Dublin Irish Festival - Killashandra

Dublin Irish Festival - Killashandra, originally uploaded by andiwolfe.

Another study of hands from this year's Dublin Irish Festival. I'm still processing photos from Sunday, but expect to do a series of blog posts from the festival in the near future.

Speaking of Arrowmont . . .

I'll be teaching a class there beginning one year from today! August 28 - September 3, 2011: Surface decoration for turned boxes and lidded bowls.

Here's the class description: Small turned objects offer a wonderful canvas for surface enhancement techniques. In this class we will explore surfaces and how to make a turned object tell a story. Techniques to be covered include pyrography, surface texturing with rotary carving tools, simple chip and line carving using palm chisels and gouges, and coloring the wood using a variety of methods. Other options for surfaces include the use of acrylic media fo...r building an interesting texture. Students must have basic turning techniques mastered, including bowl, hollowing, and spindle turning. Most of the work will be off the lathe; bring turned objects to work on, but we'll spend time on the lathe as well as on the workbench for this class.












Assistant for the course will be Ed Kelle, and I'm very excited about this. I love Ed's work with surfaces, and I'm sure we'll have a great week together with the students in the class. So, save the date and come join us at Arrowmont!

Arrowmont to Remain in Gatlinburg

This just received in an e-newsletter from Arrowmont:


In a historic decision, the Board of Governors of the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts has voted to keep the nationally renowned center for contemporary craft education at its current location in Gatlinburg, TN. Arrowmont offered its first craft workshops in 1945.

Over the past two years the organization has been considering options for the future following a decision by the owners of the land to sell the property currently occupied by the school. A special task force was formed to evaluate options and possible new locations for the school and through their work the choices were narrowed to a site in Greeneville, Tenn. or remaining in the current Gatlinburg location. Since then, the Arrowmont Board has been working with officials from Gatlinburg and Greeneville to finalize proposals presented by both communities.

In making the announcement, Arrowmont Board of Governors President Mary Ann Hruska said, “After reviewing the proposals from Greeneville and Gatlinburg as well as numerous meetings with local officials, the Board decided that Arrowmont should remain in its place of founding. We look forward to working more closely with the local community regarding our future.”

The Gatlinburg community effort to retain Arrowmont was led by former Mayor Jerry Hays and City Manager, Cindy Ogle.

"I am extremely pleased with this decision to keep Arrowmont in Gatlinburg. I want to especially thank the Gatlinburg Arrowmont Work Group for their dedication during this process. A lot of hard work has gone into preparing for this day by representatives of the City, Sevier County, Sevier County School System, the Chamber of Commerce, and private citizens. From here, it is my hope that we can sit down together and map out how we will achieve the goals and dreams for Arrowmont’s future," states Jerry Hays.

Arrowmont’s Strategic Planning Committee, along with the Gatlinburg Work Group, will immediately begin determining next steps including the orchestration of a capital campaign for funds to support the School’s future and exploring community partnership opportunities. The School’s on-going fundraising continues through the Friends of Arrowmont Fund. You may join by visiting our website or by calling 865-436-5860.

“This decision ensures that the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts will continue to be a leader in contemporary studio craft for many years to come,” said Hruska, adding, “Arrowmont provides the best in craft education in new and exciting ways while furthering our mission of enriching lives through art.”

Here's the link to the newsletter: eVisions Newsletter August/September 2010

Stone carver at Dublin Irish Festival

Stone carver at Dublin Irish Festival, originally uploaded by andiwolfe.

I'm always fascinated by the hands of people who are artisans. This stone carver was working at the Dublin Irish Festival the first weekend of August. I watched him for a while before I started taking photos.

The sound of the mallet hitting the gouge was a delight to the ears as was the sound of the tool on the stone.

Woodturning Resource Center

In case you've not seen this useful site, I'm posting the links here. It looks like a great place to learn how to do a lot of fun projects. Click here to go directly to the Resource Center page.

The layout on my blog cuts off the right third of the image for the site, so do please go visit it to see what all there is to see.

