This issue isn't at all about titles and status, but about logistics of meeting. We're not going to be meeting in someone's shop (talk about liability), we're going to have regular meetings at Woodcraft, with club discounts and demonstrations, and recruiting people into the craft who may have never even heard of the IAP.
Our group is free to meet wherever we want, and I like that. So far we've
had two meetings at Woodcraft, which have gone well. But there's talk of
meetings in other places because the distance is too much for some.
It's nice that we can do that, too. We don't vote on it, we don't second
a motion, we just sort of talk it out amongst ourselves and work it out.
We don't read minutes of the meeting, take attendance, collect dues or
have much of an agenda. We may or may not turn on a lathe. We may or
may not have a demonstration from a vendor.
It's casual, informal and as much a social event as a chapter meeting.
You get to meet with a great bunch of like-minded people, swap wood and
talk about making pens.
(not that many places you can do this without someone rolling their eyes)
If it started to become more formal than that, I might not attend, as it
would be something different. Not worse, just not what I signed up for.
The AAW has offered Richmond subchapter status, a meeting location, insurance coverage for demonstrations, tools to use, discounts at Woodcraft, promotion through Woodcraft, and a strong membership base from which to pull for pen club membership. If another locality was offered that, would they turn it down?
I wouldn't be in a position to turn it down or not, but if MY chapter went
this route, I'd likely decline future meetings and just enjoy the website.
