Archived News

• Statement from Mary Lacer and the AAW Board of Directors (8/10/10):

On June 21, 2010 the AAW Board of Directors requested the resignation of its Executive Director, Mary Lacer. This has created quite a controversy within the AAW, with many members unhappy with the decision of the Board of Directors. In retrospect, the Board of Directors agrees it could have handled this situation better, and regrets the divisions within the membership this has created.

Mary Lacer’s supporters, who have adopted the name the Member Action Group (MAG), have launched a proxy initiative to recall the Board of Directors. Both Mary and the Board of Directors recognize this effort is dividing the AAW membership. Mary and the Board have agreed to stop the proxy drives and to cancel the August 28th Special Meeting. Mary and the Board have reached a mutual agreement so the AAW and its members can move ahead in a positive way. Mary has accepted the Board’s offer for her to fill an advisory position to help with the training of the next executive director.

The Board acknowledges that Mary Lacer was not involved in any financial wrongdoing. The Board of Directors simply wishes to move the AAW in new directions.

Mary Lacer, AAW President Tom Wirsing, and the entire Board of Directors, hope that everyone on both sides of this controversy can “bury the hatchet”, renew damaged friendships, and get on with the business of sharing our passion for woodturning.

• AAW Bylaws update available (7/23/10):

Two changes were made to AAW Bylaws, effective 7/22/10, via a teleconference meeting of the Board, as follows: adding to the end of Section 4.02: "The general membership must be notified 30 days in advance, of the time and place of any Special Meeting.", and in Section 4.03, in the last sentence - dropped "or notice" and added at the end: "in compliance with these bylaws and Minnesota law."

The purpose of the first change is to ensure that the general membership is provided with sufficient notice to be able to attend a Special Meeting. The membership has the right to know of the meeting so that they may attend and vote on issues brought before the meeting. The purpose of the second change is to ensure that any corporate action taken, complies with AAW Bylaws and the laws of the State of Minnesota. These changes to the Bylaws are not fundamental changes and are permitted under Section 14.01 of the Bylaws. The full text of the Bylaws may be found through this link.

• 2011 St Paul Symposium news (7/22/10):

All AAW Honorary Lifetime Members have been invited to demo or sit in on panel discussions at the 2011 symposium. To view a preliminary list of demonstrators, click here, and stay tuned for updates.

• POP eNew for July (7/21/10):

This link will take you to the Professional Outreach Program (POP) main webpage, where the July eNews link can be found - upper left-hand corner of the page

• AW Index updated (7/13/10):

The American Woodturner Journal's searchable online index has been updated, and now includes all issues through June 2010. Here's the direct link to the 251 page pdf.

• Symposium Volunteers (7/08/10):

To view the list of valued volunteers who helped in a very big way to make the recent 2010 symposium a success, click on this link.

• July message from the Board (7/06/10):

Click on this link to read Jean LeGwin's July message from the AAW Board

• Photos from the 2010 Symposium (7/03/10):

With the help and support of several talented photographer volunteers, the Hartford symposium photo gallery archive is starting to come together. Click on this link to have a look around, and check back often for updates.

• POP's May eNewsletter (5/19/10):

Click on this link to read the Professional Outreach Program (POP) May 2010 eNews

• Mary Lacer interviewed by Hartford Radio (6/18/10):

  Click on this link to hear Mary's seven minute interview from earlier today.

• POP Teapot Auction - Online Gallery (5/01/10):

The Professional Outreach Program sponsored Teapot exhibit will be on display at the 2010 symposium in Hartford this June. Each of the 41 teapots will be auctioned to the highest bidder at the end of the symposium. If you're not able to make it, click on this link to view the online gallery and place your absentee bids.

• 2010 EOG Pre-Auction Gallery and Absentee Bidding is Open (3/23/10):

Following up on last year's success, we're going to have a pre-auction online gallery available for your viewing again this year, as well as a process for absentee bidding. Click on this link to learn more, and check back often - we'll be adding new pieces through June. If you have a piece that you'd like to donate or sell through the EOG auction, then click here to process your application.

• Best Chapter Newsletter & Website 2010 contests results (5/04/10):

  The judging is complete, numbers have been tabulated, and the winners are... click here for detail

• New benefit for visually impaired members (3/16/10):

  Access to machine-readable American Woodturner issues for those members who are visually impaired, and use computer screen reading software - contact the webmaster if this applies to you.

• New photo gallery (3/15/10):

  Photos from the Tidewater Turners' Youth Program

• Maple Medley Exhibit Entries (3/7/10):

  Thanks to all those who entered the 2010 symposium special exhibit, Maple Medley - An Acer Showcase. To view a complete photo gallery of all the work that was entered into this juried show, click on this link.

