Tis the season for hurricanes and politics and I'm trying to design and
turn a Windbag. Any ideas? I know, I know, look at a mirror, Arch!
Meanwhile I'll act the part and muse a little about AAW. zzzzzz!

I just got my AAW dues notice, $45.00 per year and a ballot with 'brag
sheets' of the six candidates for the Board. I don't know any of the
candidates, but their reasons for being on the board actually raises
questions of why I should continue to belong.

The dues include seasonal issues of "American Woodturner", a very
readable and informative magazine. Being an AAW member adds my personal
support in advancing and perpetuating organized woodturning as a hobby,
art and/or business. Also there is the camaraderie and friendships (and
occasional turn-offs) engendered by turning clubs sponsored by AAW plus
their sponsored regional symposia and the grand, but getting too
expensive to attend, annual national conventions.

I can comfortably afford the dues and expenses, but in my particular
situation I am questioning why I should. I wonder if others here have
reasons of their own for speculating about beginning or continuing their
membership. Of course, I realize that whether I continue as a member or
not is unimportant in the scale of things. That said, here's some of my
personal considerations for you to shoot down, agree with or add your
own.

For me, as to pure woodturning there's not much new under the sun. I
have made most all of the mistakes, enjoyed many minor successes and
made a lot of good friends. Now days I mostly enjoy turning whenever and
whatever I please, alone in my shop.

I am NOT antisocial, just that woodturning is not my whole life and at
my age, (nearly 88, which means 'love and kisses' in Morse code, but not
for me! 'G') groaning back and squeaky knees, I don't care to get out
much anymore and I have no interest in the organized business of clubs.
Been there, done that and I lost my 'hero worship & adulation' a long
time ago.
The internet supplies my limited needs for personal relationships and
for 'keeping up' as much as I want to. The magazine is briefly scanned
and continues to pile up. There is a whole lot of repetition in
woodturning circles, using warmed over words and pictures. Some all too
recognizable.

There are many reasons for organized woodturning to grow and advance,
but why should it matter to me if there are many, few or no woodturners
in the future and whether they are young or old or middle age or what
they choose to design and turn, demonstrate and write about. If the
endeavor is relevant on any level won't there be people who turn wood
with or without AAW? I reckon less is less and more is more or is it
the other way round?
So what?

I'm often wrong. So what's your take on why you belong to AAW or not
....or don't you care? Anyway, this musing sure took care of the few
(only 70) posts for today.


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter


http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

Arch,

In today's world where shop classes are gone, trade apprenticeships a
thing of the past, and a lot of our manufacturing over seas, where
does a young person or an old newbie get exposed to woodturning as a
hobby or a profession? AAW and clubs provide the learning opportunity
for others just like clubs, jobs, classes or friends provided that to
you. Do I owe something to the next generation? Yes, I do. Do you?

Joe Fleming
San Diego


On Sep 4, 2:40*pm, (Arch) wrote:
Tis the season for hurricanes and politics and I'm trying to design and
turn a Windbag. Any ideas? *I know, I know, look at a mirror, Arch!
Meanwhile I'll act the part and muse a little about AAW. zzzzzz!

I just got my AAW dues notice, $45.00 per year and a ballot with 'brag
sheets' of the six candidates for the Board. I don't know any of the
candidates, but their reasons for being on the board actually raises
questions of why I should continue to belong.

The dues include seasonal issues of "American Woodturner", a very
readable and informative magazine. Being an AAW member adds my personal
support in advancing and perpetuating organized woodturning as a hobby,
art and/or business. *Also there is the camaraderie and friendships (and
occasional turn-offs) engendered by turning clubs sponsored by AAW plus
their sponsored regional symposia and the grand, but getting too
expensive to attend, annual national conventions. *

I can comfortably afford the dues and expenses, but in my particular
situation I am questioning why I should. *I wonder if others here have
reasons of their own for speculating about beginning or continuing their
membership. *Of course, I realize that whether I continue as a member or
not is unimportant in the scale of things. That said, here's some of my
personal considerations for you to shoot down, agree with or add your
own.

