A Stronger Start: New Onboarding for Joinery Members

If you’ve ever stepped into a new workshop, you know the mix of excitement and uncertainty that comes with it. At The Joinery, our goal is simple: we want every member—whether you’re brand new to woodworking or have years of experience—to feel confident, capable, and successful from day one.

That’s why starting September 1st, we’re adding an important step to our onboarding process. All new members will now begin their journey with a hands-on woodworking course: either our Basic Woodworking Class (Building a Tool Tote) or the more in-depth Introduction to Woodworking.

Why We’re Making This Change

Over the past year, we’ve seen two common challenges for new members:

1. Not knowing what to do or how to start once they have access to the shop.
2. Feeling hesitant around the tools, even if they’ve dabbled in woodworking before.

Both of these can hold people back from diving into projects—and sometimes even cause them to leave before they really get started. We don’t want that. We want every member to hit the ground running.

By starting with a guided, hands-on class, you’ll:

• Learn safely and with confidence – You’ll use the major tools under the guidance of an instructor who knows the ins and outs of shop safety.
• Build a foundation – These courses cover not only how to use the tools, but also tips, tricks, and best practices you’ll keep with you for years.
• Make something useful right away – From a tool tote to a finished project you can proudly take home, you’ll leave class with more than just knowledge—you’ll leave with results.
• Understand shop etiquette – Every shared shop has its rhythm, and you’ll learn how to work smoothly alongside others.

Your Options

• Basic Woodworking Class (3–4 hours, $100 for members) – Perfect if you want a focused session to get started right away. You’ll build a sturdy tool tote while learning the core shop tools.
• Introduction to Woodworking (10 hours, $250 for members) – A deeper dive over a weekend or spread across five evenings. You’ll learn how to choose wood, mill it, size it, shape it, and join it—setting yourself up with skills you’ll use on every project that follows.

Both classes are taught by experienced instructors who love helping beginners grow into confident woodworkers. Even if you’ve been working with wood for years, we promise you’ll pick up new techniques and insights.

Getting Started Is Still Easy

You don’t have to wait to use the shop. Once you complete the Online Safety and Orientation Course, you’ll be able to get in, set up your space, and start building while you schedule your first class.

This change isn’t about creating barriers—it’s about removing them. By giving you the skills and confidence to start strong, we’re setting you up for long-term success in woodworking.

We can’t wait to see the projects you’ll create when you begin your journey with a solid foundation.

If your interested in Joining, check out our Membership Page for more information.