December 7, 2008
Board of Director’s Meeting
Members in attendance were: Al Takatsch-President, Bob Rothen-Vice President, Stan Craig-Treasurer, David Hannemann-Secretary and Directors
Dan Spath, Brett Louis, Leroy Roberts, George Painter, George Tresansky, Jack Kennan and David Grau.
George & Nancy Tresansky were
kind enough to host the board meeting and provided refreshments. Our new President
Al Takatsch presided over the meeting and the first order of business was to verify the member’s names, addresses, emails
and phone numbers based on lists from Stan Craig and David Hannemann. The corrected
list was to be sent to the president for distribution to the membership.
The next item was to discuss “Who
are we, and where do we want to go?” We have been and are currently an
affiliated chapter of the American Watchmakers-Clockmakers Institute (AWCI). However,
since the Horological Association or Maryland (HAM) was founded, a change in membership
has made it more an association of hobbyists NOT tradespersons sharing information.
The Board discussed, at some length, whether or not HAM should continue its affiliation with AWCI or investigate becoming
an affiliated chapter of the National Association Watch and Clock Collectors
(NAWCC). NAWCC has recently changed emphasis to providing instruction on clock
and watch repairing which is more in tune with our previous relationship with AWCI.
However, the board decided to allow things to remain without change. The
HAM will remain an affiliated chapter of AWCI and not seek chapter status in NAWCC.
We will remain an association of teachers and students sharing a common goal of learning how to repair clocks and watches.
George Painter suggested we develop a “mission
statement” to reflect the objectives of HAM. Our president indicated we
had a “mission statement” of sorts in Article II of the Constitution and Bylaws of the Horological Association
of Maryland (see below):.
“Article II: Objects of the Association
Section 1: To unite in one organization, persons engaged in the art and science of clock and watch making and repairing
as well as professionals in allied trades.
Section 2: To promote fellowship and mutual understanding among its members for their own benefit.
Section 3: To act as an association to work at all times for the highest ideals of conduct and education in the holological
profession.”
The board agreed to request the members
to provide input on developing a simple statement or sentence that reflects HAM’s objectives. Suggestions should be sent to David Grau at dg33@verizon.net who will compile them for discussion at a future meeting.
Bob Rothen and others suggested several
possibilities for members to meet and visit horological museums such as the Smithsonian, clock museums in Connecticut as well
as the DuPont museum at Winterthur.
Our newly elected president Al Takatsch
suggested we use Steven Conover’s books as an outline for providing instruction on repairing clocks. Mr. Conover has spoken to the Association previously and has been willing previously to allow the use of
his publications and their contents for instruction.
Al requested a new procedure to be
used at all future meetings. He suggested members, after they introduce themselves,
provide a short description of what they have been working on lately. (not too lengthy, something short and informative).
Finally,
the board discussed possible meetings at or near the Frederick, MD area. There
was a discussion by the members indicating past history when the meeting locations have been changed and the reduction on
the number of members attending. For now most meetings will be at the Howard
County Senior Center on Frederick Road in Ellicott City. It is possible that one or two of the 4 hour workshops could be held at a location other than at the Howard
County Senior Center, but advance notification in the newsletter will be provided so members can make their plans accordingly.
Finally, the Board adopted the following
meeting schedule for 2009:
January: 12th and 26th 2009
February: 9th
and 23rd 2009
March: 9th and 23rd
2009
April: 13th and 27th 2009
May: 11th 2009 with a possible 4 hour workshop around the 25th
June: 8th and 22nd 2009
July: 13th and 27th 2009
August: 10th and 24th 2009
September: 14th and 28th 2009
October: 26th 2009 with a possible 4 hour workshop around the 12th
November: 9th and 23rd
December Board Meeting on the 8th, 2009
The meeting adjourned and the board members
were treated to a tour of George Tresansky’s workshop.
Respectfully submitted,
David Hannemann
Secretary
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