• Child Safety legislation update (3/5/10):

  There are two recently issued Government documents that may add illumination to this important subject to woodturners who make children's toys. The first is a 15 January, 2010 "Report to Congress" and the 2nd is "Statement of Policy" from late last year. Both documents are important updates, and should be studied carefully.

• New membership benefit announced (3/1/10):

Every month, AAW will randomly draw names from our membership database, and award prizes to those selected. Winners will be announced each month on this webpage and in the American Woodturner. Stay tuned - more exciting membership benefits announcements coming soon.

• Symposium Promotional Video (2/27/10):

  If you're thinking of going to the 2010 Hartford symposium but haven't quite made your mind up, watch this video...in hi-resolution or in lo-resolution
  

• Merchant and Vendor Discount Program (2/2/10):

  Our new merchant and vendor discount program, available exclusively to AAW members, is up and running. Log onto the Members Area, and look for the link "Supporters of AAW" to learn more.

• 2010 Chapter Contests (1/19/10):

  Local AAW Chapters compete each year for best Newsletter and Website recognition. The 2010 competition is now open. Click here to learn more.

• AAW Goes Green with Online Journals (3/2/10):

All current AAW members now have online access, through the Members Area of our website, to every issue of the American Woodturner - 25 years of online Journals, at your fingertips! Click on this link to read the full announcement from AAW President, Tom Wirsing. And, click on this link to view a short "How to Navigate the Online Journal" video.

• New $38 "Online" membership level now available (3/2/10):

  AAW is now offering a full membership for $38 per year to members who would prefer to receive the Journal electronically, through the AAW website. Click on this link to read the full announcement from AAW President, Tom Wirsing.

• Woodturning at Sea (2/23/10):

Click on this link to learn about the 2011 Woodturning Cruise

• Woodturning on PBS (2/22/10):

Tim Yoder's award winning "Woodturning Workshop" returns for its fourth season this spring, to PBS stations throughout the country, with all new and exciting projects. Click on this link to learn more.

• Membership Survey Results (2/12/10):

Thanks to everyone who participated. The Fall 2009 membership survey has recently been completed, and the results are available for members to view through this link.

In addition to the statistical information shown, there were literally hundreds of written comments and suggestions provided by survey takers. Over the coming weeks and months, the survey committee, AAW Board of Directors and Executive Director will be reviewing these written comments with the aim of establishing plans, or reaffirming actions already underway, that will provide the best possible mix of value, benefits and communication for our members.

• Site Navigation Help (1/23/10):

Check out our new how-to videos, immediately to the left, under the "Turning of the Week". These short how-to's are intended to help members navigate our very large website. You'll need the latest version of Windows Media Player or Apple Quicktime to view these MP-4 videos. Check back often - more to come.

• 2010 Symposium Packaged Tours (1/16/10):

Click on this link to learn about three packaged tour offerings, visiting historic and entertaining sites in the Hartford area - for those who do not eat, sleep and live for woodturning.

• 2010 Symposium Youth Registration (1/12/10):

Registration information is now available for the 2010 symposium youth program, free to youths ages 10 through 17. Go to this link to learn more.

• New Brochure (12/23/09):

In support of our 2010 membership drive, Betty Scarpino has created a new one-page brochure that describes the main benefits of membership. Print a copy and give it to a friend - click here to view.

• 2010 Board Election Results (11/18/09):

  Congratulations to Warren Carpenter, Kurt Hertzog, and Jean LeGwin (re-elected for a 2nd term) for being elected to AAW’s Board of Directors. Each person will serve a three-year term, beginning January 1, 2010.

• AAW at SOFA - Chicago (11/17/09):

Here's a brief photo gallery from the AAW's "Influence & Inspiration" exhibit, at the recently completed SOFA (Sculpture Objects & Functional Art) Annual Exposition.

• Update on new Child Safety Law (11/9/09):

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 is scheduled to go into effect next February, and may impact some woodturners ability to make/sell children's toys. Here's the Government's "Statement of Policy" - providing much needed clarification on administration of this new law.

• New Website Design (10/25/09):

Yes, the AAW's website is getting a facelift, with the goal being to make the site as easy to navigate as possible - note the pull-down links where your curser "hovers" over each main link tab above. The changes you see here on the homepage will be migrated throughout the site over the coming months.

• 2010 Symposium Info Posted (10/13/09):

Information on the 2010 Hartford Symposium has been posted. The symposium page is updated frequently, so check it often.

• 2010 Ad Rates Announced (10/13/09):

New American Woodturner ad rates for 2010 announced, and new discounts for business level members.

• AW Journal Index Updated (9/21/09):

An updated version of the American Woodturner Journal's index has just been posted and may be accessed by clicking here.

