1. VACHERON & CONSTANTIN 18 Karat Gold Pocket Watch. Very rare unsigned  pocket watch made for Bigelow, Kennard & Co. of Boston, Massachusetts. Size 12 movement. Beautiful white porcelain face with auxiliary seconds dial. 1890.

2. PATEK PHILIPPE 18 Karat 20-Jewel Open Face Pocket Watch. Very rare, ca. 1910.  Features 8 adjustments and associated display holder. 1891 patent. Porcelain face with subsidiary dial at 6 o’clock.

3. Gentleman’s 18 karat rose gold manual wind ROLEX CELLINI CESTELLO 5330 wristwatch. Sapphire crystal. Genuine crocodile brown band with 18k rose gold clasp. Excellent condition. Very few signs of wear. With box and Cellini pamphlet.  

4. E. MATHEY TISSOT 14 Karat Yellow Gold Hunter Case Repeater Pocket Watch.

Case number 26712. Arabic numerals with secondary dial at six o’clock. White porcelain face in excellent condition, Owner: Solomon S. Curry born in 1840 who opened the Metropolitan Iron and Land Co., the world’s greatest producer of ore.

For more information: www.cowanauctions.com

Midwest Watchmaker and Clockmaker Professional Organization (MWCA) and CLOCK GUILD JOINT CONVENTION

at the Kelly Inn

Friday Night May 3rd Robotics lecture at Hopkins high School with Mark Rossheim

Friday night talk will be at Hopkins High school (about 250 seats), doors will open at 7:00. We are looking at  about 2 hours, including time for questions. The topic will be modern robotics, with a target audience from kids thru adults. The presentation will be PowerPoint and DVD based.  $10 entrance fee  Children under 12 free

 7:30pm official start time

Saturday convention May 4th with:

Richard Cox talking about constructing an Astronomical Regulator

Mark Rossheim talking about Leonardo’s programmed moving cart, details of it’s design, implementation and what it does. * POSTER CLICK HERE *

Diann Clendenimg talking about Glass Beveling, stain glass and other types of glass repair

Tomas Chase and Douglas Thompson talking about the Omega Co-Axial care/cleaning/ and theory

Wes Cutter round table talking about the Micro Set and how to get more out of it

8am to 4pm with AUCTION starting after 5:30  $45 convention
 

SUNDAY hands on May 5th

Richard Cox will present a three part hands on talk about

Reparing or retipping hands,  silver dials and bezels

8am to 2pm  50$

The Midwest Watchmaker and Clockmaker Professional Organization, affiliated with American Watchmaker Clockmaker Institute (AWCI) the national organization.  Serving the Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Northern Iowa, and Western Wisconsin area.

Our Mission

We are the regional affiliate of the National Professional organization for Clockmakers and Watchmakers establishing standards for education and testing for National Certification.  Our goal is to establish and maintain the necessary high standards for quality, systematic procedures, and use of the proper technology to ensure excellent outcomes for each watch or clock service.

One of the main characteristics of a person involved in the field of horology is the posture many of us have to maintain, and that is of being seated and hunched over a desk/workbench. While there are several schools of thought of which may be the best position, which workbench height is the best or which chair is the most ideal, one thing is for sure, the human body is being asked to be in a certain position for a prolonged number of hours, e.g. eight hours a day.  It appears, however, that the human body was designed to be physically active, judging from the number of joints we have.

While many of us pride ourselves on attaining that best balance wheel amplitude, best delta rate, best finish on a wheel pivot or a case and bracelet, yet how many of us think about the physical condition in which we are in?  Since it is a generally accepted principle that, in order to produce good quality work, certain workshop conditions must be met, such as properly functioning tools and equipment, good lighting, clean environment, etc.  How about the most important element in the equation? You!

Just like you properly maintain the rest of the tools and equipment for best performance, the human body requires regular maintenance and adjustment for continued best performance, so a well-balanced lifestyle is crucial.

