The Year in Review

What a year it has been! First, I want to thank those members who volunteered to help us throughout the year. This includes those who helped with Rebuilding Together and our other community building projects, those who attended Harold Paterson's Toy Making Workshops, the members who staffed our booth this year at The Woodworking Show, and those unsung heroes who volunteered to serve refreshments each month. Then there are those who've made signs, helped set up at each meeting, Tony Fanning who makes our speaker's certificates, Hospitality Chair Robbie Fanning who ran our banquet this year (and who's scouting out places for our permanent home), our Nominating Committee, and many, many others we don't think about whose work keeps our club humming. To all of these folks: THANK YOU!

Speaking of the Show, we've gained eight new members in the last two months, so all of you who worked at the Show can be proud that what you've done really matters.

I also need to say thank you to those members who stepped up to the plate and took a position as a committee chair or officer this year. Their names are listed under Contacts on this web site. Among these I want to single out for special mention is the Program Committee. By having such great programs they've set the tone for BAWA as a very high quality group and have spurred our growth to over 100 members this year.

I also want to especially thank our Newsletter Editor and Treasurer Mark Rand for his support and help to me throughout this past year. He's done a tremendous job with our newsletter and keeps us on an even keel money-wise. He's assisted me throughout the year with all the little details (no small detail itself) that make our club run behind the scenes. We've exchanged many emails per week about BAWA and it has certainly made my job easy.

Elsewhere in this issue you'll see the names of members who've decided to volunteer for holding an office or committee chair for 2005. Notice that most of them are the same people as 2004! What's goin' on here? Well first, we can conclude that they must have had fun and felt good about what they've been doing (it has been a very positive contribution to our club.) And second, it must not have been too overwhelming or time consuming as they've decided to continue on for another year --- in some cases for their third year! So think about this throughout the next year as you volunteer to help out during our various projects, and, when it comes time for elections next year, throw your hat in the ring!! We'll need new folks if we're to survive and prosper as a club. In the meantime I'm sure you'll continue to give these leaders your support, but let's not forget to give them our thanks too. THANK YOU EVERYONE!

It's been a fun year and I look forward to a great '05! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and whether you're a new BAWA member or an old hand, look for great events at our club in the coming year.