Attention was called for by Jim Moran who introduced and handed the floor to Jack Connell

Jack Connell recapped the work that had been done by the "Core Group" on the Articles of Organization. Each section of the Articles was then read before the assembled members, discussed and ratified.

Discussions included concern over liability issues and the methods with which it they were addressed in the opening paragraphs. No final consensus was made other than to continue gathering information about insurance and actual liability for CDBA. Of note, further detail was added regarding new potential members, friends or visitors to CDBA events; the CDBA member who brings them will be responsible for them.

A discussion ensued regarding the organization's name. An alternate name (Association of Blacksmiths in the Capital District [ABCD] was suggested and voted down by the general membership.

The Officer section was revised to include a sixth position of Assistant Treasurer and specify that the President may not hold any other position (any other officer may).

An election of officers occurred at this point.

President candidates: Pat Grossi, Sarah Ritchie-Crowther

Vice President: Membership decided that it would be filled by runner-up in the Presidential vote.

Secretary: Daniel Crowther

Treasurer: Kevin McGlynn, Aaron Silver

Assistant Treasurer: Treasurer candidates decided that loser would fill this position to double check treasurer while sequestered during vote. General membership liked this idea and officially created the postion.

Events Coordinator: Pat Grossi

Final Results:

President: Sarah Ritchie-Crowther

Vice-President: Pat Grossi

Secretary: Daniel Crowther

Treasurer: Kevin McGlynn

Assistant Treasurer: Aaron Silver

Events Coordinator: Pat Grossi

The Meetings section was accepted as-is.

The Dues section was accepted.

The Newsletter section was modified indicate the current address for article submissions and editor contact.

The Website section was modified to indicate the current address of the website.

After the ratification the President and Officers officially thanked Tom Carroll for allowing us to use the Burden Iron Company for our meeting and demonstration. Tom Carroll mentioned that this was the first time in 30 years that iron was worked on the premises.

Some members queried Tom about the possibility of a permanent CDBA "home" (possible structure, forge, etc). Tom could not entertain the idea without presenting it to "the board" (Board of Directors for the Mohawk-Hudson Industrial Gateway), but did not dismiss it outright either.

After Mr. Carroll reiterated this stance several times to answer similar questions from other members, the meeting concluded.