What Does It Mean To Become
A Member of RBI?
Becoming an RBI member is one of the initial important
steps in joining the custom fishing rod building industry.
Becoming an active part of the RBI membership brings
you the opportunities you seek to learn about and
develop skills in the craft of custom rod building.
Being an RBI member puts you in the desirable position
of influencing the growth and evolution of the custom
rod building industry in a positive manner by lending
your expertise and enthusiasm to the craft.
Who can join?
You do not have to be a professional rod builder to
join. RBI is open to anyone with an interest in custom
rod building; professionals, hobby builders, suppliers,
manufacturers and those who are simply curious about
the craft of custom fishing rod building.
What categories exist?
Three basic categories exist for RBI membership:
- Professional membership is reserved for custom
rod builders who practice the craft as a business
venture. Professionals may be full time practitioners
or those who supplement their regular income through
custom rod building. The common thread is a registered
and properly licensed business owned and operated
by the rod builder, or being in the employ of
or under contract to, a licensed business as a
professional rod builder.
- Professional members may also
be suppliers or manufacturers supporting the custom
rod building industry.Amateur or Hobby membership
is reserved for any custom rod builder or interested
party who does not practice the craft as a business
venture. You may build rods strictly for friends
and family; you may build rods strictly for yourself;
you may not even build rods but have a keen interest
in learning more about the craft; or you may just
be curious about the benefits of custom built
fishing rods.
- Hobby builders may even sell
a rod from time to time, but do not officially
pursue the craft for profit.Sponsor membership
is reserved for those who wish to provide industry
wide support by contributing in special ways to
assist RBI in accomplishing its goals and the
goals of its membership. Sponsors are typically
manufacturers and suppliers engaged in the custom
rod building industry. However, sponsor membership
is open to any professional or hobby builder interested
in supporting the industry in some additional
special way.
What do I get?
Every new member receives a membership
packet and a hat with the RBI logo. In addition, every
member receives access to:
- The Collection of Best Practices for Custom
Rod Building
- Mentoring Assistance
- Links to published materials
- Internet based continuing education and training
classes
- Subscription to the RBI newsletter
Professional members receive these
added benefits:
- RBI client referral service
- Access to the collection of Best Practices for
Business Operation
- Access to mentors able to help with Business
Practices and Operations
What does it cost?
Professional membership is $40.00
per year
Amateur membership is $25.00 per year
Sponsor membership is flexible and subject to negotiation.
What do I give back?
"The power and the ways are given to us to
be passed on to others. To think or do anything else
is pure selfishness. We only keep them and get more
by giving them away, and if we do not give them away
we lose them.” -Fools Crow, Ceremonial Chief
of the Teton Sioux
RBI is an organization dedicated to promoting the
craft of custom fishing rod building and enhancing
the professionalism of the craft and its practitioners.
As an RBI member with a vested interest in the craft,
you may wish to return to the industry something of
value in exchange for the valuable education, training,
assistance, camaraderie, and expertise you have gained
through your association.
The quotation above from Frank Fools
Crow referred to healing powers and leadership wisdom
amassed during the 99 year long life of this Sioux
Holy Man. However, it applies equally well to any
endeavor worthy of investing our time and energy.
The profession of designing and building
custom fishing rods is filled with ways (methods,
techniques, skills and artistic expression) and power
in the form of applying those ways to create unique,
valuable and highly desired final products. As practitioners
of the craft it is incumbent upon each of us, individually
and collectively, to assure the continued growth and
existence of the craft. We do this by giving back
to the profession however we are each able.
Some of the ways in which we are able
to give back to the profession:
- Sponsor an advertisement
- Conduct a seminar
- Teach an online class
- Be a mentorDocument a technique
- Ask questionsGive advice
- Develop a new technique
- Contribute direct financial support
- Any individual activity or contribution that
improves techniques, enhances our collective knowledge
and abilities, or upgrades the level of professionalism
and collaboration within our industry has a positive,
long term impact on growth and advancement of
the craft.
Get involved, make it happen. Become
A Member
