President's Letter to the Chapters January 2001 The Scholarship Program is in the final stages of it's first review. This first change is two forms, one for individual scholarships and the other for chapter grants for visiting artists, where previously one form covered both individual scholarships and chapter grants. Both forms are clearer and simpler to understand and should be easier to complete. The amounts of the awards have been increased across the categories and the extended study award amount defined for the first time. Also clearly defined are the responsibilities of the applicants and time limits between applications. Bob Fredell, Members Services Chairman, has formed a Scholarship Committee to review all applications. These forms will be available in February from the Central Office and should be used for all applications in the first quarter of 2001. One recurring theme in past president and liaison letters, ABANA publications and chapter newsletters is the subject of safety. Many blacksmithing procedures and techniques are inherently dangerous to some degree. But this risk is successfully managed by awareness of the involved risks and the use of recognized and prudent practices to eliminate or manage those risks. But one risk is that some information may not be technically correct or is misleading for any number of reasons. Recently I received a newsletter including an article on "soft x-rays" and welding arcs that had originated from a source several years before. The information in the article was misleading and troubled me, so I called a health physicist that I know and a representative from the American Welding Society. This topic had been investigated by the health physicist and the AWS and found to be untrue; there are no "soft x-rays" emitted from welding arcs. Indeed, from a theoretical standpoint, these low energy x-rays cannot be generated from a welding arc. The take home message: please be careful about any safety information that you receive on a topic that you may not fully understand, especially technical areas like personal protective devices and radiation hazards. If you have any questions, give the Central Office or myself a call. We can find information sources to help you understand the risks and the correct safety procedures. Please review your newsletter mailing lists for ABANA Chapter Liaison. Bob Fredell, not I, should now receive any newsletters. His address is on the Web Site and is also in his Liaison letters. Bob is doing a great job listening to member and chapter concerns and working on an effective system to address them. Please support him and his committee so ABANA can support you. The November Board minutes will be posted shortly on the web site and will also be available from the Central Office. One item in those minutes is the adoption of a Non-Discrimination Policy by ABANA. The Policy states: Be it resolved that the Artist-Blacksmith's Association of North America, Inc. encourages and allows all persons, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status are or religious practice to participate in the art of blacksmithing and to fully enjoy the rights and benefits of the Organization. Be it further resolved that the Artist-Blacksmith's Association of North America, Inc. and it's chapters shall not discriminate against any person or organization on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status are or religious practice. Please notice that the chapters are included in this policy as the chapters are part of ABANA. This policy is a requirement for many grant application processes from government and other sources, and quite frankly is the right thing to do on principle alone. Blacksmithing at all levels of the ABANA organization must be open to all. Only in the strength of numbers and with inclusion of all will we grow into the 21st century.
Doug Learn, President |