What's So Good About the Fall Season?

It's oh so hot outside, but we need to be thinking of fall. If you're a football fan, you immediately think, "Oh boy, football starts!" But I think of something else that's really fun for BAWA members. Specifically our annual "Fall Kickoff Party!" This year the Board voted to hold the party at a new place. We hope you like it. Hospitality Coordinator, Robbie Fanning has looked long and hard for this place. Also, we're having it mostly catered -- again Robbie is doing all the work of securing the additional items and food that isn't included in the caterer's bill. Costs are continually going up for these kinds of events. So to keep the ticket prices down and encourage more members to come, the Board voted to subsidize each ticket by three or four dollars. Hence the tickets this year are only $12.00. What a bargain! (Because of these arrangements, we can't take walk-ins, so please sign up early.) Come and join us, bring your spouse or a guest and a jig, a fixture or something you've made that you want to show off. Enjoy mixing with other members and guests.

Also, the "Kickoff" part of the party is that we'll be seeking volunteers to sign up for operating our booth at The Woodworking Show. This will be at the San Mateo Fairgrounds the weekend of October 29th to the 31st. Don't worry you won't be alone there! There are always at least two members present at the booth, and your assigned time will only be two hours. (Many stay longer it's so much fun.) By volunteering you get in free and can then participate in the rest of the show. During my time there other members have always come by to chat and work, so there are often half a dozen around the booth. Why do we do this? Simple -- this is our largest and consistently most successful way of getting new members for BAWA! It has worked very, very well for the many years we've been doing it (about twenty I believe).

Membership Chair Harold Patterson announced at the last meeting that membership has almost reached 100! We've had a significant increase in membership in the last couple years -- by about 35% or more! In previous columns I've spoken about our wonderful programs and other reasons why I believe this is happening. It was a milestone to pass 75 members, and then 90 members. As we grow in size, it's harder to find a place to hold meetings, but we have much more drawing power to continue having the high quality programs we've had the last few years, and to expand all our other benefits for members. With your help at the Show, I'm sure we can pass this really big milestone too. See you at the Party!