So Mike what, then, does the future look like, in your opinion?
Not a simple question of whether or not you foresee the guild existing, you have expressed that you do see that. Rather, in what form do you see the guild existing 5 years from now? This in regards to publications, projects, teaching, etc?
What is the guild doing now to prepare for this future?
What is the guild doing to promote the craft, and to promote those who are a part of this craft?
Most importantly, what is the guild doing to build up its members? How is the guild helping timber framers, and how will it do so in the future?
Personally, I believe this is what the guild should look at if is to prosper. Simply put, we are businessmen in tough times. We, for the most part, will not continue to invest our resources (time, money, etc.) in something that does not benefit us. I am not suggesting the guild does not benefit its members, but I do suggest that in terms of simple economics, this should be viewed as of the highest importance.
So you will then ask the question, how do we do that? I don't know. But I will do my best to think of what I can, give what I can, etc. in the hopes that I can provide at list a little bit of something valuable.
