Hello Ferdinand,
In the frozen tundra up here in Wisconsin we are starting a NEW club. We tried for the better part of a two years to create value and bring in new members. We reached an all time high of membership in the Milwaukee Antique Bottle and Advertising Club last year with incredible ankle biting the whole way. It took new value, new events, new members and a ton of energy. That is more than a lot of people wanted. We love the hobby and most of the people…change had to come.
So, Jon Steiner Jr. decided to start a new club founded on inclusion, promoting the hobby, sharing information and welcoming new people in. He and I, with a few others, were the driving force taking the old club from ten members to 53. Obviously, I am joining with Jon as are at least a couple of dozen others.
This is only a temporary site until we finish and put the site live. Still, there is an interesting feature I think you and all collectors will love. It’s called Spinners. See Link to Site & Spinners. Love to know what you think of the Spinners. We will be adding them all the time. Use Firefox to see them. The site is not universally browser complaint yet.
Does the Federation, by chance, have a standard set of bylaws we can work from?
Excited to build the biggest, most energetic and positive bottle club in the country!
Steven R. Libbey
Wisconsin Antique & Advertising Club Member
Steve and I have talked and corresponded about his new club and all of the exciting things that are planned. He definitely understands the new direction of our hobby and our audience of younger and more technology driven collectors. I have even joined as a Wisconsin bottle club member myself and look forward to being part of and watching closely the clubs development.
As the project manager and designer of the FOHBC Virtual Museum of Historical Bottles and Glass, I have had my eye on emerging technology on how to display bottles. I was also on the verge of purchasing software to use to create spinners. See 3D Rotate Tool. It looks like Steve and I may be working together to further this massive project which will be an anchor for growth, new membership and new direction in our hobby. Please stay tuned as I believe there will be a Virtual Museum announcement within the coming weeks of major importance.
I also wanted to answer Stevens question, “Does the Federation, by chance, have a standard set of bylaws we can work from?” Yes, it does, please follow this link FOHBC Bylaws and this link to the FOHBC Code of Ethics.
Sad this club has experienced a SCHISM. In a time where unity, belonging, inclusion is needed in Bottle Collecting, I’m disheartened so much energy has been expended by some to make themselves “right”, in effect rendering others “wrong”.
Meanwhile I respect Steve’s great energy and vision and choose to watch from the sidelines where these two Milwaukee groups go.