A few weeks ago regular reader John Zande shared with us his appreciation of the word “guild”. In medieval Europe guilds were professional associations and people who wanted to practice a certain profession were required to join a guild.
Guilds had high entrance requirements and also provided vocational education. After passing an exam one could become a full member of the guild or master.
Now we do not intend to reintroduce this medieval institution. However we favour the establishment of “guilds” for protected professions, i.e. occupations for which the government has regulated its practitioners. This would include, for instance, lawyers, medical practitioners, accountants, real estate makers and dentists.
Organizationally guilds are comparable with voluntary associations in that they are run by their members. But unlike VAs guilds will be established by law and membership is compulsory.
The main functions of guilds are permanent education for their members, supervision of their professional field, imposing disciplinary measures against malpractitioners, and to represent the profession to others (the public and the government).
Sounds like our board of registration for Architects and Quantity Surveyors
That would not be surprising at all. Most countries have such kind of organization in a wide variety of professions.
Do you have a secret handshake?
I do not see anything in the Guild Handbook that allows fun. No touching! 😦
Secret whistle, then?
That means puckering up which could lead to……..
Not if we’re all wearing the Sacred Crimson Hoods of Purity!
😦
I think you should like “The Brotherhood of the Emerald Snake”, though it’s not a guild (in the sense as described in this post), it’s closer to the secret societies you refer to.
not yet, but I think we need code