Ceramics Volunteer

Ceramics stewardship at Asmbly is crucial to the success of the shop and grants access to unique membership benefits. As a ceramics steward, you will be responsible for assisting members, prepping class materials, and maintaining the shop, but we also encourage you to shape the ceramics space and culture. You're an Asmbly ambassador! Here’s what you need to know about ceramics stewardship. To get started, fill out the volunteer form.

Ceramics Steward Duties

Member Assistance

• Help members with clay and tool knowledge
• Answer questions and provide guidance
• Do not work on your own projects while serving as a Steward

Class Support

• Trim leather-hard cylinders for Beginner Wheel classes
• Glaze student pieces (for those who opted for glazing service)
• Assist non-members in accessing their finished class pieces

Studio Maintenance

• Clean and organize the studio to ensure a safe and functional space
• Report Problems to the appropriate channels
• Create and update wiki pages for ceramics equipment
• Host CSIs (Ceramics Safety & Information classes)

Community Support

• Create a program like clay recycling, show off your skills at a demo day, or propose a project that draws new members in or improves the experience for existing ones! Talk to the ceramics shop lead about your ideas.

Steward Task List

Daily Tasks

1. Trim & Glaze
   • Trim leather-hard pieces from Beginner Wheel classes (check shelves as needed).
2. Studio Cleanliness & Organization
   • Report unclean or damaged areas via the problem report QR code.
   • Hose down 3–4 aprons, hang outside to dry, bring in at shift end.
   • Empty drying racks at sinks; return dry tools to proper locations.
   • Tidy wareboard stacks by size.
   • Wash down sinks and remove clay debris from bottoms.
   • Mop floors—focus under tables and wheel stations.
   • Clean buckets and sponges as needed.
3. Member & Visitor Assistance
   • Answer member questions on policy, tools, or clay techniques.
   • Assist non-members with pickup (verify ID matches slip).
4. Waste & Recycling
   • Combine trash; take to Asmbly-labeled dumpsters.
   • Take out recycling.
5. Tools & Glazes
   • Check wax resist brushes and re-clean with hot water if needed.
   • Tidy glaze table and glaze area.
6. General Upkeep
   • Wipe down tables.
   • Catch up on #ceramics Slack channel.

Weekly Tasks

• Update or add to Wiki pages.
• Assist with DIY clay recycling station upkeep.
• Check “Ceramics Volunteer Tasks” spreadsheet for ongoing projects.
• Restock Buffalo Wallow & Cinco Blanco from storage (if able).
• Sign up for CSI & Steward-on-Duty shifts (via Signup Genius).
• Windex ceramics hallway and entrance doors.
• Wipe down empty shelves.
• Clean slab roller canvas and metal.
• Clean extruder.
• Replace paper towel rolls and refill soap dispensers.

Monthly Tasks

• Clean clay trap (if trained—ask Seth).
• Deep clean: mop entire floor with cleaner.
• Reset and restock bathroom.

Ceramics Steward Benefits

To recognize volunteer contributions, we offer credits toward membership and shelf space.

Free Shelf Option

16 Volunteer Hours = One Month of Base Membership + Ceramics Studio Access.

At least 8 of those hours must be ceramics shifts (Shifts are CSI hosting and Steward On Duty times. Volunteering in ceramics outside of these shifts does not count toward this 8 hour total).

Volunteers who meet the above requirements are eligible for a free half shelf.

• This is capped at 4 volunteers/month.
• Volunteers can sign up for shifts through SignUpGenius, which they will have access to after completing onboarding.
• This membership tier gives you access to all Asmbly shops.

Paid Shelf Option

Volunteers are eligible to purchase shelves at a discounted rate.

Redeem 12 Volunteer Hours to purchase a ceramics shelf at the below rates:

• Half Shelf: $80/month
• Full Shelf: $155/month
• Top Shelf: $205/month

These hours can be from volunteering anywhere at Asmbly. They do not need to be ceramics shifts.

Aside from the above distinctions, the base volunteer terms and benefits apply.

Ceramics Steward Requirements

In order to become a Ceramics Steward, you must:

• Complete all base volunteer requirements
• Shadow a CSI and a Steward on Duty shift
• Sign up for shifts!

Volunteer Opportunities

To best help Asmbly, you can sign up to volunteer during the below time blocks.

• Saturdays 12-4 PM
• Tuesdays 6-8 PM

These time blocks will be available to you to sign up for after meeting the ceramics steward requirements.

If you cannot commit to 2-4 hours within these time blocks, you can absolutely volunteer at other times by editing wiki pages, cleaning the shop, trimming cylinders, or other tasks as determined by the Ceramics Shop Lead. Please note that you can only claim a free half shelf ceramics membership if 8 of your volunteer hours are CSIs and/or SOD shifts.