[TheForge] from abana.org

[Bruce Freeman]

I, for one, went to one ABANA conference (1998) and never to another. 
My reasons were (1) cost, (2) distance, and (3) too much going on all at
once.  I find that I get more for my money at local events.  NJBA puts
on great quasi-monthly meetings, including demos (with one coming up on
Saturday in Easton, PA), workshops, and public demos.  MASA puts on two
or three events each year that are worth attending (including Gichner's
hammer-in).  Furnace Town's Joint Meeting is usually quite good, and is
followed on the Sunday by a hand-on workshop.  Even North East
Blacksmiths put on a good weekend, twice a year - - if only they'd learn
how to properly run an IITH!  With all this going on, I haven't felt
much need for ABANA conferences.  In fact, I can't get to all the stuff
I listed above.  Maybe I need to clone myself.
At most of these events, the cost is minimal, the distance is a few
hours' drive at most, and there's seldom more than two things going on
at once - an easy choice.  How can ABANA  hope to compete against that? 

I suggest ABANA rethink its role.  Maybe it should simply sponsor
demonstrators at local events, and perhaps encourage greater attendance
thereby.  I'm sure others will have other ideas.
Bruce
NJ

>>> schade at acegroup.cc 2/15/2007 11:01 PM >>>
President's Message
February, 2007

ABANA NEEDS YOU

Well it*s happened * the kids (ABANA Affiliates) are showing the old

folks (ABANA) how it should be done. Yes, I am admitting that you put 
on more efficient conferences than we do.

Some of you have already known this and are probably saying right now,

*Hey, we*ve been trying to tell you this for years.* And again
you*d be 
right. All I can say at this point is this - the straw hit the
camel*s 
back * and it broke.

No longer can ABANA sponsor conferences as before. They have become too

cost prohibitive to produce and attend. Now is the time for us to learn

from you. Here are just a few fine examples *

Quadstate RoundUp in Troy, Ohio

Southern Blacksmith Association Conference in Madison, Georgia

IronFest in Grapevine, Texas

CanIron in a different Canadian Province every two years

California Blacksmith Association Conferences in California


So where do we go from here? What I would like to start is a dialog 
with you. I will be getting in touch over the next several months with

many of you to discuss conferences and ABANA. In the meantime you can 
get in touch with me, clyellin at mac.com 

Our ears are open and with your help and guidance the parent can learn

a thing or two from the kids.

Clare Yellin President
721 Moore Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
610-527-2334
clyellin at mac.com 
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