Why TEG?

We live in a time of rapid, on-going code change. If a particular material or technique is not included in the code, its chances for growth are nil. A tradesperson plying that trade will be negatively affected and a customer who wants that type of home may have trouble achieving it. TEG's roots began with the realization that without representation before professional and coding bodies, scattered Earthbuilders across hundreds of miles have little voice in matters of code formation and development. TEG members believe that a lazy posture in representing one's trade leads to the weakening or loss of that trade, while an active posture leads to advancing that trade.

The TEG structure.

The Earthbuilders Guild, also known as TEG, is being formed as a 501C-6 corporation, registered in New Mexico. A Board of Directors and several officers service the corporate structure. TEG at this time does not maintain a physical office- that is; it is an electronic center, with its membership active through electronic communications. However, from time to time, members do meet in person for purposes of Board meetings, voting and to discuss important issues.

Who formed TEG?

Essentially, TEG grew from those who have been (and are) active on various Earthbuilding and Energy Code Committees throughout the Southwestern U.S. The professional members on this TEG site work in Adobe, Rammed Earth, Pressed Block and other Earthbuilding-related trades. Some are licensed contractors and architects, while others are craftsfolk, tradesfolk, suppliers or technical installers. By forming TEG, they have condensed their energy into one organization that represents the Earthbuilding Industry to local, state and federal agencies. They can lobby when necessary and coordinate with other Earthbuilding and research organizations. TEG members consist of a variety of Earthbuilding practitioners from around the region, thus representing a good cross-section of professional Earthbuilding opinion.

A TEG representative may attend a public code hearing and voice an 'Industry' opinion about a code matter. However, TEG members may also attend such meetings and voice an independent opinion that represents their particular company.

 Voting Members.

Voting membership in TEG is restricted to Industry professionals, who pay for this site, its maintenance and for the paid newsletter it produces. Their dues also finance TEG meetings, promotional material, written material for dissemination, legal research, bookkeeping and travel expenses.

 The Newsletter.

A TEG Newsletter Editor collects information from professional members and elsewhere for a paid bi-monthly E-letter, posting it on the website every 60 days. The TEG newsletter updates the subscriber about regional and international code issues, new product development and research results. Subscribers thus educated benefit for themselves, but also can form an Email group capable of launching letter drives that address issues affecting the Industry. This basic membership is $25 a year.

Other membership categories:

(coming)

A list of TEG objectives:

• To participate in on-going code issues that relate to Earthbuilding through code committee participation.
• To encourage the public to follow code approved standards for quality Earthbuilding through a paid on-line newsletter, available on this site.
• To design research projects with cooperating agencies to push advances in Earthbuilding relating to materials strength, thermal and energy concerns, seismic design and other constructions.
• To address issues of safety and cost control.
• To encourage research towards better green building practices.
• To make TEG members visible to the public through this website and links to specific member sites.

What TEG does not do:

TEG does not draft or build homes or run commercial services pertaining to Earthbuilding. Its bylaws prohibit it from competing with its own members. Its only sold product is its newsletter and a few promotional items. However, TEG may design or build constructions for lab testing purposes or erect small, promotional structures as seen in home shows or at science fairs.