Purpose. The intent of this program is to provide a clearly identifiable method of ABANA-affiliate communication. Through sharing of thoughts and opinions, together we can enjoy and promote the art and craft of blacksmithing.

The program.
1. The affiliate appoints an Affiliate Representative.
2. At each affiliate meeting the Affiliate Representative has a time on the meeting agenda to do the following:
a. Request feedback (questions, comments, suggestions, etc.) from the members to ABANA.
b. Answer questions about ABANA. In order to answer some questions, the Affiliate Representative will be provided with a copy of ABANA by-laws, a list of ABANA board members, a list of ABANA committee members, the minutes of the last ABANA board meeting, the latest ABANA President's Letter, Affiliate Liaison Letter and the address of the ABANA web site. If the Affiliate Representative is unable to answer a question the questioner may be referred to the Member Services Committee. The Affiliate Representative is not expected to interpret or put forth ABANA policy or to or justify ABANA actions.
3. Additionally, the Affiliate Representative may want to gather feedback during informal discussions with fellow members and at affiliate board meetings.
4. The Affiliate Representative then forwards the feedback, in writing, to the Program Administrator who is a member of the Member Services Committee.
5. The Program Administrator organizes the information and forwards it to the ABANA board and Member Services Committee.
6. The Program Administrator sends a notice of receipt of the feedback to the Affiliate Representative.
7. The Program Administrator will support the Affiliate Representative through regular contacts.

Further functions of the Chapter Representative.
" The Affiliate Representative will initially receive 20 past issues of The Anvil's Ring to raffle at the chapter's Iron In The Hat.
" The Affiliate Representative will regularly receive a complimentary copy of The Anvil's Ring and The Hammer's Blow to raffle at the affiliate's Iron In The Hat.
" The Affiliate Representative will be provided with copies of the ABANA brochure/membership application for distribution.
" The Affiliate Representative will receive a complimentary ABANA T-shirt to be worn at each chapter meeting. This T-shirt is the Chapter Representative's "badge of office."

Benefits to affiliates and individuals.
" Persons will have an effective way to communicate their opinions to the ABANA leadership.
" ABANA members will have a personal link to ABANA via the Affiliate Representative-a friend they know and with whom they can personally speak.
" Free raffle copies of the "Anvil's Ring" and the "Hammer's Blow" will help the chapters raise money.

Benefits to ABANA.
" The ABANA leaders will gain a greater understanding of the needs and opinions of the members.
" As ABANA members, and others, understand and play a greater roll in ABANA programs, an increase in ABANA membership will naturally follow.

How to participate.
The affiliate president appoints a Affiliate Representative and forwards the name and address of this person to:
Bob Jacoby, Program Administrator
2635 Wrightson Drive
Jacksonville FL 32223
bobjacoby@abana.org

That's all you have to do to get started. We will do the rest.