[TheForge] ABANA Membership value - long

[Walter L. Mullett]

Almost 10 years ago, I was able to attend one of the SOFA conferences.  That
was my first contact with ABANA and the blacksmithing community in general.

What a fortunate experience.

Here was a group of people who were willing to share, with whoever would
listen, their experience and knowledge about blacksmithing.  Even
professionals who made their income from this vocation were willing to give
up their secrets even though they knew they were potentially training their
own competetion. ... - all for a very nominal charge.

WOW!  What a unique group of people!

I had never known a group like this.  It seems today that every body is
looking for the buck... for getting something for nothing...  for finding a
secret that they could call their own.

This group was nothing like that.  They were like the movie "Pay it
forward".  They were willing to invest their knowledge in me hoping that I
would in turn continue that process and thus revive skills and processes
that were on the verge of being lost.

Some, especially those that don't even "pay it back", could argue that
"paying it forward" might really be selfish if getting something back was
anticipated in the end.  No matter.  This is still a unique concept and it
seems to have held up and is working.  In these last 10 years, I've watched
the smithing community grow with more people participating, better
publications and more knowledge available to all.  The only smiths I know
that are not willing to share their knowledge are those outside of the ABANA
community.  Those that proudly thump their chests and proclaim " I am not an
ABANA member".

Besides ABANA, I am also a member of my professional organization.  Just
like ABANA, this is an organization that I am not required to be a member
of.  I choose to be a member.  Base membership in that organization also
requires membership in the state and local levels - all for a fee that is
about 6 times the ABANA membership.  If I have my own business, I have an
additional fee of around $600/yr + $60/employee for those that are not a
member and in addition to my membership fees, and in order to remain a
member, I must also attend approved continuing eduction courses that cost an
additional $1,000 per year plus time involved.  (If I don't attend, I lose
my membership.)

What do I get from these memberships? The professional organization does
some of the following better than ABANA BUT it has a full time paid staff at
a national headquarters.

- Recognition -  sort of status by association but it is also valuable to
clients, colleagues, and the public.  It says you are dedicated to the
profession and have a means to keep up with current knowledge and trends.
- On-line connection:  Both organizations provide me an up-to-date method of
communicating with my peers and gaining information and also a place to list
my services if I have any.

- Educational programs:  Free local programs in both organizations.  The
professional membership has additional programs on-line and at national,
state and conventions that have additional fees beyond the convention fee.

- Professional legal documents:  The professional organization provides
legal documents for a fee but these documents are also available to the
public at around 25% more $.

- Resources:  Both groups provide library materials, books and other
resources.  .

- Local networking activities, educational seminars, and regional updates
are available through some local affiliates.

- Insurance programs;  Both groups provide help somewhat in insurance
concerns.

- Publications and resources:  Both provide publications useful to me.  The
professional organization's publication has a full time paid staff and
produces a magazine that is 2-3 times that of the Ring but is available
outside of the organization for $10-12 per month.

- Government affairs: The professional group lobbies at the state and
federal levels for "my interests" as they determine that to be.

- Educational foundations:  Both groups provide for education of the public
and individuals.

This is a no brainer.  ABANA membership is cheap and well worth it!  Our
fees barely cover the cost of printing and distribution of our publications
and are only possible because much of the information in the publications is
freely contributed by the membership.

For those that only want to buy the magazines, we should also add to the
cost of publication and mailing, the value of the contributions and the
costs associated with running the organization.  Costs like contract
maintenance, membership list ... etc.  Gee ... whoops, you mean the overal
charge might be more than our membership? - Yes...  I think the value of the
volunteers like the board and contributing membership would increase the
cost of the Ring & Blow considerably and anybody that just wants to get the
magazines should pay for all the value.

Walt