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Joining local chapter

Sean Troy

Sean Troy

Joined
Jul 3, 2004
Messages
310
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0
Location
Henderson Kentucky
Website
www.seantroy.com
Just an out loud thought. It would seem a large portion of questions could be answered at local turning chapters during meetings and through networking at the chapter level. Don't get me wrong, I think this forum is a great place for just this thing. It just makes one wonder if most people on these forums are local chapter members and if not, why? The benefit's of being a member of your local chapter so far outweigh the tiny cost and even a once a month drive to the meetings. I've seen so many learn so much at the local level.
 
Two hundred twenty miles each way, twenty-two per gallon, $60 plus wear and tear? "Local" means different things to different people. Then there's the CRS factor, which is what will make you remember what you wanted to ask after twenty minutes have elapsed on the return trip.

We had a local school with one English teacher, one Math, one Science, and so forth for all six years of middle/high school. Not a lot of cross-fertilization possible. Consolidation was a blessing. I used to get a raft of on and off-subject questions when subbing in a small school, just because some in the staff knew only one way of teaching. Sometimes it was even written in the lesson plan that I should attempt to explain certain things, because the class wasn't catching on to the teacher's explanation. Nice when a Science lecture becomes a lab instead, but imagine me teaching math!

Here's where what's on your mind will get a hearing from a lot of people who didn't learn from one another, like a lot of your club members did. You may have to ask a second time or read a third, but you'll get a lot of information.
 
Distance and Time

Sean,
You are absolutely right that one could answer all of these questions and benefit greatly from club membership. So what's my excuse? Distance its about 80 or 90 miles to the nearest club. Not insurmountable but they meet on a night that I have another community volunteer board meeting. That will end eventually (hopefully sooner than that sounds) and then I will start visiting the club. In fact one of the clubs officers reached out to me recently inviting me to thier meeting. I thought that was great.

On the other hand I have trecked off to many demo's and classes at fairly local hardwood suppliers and even went to a week of class at Craft Supply. A business friend in another state and an officier in his club is amazed how fast I am learning on my own. The internet is a great resource for all kinds of hobbies but the AAW site and a few others are outstanding when compared to what is available for most other crafts. I am especially impressed by the willingness of turners to trade ideas and materials on the net.

I went to your website and you obviously believe strongly in club membership as it is prominently highlighted on your site. In general I agree with you that not joining a club but claiming to be a big supporter of AAW and woodturning is like not going to church on Sunday. (That may be a big can of worms I just popped open but I like the analogy) I will, I promise.

Frank
 
Sean:
I guess we - or at least I - never realized how fortunate we are to be in relatively close proximity to a local AAW chapter. I see from some of the responses how people are sometimes hundreds of miles from a club, and realize that at least for me, I would never have been able to advance my knowledge, skills, and techniques - limited as they may be - without the mentoring and encouragement I received from members of the local turning chapter.
A book or video may be helpful, but in my opinion there is nothing like hands-on, interactive learning.
Being able to ask questions, watch other's techniques, and practice turning with an experienced coach providing guidance has been a real blessing.

Those who are within travel distance of a local AAW chapter are truly missing out on a tremendous opportunity if they are not attending regularly.
In addition to the learning, and the camaraderie, the chapter to which I belong frequently has free - or very inexpensive wood brought in by members, and group-buys that provide quantity discounts at a number of suppliers. Plus the local Woodcraft offers our members a discount when they present their membership card. I can tell you that the cost of my membreship has been paid for many-fold! 😀

-Steven
 
Sean,

I just joined the local club this past month due to repeated invitations from several members I got to know at the Southern States Symposium but hold no illusions that I will be lucky to attend 3 or 4 meetings this year. The round trip is over 90 miles and they meet on Saturday mornings, the most valuable day I have for working on my farm. Between calving season, breeding, hay season, etc. I'll be able to attend only if it is bad rainy weather without storms to tear down fences, etc. Working full time and running a farm makes attending meetings while enjoyable and a learning experience almost impossible. Maybe when I retire there will be time until then I depend on sources such as this forum to obtain help when I need it. One of the main reasons I believe in paying my AAW dues and question the open policy here on the forum for non members - someone has to support the costs of this place.

Wilford
 
This Is The Free Lunch . . .