Order Status | Contact Us Refined Search Gift Certificates New Products Closeout Abrasives Adhesives Books Carving & Pyrography Chucks Decorative Materials Finishing Lathes Lathe Accessories Measuring Pen Making Projects Segmented Turning Sharpening Shop & Safety Turning Materials Turning Tools Videos Home Resource Center Woodturning Resource Center Ice Cream Scoop Ice cream tastes a little sweeter when you scoop it with a beautiful handmade Ice Cream Scoop you’ve turned yourself. Turned between centers using standard turning tools, this is a simple project that will add a touch of class to any kitchen. Continue Reading Woodturning Safety Woodturning Safety Safe Wood Lathe Speeds Roughing Gouge Safety Woodturning Projects Alaskan Ulu Knife Basting Brush Bookmark Bottle Opener Cheese Plane Christmas Tree Ornament Confetti Light Cork Coaster Dandy Duster Tuft Egg Fan/Light Pull Flower Vase Insert Fondue Fork Garden Birdhouse Kit Gardening Tools Ice Cream Scoop Mini Fork Money Clip Natural Edge Bowl Plumb Bobble Pigtail Food Flipper Pizza Cutter Purse Hanger Roasting Stick Salt & Pepper Shaker Serving Set Spinning Top Stemware Travel Mug Shop Tips & Advice Fountain Pen Care Pens and Plating 101 Selecting the Right Abrasives Turning and Finishing Plastics Woodturning Tool Selection Guide Techniques Coloring Wood Getting Started Turning Pens Pen Turning with the Mini Easy Rougher Simple CA Finish Storing and Turning Unseasoned Wood Using Inlace Material YouTube Videos Tune in to our YouTube channel and watch product demonstrations, woodturning DVD trailers, and more.

The voice of a tree - part 1

Woodturning I, originally uploaded by SWolfeNI8W.

Vicki Jordan sent me a piece of wood from a maple tree that had been in her family for generations. Today I was finally able to find the time to start working with it. I have in mind to do a leaf carving from a bowl form with a rolled back rim.

I attached the blank to a face plate and worked on the back side first. The rolled over rim had to be hollowed out. I then made a tenon for the four-jaw chuck and then mounted it in the chuck to turn the bowl and refine the rim on the front side.

Turning the bowl part on a form such as this is a bit tricky. I don't have any calipers that work on such an awkward form.



What I ended up doing was to drill a depth hole from the back side. When I reached the hole, my wall thickness should have been about an inch.



After finishing the bowl, I went back and refined the shape of the rolled-over rim.

The form will need to dry for a couple of months before I start carving. I'm looking forward to the next stage of the project.

Statement from AAW board of directors

Letter from the AAW Board of Directors

Statement

MAG has announced that they are calling off their proxy drive.

AAW is calling off it's response to the proxy drive. The August 28th meeting in Minnesota has been cancelled.

The AAW Board wishes to express its deep appreciation to all those who have supported the AAW in this trying time. It is our hope that the AAW can now move on to a bright future where we all enjoy our passion for woodturning.

Dale Larson

From the Support the AAW website

Statement from Mary Lacer and the AAW Board of Directors *8/10/10)

From the AAW website home page:

Recent AAW News & Woodturning Related Info

• 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: news update

Breaking news for AAW: Mary Lacer has signed an agreement and release contract with the AAW. One of the requirements is that the MAG needs to end their proxy drive and to request, in writing, a cancellation of the Aug 28th general membership meeting. So, still a bit up in the air, but definite progress to report.

A letter from David Wahl, AAW Past President 1997 - 1999

Letter From David Wahl

August 4, 2010

Much has been written about the manner in which the Board of Directors terminated Mary Lacer as Executive Director.

I would like to add some perspective to counter the negative opinions posted on the AAW Forum. I was President of the AAW for two years, from 1997 to 1999. I worked closely with Mary Lacer when she was administrator.

First, however, some background about my personal relationship with Mary Lacer. We met at Arrowmont in 1994 at a celebration for the Osolniks, when she was then Mary Redig. We saw each other at subsequent symposiums in Davis, CA and Greensboro, NC. When Mary and Alan Lacer were married in 1997, my wife, Suzy, and I purchased round-trip airfares for Mary, her daughter, and Alan from Minnesota to Florida, and gave them the use of our beach house on Sanibel Island as a wedding present. From our first meeting in 1994, Mary has always been personally pleasant and cordial.

Sometime after the Charlotte symposium, a board member resigned and Mary asked if I would fill the vacant position, which I did in January 1997. At the 1997 San Antonio symposium, Mary told me that she did not want Charles Alvis to be President for another term, and that she had a majority of the Board members lined up not to vote for Charles as President. She wanted me to agree to be nominated for President. This was telling and should have been a warning to me. But, I was new to the organization, excited about the prospect, and flattered to be considered. Before the board meeting, I told Charles what Mary was instigating behind his back. We discussed at length the evolution of the AAW and the structure of the organization, and what he wanted to do. Charles decided not to be a candidate for President. The Board elected me President and Clay Foster Vice President.