• Teaching Guide Available (7/6/09):

  We have a new 53 page downloadable woodturning teaching guide for AAW members. To access the file, log-on from the homepage. Then, on the left-hand side of the "Members Area Home" page, look for a button called "Downloadable Articles & Resources". Finally, click on "Complete Article List in Alphabetical Order" and look for the article named "Teaching Woodturning Basics".

• 2009 EOG Auction - final data (7/23/09)

The recent Albuquerque symposium auction was a wonderful success. It would have been even better in more favorable economic times. The silent and live auction sales were the highest ever, totaling $102,700 and netting $62,825 that will be used for Educational Opportunity Grants. A very sincere thank you to all makers who provided or donated work, and to all buyers who took home an array of very fine woodturnings.

• 2009 Symposium Wrap-up (7/1/09)

Brain overload, feet hurt, eyes pop' d and wallet empty - all signs of a successful symposium. Dial into the 2009 Symposium Gallery page to view hundreds of photos and several short videos from the three day event.

• Message from the President (6/01/09)

There has been a large reaction to several AAW matters recently. Here, Bill Haskell addresses the concerns that have been raised. Click on this link to read Bill's letter.

• Chapter Contest results are in (5/05/09)

Click on this link to view the results from our 2009 Best Local AAW Chapter Newsletter and Website Competition. Contests winners will be recognized at the Albuquerque symposium in June.

• New Video Online (3/28/09)

We've just posted a 10 minute video on YouTube and on the main site that summarizes the activities and benefits of AAW membership - show your friends and family what we do.

• AAW on YouTube (2/26/09)

We now have a YouTube channel where condensed versions of all our online symposium videos and other woodturning related videos can be viewed. Click here to have a look around.

• Carl Voss, AW Editor 2003 - 2008 (11/14/08)

Carl has served the AAW for the past six years as editor of the American Woodturner. Join us in wishing him well as he moves on to his next challenge. Click here to view a small tribute to Carl's service.

• Board Election Results (11/05/08)

Ballots for three new AAW Board members have been cast, counted and the results are in. Congratulations to Dale Larson, Binh Pho and Cassandra Speier, who will join your AAW Board of Directors effective January 1, 2009. Our sincerest thanks go to all those who have volunteered their time and efforts to support our organization. Without your support, the AAW would not exist.

• 2008 Symposium DVDs Available (9/24/08)

Three new DVDs, documenting the 2008 Richmond Symposium are now available to purchase. Click here to learn more.

• Message from the Board (9/08/08)

Click on this link for an important announcement.

• Disaster Relief Fund - Update (8/31/08)

John Hill, AAW Chapters & Membership Committee member, calls on your support. Click here to read about the AAW's program to help our members who are in need.

• 2009 Collaborative Challenge (8/24/08)

Here is a re-print of the 2009 Symposium Chapter Collaborative Challenge article from the Fall AW.

• Message from St Paul (8/21/08)

Due to increased processing fees, AAW will accept only Visa and Master Card credit cards effective August 20, 2008.

• New DVD Available (7/18/08)

Woodturning Masters Series, Volume 6: William Hunter - Woodturning Innovator/Sculptor, is now available through the AAW's online shopping cart, phone or snail-mail sales. Click on this link to read about this new DVD production.

• 2008 Symposium Wrap-up (6/28/08)

Follow this link to view the 19 photo and video galleries, documenting our world-class 2008 symposium.

• STAR Chapters (6/28/08)

Click on this link to view the latest additions to our list of Local Chapters with 100% AAW membership.

• New Masters of Woodturning (5/14/08)

Now available in a Limited Hardcover Edition - Only 500 numbered copies have been printed with 200 already gone to the authors and featured artists. The remaining 300 are being offered exclusively to AAW Members at a 10% discount. Click on this link to buy your copy.

And, bring your copy of this collectable hardcover book to the 2008 AAW Symposium in Richmond for autographing by the authors (Terry Martin & Kevin Wallace) and all of the contributors who are at the Symposium.

• Winners Announced (4/15/08)

The 2008 best Local Chapter website and newsletter competition is complete. Click on this link to view the list of 2008 winners. And, click on this link for a complete list of winners, going back to 2004, when these annual competitions began.

• New AAW ad on YouTube (08/02/07)

Click on this link to access the short AAW video ad...and tell your friends!

• Chicago SOFA 2007 (12/20/07)

Click here to view video, photos, lecture files and more from the recent SOFA.

• 1st Membership Drive Winner (12/22/07)

Congratulations to Dawson McLemore of the Bi-City Woodturners Chapter in Columbus GA.  Dawson is the first recipient of a free Registration to the 2008 AAW Symposium in Richmond VA, to be held on June 20-22, 2008.  There are still nine days left to sign up 5 new AAW members, before the Dec 31, 2007 deadline.  See this link for competition details.  Way to go, Dawson!!