For me, as to pure woodturning there's not much new under the sun. I
have made most all of the mistakes, enjoyed many minor successes and
made a lot of good friends. Now days I mostly enjoy turning whenever and
whatever I please, alone in my shop.

I am NOT antisocial, just that woodturning is not my whole life and at
my age, (nearly 88, which means 'love and kisses' in Morse code, but not
for me! 'G') *groaning back and squeaky knees, I don't care to get out
much anymore and I have no interest in the organized business of clubs.
Been there, done that and I lost my 'hero worship & adulation' a long
time ago.
The internet supplies my limited needs for personal relationships and
for 'keeping up' as much as I want to. The magazine is briefly scanned
and continues to pile up. There is a whole lot of repetition in
woodturning circles, using warmed over words and pictures. Some all too
recognizable. *

There are many reasons for organized woodturning to grow and advance,
but why should it matter to me if there are many, few or no woodturners
in the future and whether they are young or old or middle age or what
they choose to design and turn, demonstrate and write about. If the
endeavor is relevant on any level won't there be people who turn wood
with or without AAW? *I reckon less is less and more is more or is it
the other way round?
So what?

I'm often wrong. So what's your take on why you belong to AAW or not
...or don't you care? * Anyway, this musing sure took care of the few
(only 70) posts for today. *

Turn to Safety, *Arch * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Fortiter

http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

Hi Arch
Well I turned long before there was an AAW, but I suppose they will be
there long after me ;)
If we can bend perception of what's the right or wrong way of
turning,tools and etc. there's got to be way to profit from that, I
think ???
In the meantime I will just go my sweet own way, without the AWW and
without their magazines, or I might be plagiarizing the work of the
phoenicians and newer stars !!!
Have fun and take care
Leo Van Der Loo

On Sep 4, 5:40*pm, (Arch) wrote:
Tis the season for hurricanes and politics and I'm trying to design and
turn a Windbag. Any ideas? *I know, I know, look at a mirror, Arch!
Meanwhile I'll act the part and muse a little about AAW. zzzzzz!

I just got my AAW dues notice, $45.00 per year and a ballot with 'brag
sheets' of the six candidates for the Board. I don't know any of the
candidates, but their reasons for being on the board actually raises
questions of why I should continue to belong.

The dues include seasonal issues of "American Woodturner", a very
readable and informative magazine. Being an AAW member adds my personal
support in advancing and perpetuating organized woodturning as a hobby,
art and/or business. *Also there is the camaraderie and friendships (and
occasional turn-offs) engendered by turning clubs sponsored by AAW plus
their sponsored regional symposia and the grand, but getting too
expensive to attend, annual national conventions. *

I can comfortably afford the dues and expenses, but in my particular
situation I am questioning why I should. *I wonder if others here have
reasons of their own for speculating about beginning or continuing their
membership. *Of course, I realize that whether I continue as a member or
not is unimportant in the scale of things. That said, here's some of my
personal considerations for you to shoot down, agree with or add your
own.

For me, as to pure woodturning there's not much new under the sun. I
have made most all of the mistakes, enjoyed many minor successes and
made a lot of good friends. Now days I mostly enjoy turning whenever and
whatever I please, alone in my shop.

I am NOT antisocial, just that woodturning is not my whole life and at
my age, (nearly 88, which means 'love and kisses' in Morse code, but not
for me! 'G') *groaning back and squeaky knees, I don't care to get out
much anymore and I have no interest in the organized business of clubs.
Been there, done that and I lost my 'hero worship & adulation' a long
time ago.
The internet supplies my limited needs for personal relationships and
for 'keeping up' as much as I want to. The magazine is briefly scanned
and continues to pile up. There is a whole lot of repetition in
woodturning circles, using warmed over words and pictures. Some all too
recognizable. *

There are many reasons for organized woodturning to grow and advance,
but why should it matter to me if there are many, few or no woodturners
in the future and whether they are young or old or middle age or what
they choose to design and turn, demonstrate and write about. If the
endeavor is relevant on any level won't there be people who turn wood
with or without AAW? *I reckon less is less and more is more or is it
the other way round?
So what?