The AAW was eleven years old when I became President in 1997. I obtained and read all of the previous AAW Board meeting minutes and all of the past President’s letters. It was apparent that, with each new Board, we were reinventing the wheel for all of our programs and operations.

Starting January 1997, the Board held several strategic planning meetings to discuss and evaluate where the organization wanted to go and how we could get there. In 1997, the Board was already considering hiring a conference coordinator and an Executive Director in order to manage our programs and operations. Our changing volunteer Board had no expertise in managing programs and operations and so kept reinventing them. In 1998, the Board established the position of, and hired, its first Conference Coordinators, Butch and Pat Titus.

The Board realized that we needed professional assistance to help us organize our thoughts about governing a growing non-profit organization. I purchased and sent to all board members pamphlets about governing a non-profit organization. The Board held its first Strategic Planning Session with a professional facilitator in February 1999. For three days, we discussed and organized our thoughts and plans for the development of our organization’s structure, finances, membership, local chapters, programs, and services. In our final report, one of our first conclusions was that the board of directors needed to begin the move from a working board to a governing board. Our report stated: “There is a time strain and constraint on the board members. It is time for the AAW to create the full-time top-level position. By creating the position of Executive Director, AAW will have the guidance of professional leadership to match the volunteer leadership of the board and committees.”

I was appointed to chair the Executive Director Committee, which was to develop a job description for an AAW Executive Director.

Before our symposium in 1999, in Tacoma, and at the symposium, Mary Lacer told me that she wanted to be the Executive Director. While at the symposium, as her friend, I told her that I did not think she had the recommended qualifications to be the Executive Director and I did not think she should apply for the position. I pointed out that she was earning $40,000 a year as the office administrator, a job that she was good at and explained to her that as a young organization grows and changes, it needs leadership with different strengths at different times. Executive Directors do not have a single job for life.

Obviously, her influence with the Board as office administrator would be diminished if the AAW hired an Executive Director.
At the September and November 1999 telephone Board meetings, I presented the initial and refined job description and advertisement for the Executive Director. At both meetings, Board members loyal to Mary questioned whether the Board had ever decided to have an Executive Director and wanted to postpone any decision to have an Executive Director until the face-to-face January 2000 board meeting. In January there would be two new Board members

At the November 1999, telephone Board meeting, the Board voted to establish the position of Executive Director and for the Executive Director search committee to start its search and report its findings to the January 2000 Board meeting.

At the January 2000 telephone Board meeting, before I was asked to give the report of the Executive Director search committee, the Board members loyal to Mary, made and passed, a motion rescinding the November 1999 motion which had established the position of Executive Director and started the search for the Executive Director.

The two new board members, Linda VanGehuchten and Bobby Clemons, who voted against having an Executive Director, were asked if they had read the report of the AAW Board’s February 1999, Special Planning Session reciting the need to establish the position of Executive Director. They said “no”. And when asked what their reasons were for voting against establishing the position of Executive Director, they could give no reason. I later learned that Mary had been maneuvering behind the scenes to influence board members, especially the new board members, to vote against establishing the position of Executive Director.

In January 2000, while preparing for the Charlotte symposium as Conference Chairman, I applied for and obtained the first grant for the AAW of $10,000 from the Bank of America Foundation. It was to support youth involvement in woodturning before and during our 2000 symposium in Charlotte.

At the post-Charlotte board meeting, a recess was requested before lunch. Mary and other board members left the room. Roger Austin and I remained. When Mary and the board members returned, a motion was immediately made, and passed, to reprimand me for making changes to the Editor’s contract, which I had originally drafted, negotiated, and signed as President. However, the discussion was mostly about my making decisions and starting projects without keeping other board members apprised (wrote and obtained the Bank of America grant without involving other board members); my spending AAW funds to attend woodturning events for apparently personal reasons (went to Charlotte in January, 2000, to get the Bank of America Grant and to get local AAW chapters to present woodturning demonstrations for youths at local schools and at the Charlotte symposium in compliance with the Bank of America grant, and in May to again talk to the local chapters about their youth demonstrations, and to represent the AAW at the Collectors of Wood Art event when the Masons donated their collection to the Mint Museum of Craft + Design); and my wasting AAW funds by not purchasing a discount phone card (using a corporate-rate long distance card instead). I later learned that Mary Lacer was the instigator of the motion to censure me.

