The Pittsburgh Area Artist-Blacksmiths Association wishes to share this successful activity with all affiliates. Chris Holt, PAABA membership chairman, hopes you will find this information to be valuable. (Chris is at paabasec@earthlink.net for more information.)

What is this successful activity?
PAABA gives a packet of information on blacksmithing subjects to all new members.

Why use this activity?
New members typically have little or no experience in blacksmithing. They have little understanding of PAABA and other blacksmithing organizations or services. PAABA believes that this packet helps to bring new members “up to speed.” It also says that PAABA cares about its members. This promotes a feeling of goodwill in the new member. PAABA has found that this packet encourages the new member to become active in the organization.

Description of the successful activity.
The packet is given to the new member at a meeting of PAABA at the time of sign-up—it is not mailed out because of the mailing expense. Each packet may contain slightly different items because some of the items are donated to PAABA in varying quantities. Certain items, such as the list of officers, are in all the packets.

Items that are placed in the packets are:
1. List of the officers and their address, telephone number and e-mail address.
2. Calendar of PAABA events.
3. List of blacksmithing terms and their definitions.
4. Past issue of a PAABA newsletter.
5. The booklet, Six Part Design Series by PAABA member, Dan Piesik.
6. Catalogue from Kayne and Son Custom Hardware.
7. The current ABANA brochure with membership application form.
8. The current Touchstone class schedule.
9. Past issue of Anvil’s Ring or Hammer’s Blow.

How may you use this activity?
Read this description again. Think about how it might relate to your association. What other types of information might you place in a packet for your new members? Adapt it to your association. Be sure to discuss this activity with your board of directors.