Woodworking Clubs and Associations *LINK*
Doug Evans
>Ben and I have just returned from a balmy south vacation... well actually we toured down through the north eastern states in freezing cold temperatures.
If the weather wasnt so great, the venues and the company certainly were.
Opening night for the Doug & Ben show was at The Central Jersey WW club. Lots of faces were put to names during this event. Aside from our infill plane show, I was immediately struck by the great value of the club to its membership. One guy (sorry about the name... I've got about a billion names in my head now)brought in a half scale Bombe chest that just knocked my socks off. Other members brought in some great Jorgensen clamps at dirt cheap price for the guys. The were tool raffles. I was thrilled to see Steve Thomas, Raymond, from Trenton, John Aniano (SOYBIPM'ers from way back) and the lot there.
We also visited the Long Island Woodworkers Club for a build day. The same impression hit me: a well organized group with tremendous talent. We did a build day with about a dozen of their members, and I wondered to myself how many of the Wood Central crew are missing out on the benefits of a high quality club. Certainly, the educational experiences (both presentation and "hands on")these groups offer are exemplary. They regularly bring in high value name brand woodworkers to their meetings (Garrett Hack, Mario Rodriguez, Ernie Conover, etc.).
We spoke yesterday to the folks at PATINA, McLean, VA. Once again, same deal. A well organized executive bringing in quality speakers. Shared information and skills from within. They held a fairly high end tool auction for their group (decent Mathieson and Slater infills, spalted wood, good moulders at relatively low cost).
This forum, and others, provide tremendous service and value to their members. In fact, forum's could become the glue between clubs creating an even greater synergy.
How many WC members also participate in a local club? If you're interested, there are many links out there to help you find one suited to you. I have a list that is starting to crest 200 right now if you need more.
Seriously, take a look into the clubs around you - it could be surprising.
Regards,