What is going on with the ABS?

I had a couple of conversations today wth Greg Neely, MS, who will take over as Chairman of the ABS tomorrow in Atlanta, about the Charity Bowie issue. I asked him point blank who said NO on behalf of the board of directors? He made a few calls and the members that he spoke to knew ZERO about the issue. Greg is mystified, but will get to the bottom of it. He agrees that there is no logical reason for the answer that is supposed to have been given.

This question will be brought up at the meeting of the ABS Board tomorrow in Atlanta and he will let me know, as soon as he knows. I will post an update, when I return from Atlanta. He also informs me that the new membership directory has been printed and that a completely NEW ABS website is his highest priority.

We shall see what we shall see.
 
We will see if there is a response, one way or another. Have fun at Blade, kids, wish I was going this year!

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson
 
Greg Neely is a no nonsense guy, I suppose you have to be to survive in his line of work. I don't think he'd tell you anything he didn't mean Peter.
 
Maybe it would be best to wait and see what will happen in the next while. It sounds like there may well be some good things happening in the ABS.
 
I spoke directly with Greg Neely, the new Chairman of the ABS Board.

He informed me that he had spoken with every ABS board member in Atlanta and that NONE of them said that they had been consulted on this question. The negative response originated with a single member of the ABS Board, who did not consult the ABS board. He stated for the record that, the letters "ABS", "MS", and "JS" and the simple words "American Bladesmith Society" belong to the stamp holders and may be used by them, without any need for ABS permission whatsoever.

He also expressed his hope that the 2007 raffle for Bladeforums Charity Bowie is a great success, and the ABS would enjoy being associated with the organizers in the future, if this becomes an annual event.

Peter
 
ptgdvc said:
I spoke directly with Greg Neely, the new Chairman of the ABS Board.

He informed me that he had spoken with every ABS board member in Atlanta and that NONE of them said that they had been consulted on this question. The negative response originated with a single member of the ABS Board, who did not consult the ABS board. He stated for the record that, the letters "ABS", "MS", and "JS" and the simple words "American Bladesmith Society" belong to the stamp holders and may be used by them, without any need for ABS permission whatsoever.

He also expressed his hope that the 2007 raffle for Bladeforums Charity Bowie is a great success, and the ABS would enjoy being associated with the organizers in the future, if this becomes an annual event.

Peter
Click to expand...


An Annual Event? Hmmm, why not? Of course I speak who only helped 'poll' the design (i.e., I voted) -- I had nothing to do with the construction.:o

The idea does seem sound, though.:thumbup:
 
ptgdvc said:
I spoke directly with Greg Neely, the new Chairman of the ABS Board.

He also expressed his hope that the 2007 raffle for Bladeforums Charity Bowie is a great success, and the ABS would enjoy being associated with the organizers in the future, if this becomes an annual event.

Peter
Click to expand...

We will value and utilize any help and/or support the ABS cares to offer if the team elects to carry this worthy project to the next level.
 
ptgdvc said:
I spoke directly with Greg Neely, the new Chairman of the ABS Board.

He informed me that he had spoken with every ABS board member in Atlanta and that NONE of them said that they had been consulted on this question. The negative response originated with a single member of the ABS Board, who did not consult the ABS board. He stated for the record that, the letters "ABS", "MS", and "JS" and the simple words "American Bladesmith Society" belong to the stamp holders and may be used by them, without any need for ABS permission whatsoever.

He also expressed his hope that the 2007 raffle for Bladeforums Charity Bowie is a great success, and the ABS would enjoy being associated with the organizers in the future, if this becomes an annual event.

Peter
Click to expand...
I took some flak behind the scenes for stating what I did. Thank you to Peter for going to the source and clarifying this. I would have thought all along this would have been the response. Then again, this response came after we had our flap and principals had read into it. In any case I am really pleased with the new direction the ABS is pointing towards.

The BFBowie is a testimony to great makers, collectors, and ambitious projects. :thumbup:

Coop
 
As to the original question that was presented in the title of this thread, it looks like quite a lot is going on with the ABS. It looks like the organization is going to take some major steps. When this type of stuff happens you are going to find those that are pleased with the direction being taken, and those that are displeased. You will also find those that pleased with some of what is being done, and displeased with some. There will be concerns. One of the things that I have come away from this thread with is the feeling that the board is willing to listen to those concerns, and if deemed necessary, to act upon them.

The makers that have taken part in the threads on the ABS have done an excellent job of representing the organization. They have voiced their frustration with the disinformation that has been put forth in these discussions, which I understand completely. They have also provided much important information as to what the board is doing to make the ABS better. I am glad that they felt it was important enough to come here and do what they could to inform us, and to do so in such an even headed way. This could have become ugly, but it didn't.

My thanks to all that have taken part here. It has been quite enlightening.
 
Got my 2007 ABS History and Membership Directory today. It looks like it was a lot of work to put together. I didn't expect to see Associate/Collector members listed. They got my email address wrong, but I'm impressed nevertheless.
 
FWIW, I joined the ABS today. :thumbup:

Lets hope we continue to see positive signs from the organization.

P
 
HI Peter,

Did you get snacks with your Kool-Aid?

I Have to say I am stunned at your action.

As to date everything seems to be status quo with the ABS. Exactly how many months do you think it will take to add JS names to the web site? Or update the show information on the web site (Show is only 6 months from now)? Or make any other changes to the web site?

Im with Keith, changes first, then join the club.

On the other hand, A tall cool glass of Kool-Aid sure is nice on a hot summer day!

WWG
Been There, Done that, Got my Certificate in 1987.
 
Hey WWG,

Did you get up on the cynical side of the bed today? :confused:

I am willing to cut the new ABS team a little slack, and see what happens.

I also figure that if I am going to whine and complain, the least I can do is kick in $30.

P
 
There are some changes I would like to see regarding the ABS, however overall I'm happy with it.

It's good for the collector and will only get better as more collectors join.

I will continue supporting the organization with membership and anything else I can do.
 
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