There are many types of physical activities that you can embrace if you are just starting out. Start slow and steadily increase over time (it can be months) without overly exerting yourself. Stronger muscles are needed for proper function just as you need your sharp eyes and steady hands. Depending on your age and current physical fitness, you may want to begin with simple walking, hiking or swimming, among others. There are also the “eastern arts” such yoga, Tai Chi and similar forms of gentle exercises which focus on overall health of body and mind. These types of activities will not only help with your physical fitness, but also with your mental alertness and focus. You can even incorporate some of these gentle exercises every day when you take a 15-minute break during work; you don’t have to wait to go home or to the gym for a full-blown intense workout. Once you feel comfortable with one form of exercise then keep moving one level up.  

In addition to being physically active, keep in mind that if you maintain a proper and healthy diet, it will help keep you fit for the life career you have chosen. Be sure to stay hydrated while at work by drinking enough water. The right quality and combination of fuel will only help enhance your performance in the journey of life.

In the end, exercise and physical activity are a great way to feel better, gain health and have fun. Just like you take good care of the customer’s watches and clocks, so must you take the necessary time to take good care of yourselves.

And as always, keep your skills honed, your standards very high, your attitude professional, your tools and equipment in great condition and your workshops clean and organized; you never know who may come by to pay you a visit.

Manuel Yazijian

Board Members Present:
Michal Blaszczyk – joined at 18:30 MDT
Manuel Yazijian
Ron Landberg
Terry Kurdzionak
Henry Kessler – joined at 18:17 MDT
Jordan Ficklin
Jason Ziegenbein
Tom Nesbit
Wes Grau
Justin Shiver
Fred White

Board members not present
David Douglas

Non Voting or Guests Present:
Paul Wadsworth
Dennis Warner
Keith Rosser

Daniella Ott – joined at 18:45 MDT
Meeting called to order at 18:10 MDT
Discussion regarding assigning a new individual to update finance, meeting minutes and similar documents. – follow-up: Jordan
Reports on top 3 Critical Success Factors by Manuel, Keith Rosser & Wes Grau
 Leadership & Financial Planning
 Staff Development & Needs
 Improved Certification Process
Discussion of timeline for hiring a new Executive Director.
In preparation for the next board meeting (on Mar 12) which will focus on determining the criteria to use in selecting the next Executive Director and prioritizing those criteria, board members will collaborate on what they think these criteria should be.
Discussion of possible members to appoint to Member Network Committee – follow-up: Jordan
Discussion of “vision of AWCI”
Discussion affirming continued commitment to AWCI presence at the JCK show. Assignments given to Marketing Committee and Daniela Ott.
Motion to adjourn the meeting at 20:30 MDT made by Ron Landberg, seconded by Terry Kurdzionak
Voice vote passed unanimously.
Meeting adjourned

Executive Inn, Harrison, OH

31 January 2013

Board Members Present:

Manuel Yazijian 

David Douglas

Ron Landberg – Via gotomeeting  

Terry Kurdzionak

Henry Kessler

Michal Blaczyzk

Jason Ziegenbein  – Via gotomeetng

Justin Shiver

Jordan Ficklin – Via skype

Tom Nesbit

Wes Grau

Fred White

Board members not present

Non Voting or Guests Present:

Dennis Warner

Paul Wadsworth

Thomas Fisher

Meeting called to order at 7:30am EST

Motion 2013_01_31 #1 Motion made by Henry Kessler and seconded by Ron Landberg.

I move that the board go into executive session

Voice vote taken, passed

Exited Executive Session at 8:35am EST

Motion 2013_01_31 #2 Motion made by Henry Kessler and seconded by Fred White

On motion duly made and seconded at a meeting with quorum present, the Board of Directors hereby adopts, approves and authorizes the following resolutions:

1. The Board of Directors authorizes the termination of the employment contract with James Lubic effective immediately and authorizes the American Watch – Clockmakers Institute (AWCI) to pay all sums due and owing to James Lubic under his employment agreement and any applicable employment policies of the AWCI.
2. The Board of Directors does hereby authorizes its Chairman Manuel Yazijian to take any and all actions on behalf of AWCI necessary to effect the termination of the employment contract with James Lubic.
3. The Board of Directors hereby appoints Manuel Yazijian to serve as the Interim Executive Director of AWCI effective as of the termination of the current Executive Director’s employment contract.  Mr. Yazijian will serve as Interim Executive Director until his resignation or the action of the Board of Directors to appoint a full time Executive Director.  Mr. Yazijian’s service as the Interim Executive Director shall be in an “at will” employment arrangement
4. The Board of Directors authorizes Manuel Yazijian to take all actions and to exercise all authority of the Executive Director of the AWCI in his role as the Interim Executive Director.

