The Capital District Blacksmith's Association (CDBA) is an unincorporated, not for profit association of individuals who are interested in all aspects of blacksmithing. It was established to provide an informal educational and experiential forum where individuals interested in blacksmithing can network and share techniques, skills and experiences relating to the various metalworking disciplines. Membership is open to all interested individuals regardless of age, sex or level of blacksmithing experience.

All member associates understand and accept the inherent risks of working with fire, hot metal and the various tools endemic to blacksmithing. Consequently, as a result of this direct knowledge concerning the inherent risks of all aspects of blacksmithing, no member associate will hold liable or responsible any other associate member for any injuries that occur during the course of this activity, wherever the venue.

The associate member signature at the bottom of this document verifies and certifies that the associate member understands the above and accepts as his or her individual and personal responsibility any and all injuries that might occur during any and all activities sponsored or supported by the Capital District Blacksmith's Association.

CDBA is organized as follows:

OFFICERS:

Officers will be elected annually during the first week in September. These are non-paying, voluntary positions serving at the will of the membership. There shall be 5 positions elected by majority vote present at the September meeting. These positions shall consist of the President, the Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, and the Events Coordinator. Only the President and the Events Coordinator shall officially speak for or represent the CDBA in any formal venue.

MEETINGS:

Meetings will be held quarterly or at the pleasure of the membership. The meeting location/venue will vary as needed. Any meetings open to the public where there might be a risk to the public, single event insurance will be obtained, as needed and at the discretion of the CDBA officers.

DUES:

There will be an annual dues collected in the amount of $10.00 per member. This money will be used to support the Association's newspaper and related Association expenses as they arise. The treasurer will be responsible for collecting and dispersing monies and maintaining pertinent fiscal records.

NEWSLETTER:

The Association will produce a newsletter that will cover a variety of topics relating to metalworking and of Association activities. This newsletter will vary in length and will be produced at least 3 times a year, as long as there are volunteer Association members willing to work towards putting out a newsletter. All contributions should be sent to: srladysmith@oakandacorn.com.

WEBSITE:

A CDBA website, with the same qualifications as noted with the newspaper, will be maintained at: http://www.oakandacorn.com/cdblacksmith/

LIABILITY WAIVER:

As noted above, Blacksmithing has numerous inherent risks associated with it So, it is with that understanding that I am indicating by my signature below that I am voluntarily and knowledgeably absolving any CDBA member or the Capital District Blacksmith Association itself from any form of liability during the course of any and all CDBA activities. I UNDERSTAND THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND AGREE FULLY TO IT:

MEMBER SIGNATURE WITNESS DATE

[Numbered List Would be placed here - Webmaster]

Edited 7/22/02 by Jack Connell (author)

Edited for web content 8/20/02 by Webmaster