Kingston Woodturners – Annual Report. July 2018 – June 2019

The 2018 club BBQ was held at Nelson’s lakeside mansion on 29 July. This occasion was also designated as our 2018 Annual General Meeting to fulfill our obligation as an incorporated Not-for-Profit Organization. This year we decided to have the AGM at a regular club meeting to include a
greater number of members.

Nelson has again offered to host this year’s BBQ which will be held on
July 21. Hope to see you all there!
Club meetings were mostly held on the second Wednesday of each month from September 2018 to June 2019 at the Frontenac Secondary School Woodshop. Demonstrations by club members – most by Dan and Lance - covered the following topics: 
- Production of Christmas ornaments and small items for children to decorate at Winterlight; coaster sets; coffee scoops; wave bowls; salt and pepper shakers; off-centre and multi-axis turning; yo-yos.
Many of these were hands-on sessions.

In October, we hosted Joe Ruminski from the Carolina Mountain Woodturners who demonstrated 5 simple projects suitable for teaching woodturning skills.
In January, a former club member, Marty Schlosser, from the Kingston Wood Artisans gave a comprehensive demonstration on air-brushing equipment and techniques for embellishing the rims of platters.

In addition to introducing more hands-on sessions in conjunction with the monthly demos, we have experimented with a semi-formal chat/discussion period where members can discuss topics and concerns with each other. The challenge and ‘show-and-tell’ session has been very well supported
throughout the year.
Weekly Learn’n turn sessions continued throughout the year at Nelson’s “Studio” and resulted in the attraction of several new members to the club. Classes run by Lance at his Brockville School and at the Kingston Lee Valley store have also brought in new members. (Memberships presently
stand at 48 which, I believe, is a record number.)

On a more sombre note, we lost a long-standing member, Don Wolsey, who passed away on February 13 at the age of 94.
Demonstrations by club volunteers were held on Saturdays through the summer months at the MacLachlan Woodworking Museum.                        7 demonstrators and 7 assistants ran this program for 11 sessions in 2018. Thanks to all those who participated.Club members also made a significant contribution to the Winterlight event at the MacLachlan Woodworking Museum in December for which we received an honorarium of $150 and a further boost to our membership.

The City of Kingston has implemented a new policy that requires all members participating in events at MWM (e.g. Summer Saturday demos and Winterlight) to be registered as volunteers with the City and have a police clearance certificate (CPIC). This is possibly the reason why the number of members offering to demonstrate at the Summer Saturdays is down by 50% this year. 

5 members attended the Totally Turning Symposium at Saratoga Springs in March and a number visited the Quinte Woodturning Guild meeting in April.
Three members contributed items to the Artistry in Wood Exhibition at the Tett Centre in April where Herb Salter’s entry won the First Prize.
Club members have contributed items for the woodturning display in the Kingston Lee Valley store and have placed items for sale in the shop at the Woodturning Museum.
Elections were held in May, resulting in some changes to the Executive which will take effect in September. Dan Sabourin becomes the new President and Frank Berinstein the new Vice-president.
Dave Lindensmith and Walt Sepic remain as Secretary and Treasurer respectively. Jim Dedrick and John Kramer are looking after our library function and Kathy Jones ably handles the onerous task of sales of supplies – (c/a glue; sandpaper; and end-sealer).

Ron Oastler raises supplementary funds through his administration of the monthly 50/50 draw. Joe Bernard is appreciated as the ‘go-to guy’ for moving lathes around and being willing to help with whatever is
required.

Dan Sabourin and Lance Besharah have been responsible for most of our club demos this year. Dave Lindensmith, our amazing secretary, has faithfully recorded nearly every word that has been uttered at the executive and club meetings. Walt Sepic looks after our finances and Brent
MacLeod looks after our website and our AV equipment.
Thank you to all members who have gone the extra mile for us this past year. I could probably name several more but where do you draw the line? You all know what contributions you have made and I would like you all to know that you are appreciated.
Keith R. Notley
12.Jun.19