Wilford Bickel said:
Sean,

I just joined the local club this past month due to repeated invitations from several members I got to know at the Southern States Symposium but hold no illusions that I will be lucky to attend 3 or 4 meetings this year. The round trip is over 90 miles and they meet on Saturday mornings, the most valuable day I have for working on my farm. Between calving season, breeding, hay season, etc. I'll be able to attend only if it is bad rainy weather without storms to tear down fences, etc. Working full time and running a farm makes attending meetings while enjoyable and a learning experience almost impossible. Maybe when I retire there will be time until then I depend on sources such as this forum to obtain help when I need it. One of the main reasons I believe in paying my AAW dues and question the open policy here on the forum for non members - someone has to support the costs of this place.

Wilford
Click to expand...

That your Old Man told you didn't exist 😉

The AAW supports this forum financially as part of its primary mission to spread and encourage woodturning as an artform and activity. That's a highly valid reason for its being free and unrestricted to all so long as they behave.

But the financial part is the small part of what makes this thing tick. Jeff and Steve are hugely responsible, and while I'd like to think they'll "always" be here, I know that's not true. The other part of the support is the people like you who teach at the same time they're learning. It's this ebb and flow of questions and information that truly supports this forum, so the next time you pass a mirror, stop and say "thanks". 😀

m
 
For the last 15 years I've driven 90 to 96 miles each way to the Tennessee Association of Woodturners. About 7 or so years ago We started a club in Crossville, Tn, about 37 miles away so I go to that one also. A year ago we started a club in my town so I go to that one also. I also occasionally go to the Smokey Mtn. Woodturners in Knoxville, about 95 miles away. Ok so I'm hooked but, there's just so many good people and nice turnings to see. I've learned so much from them and still do. Now it's my turn to share what I have learned as well.
 
I enjoy our monthly AAW meetings for demos and comraderie, but the gene pool for turning knowledge is shallow. Only one or two experienced turners, they are pretty sure they know it all and everyone else is wrong. The fellowship at the meetings is not something I will ever get on here, but the knowledge base on this forums is infinitely more than I will ever get at a chapter meeting.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I would prefer to share tales over a cup of coffee once per month at the AAW meeting, but if I have any questions or advice for others it will happen on here. This forum and AAW meetings serve totally different purposes in my growth as a turner.
 
I may have the best of both worlds here. I belong to the area club in Wichita KS South Kansas Wood Turners. That is a trip of 75 miles for me one way. So I don't make it to every two hour meeting on a 3rd Sat. Both once a quarter we have an all day hands on session and that is worth while.

This year I also joined the KC Woodturners which is a larger club that also meets on a different Saturday. They have had guru's come in about once a quarter. So on May 13 and May 14 Angleo Iafrate will give a 2 day demo, The 14th will be an all day hands on which I signed up for. I also signed up for a 2 day John Jordan session on July 8 & 9th. Now for the best part my Son & daughter lives in the KC area, so I stay there and as a bonus we get to see the two grandkids. Distance to KC is 185 miles one way, so we stay overnight and visit. Retirement is great and I get to drag the wife along. GT
 
woodwish said:
I enjoy our monthly AAW meetings for demos and comraderie, but the gene pool for turning knowledge is shallow. Only one or two experienced turners, they are pretty sure they know it all and everyone else is wrong. The fellowship at the meetings is not something I will ever get on here, but the knowledge base on this forums is infinitely more than I will ever get at a chapter meeting.

I guess what I am trying to say is that I would prefer to share tales over a cup of coffee once per month at the AAW meeting, but if I have any questions or advice for others it will happen on here. This forum and AAW meetings serve totally different purposes in my growth as a turner.
Click to expand...
I would guess that the odds of running into a know-it-all is just as great, if not greater, at a large club, but fortunately, the "gene pool" is normally deeper. I believe that the percentage of "involved" members is greater in a smaller club, out of necessity. My observation from having participated in a large club is that a high percentage of members just attend to see the monthly show and that is the full extent of their involvement.

Bill
 
I've been associated with a quite a few local clubs and they all seem to have different personalities and those personalities often change with officers. Most clubs offer a wide variety of ways to learn more about woodturning.

Woodwish: I know there are at least two congenial people in the Lynne Haven woodturning communittee. Hope you meet the other one.

