It’s been a very productive month. For a full list of what’s happening check out my President’s report on the BOD reports page
Salem Community College trip Perhaps the most enjoyable thing all month was a trip to SCC which I graduated from in 1979. Back then we blew glass by the light of whale oil lamps and ate nothing but hard boiled eggs so we had enough natural gas to run the torches (just kidding). But really what we call flameworking or torch working today, is also called “lampworking” because if you pull a glass point and blow air through the skinny end into an oil lamp (works with a candle as well) you add enough extra oxygen into the flame to melt glass. This was the original heat source used to manipulate small bits of glass found on the floor of the hot shop into various shapes. The original flameworked paperweights contained glass objects made this way. We’ve come a long way from oil lamps to Herbies and GTTs and Carlisles.
Advisory board meeting I went to SCC to represent the ASGS at their advisory board meeting. This group meets annually to give the college input for it’s scientific glass program, what’s working well, and what could use improvement. It’s an opportunity for the ASGS President to meet the big players at SCC and the scientific glass industry. This year there were Presidents, Owners, and production managers from AGI, Astra Glass, ChemGlass, DelVetro Scientific, Millipore, PEG, SP Wilmad, Tosoh, and Richland Glass present. It was very helpful to hear what they were interested in. They also had a number of things to share about the ASGS. As it turns out many of them are interested in the ASGS developing a certification program for glassblowers. Something similar to the software and welding industries where a person can take training in a specialized area of their field, take a test supplied by industry experts and receive a certificate saying they are certified as a Microsoft Office Specialist in Excel or pipeline welding or many other specialties in both fields. In the scientific world there is nothing like this. Companies looking to hire potential employees are interested in understanding the potential employee’s skill set. Having certifications managed by the ASGS would help that. I agreed to begin conversation with several company reps to learn more about the details of what they are looking for. I imagine this to be a 3-5 year project that could dramatically improve our membership numbers, increase symposium participation (that’s where the tests would be administered), and also add a bit to our income stream.
Career Fair I set up the ASGS booth at the SCC career fair and spoke with a number of students about why joining ASGS is a good idea. This year I had QR codes ready for those interested so they could open a membership application right there at the booth on their cell phones. Also I worked with Don at the home office to be able to take electronic payment for symposium tee shirts, posters, and books. Both of these new abilities came in handy. I also met an older student who is excited to help the ASGS and has decades of experience in Parliamentary procedure. I agreed to stay in touch with him for future questions about how to run meetings according to Roberts Rules of Order.
I also met the manager and a glassblower from Millipore. No not the Millipore in Milwaukee. This is another Millipore glass shop located in Pennsylvania. They came to Salem not knowing Millipore had a glass shop in Milwaukee and were very excited to connect with the ASGS to learn there is another Millipore glass shop. They see the value of ASGS participation and are considering becoming an ASGS sponsor.
Symposium update I’m close to releasing the schedule for the 2026 virtual symposium. It’s not public yet but if you want a sneak peek take a look here Let me know if you have suggestions. I have most of the presenter slots already filled but could use a few more top shelf high quality demonstrations. Because the symposium is all virtual everything is prerecorded. If you’re interested you can set up a camera (cell phone) in your shop, shoot some raw footage of yourself and send it to me. I have access to 3 video editors who can create great finished videos. If you’re interested let’s talk, send me an email or text.
