Fwd: [TheForge] Conference Suggestion

[Dave Mudge]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Chris Winterstein <chris.winterstein at gmail.com>
Date: Oct 29, 2007 5:50 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Conference Suggestion
To:

Hi Dan,
Thanks for your suggestions about ABANA conferences. The ABANA Board
has been thinking a lot about how future conferences might serve the
organization and membership better, so your comments are well timed.
(Dave Mudge forwarded your post from theforge to all of the ABANA
Board members.) I wanted to let you know that conference galleries and
auctions have been open to the public for the last several conferences
at least, and Elizabeth Brim (with help from her friends) has headed
up efforts and worked very hard with local galleries near conference
sites to install longer running shows of ironwork coincidental with
our conferences. We also have had ABANA membership information
available at those shows of ironwork (and anywhere else we can put
it.)
Many of us share your opinion that ABANA's educational mission can,
and should extend to educating the public about blacksmithing, both
from a sense of reaching out to potential new members, and helping
cultivate informed clients for our members. To that end, many of us
give public demonstrations, teach classes and participate in non-ABANA
shows and events. I think the idea of a green coal area for public
interaction at conferences is a good idea. I think that some regional
conferences do this, and I know some affiliates regularly demonstrate
at local museums and art events. All of these are great for
blacksmithing, and great for ABANA. With the big conferences, I hate
to say it, and I am as sick of hearing it as anyone, but there are
significant liabilities. That and the chance of some dishonest members
sneaking in as "visitors" has kept the idea of public demonstrations
and work areas out of the last few conferences. Several times, similar
programs have been in the plans at the beginning, but haven't made it
to the finish line. The obvious solution is to have that area outside
the conference entrance, perhaps equipped and staffed by volunteers
from local affiliates. At some sites, this is more possible than
others. Usually, your average fire marshal wants all the fires in a
central location. But I don't want to make excuses, we will keep
trying, and we are thinking about the same things. Thanks again for
your input. Keep thinking and send more, it is the best way to help
shape ABANA into the organization we all want.  Ever consider running
for the board?

Sincerely,

Chris Winterstein




>
>
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Dan Crowther < gobae at oakandacorn.com>
> Date: Oct 28, 2007 2:42 PM
> Subject: [TheForge] Conference Suggestion
> To: Sponsored by ABANA <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
>
> After going to a couple of Conferences I was surprised that ABANA
> seems to generally ignore the public where the Conferences were
> held.  My wife and I were stopped no less than 10 times in Richmond
> by members of the public asking what was going on, and how they could
> see it.  Unfortunately we had to tell them ABANA limited Conference
> entry to members only.  How many of those people would have become
> ABANA members and future blacksmiths if they could have participated
> in some capacity?  Remember the Conference is really ABANA's only
> shot at public exposure; the mags aren't sold in
> bookstores/newsstands, and I'm not aware that they do "community outreach".
>
> I suggest opening various sections of the Conference to the public
> (for a reasonable admission fee).
>     * Have people there specifically to demonstrate to the public the
> basics of what a blacksmith is and what they do.
>     * Give the public access to all the galleries to see the end
> results of people who are blacksmiths. Especially the "Walk-In"
> gallery where "Average Joe" blacksmith displays their work.
>     * Open a special Green Coal area for them to make a "J" hook, and
> get them "hooked".
>     * Have ABANA and Affiliate tables easily accessible to the public
> so they can JOIN and/or spend their cash the ABANA 'gizingas'.
> I'm sure there are other ideas for involving the public at
> Conferences but those were the ones I came up with.
>
>
> Dan Crowther
>  http://www.oakandacorn.com
>  http://www.celticclans.org
>
>
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