The Monthly Newsletter of Yellowstone Woodturners
Billings, Montana

Febuary 2010                             Vol. 11, No.02

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Think About Turning Today!  

        An open letter to the members of the Yellowstone Woodturners Club From Club President Martin Robinson

    During a year as your Vice President and one month as your President I could not help but notice a decline in the club membership.  With this in mind I had phone conversations with not less than 30 club members.  I asked these members what they liked and did not like with the club agenda.  The overwhelming response was they did not like the length of the monthly club meetings: the formality of the meetings: and for some, even the need of the monthly meeting involving all the club members.  Instead they called for less formality, have a good time, enjoy the company of other woodturners, enjoy some treats and "turn" some wood.  Most of the monthly presenters felt it was too late in the  evening for their presentations when many members had left or were leaving and did not allow time for "hands on:. Several members informed me that other clubs, where they were members, had an "executive committee "format" where the club officers held a meeting prior to the monthly club meeting and just reported the results to the club members.  This is a format allowed by the AAW for their local chapters.  Some members also felt a symposium held every other year was enough and the club could put on it's own symposium with local talent, - maybe two, three or four club members?  Maybe the year between?

    I thought these ideas over knowing if our club was to have events like a symposium, which the strong majority of the members voted in favor of, and other demo's; local Fair involvement; teaching at local schools and other involvements we needed some kind of formal meeting.  The Executive committee format sounds good but would require a separate meeting prior to the monthly club meeting.  Also as Club President I would like this to be a CLUB OF MEMBERS with as much control and in-put by members as possible.

    So what to do.....?

    I thought everything over and came up with an idea! (What do you know about that!)  After running it by several old timers, (they are easy to find in our club)  I then presented this idea to all the members that I called and found good support.  For the rest of my term I plan to use the following format.  It will probably need some tweaking but will allow several things to go on at once and I hope that will be more enjoyable for most members and cut down the length of the meetings.  So here goes.......

    At 7:00 all present will be asked to take their seats, and the monthly meeting will be called to order.  There will be a call for guests followed by a "thank you" for whoever supplied the treats and coffee.  a call for anyone knowing of health conditions of members and former members will then be asked as well as anyone with correspondence from other clubs and AAW.

    We then will proceed to "show and tell".  If you have items to show, please place them on the table in front of the chairs.  Each contributor is asked to present each piece, explain how it was created and what type of wood and /or other media was used.  Please send each piece that can be handled, through the audience for viewing and the last person handling each piece should place them in the photography area.  This will free up up the front table for the "monthly presentation" which will then follow.  If the presenter plans a "hands on" session members will be asked to join in directly after the presentation.

    After the presentation, the club President, or his representative will call to order the Monthly Business Meeting in the form of an Executive Committee in accordance with AAW rules for the Local Chapters.  This committee will meet on site.  Assistant Officers as allowed by AAW by-laws (Art. VII) will include the club librarian, Technical Advisor, Newsletter & Website Editor, Photographer and Committee Heads to conduct club business and vote accordingly.  A quorum shall  consist of not less than 7 members or written proxies.  The agenda will include Committee Reports, Minutes, Treasurer's Report, Old Business, New Business, and adjournment.  Members at large may sit in and if they so choose offer opinions to executive members.

    Otherwise, members may gather in groups, enjoy coffee and treats, have some fun, (within reason - watch out for the wild woxxxx woodturners) turn some wood, check out the library and of course leave when they choose.  Members are asked to help clean up, fold and return chairs to the west wall as they leave.

    The Executive Committee will make it their policy not to approve monetary items exceeding $50.00 (as needed to continue club operations) or committing the club to programs exceeding $50.00 without taking the vote to the entire paid-up membership.  Should an immediate need for a larger monetary expenditure become apparent, the Committee will call for a vote of remaining paid-up club members at the monthly meeting.  Otherwise, expenditures larger that $50.00 will be "tabled" until the next monthly meeting and items will be presented to the membership in the presidents message in the clubs news letter following the most recent (former) meeting.  The members will then have time to consider the expense and provide direction to the executive committee members prior to or during the next monthly meeting where it will be re-considered under "Old Business."

    Anyone needing a hard copy of these letters or Club newsletter please contact Club Newsletter & Website Editor Paul Spencer at 406-861-6718 and a copy can be sent out via U.S. Postal.

    Please feel free to call me at 406-252-4457 or 1418 Rawhide Strip, Billings, Mt. 59105.

    See you at the next meeting!

        Club President  M. Robinson

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Minutes

Meeting called to order 1900 hours (7:00 PM) by New President - Martin Robinson

Guests - None

Cookies – Jane Swaby - Thank You Jane!

Shop Joke of the Month – Martin

Health Reports - None

Minutes – Carol Reimann, add Nash Brothers as visitors in Dec. motion by Lloyd Reimann 2^nd Bob Orr to accept

Treasurer’s Report - Jane Swaby – Motion by Bob Orr and 2^nd Ed Auker

Correspondence – VP Stan Lambert - AAW, journal 6 times a year dues $48/yr, their symposium is June 18-20, 2010 in CT,

- AAW memo Symposium in Hartford CT, having a “Maple Medley” anything made with maple wood, exhibit deadline Feb 8^th, symposium June 18-20.

- Club Offer Gerry Romero offer for 15% off at www.exoticwoodsusa.com , free shipping on orders over $300, reply to email for special code info@exoticwoodusa.com phone 631-651-8651

- Bob Orr announced that Scott Morrison of Columbus had an article in the Woodworkers Journal Feb 2010

Show and Tell – Paul Spencer – lidded bowls, friction polish shellac & mineral oil, Bob Orr – semi tractor, Mick Hogg – Cane Bowl started at Dec Meeting completed, Dan Schindler pill box and natural bowl, Auker maple bowl

Committee Reports - A&E –

2010 Symposium - Paul made up a sheet,

Symposium grant -Stan has asked for the AAW grant for $1500

Audit committee – 3 people – Dr Van, Beckman, Marge

Old Business –

West High- next class Jan 21st, Hoffman, Spencer, Reimann, Hogg, Lambert, - making goblets – spindle gouge, calipers, 1” scroll chuck

Monthly meeting programs sign up – passed around

Cookie sign up sheet – Need July and November still

New Business –

IRS nonprofit 1096, Jane to talk to Ray

AAW dues for club officers - $48 yr, officers of club are required to be members of AAW to get their insurance for our demos, any one who does demos must be members as well. Motion club to pay for officers’ membership, Motion to pay for it by Dr Van and 2^nd by Marge, motion amended by Dr Van and 2^nd by Paul to say the 4 main officers (Pres, VP, Treas. and Sec) discussion, Dan and Mick expressed that they did not approve saying that everyone in the club should become members, motion passed.

Dues are Due - $25 for the year 2010.

Monthly Programs - Martin asking for ideas about monthly program, start earlier? Switch around meeting, people expressed displeasure with long business meetings every month.

Presentation of sign for Stan, signed by members present.

Meeting Adjournment - 1930 hours (7:30 PM)

January Program by Martin Robinson on parting tools, & Dan Schindler

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Calendar of Events

February

February 10th Meeting At Ron Musgrave's Shop Program By: Dan Schindler, Bowl and Spindle Gouges and their uses, and Sharpening these tools. quote "We will make shaving and show how to sharpen."  

March 10th Meeting At Ron Musgrave's Shop Program By: Open for Signup

April 14th Meeting At Ron Musgrave's Shop Program By: Open for Signup

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Wanted, For sale, Free