I'm often wrong. So what's your take on why you belong to AAW or not
...or don't you care? * Anyway, this musing sure took care of the few
(only 70) posts for today. *

Turn to Safety, *Arch * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Fortiter

http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

On Sep 4, 9:44*pm, Joe Fleming wrote:
Do I owe something to the next generation? *Yes, I do. *Do you?

Where does this notion come from? I never took shop classes, never had
a trade apprenticeship, never worked in wood manufacturing, never had
a mentor or teacher of any kind. I learned everything on my own, from
trying things and messing up, reading books, and reading on the
internet. I paid money for the books and I contribute when I can on
the internet. There is absolutely no reason I should feel compelled to
contribute money to AAW so that they can promote woodturning? So my
answer is a resounding NO! I don't.


where does a young person or an old newbie get exposed to woodturning as a hobby or a profession?

1. get some tools and just do it - it's not rocket science.
2. buy some books, read, then just do it.
3. search the internet, read, then just do it.
4. find an interested local and have them show you how to do it.
5. Join a club and learn how to do it.

If you want to learn how to do anything (anything, not just
woodturning) the information is widely available, it just takes
persistance and work. All you have to do is to get off your duff and
dig in.

On Thu, 4 Sep 2008 17:40:20 -0400, (Arch) wrote:

I guess I'm just in the habit of being in the AAW, Arch...

When I joined my first turning club, membership in the AAW was part of the
joining price and I went with it..

I enjoy the articles in the magazine, but feel more and more that it's leaning
more toward carving, painting and becoming a modern art gallery that what I
consider a "wood turning" source..
I've often wondered what percentage of members/subscribers even attempt the kind
of pieces that are featured..

OTOH, I do have the AAW logo on my business card and mention being an
International member on my web site.. From clients comments, they seem impressed
by it, so I'll keep renewing my membership..


Tis the season for hurricanes and politics and I'm trying to design and
turn a Windbag. Any ideas? I know, I know, look at a mirror, Arch!
Meanwhile I'll act the part and muse a little about AAW. zzzzzz!

I just got my AAW dues notice, $45.00 per year and a ballot with 'brag
sheets' of the six candidates for the Board. I don't know any of the
candidates, but their reasons for being on the board actually raises
questions of why I should continue to belong.

The dues include seasonal issues of "American Woodturner", a very
readable and informative magazine. Being an AAW member adds my personal
support in advancing and perpetuating organized woodturning as a hobby,
art and/or business. Also there is the camaraderie and friendships (and
occasional turn-offs) engendered by turning clubs sponsored by AAW plus
their sponsored regional symposia and the grand, but getting too
expensive to attend, annual national conventions.

I can comfortably afford the dues and expenses, but in my particular
situation I am questioning why I should. I wonder if others here have
reasons of their own for speculating about beginning or continuing their
membership. Of course, I realize that whether I continue as a member or
not is unimportant in the scale of things. That said, here's some of my
personal considerations for you to shoot down, agree with or add your
own.

For me, as to pure woodturning there's not much new under the sun. I
have made most all of the mistakes, enjoyed many minor successes and
made a lot of good friends. Now days I mostly enjoy turning whenever and
whatever I please, alone in my shop.

I am NOT antisocial, just that woodturning is not my whole life and at
my age, (nearly 88, which means 'love and kisses' in Morse code, but not
for me! 'G') groaning back and squeaky knees, I don't care to get out
much anymore and I have no interest in the organized business of clubs.
Been there, done that and I lost my 'hero worship & adulation' a long
time ago.
The internet supplies my limited needs for personal relationships and
for 'keeping up' as much as I want to. The magazine is briefly scanned
and continues to pile up. There is a whole lot of repetition in
woodturning circles, using warmed over words and pictures. Some all too
recognizable.