That evening I tendered my resignation from the AAW Board. It was obvious to me that an employee, Mary Lacer, exerted a controlling influence over the membership-elected Board, and that she would stymie any changes necessary to have the AAW continue its leadership development as long as she was an employee.

Mary has a long history of influencing your duly elected Board members and of behind-the-scenes maneuvering to remove people she does not want in influential positions within the AAW. Her list of those she wanted removed included Merryll Saylan, past president; Rick Mastelli, past editor; Charles Alvis, past president; Dave Wahl, past president; Bobby Clemons, past president; and Betty Scarpino, present editor.

David Wahl

For more information see the Support the AAW Board website.

A letter from Merryll Saylan, AAW Past President 1995

Letter From Merryll Saylan

August 4, 2010

I’m writing in support of the Board of Directors of AAW.

I would like to share my experience as President of the AAW in 1995, to add my perspective to what is already known.

My background includes growing up with my father running a small business. My husband counseled businesses for a group called SCORE. One of my sons has been in the nonprofit field for 25 years, starting in the position of staff, and working up to executive director, as well as a CEO of large urban Y’s. He is now a consultant to YMCAs throughout the US. I ran my own small business and frequently consulted with my husband and son.

I was president of the AAW for only a short amount of time, however, in those few months, I quickly realized that Mary Lacer, AAW’s administrator, had control over the AAW, and the elected Board of Directors. I attempted to institute better business practices in the office; however, every attempt at doing so was met with resistance from administration. Knowing that I would not be able to effect change, I resigned as President. Here is part of my resignation letter from 1995:

"I have been firmly committed to AAW and its members. There is great potential for this organization and what it can offer. I believe a house in order makes enacting missions and goals far easier and more realistic. I have never underestimated the role Mary or Alan have played in the development and identity of AAW, but the organization has changed and we, the Board, need to change to meet its demands.

I have had concerns about the business practices of the organization. Two years ago when I first came on the Board, an audit recommended the “responsibilities of the administrator and treasurer are so extensive that special care should be taken by the board to provide oversight and supervision.”

The executive committee at that time never acted upon those recommendations for which the most recent audit also made reference. Despite a motion by the board, having money well over the FDIC insured amount in a checking account, was not attended to, and was only corrected in late March, under the aegis of the new treasurer and finance committee. The important recommendations of the audit were lost in a spate of squabbling, in fact, just wanting a new audit after Alan Lacer’s long term as president was accused as my not trusting Mary.

AAW has not been working under an operating budget and efforts to gather information to institute one have met with much reluctance and difficulty. There have never been any job descriptions so even the board had no idea of what a committee did. Our by-laws are vague, open to many interpretations, and invoked or ignored as deemed expedient.

Rumors, lobbying board members, back-biting are not my cup of tea.

There have been difficulties in resolving these different factions and attitudes. Change is never easy, and knowing that I would never entertain the thought of “changing everything” for which I was accused. Yet change is inevitable.

This then is my formal letter of resignation as a member of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Woodturners. The fractious environment that has enveloped the board, my office and the administrator over the past several months, makes it such that I no longer wish to serve.

Respectfully,

Merryll Saylan

For more information see the Support the AAW Board website.

Update on the American Association of Woodturners situation

Dear AAW member,

Since June 21, when the AAW Board of Directors asked Mary to either resign or be fired, many of you have contacted Board members to offer your support. Others have offered their criticism. Whether offering support or criticism, almost all have asked for more information. We are writing to answer many of the questions members have been asking. In particular, we will try to update you on the status of negotiations between Mary and the AAW that have taken place to date.

Before we answer those questions, allow us to tell you how much each of us on the Board respect and admire Mary’s long history of service to the AAW. Most of the Board considered Mary a personal friend and would like to be able to continue that association. Our decision to seek a new Executive Director was based on two factors, our analysis and opinions regarding Mary’s performance, and questions which we had as to whether she was equipped to lead the AAW into the future. After careful consideration, we determined she was ill equipped for the role of Executive Director.

