Silver Dollar City Seminar

[Paul_Guraedy]

A couple of weeks ago I received an email asking about the Silver Dollar City and Ozark Mountain Woodcarvers Spring Seminar. I knew that there were some problems between SDC and the Club so I delayed my response until I could get more information. It came at last night’s Club meeting.

Ozark Mountain Woodcarver’s voted to disassociate the Club from the Seminar and to request that Silver Dollar City acknowledge this separation with a notice to participants.

I suppose that this was inevitable given the different viewpoints involved. Silver Dollar City is interested in profit (justifiably as this is their business) and Ozark Mountain Woodcarvers are interested in providing an enjoyable experience for woodcarvers with minimal compensation. Disagreement occurred on several points.

First was financial, the Club received only $599 (this amount was set for tax purposes) for their portion of the partnership. The City, apparently, failed to put this in their budget and the Club would not receive anything for this year’s seminar. The financial arrangement is a matter of principle; the Club can make up this amount easily through other activities should it be desired to do so.

The Club provided a crew of 15-20 who worked to set up tables/chairs for 35 classes of 300-400 people and assisted the instructors with unloading their equipment/supplies. The same number was required at the finish of the Seminar with the additional duty of sweeping up the woodchips. During the session, the Club provided a minimum of 10 persons each day to provide amenities and assist with whatever participants or instructors might require.

This was pointed out to representatives of SDC. The Club was told that 4 people were available to do the “set up”. No mention was made of assistance to instructors or participants. Additionally, there would only be one shuttle bus to move everyone from the distant parking area to the carving location. Last year 3 buses were used and there were long waits for transportation.

The Ozark Mountain Woodcarving Club discussed the above and several other problems. It was decided that too little consideration was being given to management of the Seminar, that it would not provide the pleasant social/educational experience expected by participants, therefore it would be in the best interest of the Club if its name were not associated with the event.

This has been a very successful seminar with excellent instructors (many known to the forum including Harold Enlow and Mike Shipley). For many planning to attend it may still be worth the inconveniences. I am willing to provide further information through private message or email.

It is a sad time for Ozark Mountain Woodcarvers who have worked so diligently to provide this opportunity.

[xsailer]

Isn't it amazing the losses we incur all in the name of money. I've not been to that seminar but was planning on it this coming this next year. I heard the experience was great. I'm sure SDC, per your comments, won't put into future seminars what your club has and inevitably it will be eliminated "for lack of profit". I'll have to look somewhere else now. Without knowing I'll bet Silver Dollar City overall loss will be greater than they will ever admit, including so called "good will", not to say anything of the carving communities pure enjoyment of learning and fellowship.

What a shame.

[JJireh]

Sounds like a good opportunity to take it out of SDC and start one of their own. That way they can make it what they want to make it.

[xsailer]

Good idea! and consider doing it in centrally located Wichita, Ks.

[JJireh]

I was thinking comfortable Middle TN.