International Wood
Collectors Society

Founded in 1947, the International Wood Collectors Society is a non-profit Society devoted to distributing information on collecting wood, correctly identifying and naming wood specimens, and using wood in creative crafts.

People from all countries around the world are invited to join IWCS, enjoy the benefits of membership and discover more about nature's wonder material -- wood!

Collecting wood and/or using wood creatively has to be one of the most unique hobby interests that you could ever pick. IWCS members around the world have formed a network for information exchange and mutual assistance.

Membership in IWCS gives you numerous benefits including - World of Wood, a 32 page bimonthly magazine; and Annual Directory of members, and access to wood, wood information and members in some 30 countries on six continents. View a sample issue of the May/June 2009 WOW or see the index of articles published in the last seven years.

• New EuroAfrican Region - IWCS President, Garry Roux, has announced that the Board of Trustees of IWCS has approved the recognition of a new IWCS region comprised of all of the countries of Continental Europe and Africa. The new region came into effect with Board approval of the region as of December 1, 2009. The January/February issue of World of Wood will contain a call for nominations of candidates for a new regional Trustee to be elected from among the members in this vast region.
  
  Establishment of the new EuroAfrican region brings trustee representation for IWCS to a large population base and a vast area – some 1.6 billion people in 96 countries with a land area of some 40 million sq km. While these numbers are impressive in themselves, they pale beside the already existing IWCS AustralAsian Region – with a population base of 3.9 billion people in 58 countries with a land area of 53 million sq. km. Although membership is low or non-existent in many of these countries, the fact they are now in a recognized region represented by a member of the IWCS Board of Trustees, will hopefully help to bring the IWCS mission and mandate to a much broader audience than up to now and help to spur recruitment in the region. In the entire history of IWCS since it’s founding in 1947, members residing in over seventy five countries have joined IWCS although in recent years the number of countries represented has been in the 30 to 35 range. December 4, 2009.
  
  
• Trustees Successions, October 1, 2009 - There are four incoming trustees for three year terms Oct. 1, 2009 - Sept 30, 1012. All have been nominated in their regions and stand without opposition, so no regional elections will be necessary this year. IWCS thanks the outgoing Trustees for their dedicated service in the past three years.
  
  CANADA REGION: Robert Ritchie will become Canadian Trustee replacing Greg Reed. Robert served as Canada's first trustee in the 1990's and is currently, also, Chair of the IWCS Museum Committee.
  
  US CENTRAL REGION: Stan King will serve a new full term after serving a partial term as Trustee in the last year.
  
  US NE REGION: Ron DeWitt will serve a second term as Trustee - Ron is also an Associate Editor of World of Wood and a frequent contributor through his regular series "A Favourite Wood".
  
  UK REGION: Terry Sawbridge will replace Ted Ingle as Trustee, Terry is a long time IWCS member and is well known through his attendance at many IWCS meetings. 10/02/2009
  
  
• Presidential Succession in 2010 - IWCS President, Garry Roux, has announced that he is willing to serve a second two year term when his current term expires in August, 2010. This effectively fills the void in the vacant President-elect position and will allow additional time for others who might be considering volunteering for the position to make their decisions. 08/26/2009
  
  
• New - Crafts for Sale. As of July 7, 2009, IWCS is offering donated members crafts for sale. Allan Schwindt, of Washington, USA., is the craft sales coordinator and may be contacted at for information on donating and purchasing the crafts. The top menu has been expanded under Wood Crafting to display "Crafts on Display" and "Crafts for Sale".
  
  
• New Wood Specimen Kits: As of July 1, 2009, IWCS is offering a new and expanded selection of wood specimens to collectors and wood enthusiasts. The IWCS Wood Specimen Kit order form with complete details for selecting a minimum order of 40 specimens can be accessed here. Dan Keierleber, of Texas, USA., IWCS Wood Specimen Kit Chairman may be contacted for any further information on the kits and ordering. E-mail: .
  
