Meeting Minutes – November 1, 2025

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Meeting Minutes – November 1, 2025

Meeting Location: West Baton Rouge Museum, 845 Jefferson Ave., Port Allen

  • Fellowship before meeting
  • Collection of dues (Rick Albrecht) and selling of shirts and caps (Lee Owens)

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance – George Campagna

Welcome and Introduction of Guests There were two visitors who expressed an interest in joining the club: Hayley Dragomer and James Maryman. Hayley is a new homeowner and has several projects in mind for her new home. James is a former beekeeper who is just getting into woodworking as a new hobby after a beekeeping incident earlier this year. He did not specify the nature of the beekeeping incident. We are glad that he and Hayley have turned to woodworking.

Officer Reports:

  • Vice-President – George Campagna: George reported that next month’s meeting would be at Jim Landry’s shop and that Jim would make a presentation on CNC woodworking. George also thanked all the presenters for this past year. George is also beginning arrangements for presenters for next year and will be contacting potential presenters.
  • Secretary – Lee Soileaux- There was no formal meeting last month so there is no report for that month.
  • Treasurer – Rick Albrecht was not present due to illness so President Richard Robles gave a summary of the club’s current financial standing. Our balance is about $1800. However, we are still waiting on a $1000 check from O’Brien House which Ken Brown will be collecting. Additionally, we will begin collecting club dues next month which should bolster our club balance.
  • Webmaster – Open
  • Community Service – Ken Brown reported that the cabinet project is progressing well and he thanked club member George Cenac for the Sketch Up plans which he provided for the project. They were quite helpful. Ken called on the two shop leaders to report on their progress and both indicated that they were nearing completion. Ken asked for volunteers to help with installation of the cabinets. Ken said that there are currently no community service projects lined up for the year and that this is probably for the best because of seasonal busyness. Ken said that he has been approached by St. Vincent DePaul about the possible construction of a pedestal for a statue of theirs. He was not soliciting volunteers as yet but wanted to inform club members of the possible project for next year so that they might consider and communicate design ideas for the pedestal.
  • Education Outreach – Open

New and Ongoing Club Business

  • Episcopal High School – George Campagna and Harold Choate have have been working with a teacher (not a shop teacher, substituting for former shop teacher) at Episcopal High School helping her teach her students how to build 8″ x 10″ picture frames using the tools available in their relatively well equipped shop and some personal tools from Harold’s shop. They have met with her two shop classes on 4 days thus far and have taken the students from selecting wood to cutting miters and rabbets. They will be assembling the frames next and George said that they anticipate using a fair amount of wood filler for the frames.
  • WBR Museum Christmas Event – Richard called for volunteers for this event which will be December 12th on a Friday from 6:00 to 8:00. At last year’s event hanging tags and birdhouses were featured. Richard solicited volunteers and ideas for what we want to do this year. Richard said that we need about 5 people for the event and that he and George would be there so about three more would be needed.
  • Brochures – Lee Owens distributed the new brochures which he has had printed for use in advertising our community activities.
  • Elections – George said that he will be stepping down as Vice President and that Brandon Ginn has accepted nomination for the Vice President’s position. All other current officers accepted nomination for the coming year. Richard put forth the slate of nominees who were all voted in as club officers for the coming year. President-Richard Robles, Vice-President-Brandon Ginn, Secretary-Lee Soileaux, Treasurer-Rick Albrecht, Web Master-Open, Community Service-Ken Brown, Education Outreach-Open.

Members Questions/Concerns – There were no questions/concerns.

Safety Topic – There was brief discussion of the importance of maintaining clean and sharp blades and bits. Dirty and/or blunt blades and bits can not only decrease cutting efficiency but can also lead to accidents with potentially serious injuries.

Skill Topic: Dust Control – Lee Owens gave a presentation on the need for dust control in the shop environment. A timely topic for all who want to preserve lung health. Thanks, Lee.

Show-and-Tell – There were three club members who brought show and tell presentations. The members were: Geoff Michelli, Douglas Morgan, and Brian Stauss. Thanks to all of you.

Adjourn

Executive Board meeting after the main meeting