Well, we had our first meeting of the new year. If it's any indication of what's in store for the rest of the year, then I think it will be another successful year for the club.

What's a Successful Club?
How do I measure success? I measure it by the active participation of the members working wood and wood subjects collectively. As woodworkers, we do enough woodworking alone in our respective shops. This past meeting I saw Charlie James showing off his handmade jackplane, and what a beauty it was! The shavings were one continuous curl. I saw the intricate marquetry that John Streffezza and his wife make, and the crowd that never left Charlie Morehouse's table as he used padding lacquer to finish a damaged surface of a piece of what I think was cherry. These demonstrations by the members are more akin to what we are supposed to be about. It was a great showing of sharing woodworking techniques, and the continued attendance at all the demonstration tables proves that this is what we need and want. That's what I call success.

Where Are We From?
On another matter, one evening on a lark I sat down with the club roster to see where the membership's pockets of concentration are geographically. I should have done it on the computer, but I did it manually. Here are the results: East Northport/Northport, (24), Huntington (17), Commack(11), Hauppauge (24), Greenlawn (11), Levittown (5), Massapequa (5). Four towns had (4), seven towns had (3), 14 towns had (2), and the balance (1). This tells me there is no reason for members not to get together occasionally inbetween meeting for projects or helping one another out of a woodworking problem.

Dues Reminder
Out of 240 members on the club roster, only 130 have paid dues to date in spite of two reminders in our newsletter. The response of the number of members who have paid their dues is not at all disappointing. It's a common occurrence with clubs, fraternal or otherwise, to have membership fallout. It is our responsibility as the elected officers to maintain the primary premise of our club, and that is to provide an atmosphere and agenda to engender the opportunity of sharing knowledge and further honing our craft. If fraternal elements creep in as a result, all well and good. Based on the January meeting, it's plain to see that we have the necessary and willing talent to pursue this premise. How much more do you want for $25?

Name Tags
In closing, remember what I said during the business part of the meeting. "Wear your name tag so I can call you by your first name when I tap you on the shoulder".

Remember, keep your tools, mind and spirit sharp.