Fall 2009 President's Letter

From Bill Haskell ...

I’m writing this letter soon after returning from the Albuquerque symposium and a week’s trip throughout the picturesque Southwest. By all accounts, the symposium was very successful - it was particularly pleasing to me to meet and talk with so many AAW members and woodturning friends there.

There were almost 1,300 attendees at the Albuquerque 2009 symposium. Ask someone who attended the symposium to see their 158-page Handout Book, which is packed with program details and demonstration information, diagrams, and pictures, all in color. This book provides a whole new level of information for those who attended because it’s something they can keep and refer to in the future. This book, like so much of the symposium and other areas of the AAW, was made possible by volunteers. A special and hearty thanks to all who contribute to the AAW and help make our organization and program the success it is.

In the interest of providing more information and content in the American Woodturner, your AAW Board of Directors has decided to increase the number of journal issues per year from four to six. This means you will be receiving the American Woodturner, starting in 2010, every other month instead of each quarter. While the per journal page count will be slightly smaller, the overall number of pages for the year will be quite a bit higher. We are shooting for a 28% content increase. This will provide additional woodturning coverage and greater value to our membership.

At its recent meeting, the AAW Board agonized over how to deal with increasing AAW operating costs and the additional cost of producing two more journals per year. Raising the annual membership fee was considered and debated. In recognition of the current economic environment and the number of members on fixed incomes, the decision was reached to raise the basic membership fee by only $3. This may not be enough to cover next year’s higher expenses, but the Board is taking on the challenge of trying to make it work. We hope you understand the need to raise the membership fee and that you realize the amount is nominal.

In this economic period, times are no doubt difficult for many and your Board of Directors understands that. We are doing everything possible to keep our costs and your dues down, while at the same time providing a quality program with more and better benefits for all our members.

Bill Haskell
President AAW