Presidents Message - 2021

Just a quick note as we move into 2021. COVID-19 continues to control our activities both at home and in the Guild. Hopefully we can get back together again in the near future. In the meantime your executive will be working to bring you online regular meetings and demonstrations to keep you engaged.

Our financial position remains solvent; enough to cover our fixed costs through 2021. As previously conveyed to you, we are discounting our dues to $40 for the 2021 year from our normal $60. Please renew your membership when you receive your renewal notice. Your continued support will help in offsetting such costs. Currently our membership is holding steady at about 60 members. This is very encouraging as we work our way though these challenging times. A big welcome to new members who are just joining the Guild.

Your Executive is looking at ways to maintain the quality and content of our online meetings. If you have suggestions on how you would like to see these presented, please send your suggestions to info@wwwoodturners.com. We have a number of online presentations lined up for this Spring, and hopefully we can get them all out to you. We produce our online meetings from one member's shop since he has the video equipment and the Zoom setup. This can prove a bit difficult when COVID-19 restrictions prevent us from gathering in one place. As restrictions ease, several of us may get together to put together a demonstration. A big thanks to Dave Bell for stepping in and doing a couple of solo demos while we were on lockdown.

Recently there has been communication between the Presidents of the Ontario Woodturning Guilds started by the President of the Ottawa Guild. The purpose is to open discussion on how we can better collaborate between Guilds. This may include topics such as how to share paid demonstrator costs, sharing of Guild demos, and looking into sharing insurance costs. We are continuing this dialogue and we'll see where it leads.

Thanks to all you members who send in Show and Tell photos to use at the Zoom meetings. Keep them coming.

Don't forget your Bravery Beads Bowls! I hope you have all been working on getting those kits together and finished.

As always it is a privilege to serve as your President. Let's keep working together through these difficult times and our Guild will survive and be even better for it.

Keep on turning!

Paul Newton

President

Waterloo-Wellington Woodturners Guild