SDFWA

San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association

Peer Recognition

Nominate a member who has made a difference to the SDFWA

SDFWA Peer Recognition Program                                                                            July 2026

The Peer Recognition Program serves to identify and celebrate members whose volunteer actions strengthen the shop and the association community. Many important contributions happen quietly: helping a newer member use equipment safely, filling in when someone cannot make a shift, solving a recurring shop problem, improving a process, or making visitors and members feel welcome. These actions may not always be captured through formal titles or leadership roles, but they have a real impact on safety, operations, learning, and member experience.

The goal of this program is to recognize specific, observable actions that reflect the values we want to reinforce, including:

Safety — helping prevent hazards or encouraging safer equipment use
Mentoring and Teaching — helping others build skill and confidence
Reliability and Service — supporting shop operations and volunteer needs
Community and Member Experience — making the association more welcoming and helpful
Problem Solving and Initiative — identifying issues and offering practical improvements

This is not intended to be a popularity contest or a general “thank you” program. Nominations should be tied to a specific action, pattern of conduct, or contribution that made a meaningful difference.

A small group of your peers will serve as the Award Review Committee and review the nominations and select a single monthly winner, who will receive a $100 ProClass Gift Card, and a personalized and SDFWA branded mug. Note nominations that are not selected will be eligible for consideration in two subsequent monthly cycles.

How to Nominate a Member

Any member may nominate another member at any time. To submit a nomination, email peer-recognition@sdfwa.org and include:

  1. Who is being recognized?
  2. What did they do?
  3. Why did it matter? For example, did it improve safety, support another member, strengthen shop operations, or make the association more welcoming?

Deadline – middle of the month, for announcement at the end of month Eye Opener. Awardees will also be recognized in the subsequent newsletter.

Example nomination:

“Sarah Smith stayed after her shift to help me safely set up the bandsaw for resawing. She explained fence alignment, feed pressure, and blade drift in a patient and practical way. I was nervous about using the saw, but left feeling more confident. This is a strong example of mentoring and member experience.”

For more information, contact Mark Fielden, Volunteer Recognition Coordinator (Mark.Fielden@sdfwa.org)

Craftsman Referral Terms

BACKGROUND
The San Diego Fine Woodworkers Association (SDFWA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit dedicated to the education, promotion, and execution of the principles of fine woodworking.
The SDFWA frequently receives requests from people seeking the service of a woodworker. Therefore, although custom woodworking for hire is not the purpose of our organization, we offer this referral service to the public so that they might connect with a woodworker.

SCOPE
SDFWA does not screen or warrant the skills or work of any craftsman. The public should use their own discretion and due diligence before hiring any craftsman, from any source, including this one.
The sole role of SDFWA in this referral service is limited to providing our member woodworkers with your completed form. It is up to each craftsman to initiate a contact with the requester.

PROCEDURE
After a requester submits a project, the form will be emailed to our list of participating craftsmen. If a craftsman is interested in the project, they will contact the client directly, and a two-way conversation can begin.

As the craftsmen themselves choose which projects to respond to, this means that it is probable that some project requests will receive no response. If you do not receive a response in a reasonable time, please submit your request again, using the provided referral form.
Note that contacting SDFWA directly will not achieve the desired results.

DISCLAIMER
By agreeing to these Terms, and by continuing to submit this Referral Form, and by utilizing one or more of the services of any of these craftsmen, you are agreeing to contract exclusively with that individual craftsman and to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the SDFWA Organization, its officers, officials, employees and volunteers from any and all claims, injuries, damages, losses or suits including attorney fees, arising out of or in connection with the performance of this agreement, and any and all failures, damages, or otherwise negative outcomes caused directly or indirectly by the craftsmen you employ to do any project initiated by this Form. This does not preclude you from pursuing legal remedies from the individual craftsman that you employ. But any remedy you pursue is restricted to that individual craftsman, and does not include the SDFWA organization or any of its volunteer members.

Agree
Disagree