Thank you so much for allowing me to serve you and NMWT for the past few years. We have come a long way, I’m very proud to say that we can consistently provide a hybrid meeting with sound and screens in person while sending it out on Zoom. There is more work to keep improving, but we sure have come a long way.
The awesome things we’ve done the past few years couldn’t have happened without your support. Professional demos, gift exchanges, State Fair and the list goes on. You all have a really great crew of dedicated hardworking volunteers that make this all happen.
I’m happy to be turning over the reins to Mark Miller. Although Mark is somewhat new to turning, I think his perspective is really going to benefit us all. Mark, I turn it over to you sir…
I would first like to thank Tom and all the other officers and board members for carrying the leadership torch for as long as they did. And I would also like to thank Alex, Stretch, and Woody for agreeing to serve as officers with me this coming year. Alex is a very new member, and Stretch only has about a year more tenure than I, so for you long standing members, I ask that you please let us know when we are barking up the wrong tree and keep us pointed in the right direction.
Being a relatively new club member limits my knowledge of the individual members and their respective strengths. I encourage you to introduce yourself to me at the in-person meetings, and if you only attend via Zoom, try to make it to an in-person meeting sometime so I can get to know you. If you have any questions or ideas you would like to ask/offer, please do not hesitate to give me a call. I am single and retired, so I most likely will be available.
Last year when all the officers agreed to serve another term, it seemed a blessing, but it was a result of one of the club’s biggest shortcomings. Specifically, too few are willing to put in the time and effort to keep the club running smoothly and growing. I would like to work on improving the number of members who are willing to volunteer in some capacity. To this end, I solicit your ideas and recommendations.
Another item that I would like to improve on is our educational offerings. To this end, I am working with the education committee on a questionnaire. The questionnaire is just to collect information on the experience of each member, and their interest in various training offerings. The questionnaire will be offered to each new and existing member and will hopefully help us to offer appropriate training classes and/or workshops.
I hope you are ready for 2025 and our first meeting on Saturday 4 January. You know how it is standing at the lathe thinking how in the heck am I going to do this, well this upcoming meeting our members share their tips, tricks and jigs to make your turning life easier. See you then.
Tom & Mark
Former & New President NMWT