Status of Negotiations

The Board of the AAW has made three offers to Mary Lacer to settle all outstanding issues between the two parties. We have been negotiating on and off for three weeks. Mary Lacer has turned down all three offers. The Board's final offer to Mary Lacer contained the following items:

• The AAW would pay Mary Lacer 6 months’ salary and medical benefits as severance.
• During that six months we would ask Mary Lacer to act as Special Consultant to the new Executive Director to help in the transition.
• Pay the AAW's share of her retirement costs for 2010.
• We agreed to remove the language from the earlier offer preventing Mary from future AAW employment and serving as an AAW Board Director.
• We offered to consider paying her reasonable attorney’s fees.
• We asked that Mary Lacer serve on the Symposium Planning Committee to help with the 2011 St. Paul symposium.
• We asked her to publicly call for an end to the proxy fight.
• We asked for a release from all future lawsuits against the AAW and Board.
• Once there was a deal, we would request the AAW Forum moderators remove all items from the forum and not allow new postings on this topic.
• We offered to work out a mutually agreeable public statement.

Once again, Mary Lacer turned down our offer. It was, and has been, the Board's desire to have a fair settlement with Mary Lacer and keep her involved in the future of the AAW. We regret we could not work out a settlement which both sides found agreeable and equitable.

Let us address some of your questions.

Why doesn’t the AAW stop its proxy drive?

The AAW did not start this proxy battle. It was started June 22^nd when Malcolm Tibbetts publicly called for like-minded members to “take back” the AAW. Since the AAW did not start the proxy drive, it cannot stop it, either. If the MAG continues its proxy drive, the AAW has no choice but to continue its proxy drive. The AAW Board is responsible for protecting the association and its members and believes that its actions to date have been consistent with that mission. The MAG wishes to take over the AAW by removing its duly elected Board. We do not believe the MAG represents the wishes of a majority of AAW membership. The only way the AAW can stop this from happening is to collect more proxy votes than the MAG, and outvote the MAG at the August 28th Special Meeting. If you agree that the duly elected Board of Directors has the responsibility to do what it thinks best for the future of AAW, please vote to support the AAW by clicking on http://www.supporttheaaw.com and voting. Please alert your fellow members to the threat.

Did the Board treat Mary disrespectfully in Hartford?

No. Malcolm Tibbetts has made it sound as though the Board treated Mary disrespectfully in Hartford. We did not. We tried to handle a very difficult situation as best we knew how. Please understand when reading Malcolm’s account of what transpired, we believe he is trying to inflame your passions. We further believe he is not giving a neutral, even-handed presentation of the facts. Instead, we believe he is acting as Mary’s advocate and is trying to persuade you to make a decision based on emotion rather than reason.

May we share just one example from his post to the AAW Forum on June 22^nd? Malcolm wrote: “The entire situation was one of the most mean-spirited, inhumane actions that I have ever witnessed.” No one yelled or shouted or even raised their voice at the meeting. No profanity was used. No insults were delivered. Instead, members of the Board had tears in their eyes. Our hearts went out to Mary and we felt badly for her. Was this one of the most mean-spirited and inhumane things Malcolm has ever witnessed? The Board doesn’t believe that and neither should you.

We did go with Mary to her hotel room. Mary had in her possession all of the financial records from the Hartford symposium, including bank records, information showing which demonstrators had and had not been paid, and a bank card for the AAW’s temporary account with Bank of America in Hartford. We had to retrieve this information to complete symposium business. Mary said the items we needed were in her hotel room. We asked Mary if we could accompany her to her hotel room to recover the items and she agreed. Two members of the Board, one male and one female, accompanied Mary to her room to recover the items. The only items retrieved were the envelope containing symposium financial records and the bank card. Nothing else was taken. No one forced Mary to do anything. Mary willingly agreed to the Board’s request.

Being fired is never easy. We hope none of you ever have to experience it. We also hope none of you ever needs to be on the other side of the table. Firing someone you consider a friend is heart wrenching. When you elected us, you charged us to look beyond personal friendships, if necessary. That is what we believe we did.

Did the Board “surprise” Mary?

Concerns about Mary’s performance were discussed with her in every face-to-face Board meeting for over a year. Individual Board members had worked with Mary on specific issues trying to help her improve her performance. In fact, concerns about Mary’s performance existed for years, as has been documented by a number of former Directors including several past-presidents. Mary’s performance issues were documented in her annual performance evaluation delivered in February 2010. (Yes, her overall rating was “satisfactory”. That does not mean the performance issues were not serious.) The Board’s decision to ask for her resignation should not have been a surprise. We believe the assertion this was “sprung on Mary” simply isn’t accurate.