Roll Call Vote Taken:

David Douglas – Yes

Ron Landberg – Yes               

Terry Kurdzionak -Yes

Henry Kessler – Yes

Michal Blaczyzk – Yes

Jason Ziegenbein – Yes

Justin Shiver – Yes

Jordan Ficklin – Abstain (Jordan was calling in while driving to Harrison and coverage was intermittent)

Tom Nesbit – Yes

Wes Grau – Yes

Fred White – Yes

Motion passes by a vote of 10:0:1 (Yes: No: Abstain)

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:52am CST made by Wes Grau seconded by Fred White

Voice vote passed unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 8:52am EST

Submitted for your approval,
David Douglas CW21
Secretary

Manuel Yazijian 

David Douglas  

Terry Kurdzionak

Justin Shiver

Jordan Ficklin

Tom Nesbit

Wes Grau

Fred White

Ron Landberg

Jason Ziegenbein

Board members not present

Henry Kessler

Michal Blaczyzk

Non Voting or Guests Present:

Keith Rosser

Mark Miller

Paul Wadsworth

Dennis Warner

Meeting called to order at 7:10 CST

Motion 2013_03_05 #1 Motion made by Fred White seconded by David Douglas

Motion to make Beth Grau as a recorder of minutes of meeting on trial basis.

Voice vote taken

Vote passes unanimously

Motion 2013_03_05 #2 Motion made by Fred White seconded by Justin Shiver.

Motion to pay Beth Grau $25.00 an hour, keeps a record of the time and submits the time to AWCI.

Voice vote taken

Vote passes unanimously

Motion 2013_02_05 #2 Motion made by David Douglas, seconded by Ron Landberg.

Motion to approve the minutes 1/31, 2/2, and 2/12.

Voice vote taken

Vote passes unanimously

Motion 2013_02_05 #3 Motion made by Ron Landberg, seconded by Jordan Ficklin

Motion to approve the finalized committee list (see attached document)

Voice vote taken

Vote passes unanimously

Mark Miller presented his information regarding the status at HQ.

Motion 2013_02_05 #4 Motion made by Fred White and seconded by Ron Landberg

Move to accept the following slate of candidates pending payment by 31 of March:

Wesley Grau

David Kurdzionak

Joe Cerullo

John Safranek

David Douglas

Michael Michaels

Drew Zimmerman

Justin Shiver

Terry Curkan

Roll Call taken:

David Douglas – Abstain

Terry Kurdzionak – Abstain

Justin Shiver – Abstain

Jordan Ficklin – Yes

Tom Nesbit – Yes

Wes Grau – Abstain

Fred White – Yes

Ron Landberg – Yes

Jason Ziegenbein – Yes

Motion Carries

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:01 CST made Ron Landberg seconded by Wes Grau

Voice vote passed unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 10:01 CST

Submitted for your approval,
David Douglas CW21
Secretary

Manuel Yazijian 

David Douglas

Terry Kurdzionak

Henry Kessler

Michal Blaczyzk

Justin Shiver

Jordan Ficklin

Tom Nesbit

Wes Grau

Fred White

Board members not present

Ron Landberg

Jason Ziegenbein

Non Voting or Guests Present:

Amy Dunn

Tom Schomaker

Dennis Warner

Paul Wadsworth

Daniela Ott

Jack Kurdzionak

No Disclosures were made.

Amy Dunn presented her marketing guidance presentation.  What we’ve accomplished and suggestions for the future.

Ron Landberg joined by gotomeeting at 1:30 EST

Ron Landberg left the meeting at 2:50 EST

Amy Dunn presented an update on HT.

Motion 2013_02_02 #1 Motion made by Jordan Ficklin and seconded by Wes Grau  

Motion to accept the constitutional changes as presented to the Board of Directors by Paul Wadsworth regarding the perpetuation fund, Article XXI.

