Capital District Blacksmith's Association - Business Meeting Minutes 03/17/2003

Sarah outlined the current status of HSV
  • They are all set for demonstrators
  • We will setup 3 forges for our members to use
  • Entrance fee is $9.00 (Demonstrators are free but unknown fee for other member volunteers)
  • We need to designate "Forge Masters" to over see the demonstrators in our area
  • Volunteers needed to watch gates

Discussion digressed to responsibilities of officers; it was decided that:

  • When an officer can't attend they should leave a status report with a person who is going.
  • We should have an attendance requirement for meetings (excused with Dr's excuse or death certificate)

Aaron suggested that we might want to add him to the check signing list because he is an alternate treasurer and that allows more flexibility.

Secretary's Summary of Correspondence

Date Who Synopsis
01/08/03 Paula Banks Request for CanIron ad in Newsletter
01/14/03 New England Blacksmiths Sent Newsletter
01/22/03 Thom Breitenback Thanks for Gathering & 2 photo attachments
02/05/03 Bob Davignon Request for next meeting date
02/18/03 NYS Designer Blacksmiths Sent Newsletter
03/02/03 Patty Draper Request for Florida Artist Blacksmiths Assn/CDBA newsletter exchange
03/04/03 Patty Draper Copywrite authorization for FABA article reuse
03/13/03 Pat Grossi Fwd: Letter describing CDBA to potential new member

Nomenclature clear up:

  • "Hammer-In" - A "Members' Only" event where a specific technique/process/item is demonstrated and then repeated by participants.
  • "Demonstration" - A Public Forum where a specific demonstrator(s) shows a the making of items for the edification of both the public and the members.
  • "Workshop" - A "Members' Only" event for a limited number of members to accomplish a large goal (treadle hammer, propane forge, etc). Many of these require a "materials fee".

Next "Hammer-In" (after Age of Iron, before CanIron) at Joe Merli's

  • Sarah will contact Joe
  • Hands on "Tongs" topic offered by Dan
  • "Plasma Table" topic offered by Gretchen
  • Specific date delayed until next Core meeting

Next "Public Demonstration" at Burden in June

  • Sarah will contact Mr. Carol to make further arrangements

Sarah suggested (as a longer range goal) set up 4 "Workshops", 2 "Hammer-Ins" and 2 "Demonstrations" per year

Andy suggested the general membership at least be notified of upcoming Core meetings.

Jack suggested standardizing Core meetings to "every other month" and add more as needed.

  • Group decided Core meetings will be first Wednesday of every even numbered month.
  • This standardization will lessen the need to flood the general membership with meeting emails and still give them the opportunity to participate if they wish.

In keeping with the standarized Core meetings the next meeting will be April 2nd - 7:00pm. The location may be changed to accomodate an injured Andy this time

Next meeting topics:

  • Logos will be voted on
  • "Age of Iron" update report from Sarah
  • Finalization of "Hammer-In" date