There are many reasons for organized woodturning to grow and advance,
but why should it matter to me if there are many, few or no woodturners
in the future and whether they are young or old or middle age or what
they choose to design and turn, demonstrate and write about. If the
endeavor is relevant on any level won't there be people who turn wood
with or without AAW? I reckon less is less and more is more or is it
the other way round?
So what?

I'm often wrong. So what's your take on why you belong to AAW or not
...or don't you care? Anyway, this musing sure took care of the few
(only 70) posts for today.


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter


http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings




mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

Quite frankly, I find more information in the woodturning forums than
I do in the magazines. I belong to the AAW because it does a lot of
good thing. Reading their magazine takes all of about 20 minutes for
me to read the things that interest me.
robo hippy

On Sep 5, 7:57*am, mac davis wrote:
On Thu, 4 Sep 2008 17:40:20 -0400, (Arch) wrote:

I guess I'm just in the habit of being in the AAW, Arch...

When I joined my first turning club, membership in the AAW was part of the
joining price and I went with it..

I enjoy the articles in the magazine, but feel more and more that it's leaning
more toward carving, painting and becoming a modern art gallery that what I
consider a "wood turning" source..
I've often wondered what percentage of members/subscribers even attempt the kind
of pieces that are featured..

OTOH, I do have the AAW logo on my business card and mention being an
International member on my web site.. From clients comments, they seem impressed
by it, so I'll keep renewing my membership..







Tis the season for hurricanes and politics and I'm trying to design and
turn a Windbag. Any ideas? *I know, I know, look at a mirror, Arch!
Meanwhile I'll act the part and muse a little about AAW. zzzzzz!

I just got my AAW dues notice, $45.00 per year and a ballot with 'brag
sheets' of the six candidates for the Board. I don't know any of the
candidates, but their reasons for being on the board actually raises
questions of why I should continue to belong.

The dues include seasonal issues of "American Woodturner", a very
readable and informative magazine. Being an AAW member adds my personal
support in advancing and perpetuating organized woodturning as a hobby,
art and/or business. *Also there is the camaraderie and friendships (and
occasional turn-offs) engendered by turning clubs sponsored by AAW plus
their sponsored regional symposia and the grand, but getting too
expensive to attend, annual national conventions. *

I can comfortably afford the dues and expenses, but in my particular
situation I am questioning why I should. *I wonder if others here have
reasons of their own for speculating about beginning or continuing their
membership. *Of course, I realize that whether I continue as a member or
not is unimportant in the scale of things. That said, here's some of my
personal considerations for you to shoot down, agree with or add your
own.

For me, as to pure woodturning there's not much new under the sun. I
have made most all of the mistakes, enjoyed many minor successes and
made a lot of good friends. Now days I mostly enjoy turning whenever and
whatever I please, alone in my shop.

I am NOT antisocial, just that woodturning is not my whole life and at
my age, (nearly 88, which means 'love and kisses' in Morse code, but not
for me! 'G') *groaning back and squeaky knees, I don't care to get out
much anymore and I have no interest in the organized business of clubs.
Been there, done that and I lost my 'hero worship & adulation' a long
time ago.
The internet supplies my limited needs for personal relationships and
for 'keeping up' as much as I want to. The magazine is briefly scanned
and continues to pile up. There is a whole lot of repetition in
woodturning circles, using warmed over words and pictures. Some all too
recognizable. *

There are many reasons for organized woodturning to grow and advance,
but why should it matter to me if there are many, few or no woodturners
in the future and whether they are young or old or middle age or what
they choose to design and turn, demonstrate and write about. If the
endeavor is relevant on any level won't there be people who turn wood
with or without AAW? *I reckon less is less and more is more or is it
the other way round?
So what?

