Tuesday, July 6, 2010

TSCA President


With a particular aversion to the Personal Pronoun, it's taken me a week to get around to this...
On the 30th of June Doryman became the presiding president of the Traditional Small Craft Society.

No silly, the fine folks of the prestigious Society did not vote for Doryman.
Little do they know!

As my regular readers already know I believe in passing on tradition especially when it comes to wood boats. I spend nearly every waking moment either restoring an old classic, building a replica, or advocating the virtues of those worthy avocations to someone. So it seems right that I become a chief advocate, though it's hard for me to understand why anyone would need encouragement to do something so fun and enriching.

More than half of my readers are from the far reaches of the world - a fact I am very proud of - and for them there might not be much the TSCA can offer except camaraderie. But for those of you who reside in the US, there are very few acceptable reasons for postponing membership in the TSCA. It's easy, cheap and in just a few minutes you can join a national group with your interests in mind. Many of the events you are familiar with are affiliated with the TSCA. You might be surprised to find that many of your friends and neighbors already participate.

What better way to share your interest in traditionally influenced vessels than to join the TSCA? Visit the newly vamped website today for events, membership and news from individual Chapters. You may even qualify for a John Gardner Grant, if you promote traditional small craft heritage. Membership also includes the quarterly Ash Breeze with articles of interest, submitted by people like you.

I would like to extend a personal invitation to all of you to participate in the TSCA on-line forum. Sign up soon and let me know what I can do to help promote an organization that meets the needs of everyone who loves wood boats.
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8 comments:

Thomas Armstrong said...

Congrats! Michael, well done

doryman said...

Thank you, Thomas!
There are currently 766 members of the TSCA. Does that seem a small number to you?

Of those, 28 voted in this years balloting for Council members. Most likely because there were three candidates for three positions. Two positions were open within the Council, president and secretary. The candidate for each (myself included) said they would accept the position if no one else came forth.

I may not be the best candidate for a leadership position, but it's obvious to me there is a vacuum. I'm happy to do my part, because I feel this is an invaluable organization.

I'd like to see those numbers increase and obviously the TSCA needs new blood. From where I sit, I see thousands of people interested in building and using traditionally influenced small craft. That's exciting. Now to get them to come to the table...

If you don't mind, I like to enlist you to help promote this organization, which is so important to all of us.

Tweezerman said...

Congrats on assuming the title of prez.

Although I am not a member, I've bumped into many TSCA sailors and they are a diverse bunch and interested in all aspects of the sport.

Good luck in driving the organization forward.

Also congrats on the launching of the high school dory project. Looks sweet! What finishes did you use?

doryman said...

Tweezerman, you should be a member. Nuf said.

I had no intention of varnishing the high school dory, but it turned out pretty well, so we decided to show it off. I mix a combination of varnish and oil for my bright finishes which holds up very well. The oil softens the varnish so it doesn't become brittle with age and the varnish adds life expectancy, over oil alone.

Phil R said...

Well done, Mr President.

TSCA looks interesting. I'll join.

doryman said...

Thanks for stopping by, Phil! As always, good to hear from you.

Definitely sign up. You can find your nearest Chapter on the main TSCA web page.

giacomo said...

Very happy to hear that you are the President. All my admiration.

I am finally back from the hospital but still very weak.
I will write more soon.

A big hug Michael. Wonderful Mistral..are you sad to sell her?

doryman said...

So good to hear you are doing better, Giacomo! I've been very concerned for you.

Mistral has drawn very little interest, so not much danger of her leaving me any time soon.

I don't really want to sell my boat, but need the money. Hopefully something good will come along to allow me to keep my creation.

Be well, be water!