It is with great excitement that I bring you news of changes the ABANA Board has made to our publications in an effort to best meet the needs and desires of our membership. The challenge was to find a means of saving money while keeping our high level of quality in both magazines, and finding a way to give even more to the membership. A steep order for a board of volunteers to do, but under the leadership of Committee Chair, Linda Tanner, and her committee members we have accomplished ALL of these things. Jim Almy has been selected as the Anvil's Ring Editor effective January 1, 2012. Jim is a perfect candidate for the job with his print/editing experience in the professional world and his editorial efforts for the NWBA ABANA Affiliate in the blacksmithing community. His love of the fire and the experience he carries in his hands made him the perfect choice. Please join me in welcoming Jim to the Editor position for the Anvil's Ring. He is your guy to get your work showcased! Get some high resolution photos and a write up together and send it to him soon! Jim Almy 1531 North Prospect Street Tacoma, WA 98406 Ph: 253-879-8455 email: AReditor@abana.org Mark Aspery is staying on with the Hammer's Blow editor. His work from the ABANA curriculum to the youtube videos that go along with the magazine have really taken us to a whole new level. Please join me in thanking Mark for seeing the importance and meaning in ABANA and our educational publication and agreeing to stay with us. Mark is always looking for input so if you have a great shop idea, trick, or technique please put something together and send it to him: Mark Aspery
P. O. Box 523 Springville
CA 93265-0523
Ph: (559) 539-3351
Rob Edwards, Mimi Clark, and Linda and Denis Murphy need to be given credit for the efforts they have given to ABANA's publications over the past years. Join me in thanking them for all of their hard work! Along with reporting on the changing faces of ABANA's publications, the changes have resulted in significant cost savings. These savings mean there are more resources available for the board to advance and expand our educational mission. There will be more details in this coming out soon after committee work and board approvals. Along the same lines of doing more for our members the board is taking this opportunity to break apart the publications, going back to the way it used to be! This means you will get 8 separate mailings instead of the 4 bulk mailings. This will allow better communication, better advertising opportunities, and a steady flow of blacksmith enjoyment throughout the year. This was one of the big items resulting from our member survey. You should be proud of your ABANA Board in clearing this hurdle on its way to making ABANA the greatest blacksmithing organization out there today. ABANA has gone from several years of just trying to survive to holding the elements needed for ABANA to thrive in 2012 and beyond. Shout it from the mountain tops that ABANA is here to stay and ramping up for our Rapid City "Reunion on the Plains" in July. Hope to see you all there. Yours in service, Peyton Anderson ABANA President Forward this email to others:
_____________________________________________
Artist Blacksmith's Association of North America
(ABANA)
ABANA provides education, including scholarships, a network between it's members and the Affiliate organizations, and, in cooperation with the blacksmith vendors advertising in our magazines, a Members Only discount program.
With your membership you will receive the
Anvil's Ring and Hammer's Blow Magazines
You can save more than the cost of your membership through the use of the
ABANA Members Only Discount Program
The ABANA Members Only Discount Program is a great member benefit where you can save 5%, 10%, or even more on products you already purchase. Click on the link above to find out more about this benefit of membership. We continue to expand this program and have added several vendors in the last year.
ABANA is proud to announce that we have made arrangements through Transamerica and Ameritas for insurance plans:
ABANA Members Insurance Program
ABANA presents these member benefits as a service. As with any product you should ask questions and be clear with the Insurance provider as to what is covered and what is not.
| 
