Co Founder and Manager: monkeytrooper (organises the first post and oversees general activities)
Co Founder and Adviser: Co49 (advises the manager and helps with management)
Assistant: None (reviews shops and drafts action plans)
Inspector: None (Inspects shops to ensure that rules are followed)

We offer many incentives and services to our members:
∎ An advertising spot on this thread to which all other members will link to in their shop's first post.
∎ Staff may be able to help your shop (giving reviews, helping from inactivity, being part of a guild).
∎ The ability to get your voice heard at regular summits when they occur.
∎ Have the Shop Charter banner in your first post, a mark of quality for customers to trust.
Note: guilds are yet to be set up.

We also expect are members to abide by our rules and have requirements:
∎ Place the Shop Charter banner (small member version) with a link to this thread in their first post. It must appear just below your banner.
∎ Abide by section 1 and 2 (Trade and Worker Standards) of the rules.
∎ Respect other shops (such as honouring partnership deals).

Application requirements:
∎ The shop must be two weeks old.
∎ The shop must have completed at least three order.
∎ The shop must abide by the rules under section 1 & 2.

Application form
Shop name:
Link:
Representative:
Services provided:
Shop Type (delete as appropriate): (everything/dual/specialised)
Specialised: offers one type of service (e.g. just writing), Dual: offers two types of services (e.g. writing and art), Everything: offers three or more types of services.

Once you have applied, allow a few days for the Scratch Trading Standards to assess your shop. This includes reviewing your design, management, services and consulting previous customers. A score is calculated based on this. We strive to be as objective as possible which is why there is a very strict scoring criteria. Some ideas to improve your score and chances of being accepted:
1. Have a good, memorable banner and name (bonus points for a logo).
2. Ensure your first post is well written (free from spelling mistakes and readable) and easy to navigate.
3. Ensure there is little offtopic.
4. Have a clear structure for workers with an application form and activity key.
5. Have a feedback form for customers and make use of order forms.
6. Have some kind of formal training for workers.
7. Produce good quality products on the customers' deadlines with good service and communication.
Obviously you do not have to do all these ideas but the more you tick off, the more likely that you'll be accepted.

1. Trade Standards
1.1 A shop must not present a completed order with ‘stolen’ elements.
1.2 A shop must give credit to a scratcher if their work was somehow involved in the order.
1.3 Trade deals and partnership terms should be honoured.
1.4 A shop must not purposefully damage another member shop's reputation.
1.5 A shop must have no excessive off topic on their thread.
1.6 A shop must produce ‘good quality’ work. The definition of ‘good work’ is up to the discretion of the moderator.

2. Worker Standards
2.1 Shop owners must give their workers the ability to apply for leave.
2.1.1 Workers should not be penalised for inactivity during leave,
2.1.2 Shop owners must not refuse to give leave,
2.2 Shop owners must give sufficient detail when they reject an application,
2.3 Workers may only be dismissed once already being warned unless their misconduct is serious.

So, what can we do for you? You can order a review where we will assess your shop and give you tips on how to improve from management to service and more. If you are facing problems (lack of orders, inactivity, change in management) then we can help you draft an action plan to get you back on your feet. All you need to do is ask on this thread.

What do I do if a shop breaks the rules?
If you suspect that a member shop has broken a rule then post it here. Be sure to cite the rule and to link to anything important. The founder and adviser should come to a quick conclusion and judgement on what should happen next.

What is the point in joining?
The main benefit of joining is that is gives your shop a mark of quality assurance that customers can trust.

How do I apply for a staff position?
State your desired role with a few sentences on why you would be suited for that role.

What is a formal training process?
Perhaps new recruits joining a shop do not become full members until they have proved themselves (maybe by completing a few orders and having guidance from another member). Perhaps new recruits have to complete a course at some ‘Scratch College’. Either of these count as a formal training process.

1. Is application form filled correctly?
2. Is the shop older than two weeks?
3. Has the shop completed three or more orders?
4. Get reviews from past customers.
5. Take the shop test, if over <some amount> then the applicant shop is eligible to join.

XCat wrote:

Application:

Shop Name: The Writers Corp.
Link: https://scratch.mit.edu/discuss/topic/299023/
Representative: Myself
Services: Fiction Writing, Nonfiction Writing, Editing, Critique & Poetry
Type: Specialised
Notes: Is there an application for the Assistant position? I'd be interested Also, I'd be invested in the Writing Guild, if one emerges

monkeytrooper wrote:

XCat wrote:

Application:

Shop Name: The Writers Corp.
Link: https://scratch.mit.edu/discuss/topic/299023/
Representative: Myself
Services: Fiction Writing, Nonfiction Writing, Editing, Critique & Poetry
Type: Specialised
Notes: Is there an application for the Assistant position? I'd be interested Also, I'd be invested in the Writing Guild, if one emerges

Wahayyy first applicant! We'll get back to you in two to three days regarding your results.

yourdesigner wrote:

Would you like to partner with the Ultimate Logo Shop? I am the manager and I was looking for some partnerships!

monkeytrooper wrote:

yourdesigner wrote:

Would you like to partner with the Ultimate Logo Shop? I am the manager and I was looking for some partnerships!

We are not really looking for a partnershop at the moment but feel free to apply for an assessment!

XCat wrote:

monkeytrooper wrote:

XCat wrote:

Application:

Shop Name: The Writers Corp.
Link: https://scratch.mit.edu/discuss/topic/299023/
Representative: Myself
Services: Fiction Writing, Nonfiction Writing, Editing, Critique & Poetry
Type: Specialised
Notes: Is there an application for the Assistant position? I'd be interested Also, I'd be invested in the Writing Guild, if one emerges

Wahayyy first applicant! We'll get back to you in two to three days regarding your results.

Thankyou

sti_scratch wrote:

XCat wrote:

monkeytrooper wrote:

XCat wrote:

Application:

Shop Name: The Writers Corp.
Link: https://scratch.mit.edu/discuss/topic/299023/
Representative: Myself
Services: Fiction Writing, Nonfiction Writing, Editing, Critique & Poetry
Type: Specialised
Notes: Is there an application for the Assistant position? I'd be interested Also, I'd be invested in the Writing Guild, if one emerges

Wahayyy first applicant! We'll get back to you in two to three days regarding your results.

Thankyou

Six days, no results.

monkeytrooper wrote:

sti_scratch wrote:

XCat wrote:

monkeytrooper wrote:

XCat wrote:

Application:

Shop Name: The Writers Corp.
Link: https://scratch.mit.edu/discuss/topic/299023/
Representative: Myself
Services: Fiction Writing, Nonfiction Writing, Editing, Critique & Poetry
Type: Specialised
Notes: Is there an application for the Assistant position? I'd be interested Also, I'd be invested in the Writing Guild, if one emerges

Wahayyy first applicant! We'll get back to you in two to three days regarding your results.

Thankyou

Six days, no results.

OK….?

wafflelot- wrote:

Heya! I would like to apply as the Inspector or Assistant position. I am a very active scratcher always looking to lend a helping hand. Thank you for the opportunity to let me apply.

wafflelot-