DFogg Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 I have been maintaining a forum in some form or other since 1999. It evolved into the community we have today, nearly 5000 members located all over the world, who gather to share their passion and hard earned information with all others of like mind. We maintain a peaceful place, rarely devolving into the flame wars so typical in this medium, and have been able to establish an atmosphere of mutual respect and appreciation for the work of others. I am proud to be part of this community. Recently, I have had to deal with some serious and long term health issues. My energy has been very low and it has forced my retirement from active bladesmithing. I made the decision to retire also from the direct management of this forum and community. I would hate to see this community we have built suffer from lack of attention. It is time to hand it over to the membership. I consulted with Dave Stephens and he agreed to take over the financial obligations and organize a committee to run the day to day affairs. Some of you have noticed the increase in administrators recently. Dave Stephens Peter Johnsson Sam Salavati David Delagardelle Alan Longmire Richard Sexstone JM Wands John Smith This is the new core management group for the Bladesmith's Forum. They are entrusted to maintain, develop and move our community forward. They all have volunteered to take over the forum and I am grateful to them for their involvement. I don't intend to disappear and will be an active part of the community for as long as I am able, but it is time for me to step aside. Thank you all for contributing to our village. Don Fogg Don Fogg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Stephens Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 All -- I just want to assure everyone that while Don is stepping down from the day-to-day management of the forum, all the committee members are dedicated to keeping the forum in the same spirit that Don envisioned when he started it. * A focus on bladesmithing discussion * An environment which fosters mentoring, promoting the craft and sharing lessons learned. * An environment which is equally friendly to Master Smiths and first time makers. * An emphasis on the courteous exchange of ideas and knowledge. Constructive criticism of other's work only. No flames or rants. Also, all the managing members agree that this forum is still and will always be Don's forum. The way we see it, this is still Don's house, he's just asked for some help maintaining it. If anyone has any concerns or questions, please feel free to PM me or another member of the management committee. Keep the forge burning. --Dave -----------------------------------------------"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly." -- Theodore Roosevelthttp://stephensforge.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Longmire Posted June 27, 2010 Share Posted June 27, 2010 Exactly. The only change you will see is the large number of new moderators. That's it. Don is just sitting back in his easy chair while the rest of us sweep the floors, answer the door, and keep the coffeepot going. I think he's earned the privelege, don't you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Sexstone Posted June 29, 2010 Share Posted June 29, 2010 Amen Alan...... kinda like Sesame Street but unlike Jim Hanson we still have Don...... I hope the University O Fogg will see David D & Sam become old men someday long after us old schoolers are gone.... Dick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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