I'm often wrong. So what's your take on why you belong to AAW or not
...or don't you care? * Anyway, this musing sure took care of the few
(only 70) posts for today. *

Turn to Safety, *Arch * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *Fortiter

http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

In message
,
robo hippy writes
Quite frankly, I find more information in the woodturning forums than
I do in the magazines. I belong to the AAW because it does a lot of
good thing. Reading their magazine takes all of about 20 minutes for
me to read the things that interest me.
robo hippy

Not being that side of the pond, it really doesn't affect me but I am
still fairly new at wood turning, soon be a year.

I have joined no clubs, do not come from a woodworking or even
metalworking background. I come from Quality Engineering, but with the
ability to turn my hand at most things once I have a basic
understanding. My initial source for wood turning was a person in the
shop I bought my first lathe. I would tell him what I wanted to achieve
and how I thought I would go about it, he would then offer solutions
based on the tools and jigs I had, or new equipment if needed.
The only issue I had was turning bowl, and even though I had voiced my
suspicions to the suppliers, it wasn't until I got my second lathe the
issue was solved. It wasn't me it was the tools. The Banjo and Tool rest
that were supplied though the correct parts for the machine, were not
suitable for the machine. My assembly was too high, and although
suitable for spindle turning, at 5mm below centre line it was impossible
to place a tool on the rest and be at centreline for bowl turning, even
my scraper was 7mm thick, New banjo, Tool rest and the cuts were near
perfect ( just need lots and lots of practice now)

My other source has primarily been here. Asking pointed questions, which
may have been answerable in a local club, but almost certainly not via a
yearly subscription to a magazine that covered the subject 20 years ago.
My other source has been pictures of turned objects on websites
mentioned here, or just by googling, these have provided inspiration and
ideas. Admittedly the magazine may provide similar, but probably in less
abundance, and without the ability to question, which you often can if
its a website. I would rather learn from an amateur on here rather than
one of these top of his field types in a magazine, as it ends up like a
car magazine with the "I wish", but now back to reality.

Now using an analogy I used to be a member of the Radio Society of Great
Britain, our version of the ARRL, the Magazines were great for the first
year as they provided points of contact, but this was in the early 90's
before the Internet found its place. After that first year , they
remained in the wrapping they were received in, my interests were narrow
field, but the magazine was broad spectrum, the only reason I remained a
member was that to take part in competition you had to be a member.

There are many societies out there these days trying to justify their
existence, but unfortunately for many of them , their day has come and
gone.
--
John

On Sep 4, 1:40*pm, (Arch) wrote:
Tis the season for hurricanes and politics and I'm trying to design and
turn a Windbag. Any ideas? *I know, I know, look at a mirror, Arch!
Meanwhile I'll act the part and muse a little about AAW. zzzzzz!

I just got my AAW dues notice, $45.00 per year and a ballot with 'brag
sheets' of the six candidates for the Board. I don't know any of the
candidates, but their reasons for being on the board actually raises
questions of why I should continue to belong.

The dues include seasonal issues of "American Woodturner", a very
readable and informative magazine. Being an AAW member adds my personal
support in advancing and perpetuating organized woodturning as a hobby,
art and/or business. *Also there is the camaraderie and friendships (and
occasional turn-offs) engendered by turning clubs sponsored by AAW plus
their sponsored regional symposia and the grand, but getting too
expensive to attend, annual national conventions. *

I can comfortably afford the dues and expenses, but in my particular
situation I am questioning why I should. *I wonder if others here have
reasons of their own for speculating about beginning or continuing their
membership. *Of course, I realize that whether I continue as a member or
not is unimportant in the scale of things. That said, here's some of my
personal considerations for you to shoot down, agree with or add your
own.

For me, as to pure woodturning there's not much new under the sun. I
have made most all of the mistakes, enjoyed many minor successes and
made a lot of good friends. Now days I mostly enjoy turning whenever and
whatever I please, alone in my shop.

