​Ask before touching anyone’s pen or other item.

The most important rule of pen club is to always ask before touching another person’s pens. The pen could be an antique or family heirloom. It could have been a significantly expensive purchase for them or a deeply sentimental souvenir or something they waited six months to arrive after they ordered—or all of the above! So always ask.

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This applies to everything beyond pens. Paper, pencils, ink, etc. may be laying loose on the table and a club member may have shared freely in the past, but past permission is not present consent. Always ask before touching anything. Unless it’s on the Free Table, ask before touching, taking, or sampling.

 

Ask how to open a pen.

What? Don’t you just pull off the cap and write? No, not exactly. Depending on the model of the pen, how the cap attaches to the body may vary. The last thing you want to do is damage someone else’s pen because you don’t know how it’s put together. If you’ve been invited to handle someone’s pen, take a quick second to ask something like, “How does this open?” or maybe “Twist or pull?” A brief question can save a lot of heartache. Proceed with care and caution as you handle something with delicate parts.

 

Ask if a pen is inked.

Before you try to write with someone else’s pen, ask if it’s inked. Don’t shake a pen or pound its nib on paper to try to get it to write. Don’t abuse borrowed pens.

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Never adjust or try to fix someone else’s pen without asking.

Never make changes to someone else’s pen, even if it abruptly stops writing or you think the nib is scratchy or too wet. You could damage it or change it in a way that the owner is not happy with. If you think a pen has a problem, describe it to the owner. Do not take the initiative to make changes on your own.

Don't take pictures of people or other people’s stuff without permission.

Whether it’s pens, paper, or people, always ask permission before taking photos. Respect any negative replies; no justification is required when privacy is requested.

 

All are welcome.

The Seattle Pen Club welcomes, respects, and celebrates members’ individual differences (including personality, learning styles, and life experiences) and group/social differences (including race/ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, country of origin, physical or cognitive abilities, and cultural, political, religious, or other affiliations).

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If you experience a conflict with another Club member or feel harassed or otherwise uncomfortable, you may approach Susan, who is one of our two Club Coordinators, in person at a meeting or contact her via the Contact Us form to report it and discuss a resolution. The Seattle Pen Club is a safe and welcoming environment. Harassment is not tolerated. Please reach out if you ever feel unsafe at a meeting.
 

Be curious. Have fun.

We come to Seattle Pen Club to share, learn, and enjoy one another’s company. With some ground rules in place, we can have a grand ol’ time! See you at a meeting!

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Written by Teresa Widdowson and Alicia Schofield