On April 14, 2001, four current Chapter members signed an application to AAW to form the Des Moines Woodturners chapter. They were Mike Nieters, President; John Hetherington, V.P.; Jerry Selover, Secretary; and Keith Sawyers, Treasurer. Ten days later Mike received a letter from AAW Secretary Norm Hinman welcoming the Des Moines Woodturners as the 158th Chapter of the American Association of Woodturners.
Today, there are approximately 350 AAW Chapters around the world with the majority in North America. Since our inception we’ve brought in some of the biggest names in woodturning (Bob Rosand,, Bonnie Klein, Nick Cook, Steve Sinner, Jimmy Clewes, and Trent Bosch ) to provide seminars & workshops. We’ve also been fortunate to have our local pros share their talents with us at our monthly meetings. Rob Wallace and Brian Simmons, who have also demonstrated on the national stage, have regularly shared their woodturning skills and knowledge with us along with a host of other accomplished Chapter members. Our thanks to all who’ve shared their woodturning experience over the years. We hope more members consider sharing by demonstrating and serving our membership in the future.
Photos from 2001 and 2003 demonstrations and displays can be seen on the last page of the April 2016 Newsletter.
CHAPTER TIMELINE
April 24, 2001 – Formal acknowledgement of Des Moines Woodturners as a Chapter acceptance by AAW. Officers signing Chapter application were Mike Nieters, President; John Hetherington, VP; Jerry Selover, Secretary; Keith Sawyers; Treasurer. All remain current 2016 Des Moines Woodturners and AAW Chapter members.
January 2007 – Chuck Dowler assumes office of Chapter President and develops Basic Woodturning Classes.
January 2012 – Dave Yearian assumes office of Chapter President
January 2013 – Paul Miller assumes office of Chapter President
May 1, 2013 – Our Chapter started operating as an autonomous group.
Chapter Officers: Paul Miller, President; Dick Meuler, VP; Donna Byers, Secretary; Jim Hogue, Treasurer
January 7, 2014 – Chapter incorporates as Des Moines Woodturners Inc., an Iowa Non-Profit Corporation
Chapter/Corporate Officers: Paul Miller, President; Dick Meuler, VP; