[TheForge] Saving ABANA

[Ries Niemi]

I dont think ABANA needs to be saved.
I have been a member for years, and I receive clear benefits from my 45 
bucks a year.

First, the 2 magazines are worth the money all by themselves.
I dont necessarily like everything pictured in the magazines, but one 
of the things that makes ABANA interesting to me is the wide range of 
people and their different takes on blacksmithing.
I have no interest in reading a magazine about people who think just 
like I do.
I learn something from every different approach. I am completely 
skeptical of any "elitist" or "art police" agenda- there are too many 
different viewpoints shown. And I have real world experience with 
journalists for over 25 years that tells me that they are ALL always 
looking for stories. If you send photos of your work in, and the 
ironwork is actually visible in the picture, it will get published.
So if the kind of work you like is not being shown, its your own fault.
If the articles arent written with the political slant you like- WRITE 
ONE!
These are not written by professional writers- they dont have the 
budget.
If your big interest is, say, historical re-enactment ironwork from the 
civil war era, write a damn article- call people up, get pictures of 
different work, talk to blacksmiths, and write an article. Its hard 
work, but its fun, and it will get printed.

Second-
The conferences I have been to have been a hell of a lot of fun. I get 
a physical high being in the same place with 1000 blacksmiths- spending 
so much of my time alone, working, and in a field that almost no one 
thinks exists anymore, means that there is a great feeling of 
reassurance when there are so many others who also share your madness.
Again, the range of different approaches is what makes it so great. 
Personally, for instance, I am not much interested in making chisels- 
so I wander past that demonstrator- but there are so many others, that 
there are always some I really learn from.
I am more from the arty wierdo end of things, but I make a point to sit 
at lunch with every kind of person, to look at all the work at the 
shows, to spend at least a few minutes at every demo- and I learn and 
enjoy it all.
Our local chapter is pretty big, with 500 members, and our local 
conferences are great, but there is no comparison to a full fledged 
ABANA circus. kinda like a burning man for blacksmiths.

As far as politics go- my experience with human behavior over the last 
49 years has led me to disbelieve conspiracy theories- people just cant 
keep secrets that well. I think every body on the board is trying to do 
a good job. I may not agree with all of them, but I make it a point to 
vote, and I know I dont have the time to spend to be a board member, so 
I am appreciative of those who do volunteer.
Nothing in perfect on this earth.
ABANA has not been responsible for any major crimes, they havent 
invaded any neighboring countries, nobody has died, and all the board 
members I have met have actually been blacksmiths I could have a beer 
with and talk trash about tools and techniques.
It could be a lot worse, in my opinion.

ries