Subject: Stray Sparks

From: [email-masked]
Date: Wed, 7 Feb 96 20:18:21 PST

This is my second attempt at posting this as well.  It will soon be 
available on the ABANA site in the UMBA journal version posted there.  I 
post it here now for several reasons;

I have received a great deal of response on this editorial. In fact, 
members have called and written me to comment on it.  That is something 
that has NEVER happened before, so I must have struck a nerve somewhere.  
It was then suggested that I post my editorial to "TheForge" for 
discussion.  So, after a little thought, here it is.  Questions, comments 
and rebuttals are welcome and encouraged.  Thats why were all here, 
right?

Ahem.....

[The Editors] Stray Sparks

Possibly the most difficult part of putting together each 
issue of the UMBA Journal is writing this column.  I often 
rely on the wisdom and suggestions of Karen, my wife, for 
topics and direction.  Invariably I will start and scrap 
several drafts of this column, only to have it spring whole 
from my mind after a few pointed suggestions from my 
personal "creative director."

This issue was more difficult than most because much has 
happened in the past month.  I have been uncertain as to 
what to write about, there has been so much loss that I was 
afraid to somehow "cheapen" it by not making it the focus of 
my column.  So, let me just say that I was not one of those 
fortunate enough to know Jim Ryan or Michael Dosemagen in 
such a matter as to fully appreciate the loss to us all that 
their passing represents.  I only knew them casually, but I 
do know of their great contributions to our organization and 
have witnessed first hand some of the lives they have 
touched.  There is an old saying, "The only truly dead are 
those who have been forgotten." Mike and Jim will always be 
with us, if only in our memories.

A lot has been happening at ABANA and on the Internet's 
blacksmithing forums.  One topic that concerns me is the 
recent hue and cry for "Special Interest Groups," or SIG's 
as they are often referred to.  The idea is for a group of 
people within a group to get together and focus on a 
particular topic or area.  In ABANA such groups would 
concern, for example, knifemaking or sculpture.  Possibly a 
SIG devoted to furniture makers or for those who specialize 
in making gates.  I think you get the idea.  On a local 
level, there are folks trying to establish a blacksmithing 
group for "Chicago Area Blacksmiths," obviously a group that 
would serve the needs of those people living in or around 
the city of Chicago.  I am not going to offer an opinion as 
to whether any of the "SIG's" are a good or a bad idea.  
That is a decision you are going to have to make for 
yourself.  I am, however, going to give you some food for 
thought.

In any volunteer organization you get a mixed bag of 
participants.  There are those that take an active part by 
getting involved and those that lurk around the sidelines 
and soak up whatever they can without contributing anything 
of their own.  Beginners and hobbyists flock to ABANA and 
ABANA Chapter meetings in order to watch and learn, that is 
why they got involved.  The thirst for knowledge is very 
real and the desire to watch a "Pro" at work and to learn 
from them is a strong attraction.  The "Pro's" get together 
and hob-knob, make new connections and see what others are 
doing.  They may get reacquainted with old friends they have 
not seen in a while and possibly try to glimpse where the 
craft is headed.  The beginners dream of one day becoming 
good enough to demonstrate and the Pro's (some of them) have 
already taken up this burden.  Each group, hobbyist or Pro, 
will get out of ABANA, an ABANA Chapter or a SIG, only as 
much as they put into it.

As the Editor I know first hand how hard it is to get 
material submitted for publication.  The beginners and 
hobbyists feel that they don't have anything to contribute 
(yet) and the pro's are often too busy making a living to 
submit something of their own.  The result is that both 
groups often feel that there is "nothing in it of interest 
to them."  Do you see the problem here? The folks who want 
SIG's should look at this dichotomy very closely.  Are they 
in a position to put effort into the SIG or are they merely 
hoping someone else will write the material for publication, 
do the leg and phone work for meetings and demonstrations, 
set up specialized work shops etc..  Most of those who will 
write and submit material on specialized subjects (i.e. 
knifemaking) or are willing to get involved organizing, 
running, or teaching workshops, already do.  A SIG would 
then not change the volume of material available, it would 
just target that material at a narrower audience.  I 
personally am not certain I like that idea.

As individuals we must be very careful of this trap.  If you 
feel that UMBA or ABANA or any chapter to which you belong 
is not meeting your needs, the solution is as close as the 
face you see in the mirror every morning.  GET INVOLVED, 
make a difference for yourself and others will follow.  If 
you are interested in knifemaking write an article about an 
aspect of it you do know or ask a question about a part of 
it you don't.  Start a dialog, arrange a demonstration and 
invite well know professional to teach a group of you the 
techniques you feel you are lacking.  If you feel UMBA is 
apathetic and doesn't do enough its because everyone is 
sitting around complaining that "UMBA is apathetic and 
doesn't do enough."  This is a trap that often leads to 
discussions of forming special interest groups or "sub 
chapters."  Unless you make an effort to fill the void you 
perceive, a sub group will only serve to increase the 
vacuum.  When interest is so high or enthusiasm so great 
that we have to turn people away from workshops and 
lectures, then a SIG would be a great aid to us all.

Last year, in March, UMBA hosted a Treadle Hammer workshop.  
It's 20 spots were rapidly filled by 22 people and many more 
showed up just to help.  By this alone I know the will, 
interest and enthusiasm is present in UMBA.  We just need a 
few more folks to start pulling the wagon, the rest will 
join in.  Are you interested in making a difference?

-----------------------------------------------------
Name: Franklyn D. Garland        A Hobby Is Hard work
E-mail: [email-masked]          You wouldn't Do For
Date: 02/07/96                     A Living.
Time: 20:18:21

http://www.mcs.net/~frnklyn/homepage/
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From: [email-masked]
Date: Thu, 8 Feb 1996 14:23:47 -0500

Franklyn,
Very good, a great editorial. You were able to say clearly what I was only
able to  mumble about. You have stated the case very clearly.

Kenny Valdejo