Why don’t the meeting minutes show concerns about Mary’s performance?

Discussions regarding personnel matters are never held in open session. They are discussed only in Executive Session or Executive Council session. The proceedings of Executive Sessions are not recorded in the minutes. However, if motions are made in Executive Session, the disposition of the motions is recorded in the minutes. AAW minutes follow this convention. For more information, see Robert’s Rules of Order.

Was Mary guilty of financial wrongdoing?

No. There is no implication of, and we did not accuse her of, financial wrongdoing. In our opinion, Mary simply was unable to keep the AAW’s financial affairs in order, and she could not provide the Board with reliable financial information. Why is this important? The Board of Directors is responsible for the financial oversight of the AAW. If the Board is misinformed about current financial conditions, the Board is unable to make informed decisions. This is not acceptable. Providing accurate, reliable financial information is a fundamental job of the Executive Director. We believe it was something Mary could not do.

Did Mary violate AAW Bylaws?

Yes, we believe Mary violated the Bylaws. Mary signed a contract for the 2012 AAW symposium in San Jose without approval. This is a violation of AAW Bylaw 6.05 which assigns the responsibility to sign contracts to the President and Board of Directors unless the President or the Board expressly delegates the responsibility to someone else, such as the Executive Director. Neither the President nor the Board expressly delegated authority to sign the San Jose contract, yet Mary signed the contract without informing the Board she had done so, and we believe she repeatedly misrepresented the terms of the contract to the Board.

Should the Board of Directors resign?

No. The Board of Directors’ duty is to protect the interests of the AAW and its members. The Board had no choice but to request Mary’s resignation. Too many things were going wrong, and the well being of the AAW was threatened. Could the Board have done things differently? Yes. The Board is made up of people, and people are fallible. Clearly there was a problem within the Board of Directors if members of the Board felt they had to confer separately in order to plan a transition to a new Executive Director. There had been repeated attempts to discuss concerns regarding the Executive Director’s performance at every face-to-face board meeting for over a year. Yet two members of the Board had so vociferously opposed even the raising of these concerns that the issues could not be fully aired. A majority of the Board has been accused by many of not being “open” with the rest of the Board. There is some truth in this accusation. There is also truth in the claim made by the majority of the Board – they did not know any other way of fulfilling their fiduciary duty to consider Mary’s performance because the other two Board members failed in their duty to permit others to have an “open” discussion about her performance.

Most well-functioning Boards of Directors have frequent and informal conferences amongst board members. The work of the Board cannot be done in an efficient manner without such communication. Indeed, this is the case and always has been with the AAW Board. The Board meets face-to-face only three times per year. Without frequent informal conferences amongst Board members, we would never get anything done. Conferences amongst Board members do not violate AAW Bylaws or Minnesota statutes governing non-profit associations. The charge that the Board acted illegally simply does not have merit. The Board will not and should not resign. It carried out its responsibilities to the best of its ability. It did what it believed it had to do.

Should the Bylaws be changed?

Yes. The AAW bylaws, together with the AAW Policies and Procedures, have evolved over the past 25 years, and are not in complete compliance with Minnesota statutes governing non-profits, comprise nearly 100 type-written pages which are not cross-referenced or indexed, contain many inconsistencies and loopholes, and need to be revised and rewritten. The Board has had an update of the bylaws on its to-do list for years. Several past Boards have made abortive attempts to rewrite the bylaws. It’s a massive task and none of the past Boards had the time or the energy for the job. Frankly, without the present controversy, we doubt any of us would have realized that the job of updating the bylaws cannot be put off any longer. The AAW will establish a Bylaws Committee with representation from all AAW members. The Committee will update the Bylaws and Policies and Procedures so that they are in complete compliance with Minnesota statutes. The updated bylaws will then be submitted to the membership for approval.

In Closing

Again, we sincerely thank all of you who have taken the time to write or call with questions, suggestions, encouragement, and criticism. We have felt your passion for the AAW. We share it and it makes us optimistic for the future of our association.

Very truly yours,

AAW Board of Directors

Tom Wirsing, President

Cassandra Speier, Vice President

Jean LeGwin, Secretary

Warren Carpenter, Treasurer

Binh Pho

Dale Larson

J. Paul Fennell

Kurt Hertzog

Malcolm Zander