I am NOT antisocial, just that woodturning is not my whole life and at
my age, (nearly 88, which means 'love and kisses' in Morse code, but not
for me! 'G') *groaning back and squeaky knees, I don't care to get out
much anymore and I have no interest in the organized business of clubs.
Been there, done that and I lost my 'hero worship & adulation' a long
time ago.
The internet supplies my limited needs for personal relationships and
for 'keeping up' as much as I want to. The magazine is briefly scanned
and continues to pile up. There is a whole lot of repetition in
woodturning circles, using warmed over words and pictures. Some all too
recognizable. *

There are many reasons for organized woodturning to grow and advance,
but why should it matter to me if there are many, few or no woodturners
in the future and whether they are young or old or middle age or what
they choose to design and turn, demonstrate and write about. If the
endeavor is relevant on any level won't there be people who turn wood
with or without AAW? *I reckon less is less and more is more or is it
the other way round?
So what?

I'm often wrong. So what's your take on why you belong to AAW or not
...or don't you care? * Anyway, this musing sure took care of the few
(only 70) posts for today. *

Turn to Safety, *Arch * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Fortiter

http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

Arch,

You make some good points for not belonging to the AAW, but there are
some things that neither you or the other posters have touched upon.

No. 1--In the newest issue of the AAW Journal, the President noted
that they were going to be changing the magazine somewhat, saying they
have decided to listen to the membership comments. There will be a new
editor and supposedly the magazine will be attempting to provide
information for the general woodturner and not just for the artists.
I'll have to wait and see on that line. I have also been somewhat
disgusted with the amount of carving and painting that has been
featured and called woodturning. They implied that this is going to
change. Let's give the administration a chance. They are also asking
for members to write articles for the magazine. This is another way
that we can help the AAW and the magazine improve.

No. 2--For people who sell their work, the AAW has set up a way for us
to get insurance on our shop, insurance to teach, libiality insurance
all at a reasonable rate. I didn't say cheap. But the AAW was able to
use their influence to get an insurance agency to provide insurance to
members. Before 9-11-2001, I had my own insurance that only cost me
$500 per year. After 9-11-2001, the agency raised my rates to $1800
per year and I dropped it. I choose to quit teaching and trust that my
shop would not burn down. With this insurance available to AAW
members, I again pay $500 per year for the coverage and have resumed
teaching and occasional student and I am insured in case the shop
should burn down. This is itself is worth the cost of the membership
in AAW, even if one never reads the magazine or goes to the
symposiums.

No. 3--It looks good on your BIO for customers or when being
considered for demonstrations at AAW clubs.

No. 4--The AAW has set up a relief fund to help members who have had
their shops destroyed by storms such such as those hit by massive
storms on the southeastern coasts of the United States.

I have not always agreed with the AAW policies, but I think that the
organization is worth supporting with our membership. I haven't been a
member since the organization first started, but have been a member
since 1991 and over the years have attended several of the Symposiums
and have even demonstrated at two of them. I was most impressed with
the last one that I demonstrated at the Portland event. Another 11
years, when I'm as old as you, I may feel the same way, but I hope
not. Reconsider, Arch, stay with the AAW a few more years.

Fred Holder
http://www.morewoodturning.net

for what it's worth, I was a member for a reasonable number of years, but
I've let my membership lapse because I lost interest in the magazine and it
didn't offer me anything else of great value - certainly for the first 4 to
10 years of your turning hobby you can learn a lot from the AAW mag


** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

In article
,
Fred Holder wrote:

....

No. 3--It looks good on your BIO for customers or when being
considered for demonstrations at AAW clubs.


Speaking of which, Jimmy tells me you are going to be the Demo this
month. I need to update the web-site to reflect that

--
--------------------------------------------------------
Personal e-mail is the n7bsn but at amsat.org
This posting address is a spam-trap and seldom read
RV and Camping FAQ can be found at
http://www.ralphandellen.us/rv

On Sep 6, 6:54*am, Ralph E Lindberg wrote:
In article
,
*Fred Holder wrote:

...



