find out about activities, discounts, product information and more. The advantage to a Member Forum is that unlike a "Yahoo Group", the information is stored permanently so there is a searchable history.

The Handcrafated SoapMaker Subscription    [Back to Top]

The Handcrafated SoapMaker is the quarterly journal of the HSMG. There are four issues per year, each packed with information and articles helpful to soapmakers, vendors and members. One 32-page color issue is published (2nd quarter) and the other three issues are black and white.

Member Resource Library    [Back to Top]

The Member Resource Library is a library of information, articles and references of value to soapmakers and those in the industry. All manner of information is stored, including study guides for the Soapmaker Certification Program. The Resource Library is an on-going accumulation of pertinent information.

Soapmaker Certification Program    [Back to Top]

All members have the option to participate in the Soapmaker Certification Program. There are 6 certifications available: CP/HP Soapmaker, CP/HP Advanced Soapmaker, CP/HP Master Soapmaker, MP Soapmaker, MP Advanced Soapmaker and MP Master Soapmaker.

Referral Program    [Back to Top]

The HSMG Referral program is in development. Once completed, Members will receive credits when they refer other soapmakers or vendors to join the HSMG. Referral credits may be used toward membership dues, conference registration, advertising or HSMG merchandise.

eNews    [Back to Top]

eNews issues are sent by email to members to keep them up-to-date on news and activities of the HSMG.

Advanced Lye Calculator    [Back to Top]

The HSMG Basic Lye Calculator is in development for members and non-members in the "Industry" portion of the website. Within the Members area, an advanced lye calculator, will be available that allows the soapmaker to set more detailed information about his/her recipe and the specific oils used.

Conference Registration Discount    [Back to Top]

Every year the HSMG has an Annual Conference. Conference attendance is open to both members and non-members. Members receive a discount on the registration fee and are also elibible for an "Early Early-Bird" special registration price.

Conference Vendor Table Discount    [Back to Top]

Vendor, Dual and Corporate members can receive a discount on a Vendor Table at the Annual Conference.

OnLine Soapmaker Roster Listing    [Back to Top]

The OnLine Soapmaker Roster displays in the public area of the website and is a way for soap consumers to locate soapmakers by their company name, state, country or type of products. Listings include the company name, website, city-state-zip, and a brief description. There is a "More Info" link which takes the visitor to a detail page displaying more information and contact information. Soapmaker, Dual and Corporate members may have a listing included in the Roster.

Soap Gallery    [Back to Top]

The Soap Gallery displays images of soap made by Soapmaker, Dual or Corporate members. In order to have an image included in the Soap Gallery the member must also be included in the OnLine Soapmaker Roster. All images are linked to the Soapmaker's information and/or website. Images display based on what listings are displayed; if no images exist for those listings (or no listings are displayed) then 6 random images are shown on the page. Soap Gallery images are always shuffled and displayed randomly so one member is not always shown in the same location on the page (giving fairer exposure to all).

OnLine Vendor Listing    [Back to Top]

The OnLine Vendor Listing displays in the industry area of the website and is a way for soapmakers to locate vendors by their company name, state, country or type of products. Listings include the company name, website, city-state-zip, and a brief description. There is a "More Info" link which takes the visitor to a detail page displaying more information and contact information. Vendor, Dual and Corporate members may have a listing included. When displayed to non-members, those vendors who offer a discount to HSMG members are marked with a star; when shown to logged-in members, the listings include the actual amount of the offered discount and the code to access it..

Personal Listing Page    [Back to Top]

Members who have a listing included in either the OnLine Soapmaker Roster or OnLine Vendor Listing may choose to upload their own personal page which will display instead of the generic detailed information when the "More Info" link is clicked.

Sales Leads    [Back to Top]

The HSMG runs magazine ads in national magazines promoting handcrafted soap. In addition to directing the reader to the HSMG website (where they can view the OnLine Soapmaker Roster and Soap Gallery, readers may fill out a card requesting more information. The HSMG receives the names and addresses of the readers who want more information. They can be downloaded by Soapmaker, Dual and Coporate members who can send information to the requestees.

Public Info Requests    [Back to Top]

On the Find a Soapmaker page, there is a form that a website visitors can fill in to request specific information. Often they ask for soapmakers who can provide a particular type of soap. These "Public Info Requests" are published in the Members Area and Soapmaker, Dual and Corporate members may respond to them directly.

The Handcrafted Soapmaker Advertising Discount    [Back to Top]

Vendor members receive a 5% discount on any advertising placed in The Handcrafted Soapmaker.

Right to Vote    [Back to Top]

The HSMG Annual Membership Meeting is held during the Annual Conference every year. All members may attend (whether or not they are attending the conference) and all members have the right to vote on issues presented at the Annual Meeting. The senior managing body within the HSMG is the membership and it is through voting that the membership expresses how the HSMG should be run. The President and all members of the Board of Directors are elected by vote of the membership. The membership also approved major policies and activities of the organization by voting.

Right to Serve on a Committee    [Back to Top]

All members have the right to volunteer and to serve on a Committee if they so choose. The HSMG has 6 standing committees: Member Services; Membership (procurement); Marketing; Conference; Finance; Policies,Procedures and Bylaws; and Ethics. In addition there is currently a Certification Committee.

Right to Serve on the Board of Directors    [Back to Top]

The President and Board of Directors are elected at the Annual Meeting and serve for two year (staggered) terms. Any member may serve on the Board of Directors so long as they will have been a member for one year upon taking office (July 1st after the election).

Associate Members    [Back to Top]

Corporate Members have a Primary Member and are allowed up to four Associate Members. Associate Members have all general membership benefits, with the exception of separate listing in the OnLine Soapmaker Roster Listing or Vendor Listing and the right to vote (both of which are reserved for the Primary Member).

Patron Benefits    [Back to Top]

A Corporate Member receives all of the benefits of the Patron Level Membership, including a 468px x 60px banner in any of their listings, inclusion in the Benefactor List and special discounts. (See Benefactor Levels for more information on Patron level membership.)

Priority Placement of Ads and Banners    [Back to Top]

Corporate Members get priority (top) placement of banners on the Benefactor List, OnLine Soapmaker Roster and OnLine Vendor Listing. Ads in The Handcrafted Soapmaker are also given priority placement.

Branded Lye Calculator    [Back to Top]

Corporate Members may have a version of the Lye Calculator branded with their business name and a special link that can be used by their customers to access the branded lye calculator.

FREE Conference Registration or Vendor Table    [Back to Top]

Corporate members receive one FREE Conference Registration or a FREE vendor table at the Annual Conference.