[TheForge] Anvil's Ring/Hammer's Blow CD?

Fri Jul 17 12:59:10 EDT 2009

Good, meaningful response Rome. Thank you and thank you for the 
innumerable hours you put in for us.
While i've remained a member..it's only barely, i confess.
As it's grown and aged, ABANA has, by necessity, become more 
institutionalized, or so it appears, and i found that alienating.
For reasons of location or cost, ABANA events have been inaccessible for 
me since the SLO conference. So the benefits of membership lie primarily 
in the publications. More articles are something i can and will continue 
to contribute, though so many of you are so much better than i am, that 
it's kinda embarrassing and feels pretentious.
Like many of us, I'm not much of a joiner and had backed away when the 
level of acrimony rose.
You guys are working hard to right the ship, and it's appreciated...pf

Rome H. Hutchings wrote:
> Yes, on an interest bearing checking account early renewal does
> add value.  May be not with respect to the member, but in the
> long run the interest does help.
> 
> As for the production cost, there is more than meets the eye to
> duplicating the CD.  Yes we can get them duplicated for a low
> cost.........45 to 65 cents each, then hand packing into the mailer
> running the mailing labels, sticking them on, postage, and the
> final step of delivery to the post office.  The CD ends up costing
> almost $2 out the door.
> 
> When we consider all the other costs associated with the membership
> the $2 is a lot.  Over 75% of your membership dollars go to the publications
> and the remainder is in keeping the Central Office going, website costs
> Constant Contact, the CPA and Accountant, office supplies, printing,
> copying..........the list of expenses goes on.
> 
> And, we try to do this on 25% of your membership dollars.  When
> was the last time their was a cost of living increase in your dues?
> 
> We continue to trim and economize wherever possible so that we
> don't have to raise the cost of dues.  All of the board members are
> volunteers who work for the love of the craft........free.
> 
> Once again this year we are faced with having less than enough candidates
> to hold an election.........yes we have 5 willing members who will be 
> filling
> the expiring terms so we will not have to do appointments.  But, it's your
> association, it is our association and in order to continue to make a 
> difference
> we will survive and continue to fulfill the mission of being the go to place
> for sharing educational opportunities.  We are supportive of our Affiliate,
> individuals who are interested in the craft looking for a local source of
> information get connected through ABANA.
> 
> I could rattle on here, but by now I think you will understand.  What can
> really make a difference in the future of ABANA is for all of us to recruit
> those who have walked away from ABANA.  You can help too! Bring
> a new member into ABANA, Bring an old friend back into ABANA,
> write an article for the publications.
> 
> We all need to work together to rebuild, renew and rejoice in our love
> of the craft.
> 
> Best Regards,
> 
> Rome H. Hutchings, Chairman
> ABANA Membership Services
> The Prairie Forge
> 13633 Ferman Ave NW
> Clearwater, MN 55320
> (763) 878-1694
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Peter Fels & Phoebe Palmer" <artgawk at thegrid.net>
> To: "Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Friday, July 17, 2009 12:48 AM
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] Anvil's Ring/Hammer's Blow CD?
> 
> 
>> Respectfully, CD production costs being small as they are..why not
>> simply include them with a renewal? Do early renewals really provide so
>> much extra value to our org?  pf
>>
>> fnanvil at aol.com wrote:
>>> I think that by limiting this offer to only people who renew in a
>>> certain time period is going to sour more people on the benefits of
>>> ABANA.  Where do you draw the line?  This statement from a 30 year
>>> continuous member!
>>>
>>> J. Kavett
>>> Fisher & Norris Museum
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Rome H. Hutchings <rome.hutchings at theprairieismygarden.com>
>>> To: Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
>>> Sent: Thu, Jul 16, 2009 8:41 pm
>>> Subject: Re: [TheForge] Anvil's Ring/Hammer's Blow CD?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Correct you are Mike, should have said that within this first 400 per
>>> quarter includes ALL and not just existing members renewing.
>>>
>>> So, spread the word, there is an opportunity here because to date
>>> not nearly 400 new renewed, even with new memberships added
>>> in to the mix.
>>>
>>> All of those friends out there who gave up on ABANA for various
>>> reasons can rejoin and receive the CD too.
>>>
>>> Thanks for pointing this out,
>>>
>>> Rome H. Hutchings, Chairman
>>> ABANA Membership Services
>>> The Prairie Forge
>>> 13633 Ferman Ave NW
>>> Clearwater, MN 55320
>>> (763) 878-1694
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "CGRAF" <adveniam at att.net>
>>> To: "Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
>>> Sent: Thursday, July 16, 2009 6:39 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [TheForge] Anvil's Ring/Hammer's Blow CD?
>>>
>>>
>>>> Zahn wrote:
>>>>> I renewed early too but I guess my check got there towards the end
>>> of the
>>>>> last quarter.  If I had know about it, I could have held my check
>>> for a
>>>>> couple of weeks until the current quarter and gotten a cool CD for
>>> free.
>>>>> Bummer, I wish I knew.
>>>>>
>>>> There is a PR opportunity here.
>>>> If it were my call, NEW members and anyone reupping EARLY would get
>>> the
>>>> freebie.
>>>>
>>>> That gets the old cash flow rolling along.
>>>> There is no real advantage in having everyone wait until the start of
>>>> the new quarter to send in a check.There might even be a disadvantage
>>> to
>>>> ABANA, in the present scheme, if someone is trying to win the CD lotto
>>>> and is the 401st entrant. Keeping the paying customer happy is always
>>> a
>>>> priority.
>>>>
>>>> Mike Graf
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