President's Message - March 2016

KEN MCWILLIAMS - It may be early in 2016, but Chapter 190 is off to a fast start. We have always been a progressive chapter, and try to keep abreast of the latest technologies and methods. In January, the Board of Directors created a new category, "Social Media". One of our newest members, Jess Ashby, was appointed Director of Social Media. At the February Board of Directors meeting, Jess gave the board a very comprehensive description of the various social media entities available at this time. He also presented a very detailed plan on how we can use some of them to spread the word about our chapter and our projects. We will soon have a presence in the social media world.

Our chapter is also looking to expand our education program. Providing quality learning experiences for our members, and others, has been the cornerstone of Chapter 190 since its inception. While still in its design phase, our goal is to provide two-day workshops equivalent to many of the present four-day NAWCC Field Suitcase Workshops, as well as many other horological subjects not covered by them. To achieve this, we have created a nine person education committee. The education committee will meet for the first time on March 26, 2016, to lay the foundation and create a plan to accomplish our goal. One of our biggest challenges is to find and train instructors. If you feel that you could contribute to this, please contact me, I welcome all suggestions.

The program at our January meeting was on the Santa Barbara tower clock presented by Rodney Baker. There was a question and answer session after the presentation, and member Bill Robinson recalled the time that our chapter met there for lunch and a tour of the courthouse and tower clock in October 2012. Bill suggested that since we have so many new members, maybe we should consider it again. I asked if anyone in the audience would be interested in something like this. Virtually every hand was raised. Well, since it is my job to accommodate our membership, whenever possible, I have formed a committee to determine the feasibility of another meeting at the Santa Barbara Courthouse. We are looking at the October 2016 timeframe.

Our Board of Directors has decided to cancel our annual Mart for 2016. This was due to the close proximity to the Channel Islands Regional that was just held at the Fairgrounds. An item on the agenda for the March 2016 Board of Directors meeting will be to discuss whether or not Chapter 190 should consider participation in the 2017 Channel Islands Regional. Along with this will be a discussion on rescheduling the chapter’s annual Mart. I welcome any and all comments that you may have on these subjects.

I hope to see you all at the March meeting.