No. 3--It looks good on your BIO for customers or when being
considered for demonstrations at AAW clubs.

Speaking of which, Jimmy tells me you are going to be the Demo this
month. I need to update the web-site to reflect that

--
--------------------------------------------------------
Personal e-mail is the n7bsn but at amsat.org
This posting address is a spam-trap and seldom read
RV and Camping FAQ can be found athttp://www.ralphandellen.us/rv

Arch,

Would you be so kind as to contact me at . I
plan to use your question about why be an AAW member and my response
in the November issue of More Woodturning and I also have Lyle
Jamieson's answer which I would like to share with you. All of the
questions I print in the magazine now have mine and Lyle Jamieson's
answers. Lyle had some good thoughts I would like to share with you.
In case the e-mail gets clobbered, you can go to my web site to get my
e-mail address.

Fred Holder
http://www.morewoodturning.net

Arch although you are my senior by 20 or so years you raise a question
that I think should be considered by all turners of any age.
The way I see it is the AAW is a good ol' boys club with no
qualification standards for admission. It wants you to be a member
before you turn so it can train you? So who is the founding guru that
has passed on the all knowing all seeing knowledge since creation?
To have the privilege of using the logo to impress clients is
meaningless if there are no skill standards applied to members.
As a member of an AAW affiliated club I looked long and hard at the
issue of being a member and decided my loyalties lay with my club and
it's members who are at a local level and therefore more aware of my
needs.
I can buy the AAW magazine from a retailer and also read the AAW
forums if I need to.I have no desire or need to go to the annual get
togethers or symposiums.
The AAW presents itself as a world body for wood turners which it
isn't, it does however have members from several countries who, I
would suggest are members because it might be good for business within
the AAW.
To be blunt I think the AAW ranks up there with the Home Shopping Club

The knowledge of many of the people in this group far surpasses mine,
but the magazine printed a shop tip I sent them a few issues back and
they sent me a check covering a good portion of the cost of
membership renewal for this year. That is one way to cut the cost of
the membership.

On Sun, 7 Sep 2008 15:33:22 -0700 (PDT), Canchippy
wrote:

To have the privilege of using the logo to impress clients is
meaningless if there are no skill standards applied to members.


Sort of like belonging to BBB and using their logo..
Both are meaningless to members but work well with the general public..


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

On Mon, 8 Sep 2008 05:31:37 -0700 (PDT), TWW wrote:

The knowledge of many of the people in this group far surpasses mine,
but the magazine printed a shop tip I sent them a few issues back and
they sent me a check covering a good portion of the cost of
membership renewal for this year. That is one way to cut the cost of
the membership.

Though I've learned most of what I know about turning at and from members of
this group, I've also picked up a few good tips from the magazine that have
saved me time and money.. both good investments, IMHO..

OTOH, I have to sort through SO many pages of artsy-fartsy stuff and promotional
BS to get to anything that I feel is relevant to what I would guess is the
average member.. YMWV


mac

Please remove splinters before emailing

On Sep 7, 3:33*pm, Canchippy wrote:
Arch although you are my senior by 20 or so years you raise a question
that I think should be considered by all turners of any age.
The way I see it is the AAW is a good ol' boys club with no
qualification standards for admission. It wants you to be a member
before you turn so it can train you? So who is the founding guru that
has passed on the all knowing all seeing knowledge since creation?
To have the privilege of using the logo to impress clients is
meaningless if there are no skill standards applied to members.
As a member of an AAW affiliated club I looked long and hard at the
issue of being a member and decided my loyalties lay with my club and
it's members who are at a local level and therefore more aware of my
needs.
I can buy the AAW magazine from a retailer and also read the AAW
forums if I need to.I have no desire or need to go to the annual get
togethers or symposiums.
The AAW presents itself as a world body for wood turners which it
isn't, it does however have members from several countries who, I
would suggest are members because it might be good for business within
the AAW.
To be blunt I think the AAW ranks up there with the Home Shopping Club

