List of Committees
Committee Chair: Rusty Osborne
Members: Pete Englebert, Drew Hagamann, Victor Plitt, Mark Sperry, and David Walker
Off-Board Members: Fritz Mayer and Valerie Mullane
The committee will focus on developing and strengthening the relationship between ABANA and its affiliates and members. The committee will be responsible for general membership questions and developing enhancements to the benefit programs for members. They will monitor membership numbers and renewal rates. The committee will also present affiliate applications to the board for approval. The committee will oversee the publication of a routine newsletter to the leadership of all ABANA Affiliates, which will contain information helpful to affiliate groups, including funding for events, marketing tips, affiliate news, etc. The committee may also choose to have an Affiliate Advisory Group of affiliate representatives to openly discuss and suggest improvements in our working relationship with the affiliates.
Committee Chair: Scott Kretschmer
Members: Mark Sperry
Purpose: To provide oversight of the Alex Bealer, Joe Humble, and Heritage awards along with any other awards that are established by the board of directors.
Duties: To maintain the inventory of tangible items donated to ABANA and provide guidance as to how they should be utilized and provide an itemized inventory and report to the board at the fall annual board meeting. In charge of the procurement of trophies, plaques and any other tangible awards that are given which currently are as follows:
1) Froe for the Bealer Award
2) Hand forged feather for the Joe Humble Award
3) Hammer for the Heritage Award
4) Plaque for outgoing Presidents
5) Francis Whittaker silver coins for outgoing Board members
Humble Award Committee Members: Dave Smucker, Steve and Carol Spoerre, and Amy Mook
Heritage Award Committee Members: Clay Spencer, Gerald Franklin
Committee Chair: Temporarily Vacant
Members: Victor Plitt, Scott Kretschmer
Off Board Member: Andy Quittner
By-Laws and Procedures: The Committee is responsible for the diligent observation of the organization’s By-Laws and procedures by reviewing, investigating, and presenting possible amendments for board approval that will further the efficient operation of the organization.
Committee Chair: Becky Schimpff
Members: Victor Plitt, Mark Sperry, David Walker
Off-Board Member: Valerie Mullane
The committee will be responsible for maintaining the website, social media, marketing, and branding.
Committee Chair: Bud Harvey
Members: Scott Montes, Drew Hagemann, John McLellen, Victor Plitt, Becky Schimpff, Mark Sperry, David Walker
Off-Board Members: Fritz Mayer, Valerie Mullane, Andy Quittner
Conference Committee:
The Conference Committee is responsible for setting locations and dates for upcoming events in coordination with local members for support of the event. The committee will help organize demonstrations, education, and competitions, along with promotion. The committee will also keep the Conference Policies and Procedures Manual up to date.
Committee Chair: Becky Schimpff
Members: Drew Hagemann, Bud Harvey, John McLellan, Mark Sperry, David Walker
Off-Board Member: Mark Aspery
Education: The ABANA Education Committee is pleased to offer a self-paced forging and fundamentals program, as additional study and compliment to the National Curriculum. The committee is responsible for the development, and management of the ABANA National Curriculum. Current focus of the committee is adoption of the National Curriculum by the ABANA affiliates. The committee is also responsible for maintaining a strong relationship with the educational institutions and professional smiths. Ideas and opportunities to better facilitate their involvement with ABANA is encouraged to be developed in committee for approval by the board.
Committee Chair: Pete Engelbert
Members: Jack Brubaker
Off-Board Member: Fritz Mayer
Election and Nomination: The committee will be responsible for soliciting and recruiting candidates for the annual election and any appointments that need to be made. The committee will work within the guidelines laid out in the By-Laws. Elections committee will be responsible for developing the slate of officers for consideration at the annual meeting.
Committee Chair: Victor Plitt
Members: Mark Sperry
Off-Board Member: Valerie Mullane
The Exhibition Committee is committed to exposing the public to the art of blacksmithing via touring art exhibitions. The committee aims to develop relationships with venues and organizations, ensuring a viable network in which to showcase the art exhibitions sponsored by ABANA.
Committee Chair: Bud Harvey
Members: Scott Montes, Becky Schimpff
The committee is responsible for the annual budget. The committee is expected to use the monthly and quarterly data from the CPA to track the financials of the organization in comparison with the budget. The committee is expected to work with the Treasurer on all financial matters in some capacity. The committee is responsible for collecting the wish lists from each committee in the development of the annual budget.
Committee Chair: Scott Kretschmer
Members: Jack Brubaker, Rusty Osborne, Becky Schimpff, Mark Sperry
Grants and Scholarships: The Committee is responsible for the dispersing of grants and scholarships to the most eligible applicants. The committee is also responsible for following up with the recipients to ensure they have fulfilled the required content within the agreement.
Committee Chair: John McLellan
Members: Jack Brubaker, Mark Sperry
Off Board Members: Peter Renzetti, John Dittmeier
The History and Archives Committee is responsible for documenting the history of ABANA by recording and summarizing the past and current actions of ABANA Board of Directors and its committees, plus ABANA conferences and programs. The Committee also maintains a digital archive of documents and photographs in a Groups.io web site and supports a document archive and library in ABANA Headquarters of Johnstown, Pennsylvania.
Committee Chair: John McLellan
Members: Jack Brubaker, Victor Plitt, Mark Sperry
Off-Board Member: Addison de Lisle
Purpose:
- To initiate, plan, and facilitate international blacksmithing tours.
- To facilitate Visas for inbound blacksmiths and demonstrators.
- To generate and maintain communication links with international blacksmith organizations.
Committee Chair: Jack Brubaker
Members: Victor Plitt
Off Board Members: Valerie Mullane, Fritz Mayer, Addison de Lisle, Jennifer Jhon
Publications: The committee will be responsible for the direction and content of the two publications, The Anvil’s Ring and Hammer’s Blow. The hiring of contractors and review and approval of the editions for publication with an observation of deadlines per contract.
Committee Chair: Victor Plitt
Members: Scott Montes, Mark Sperry
Off-Board Members: Fritz Mayer, Valerie Mullane, Andy Quittner
The committee oversees the inventory of available sales items and must stay in routine contact with headquarters on inventory. The committee is also responsible for searching out bids for current and new merchandise.
Committee Chair: David Walker
Members: Jack Brubaker, Bud Harvey, Scott Kretschmer, John McLellan, Victor Plitt
Strategic Planning: The Committee is responsible for the long-term strategic planning of the organization. Identifying regional venues for ABANA-sponsored events.