Voice vote taken

Motion Passes                        

Motion 2013_02_02 #2 Motion made by Fred White and seconded by David Douglas.

Motion to accept the constitutional changes as presented to the Board of Directors by Paul Wadsworth regarding the perpetuation fund, Article VI.

Voice vote taken, two nays.

Motion Passes

Motion 2013_02_02 #3 Motion made by Wes Grau seconded by Michal Blaczyzk

Motion to accept the constitutional changes as presented to the Board of Directors by Paul Wadsworth regarding the perpetuation fund, Article VII.  To be in effect, this change will require a membership vote.

Voice vote taken, All opposed. 

Motion Fails

Motion 2013_02_02 #4 Motion made by Fred White seconded by Tom Nesbit

As a board member, what will you do to be a responsible leader and exercise fiscal responsibility?

Voice vote taken

All yes David Douglas and Justin Shiver abstained.

Motion passes.

Jack Kurdzionak provided an ELM trust report.

Manuel has appointed the following members of the ELM trust.

Jack Kurdzionak

Dennis Warner

Brad Wellman

Voice vote taken,

All Yes.

Appointment passes.

Manuel Yazijian will find a qualified person to serve on the Perpetuation Fund.

Terry Kurdzionak presented a report from the IAB committee.

Recess for dinner at 6:30

Back in session 7:20

Manuel Yazijian presented the education committee report.

Jordan Ficklin presented the Horological Times committee report.

The Annual Meeting date will be set tentatively as September 12-14, 2013

Motion 2013_02_02 #5 Motion made by Henry Kessler, seconded by Jordan Ficklin

I am hereby making a Motion that moving forward AWCI change our financial year end from June 30 to December 31.

Rationale: Matching dues to the proper periods has become muddy. Our membership dues are collected based upon a calendar year.  I feel this will add clarity to the understanding of our financial position. This will be accomplished by creating an interim financial via our new Auditor Gady, following their work to produce the 6/30/12 YE financial.

Voice vote taken

Passed Unanimously

Motion 2013_02_02 #6

Motion made by Henry Kessler seconded by David Douglas

I am requesting that the BOD approve and task Keith Rosser, our new CFO, with the responsibility of communicating regularly with our bankers on behalf of AWCI.

Rationale:

Our Auditor, Gady, has advised us that communication with our bank has been lacking.  This task will help to correct the communication problems of the past.

Voice vote taken

Passed unanimously

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:52 CST made by David Douglas seconded by Justin Shiver

Voice vote passed unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 9:52 CST

Submitted for your approval,
David Douglas CW21
Secretary

Meeting called to order at 12:30 EST

Board Members Present:

Manuel Yazijian 

David Douglas

Ron Landberg                        

Terry Kurdzionak

Henry Kessler

Jason Ziegenbein 

Justin Shiver

Board members not present

Jordan Ficklin (joined later)

Tom Nesbit

Wes Grau (joined later)

Fred White

Non Voting or Guests Present:

Dennis Warner

Paul Wadsworth

Herman Mayer

T.D. Hughes

Mark Miller

Meeting called to order at 7:05 CDT

Disclosure:  Michal Blaczyzk has taken on a position with Richemont.

Wes Grau and Jordan Ficklin joined at 7:10 and 7:12 respectively.

Herman Mayer presented and read his letter to the BOD describing CW21 maintenance.

Motion 2013_01_22 #1 Motion made by Terry Kurdzionak, seconded by Ron Landberg.

Move that the BOD accept the proposal presented by the Board of Examiners, by way of Herman Mayer.

Note:  The key point here is that the request is to place the CW21 Exam on hold, allowing the last 4 candidates to complete their retakes.  The letter states that the actions needed to improve the exam will be complete by June 2013.

Roll-Call Vote Taken:

Ron Landberg – YES

Terry Kurdzionak – YES

Henry Kessler- YES

David Douglas- YES

Jason Ziegenbein- YES

Justin Shiver- YES

Michal Blaczyzk – YES

Wes Grau- YES

Jordan Ficklin- YES

Motion Passes.

T.D Hughes gave an overview of the meeting process to be used during the mid-year meeting.

Mark Miller gave a brief overview of the progress being made at HQ.

