Membership FAQ
General Membership Questions
Who sets the prices for the different memberhsip levels?
The prices are set by the HSMG Board of Directors (in accordance with the HSMG Bylaws).
How are the benefits for the memberships determined?
The Board of Directors determines the benefits for each of the different membership levels.
About Soapmaker Memberships
Why can't Associate Soapmaker Members have online listings?
By definition, Associate Soapmakers are not selling their soap to the public, so they should have no reason for an online listing.
Why is an Associate Soapmaker Membership limited to five (5) years?
The HSMG is registered with the IRS as a "Professional Business Association" (also called a\ "Business League") as defined under Section 501(c)(6) of the IRS Code. The IRS says:
To be exempt, a business league's activities must be devoted to improving business conditions of one or more lines of business...
The term "line of business" generally refers either to an entire industry...
The key here is business. In order to maintain tax-exempt, non-profit status, the HSMG must forward the business and industry of handcrafted soap and soapmaking. Technically, Associate Soapmaker Memberships are for those who are in the process of becoming Professional Soapmakers (defined as actually selling/marketing handcrafted soap). Five years seemed like a reasonable time to make the transition.
What about hobbyist soapmakers, or people who make soap just for personal use?
Someone who is, and plans to always be, a hobbyist or personal-use-only soapmaker and never intends to actually sell handcrafted soap, technically doesn't qualify for membership in the HSMG.
About Vendor & Corporate Memberships
Why is a Vendor Membership in the name of the Company (not an individual)?
While soapmakers are individual people who may have a businesses, vendors are businesses that generally have staff and employees. Rather than putting the membership in the name of one specific person, the vendor membership is in the name of the business and an individual is designated as the "Representative" or "Contact" for the membership. That way the business can appoint the appropriate person to manage their membership and the person so designated can be changed if needed when staff changes occur within the business.