  
• All Mail Wood Auction - Notify winning bidders, June 30, 2009. Sept-Oct, Publish results in WOW.
  
  
• February 17-21, 2010 Winter Regional Meeting in Lake Yale, Florida. Hosted by Manley and Elaine Hunt.
  
  
• March 26-28, 2010 Red Gurn, Bulake and Red Wine—Revisited, Naracoorte, South Australia.
  
  
• August 15-20, 2010 International Meeting at Lifeway Ridgecrest Conference Center, Ridgecrest, North Carolina. Hosted by Manley and Elaine Hunt.
  
  
• IWCS Membership Application now includes the "student friendly" rate of $15 USD per year.
  
  
• Member Listings and Requests - Listings by members of wood, wood specimens or other items wanted or for sale
  
  
• Listings of all IWCS Wood Data Sheets ever published.
  
  

• A Man of the Woods. Richard Crow takes you on a charming journey to discover how it is that one man's business and hobby could develop into the singular greatest individual wood collections in the world. This book is for everyone who enjoys the love of collecting or simply a wonderful story laced with historical anecdotes. Copyright 2009, 6 by 9 hardbound, 156 pages. (June 30, 2009)
  
  
• IWCS Archivist - IWCS President, Garry Roux has announced that Dennis Wilson of Michigan, USA has been appointed Archivist for IWCS. Dennis succeeds Gerry Zipprich who has occupied the post since 1996. Dennis has served IWCS in numerous capacities over the years including that of Secretary/Treasurer and President. It will be his responsibility to preserve artifacts pertaining to the history of IWCS and to provide research of archive data for IWCS officers and members. July 3, 2009.
  
  
• Vice President Gary Gronborg, of Festus, Missouri, USA, retired from the railroad industry after 37 years, and took up wood turning about ten years ago. He has turned just about anything that is round, and is now working towards his own artistic statement working with metals and wood and experimenting with shapes. He is the founder, past President and Honorary Lifetime Member of the Show Me Woodturners of Festus, Missouri; a member and contributor of wood turning articles to the American Association of Woodturners (AAW); a member and demonstrator for woodturning in the International Wood Collectors Society; and a member of the Best of Missouri Hands (BOMH). April 27, 2009.
  
  
• Corporate Membership: a new package of benefits for Corporate and Donor members in IWCS has been introduced which will make this type of membership much more attractive to such members. These benefits are described in Article I.7 of the IWCS Bylaws. Corporate Membership fees remain the same at $125 per year but longer term options now are: Three years - $325, and Five years - $450.
  
  
• October 3-8, 2009 Australasian Regional Annual Meeting, at Ravenshoe, Queensland, Australia. Story and Photos.
  
  
  
• September 12, 2009 Great Lakes Regional Meeting at the home of Bob and Judy Chastain. Story and Photos.
  
  
  
  
• 2009 Netherlands Meeting, June 10-25, 2009, by Chuck Holder and Morris Lake. Meeting was organized by Nelis, Willem, and Frans and other willing helpers.
  
  
  
• May 16, 2009 Spring Mid West Regional Meeting by Myrtle Cockrell (Aug 29, 2009)
  
  Hosted by Herb and Jackie Stough.
  
  
  
  
• A Guide to Useful Woods of the World edited by James H. Flynn, Jr. and Charles D. Holder.
  Published in 2001. Here's your chance to have a copy of the definitive statement on 279 woods of the world.
  
  
  
  
• New Release! A Guide to More Useful Woods of the World includes:
  * 71 additional wood data sheets (WDS) bringing the total of published WDSs to 350.
  * 2 comprehensive indexes.
  * 14 articles from highly respected professionals in wood-related matters.
  
  
• "A Guide for Developing a Wood Collection" - published in 2005; this Guide explains how to get started in wood collecting and how to develop and maintain your collection. Collection Guide order form.