Entered into Executive session, motion made by Jordan Ficklin, seconded by Wes Grau at 8:32 CST.

Exited executive at 9:10 CST

Motion 2013_01_D22 #2 Motion made by Jordan Ficklin and seconded by Ron Landberg

Move that the policy manual be updated to include the following regarding online action taken by the board of directors and be effective retroactively from the beginning of this board’s term:

All actions taken by the board of directors via electronic communication (email & yahoo group) shall be published monthly by the secretary for the membership (on the web page) in a Monthly Summary of Action and Activities of the Board of Directors via Electronic Communication.

Voice vote taken, passed

Motion 2013_01_22 #3 Motion made by Jordan Ficklin and seconded by Ron Landberg.

Move that we request Johnson Investments investigate the long-term viability of new life memberships sales and suggest a strategy for managing those funds within the perpetuation fund and give a report of their findings to the board of directors within 30 days.

Voice vote taken, passed

Motion YYYY_MM_DD #4 Motion made by Jordan Ficklin and seconded by Ron Landberg.

I move that the board of directors establish a consistent monthly meeting time.

Motion retracted

Motion YYYY_MM_DD #5 Motion made by Jordan Ficklin and seconded by Ron Landberg.

I move that the board of directors meet on the first Tuesday of every month at 8:00 PM Easter Time, via conference call.

Voice vote taken, passed

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:52 CST made by Manuel Yazijian seconded by David Douglas

Voice vote passed unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 9:52 CT

Submitted for your approval,
David Douglas CW21
Secretary

I n last month’s message I talked briefly about the strategic action plan that took place in our headquarters in Harrison, Ohio from January 31st through February 1st. Mr. T.D. Hughes, a well-respected local consultant who helped us work toward our action plan, facilitated the specific meeting. In effect, we identified our top priorities, our critical success factors (CSF’s), then outlined the goals and their owners for each of those CSF’s. Our next step is to begin the implementation of this plan that will take place over the next one-to-three years, as outlined below.

1    Leadership and Financial Planning led by Manuel Yazijian: The goal is to have better communication between the Board of Directors and staff through regularly- scheduled communication in order to help with financial planning, monitoring and meeting of the critical success factors. Keith Rosser, our CFO and interim Executive Director, will help facilitate these meetings via the use of modern technology. Some further goals are to produce monthly operating statements that are to be shared with Board members and staff, as well as the creation of an annual financial plan. The latter will be comprised of a quarterly review, number of potential membership renewals, actual renewals, as well as the acquisition of new members and their retention.

2    Improved Certification Process led by Chief Examiner, Wesley Grau: This involves the formation of a special task force for the purpose of reviewing and revising the CW21 certification program. The intent is to stay up to date with the most recent developments in our supply chain, to review and improve the content of the exam, as well as to ensure financial neutrality of the overall program. For this reason, the current certification program is in review mode and the current target is to roll out the pilot phase in the month of June, 2013. Stay tuned for updates and more solid dates.

3    Staff Development and Needs led by Keith Rosser: The goal is to confirm the assessments, define roles and responsibilities, determine skill sets and gaps that exist, plan for improvement and create scheduled employee reviews.

As a watchmaker and clockmaker still making a living working at the bench, I would like the culmination of our efforts to be in the best interest of my fellow watchmakers and clockmakers. I know very well how difficult it is making a living at this profession when you are faced with so many barriers. This may include the difficulty and sometimes near impossibility of obtaining spare parts, the very onerous and challenging aspect of the technical side of our profession, the small profit margins in comparison with the high level of skill involved, among others. There is so much fine art and precision in what we do, yet it is for the most part hidden from the customer’s view. If they could only see what we can really do…

While your volunteer Board members, whom you’ve elected to look out after your interests, are doing their job as they promised, can you, in exchange, perform the repair without leaving any trace of your presence? Give yourself that challenge every time you work on a timepiece and you will have accomplished a major feat. It would also help us know our efforts are well appreciated.

In the meantime, keep your skills honed, your standards very high, your attitude professional, your tools and equipment in great condition and your workshops clean and organized; you never know who may come by to pay you a visit.

Manuel Yazijian