All clubs are made up of individuals. In my experience most of those individuals willingly share what they know. Often the beginners and intermediates have a lot to offer.

Fortunately the majority of turners accept that there are more than a couple of ways to get good results.

I have run into a few who seem to think they know it all. Some have been beginners who saw a video and a few have been highly regarded professionals.

Happy Turning,
Al
 
I love the club meetings. I belong to two clubs one about 30 miles and the other about 80 miles. Both are a great source for info and help. There is the whole range of talent. Lots to learn from the demos and such. I find there is not enough time during the meeting to talk to everyone you want to and hash things out. Still I love it. But I also like this forum a bunch. Lots of great info going back and forth. A question comes up and you can read it and think about the answer and then send it off. And if someone thinks you are on track - you hear about it. And if someone thinks you are off track - you hear about it also. Great fun. If I did not have the forum - what would I do with my questions between meetings? I find that this forum has turners of all levels, and a bunch of people who know a lot about other stuff and are willing to share. Keep the questions and answers coming.
Hugh
 
As a rookie, I find that going to the local club meetings has been really helpful. Although it's 30 miles each way for me, I find that it's worth it to be able to pick at other peoples brains for ideas and techniques and to see their work in person. (Sorry, but photos don't always do justice to the work).

Becoming ACTIVELY involved by helping with community projects and demonstrations provides you with exposure to the world and give you a chance to "show-off". (You may also meet people that are anxious to supply you with free wood.)
 
We have a lot to choose from here in eastern PA. Within an hour's distance I can get to three official chapters and one unofficial monthly gathering. Add in another 15-30 minutes of travel time and that number goes to seven. I do not go to the one closest to me for a couple of reasons, but rather one that is closer to the hour drive. I have a lot of friends there and we all sort of came up together under the same tutelage - almost like going to school together.

I think the atmosphere of each club varies according to those who participate. Some are very friendly, while some are like medieval guilds for secrecy. Just about all of the ones I have attended, either here or in my travels, have been very friendly. I've met a few people who came from the shallow end of the gene pool, but no entire clubs yet. 😀

I'll soon be on my way to yet another club in VA this weekend, and I am expecting more of the same friendly nature that I have seen in clubs all over the place.

Bill
 
local Chapter meetings

Many interesting comments that reflect many of my same observations. I can go 70 miles south or 70 miles West for a meeting. I chose West. The chapter meetings in Richmond, VA are well run by a sterling President and a good crew, with great equipment. If there is one thing I would change it would be the ability to ask questions of other members in a meeting forum, and not just to the demonstrator or guys I know. I find regional meetings and symposia very useful due to the diversity of demonstrations at an given time. You can pick and chose your location and ask the questions burning in the brain. So, this year, for the first time, I will be at Louisville! Yee haw. Phil
 
I have been in this forum for short time up till now I have just been reading and taking it all in. Being new to turning I have not felt that I much to contribute to most of the discussions but I am learning. And what an experience, I joined a local chapter of woodturners and thouroughly enjoy the meetings the distance that I have to drive is about 40 miles one way and seems inconsequencial. The knowledge base and willingness to share experience of my fellow turners amazes me. I have belonged to fraternal groups before and not experienced the feeling of belonging that I have since joining the turning community. After joining my local chapter, I was encourage by some of the other members to join the AAW and I am glad that I did. One thing I have learned over the years is that in order to be successful in and endeavor one needs encouragement and support as well as instruction. I have found that in abundance in the pages of this forum and in the meetings of my local chapter.
 
I am blessed! Little did I know when first looking for a group to join, that the local chapter meets 1.6 miles from my house. It's a friendly, helpful group with good demos and a great 'Show and Tell' session at each meeting. There's even a big guy with a well developed turning muscle and beard - name of Bill, I think - who's a 'goldmine' for us newbies.

I'm with Phil in his comment
pfduffy said:
If there is one thing I would change it would be the ability to ask questions of other members in a meeting forum, and not just to the demonstrator or guys I know. Phil
Click to expand...
 
Terry,
You are, indeed, fortunate. If it's the club Bill describes above, I'm sure you'll learn a lot and your skills will develop quickly. I met a guy named Bill at a demo here in Wisconsin a few weeks ago who quite well fits your description 😀 . Wonderful fellow!

Bill, see you again in Louisville.
 
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