• Turning to the Future Gallery (08/26/07)

A new photo gallery has been added to the site - documenting a recently closed AAW St Paul Gallery exhibit. Dial in here to have a look at the creations of these young, but talented turners.

• Tribute to Frank Sudol (07/13/07)

Dial into the 2007 Symposium page (see "Highlights" area) for new files just uploaded - Binh Pho's tribute to Frank...

• Frank Sudol Tribute - Part II (08/14/07)

Click on this link to view Binh Pho's 13 minute tribute video from the 2007 Portland Symposium

• Forum Announcement (08/24/07)

Storing more than 10,000 photos, hundreds of thousands of messages and the like have necessitated the set up of a new server, so you'll need to reset your bookmarks for access to the AAW Forum - here's the new link. Please bear with us during this transition period.

• New Board Member's Travels (03/08/07)

Larry Genender, recently elected to the Board, has written an essay on his initial travels and impressions of the AAW. Click here to read this interesting and informative travelogue.

• SOFA Chicago (10/28/07)

AAW will be sponsoring a Lecture, Exhibit, Essay and In-Gallery Talk at SOFA 2007 - November 2 through 4.

The Lecture will be given by Charlotte Brown, Director of the Gregg Museum of  Art & Design from North Carolina State University in Raleigh.  She will give a constructive critique of 27 images of contemporary woodturnings.  This will be an opportunity for someone on the outside to look in and really compare woodturning to other three-dimensional decorative arts.

The Exhibit and Essay title is “Woodturning in Basic Black.”  We will be looking at form through black which emphasizes good form when color is taken away.  The author of the essay is Alan Lacer.

There will also be an In-Gallery Talk at SOFA on Saturday, November 3rd at 4:30 pm in Booth #S823 discussing the idea behind the exhibit.

• Young Turner Program (06/28/07)

Click here for details on this new AAW sponsored program

• Chapter Demos - make them count (02/27/07)

Please click here for suggestions on how to ensure that your club's demonstrations are effective, useful and entertaining.

• Make a Bequest to the AAW (01/30/07)

You can help provide for the AAW’s future by including a charitable bequest in your will or revocable trust. Click here for more information.

• POP Fellowship Awards Announced (12/1/06)

• The Professional Outreach Program (POP) Committee is pleased to announce Giles Gilson, Stephen Hogbin and Mark Lindquist as winners of the first POP Fellowship Awards. Click here to read the complete Winter American Woodturner article.

• The scam that wasn't...

It's recently been reported that there is a telephone scam going around where past or present AAW members are asked for personal information under the guise of establishing an American Woodturner magazine subscription. The AAW home-office has just completed an investigation, and it turns out that individual AAW memberships have in fact been procured through Amazon.com.

The AAW uses the EBSCO service to provide libraries and schools with a subscription to our magazine. All fine and good...that system has been in place for over 15 years.

However, in 2002, EBSCO expanded their coverage to include Amazon.com. The AAW was not aware of this change. The Amazon coverage provided a different route for membership. In essence they used the Amazon.com website as a AAW membership access point, and for this service, an additional $10 was charged. EBSCO also does phone solicitations.

The AAW Board has reviewed the situation and adopted the following policy:
- keep the EBSCO service for libraries and schools
- drop the Amazon.com portion of the contract
- request EBSCO to stop phone solicitations to individuals

• AAW Disaster Relief Program

After the devastation of hurricane Katrina was known, the AAW's Board of Directors put a fund raising and distribution program in place to benefit AAW members who have suffered significant losses due to this and future natural disasters. Click here to learn more...

• "Tops, Boxes, and Treenware" 4/19/06

The American Association of Woodturners announces an invitational exhibit titled, "Tops, Boxes and Treenware of the World" at its Landmark Center gallery in downtown St. Paul. It opened Friday, January 13th and will run through April 14th, 2006. The exhibit consists of hundreds of tops, boxes and treenware. More details and pictures here

• We have a new Webmaster 4/19/06

The AAW is happy to announce a new main webmaster, Ed Davidson from Colorado Springs. Ed also maintains the Pikes Peak Woodturners' website. Jeff Jilg will continue as a co-webmaster, and will continue the implementation of a major website update which is scheduled for June 2006.

• Linda Everett 3/04/06

On January 5th, 2006 Linda Everett (former board member) passed away after her courageous battle with cancer. Linda had served three years as an AAW board member from 2001 through 2004 as Treasurer and Chapters chairperson. She will be remembered fondly for her enthusiasm, energy and priceless expressions.

Linda was an Honorary Lifetime member of the Tidewater Turners of Virginia in Va. Beach. There she had served as president as well as being an active member for years. When asked if she turns, her response would be “No, but my husband Rueben does”!! Linda loved and collected smiley faces, and always willing to share her smile with us all.

In Loving Memory,
Your Friends

 

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