Policy and Procedures

The policies of the HSCG serve guide the governance and operations of the organization. They are carefully reviewed by the Policies, Procedures and Bylaws Committee to ensure compliance and agreement with the HSCG Bylaws as well as applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

o become official, policies must be approved by the Board of Directors. Per the board’s recommendation, significant policies or changes must also approved by the HSCG membership at the Annual Meeting. Current policies are listed below.

Membership

Member Pledge The HSCG Code of Ethics, written as a a member pledge ("A member of the HSCG shall ...")	View PDF
Position Statement Official position statement of the HSCG concerning what is considered "handcrafted"	View PDF
Certification Program Description of the HSCG Certification Program and how it works.	View PDF
Cut to the Trace eZine Details of the Cut To The Trace eZine, including what it should contain, publishing schedule, and contribution guidelines.	View PDF
E-News: Classes What is included in the Classes eNews, when it is sent and to whom.	View PDF
E-News: Vendor Specials Procedures and requirements for submitting information for the Vendor Specials eNews,; how the eNews is formatted.	View PDF
Facebook Posting Rules Rules for posting on HSCG Facebook pages and in HSCG Facebook groups.	View PDF
Local and Regional Gatherings How the HSCG supports local and regional gatherings, and the procedures and responsibilities for doing so.	View PDF
Member Benefits Summary of member benefits.	View PDF
Member Online Listings What online listings are available to members, which membership level(s) they apply to, how to submit information and how the information is displayed.	View PDF
Membership Expirations and Renewals How lapses of membership are handled, including assignment of new member number.	View PDF
Teacher Program Specifications, requirements, procedures and administration of the HSCG Teacher Program.	View PDF
Soapers Showcase Hall of Fame Requirements for and benefits of the Soapers Showcase Hall of Fame	View PDF

Board of Directors

Annual Strategy Meeting Purpose of the Annual Strategy Meeting, what should be accomplished and who attends.	View PDF
Board Meeting Minutes Procedural guidelines for taking and posting minutes of Board of Director meetings.	View PDF
Board Protocol Protocol for HSCG Board Members.	View PDF

Ethics / Ethics Procedures

Code of Ethics Coe of Ethics for HSCG members. Approved by membership.	View PDF
Ethics Formal Complaint Form Form for making a formal ethics complaint.	View PDF
Ethics Procedures: Violations of HSCG Code of Ethics Procedures for reporting and handling ethics complaints against HSCG members.	View PDF

Conference

Board Responsibilities at the Conference What the responsibilities of Board Members are at the Annual Conference.	View PDF
Recording of Conference Speakers Policy on recording speakers at the annual conference.	View PDF
Vendor Member Conference Benefits Benefits for HSCG Vendor Members at the Annual Conference.	View PDF
Wait Lists How wait lists for exclusive or sold out items are administered.	View PDF

Committees

Committee Protocol A guide to the responsibilities and duties for Committee Members.	View PDF
Committee Reports What should be included in a committee report and how it should be formatted.	View PDF

Administration / Finances

Alcohol Policy HSCG Policy concerning purchasing alcohol with HSCG funds.	View PDF
Brand Book Specifications on preparation and use of HSCG Brand Book	View PDF
Conflict of Interest Statement What a conflict of interest is, and how it is addressed.	View PDF
Corporate Record Book What corporate records must be kept and how, and the responsibilities for doing so.	View PDF
HSCG Debit and Credit Cards Who can be issued an HSCG Credit or Debit card, the requirements and restrictions for doing so, and the responsibilities of anyone issued a credit or debit card.	View PDF
Do Not Contact Status Creation of a "Do Not Contact" status, procedures for assignment and review.	View PDF
Expense Reimbursements What expenses may be reimbursed and the procedures for getting reimbursement when applicable.	View PDF
Financial Management Overview of HSCG financial management, accounts, budgets, signatories, accounting and oversight.	View PDF
Financial Reporting Standards for financial reporting to the membership at the Annual Meeting.	View PDF
Hiring Policy Defines HSCG hiring practices and procedures.	View PDF
Important Files and Documents How important files and documents of the HSCG are handled.	View PDF
Online Information Access Who is authorized to access online HSCG information and for what purpose; who is responsible for keeping access security up-to-date.	View PDF
Record of Assets What records must be maintained for HSCG assets, and who is responsible for doing so.	View PDF
Renewal Reminders Requirements for sending renewal reminders to members.	View PDF
Teleconferencing Policies on the use of teleconferencing services.	View PDF
Use of HSCG Property Responsibilities for those authorized to use HSCG property and/or electronic devices.	View PDF
Travel Policy Requirements for any travel purchased or reimbursed by the HSCG.	View PDF

Legal Matters

Disclosure of Information What corporate information must be available to all members and what information may be otherwise disclosed under specific circumstances.	View PDF
Intellectual Property How the rights to intellectual property created by volunteers and staff are handled.	View PDF
Legal and Professional Advice Description and of legal and professional advice and information and the HSCG staff responsibilities concerning same.	View PDF
Privacy Policy Privacy policy for the HSCG.	View PDF
Whistleblowers Policy for the protection of whistleblowers and explaining the procedure for investigation and taking action.	View PDF