Questions:
* Has your club ever gotten an EOG grant from the AAW? I'm guessing
yes, since the number of AAW Chapter clubs that haven't is rather
small. I know the local club I belong to would not have the A/V system
we have, if we had to pay for it ourselves.
* Does your club use the AAW insurance for your club meetings? I know
mine does.
* Does your club use the Demonstrator referral program? I know most at
least check out (unknown) potential Demonstrators.
* Have you, or anyone your club, applied for any of the grants the AAW
offers?
* Have you, or anyone in your club, used any of the Professional
Directories?
* Have you heard of the Disaster Relief Fund, a program to help AAW
members recover from disaster?

I suggest you do more research into the AAW, and maybe learn a few
things. Like how, you personally have benifited from the AAW

Well let's see.

The Resource Book.
Turners who enjoy traveling can look up members in the area to which
they plan to travel and make contact with a "local" who will, more
often than not, recomend places to see, things to do and "ya gotta
eat at . . .", and occassionally lodging. Of course there should be
reciprocity - when visiting woodworkers comes to your town you
return the favor.

If you sell your stuff, making potential customers aware of your
membership in a national organization may help sales.

The Magazines

While I agree that the recent trend has been a bit artsy - the
charred cut off with the red hemisphere a bit of a teeth gnasher
- there's always at least one Idea Seed in each issue - which may
or may not go anywhere.

The Insurance Thing

As a member of AAW - and an AAW affiliated club - you're covered
when doing demonstrations. Only takes one "incident" to make that
valuable.

The Web Site

Here's where the annual dues pay off - at least for me. Of course
I had to upgrade my computer and software to really utilize some
of what's on the site, but there's a wealth of info there that's
fairly accessible - to members.

The Supporting The Starving Artist / Shop Thing

Though not of Corporate Sponsorship level, AAW does provide
grants and awards to struggling full time turners. And the
outreach program may help expose "kids" to what may become
a lifelong love - or not. If nothing else, it may provide an
opportunity for a "kid" to experience the sense of accomplishment
and success they might not experience in Math or Science or
History. Our educational system puts all the emphasize on The
Brain and not much on The Hands (which require a brain to
manipulate them as well as to think out How To).

Anyone want to guess who a theoretical physicist or doctor,
lawyer or indian chief turns to when their car starts making
funny noises or their roof starts leaking?

Can you take an old car engine appart, fix or replace what's
broken, put it back together - and have it run? Ever tried
to take a tissue paper thin "dress pattern", some cloth, which
stretches one way and not another, and a sewing machine
and make a dress - that actually fits a female - who is probably
not "symetric"?

Of "critical thinking" and "problem solving" is what education
is about - boy is the system missing one of the boats.

BTW - have you paid a plumber, electricial, roofer or carpenter
to do something for you lately?

Think I'll make the call, give them The Number and be pleasantly
surprised when a glossy magazine full of stuff - some interesting,
some not - arrives.

charlie b

Thanks for all your responses. As usual,
I reckon that the answer depends on individual situations .....as with
most of woodturning there is no always nor never and no totally right or
wrong way to do things.

BTW, I misspoke, I'm only nearing 87, like the wind speed temperatures,
it just felt like 88! Also I decided to remain an AAW member for one
more year.


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter


http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings

Hey Charlie, I once asked a local ham (not a turner, but the same
thing) about the best place to eat in town. He recommended MacDonald's
so I figured oh well, nevermind. Turned out it _was the best place o
eat in that beautiful but small N.E. village after tourist season. As
for the local motel, don't ask! Lori and I were too old for mirrors on
the ceiling!


Turn to Safety, Arch
Fortiter


http://community.webtv.net/almcc/MacsMusings