wolftat
Product Reviews Manager
I used to be a member of AAW and maybe I didn't look into things enough. Does anyone know of any benefits to being a member?
AAW
- Thread starter wolftat
- Start date
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
Signed-In Members Don't See This Ad
YoYoSpin
Member
Here's a whole page full of benefits: http://www.woodturner.org/org/mbrship/ .
On a personal note, the recently set up AAW sponsored health insurance program saved me over 40% from what I had been paying - rolls up to almost $3,000 a year in savings. That alone would pay my annual AAW dues for the next 70 years.
On a personal note, the recently set up AAW sponsored health insurance program saved me over 40% from what I had been paying - rolls up to almost $3,000 a year in savings. That alone would pay my annual AAW dues for the next 70 years.
wolftat
Product Reviews Manager
Thank you Ed.
Can Canadians apply for the health coverage, or is that US only? I assume it's US only..
Edit: Next time, I'll go to the link first!
Edit: Next time, I'll go to the link first!
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wolftat
Product Reviews Manager
It says it offers to US citizens, but you may want to ask the question to them. If enough Canadians want in, then the numbers may be heard.
Scott
Member
Hi Neil!
Benefits to being an AAW member. Hmmmm. Well, it's not like you get a year's supply of turning blanks or anything. The magazine is nice. Very pretty, with all those glossy pictures. I think it is getting better now that Betty is the editor.
It is a way to support and be a part of the hobby/skill/craft/art of woodturning. All penturners know that we are much more than "woodturners", but in a very big way we are part of woodturning, and the AAW is the organized face of woodturning. So being a member keeps us an important part of things.
But the real benefit to being part of the AAW is the same benefit to being a member here at the IAP - to be able to learn, and also to teach, about something we love to do. If you really want to feel the benefit, join a local AAW chapter, and share the excitement of penturning with somebody else!
I have been a member of the AAW for years. I strongly encourage all penturners to join the AAW, and become active. We have something to share, the art of penturning, and the AAW is a great way to do this. And there is always something to learn. I have learned so many cool things over the years from turners who probably have never even turned a pen. If you open yourselves up to what is available from other woodturners, it is easier to help others open up to penturning.
So there's no gift card for Applebees, but there is the opportunity to learn a little, teach a little, and make some great friends! That's good enough for me.
Please, lets discuss this! We had a great penturner, Kurt Hertzog, running for a position on the AAW Board this past year, and if more penturners were voting members of the AAW, he might have been elected!
Scott.
Benefits to being an AAW member. Hmmmm. Well, it's not like you get a year's supply of turning blanks or anything. The magazine is nice. Very pretty, with all those glossy pictures. I think it is getting better now that Betty is the editor.
It is a way to support and be a part of the hobby/skill/craft/art of woodturning. All penturners know that we are much more than "woodturners", but in a very big way we are part of woodturning, and the AAW is the organized face of woodturning. So being a member keeps us an important part of things.
But the real benefit to being part of the AAW is the same benefit to being a member here at the IAP - to be able to learn, and also to teach, about something we love to do. If you really want to feel the benefit, join a local AAW chapter, and share the excitement of penturning with somebody else!
I have been a member of the AAW for years. I strongly encourage all penturners to join the AAW, and become active. We have something to share, the art of penturning, and the AAW is a great way to do this. And there is always something to learn. I have learned so many cool things over the years from turners who probably have never even turned a pen. If you open yourselves up to what is available from other woodturners, it is easier to help others open up to penturning.
So there's no gift card for Applebees, but there is the opportunity to learn a little, teach a little, and make some great friends! That's good enough for me.
Please, lets discuss this! We had a great penturner, Kurt Hertzog, running for a position on the AAW Board this past year, and if more penturners were voting members of the AAW, he might have been elected!
Scott.
rjwolfe3
Member
I am thinking of joining this year but I think the closest local chapter is well over an hour away.
KenV
Member
Sounds like an opportunity to start a local chapter!!! The opportunity to talk, see, touch and learn together is a great one.
I am an AAW member and belong to Tongass Turners here in Juneau Alaska. We are not big, but we do have a good time working together.
We applied for and got an educational grant from AAW that went to purchasing tools and chucks for the wood lathes in the Highschool shop. Our intrepid leader has a real strong drive to work with kids and turning and it is catching -- like H1N1 in a good way.
I have spent a few hours preping pen turning parts for him to use with kids at the local penal facility for those younger than adults to use and turn. Good stuff from local chapters.
VisExp
Member
Rob, I travel an hour and a half each way to go to my local chapter meetings. Worth every mile I drive and then some
YoYoSpin
Member
If you'd like to consider starting a local AAW chapter, click here for a handy how-to reference. Here's a link to the AAW's Best Chapter Practices page where you'll find lots of helpful how-to's on setting up and running a chapter. And this link will take you to a searchable database of all 309 AAW chapters.
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dogcatcher
Member
The group insurance program for business insurance is also a good deal. One way to liability issues and your equipment etc.. In a lot of states homeowners insurance does not cover your business assets. All of the tools and inventory of supplies and parts could be denied if you are selling pens etc. if you do not have the proper insurance.
http://www.woodturner.org/community/pop/insurance_info.html
http://www.woodturner.org/community/pop/insurance_info.html
thanks for the tip on the health insurance. I pay over 800 dollars a month and that is just for me. I have hypertension (controlled by meds). I just applied. If anyone is interested I will let you know what they say and what the cost is.
I figured that over the last 20 years I have paid well over $100k in health insurance premiums and have never had a big claim, just routine stuff. It would sure be nice to save some money. I could buy more pen stuff, lol.
I figured that over the last 20 years I have paid well over $100k in health insurance premiums and have never had a big claim, just routine stuff. It would sure be nice to save some money. I could buy more pen stuff, lol.
rjwolfe3
Member
Well I went and joined today. Hope the wife doesn't find out. I consider it either a birthday present or father's day present to myself since I have to pay for my own presents, lol. Wasn't sure if there was a benefit to choosing a business membership over an individual membership so went with individual. The closet local club doesn't meet again till this fall. If I knew anymore wood turners in my little town I might look into starting a local club. Now I will be checking into the insurance part next.