I have given it a great deal of thought and debate about whether I wanted to add another volunteer role to the ones I already fill, but I think that we need more candidates, so have decided to run for the position of Member Liaison in the upcoming board election.
I feel that I can bring a long memory of AA history (good and bad) to the position of Member Liaison, and would ask for your vote. A complaint I’ve heard many times over the years has been about the lack of transparency and visibility into the board. I’d like to make my best effort to give more visibility into board actions, and contribute to further making AA a thriving organization.
I have been a member of AA since 2011, and am active as both a maker and volunteer. I am currently the longest serving ‘deskie’, I’ve been on the Monday 6-10 shift for years. I’m also a tool tester for the manual mills and lathes in the machine shop, and have done a multitude of other volunteer projects. I think my very first AA class was in the Metal Shop where I helped weld up some of the AA infrastructure. I helped build out the ‘Building 13’ space at Tyler St. and later helped do the deconstruction of Tyler St. and the build-out of both Antwerp and Holton. (Nearly all the strips around the partitions passed through my hands, most several times)
I am signed off on, and at least occasionally use tools in most of the shops, although I mostly work in the metal and machine shops. My primary focus is on mobility / handicapped equipment repair and build, but I work on almost anything that lands in front of me.
I have a studio space in Antwerp, and am happy to talk with folks there or anywhere else I happen to be.
In my life outside AA, mostly before I got hurt, I served on the board of the Modified (now Mass.) Motorcycle Association, and several roles including board member of the Mass. Libertarian Party. I served several terms as an elected Town Meeting Representative in Billerica, MA, and was an active member of several town Committees, including being Chair of the Rules Committee. I still serve as the Chair of the Billerica Commission on Disability.
Feel free to ask me any questions in person, or at my e-mail, Arthur_Torrey@comcast.net