Revisiting Student Rights…

The very unscientific poll over on LE has resulted in 86+% of respondents thinking these rights are a good idea.

Here’s the breakdown:

56+% think they are “lofty goals” but wonder who will enforce them/how they will be enforced.

29+% think it is “about time”.

As I said, it was an unscientific poll, but these numbers are fairly representative of other comments I’ve received on the topic through e-mails and private messages.

More on NO2

I’ve ordered a test kit for NO2 to use my studio as a test bed. I had to research what I needed to order first, so I made some calls around to several state OSHA offices. Every one I called told me that their state limit is 1 ppm (part per million) short term = 15 minutes.

I am ordering enough tubes to do 10 tests, plus the pump apparatus. I have a Bethlehem TigerShark torch and run 5 PSI propane & 15-20 PSI of oxygen (tanked). I will test both with my ventilation system running and with it off, and exposures with just the inner fire and then both inner and outer fires running.

New page…

In case you missed it, I’ve added a new page to the list on the right side of this blog.

Entitled “A Student’s Bill of Rights in the glassworking classroom”, it is something that I hope every reader can agree on, and start demanding from both the teacher and the studio they are being taught in. Until and unless students start standing up for their rights in the classroom, change will never happen.

Each student is entitled to these rights. Don’t take another class unless they are guaranteed to you!

An Opportunity for change?

Gwynne Rukenbrod, Executive Director of the ISGB is departing for another job soon. After the ignominious departure of her predecessor, Gwynne brought more than a breathe of fresh air to the ISGB. She brought her experience with glass (she is an experienced traditional glassblower), enthusiasm, and boundless energy.

The first time I met her, I was astonished that this “little girl” projected such a huge personality.

All of my dealings with her were handled professionally and with care and honesty. I am sure that she will be missed.

And with this change, comes an opportunity for the ISGB Board of Directors to redefine itself and the direction of the organization. Before they begin the search for a new ED, I believe there should be a polling of the entire membership to find out what they want from the organization. The Board needs input from its members and what better way to get it than to ask the entire membership what they want.

I’m going to go out on a limb here and guess that some of what they are going to hear won’t be pretty. There is some discontent out there that needs to be dealt with. The organization and the Board that leads it needs to address some very pressing issues, and even perhaps change the way the organization functions as a whole.

A good first step is to talk to the members. I truly hope the Board will listen.

Lofty words with little substance

“…including establishing best practices for education and studio safety.”

In the past 4-5 (maybe 6??) years since the ISGB became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the only contribution to the above phrase is the following document: http://www.isgb.org/education/standards.shtml

These are not the ‘droids you are looking for…

The ISGB Members Relations Committee has issued a couple of recommendations to the ISGB Board of Directors. It will be interesting to see if the Board now follows through on them: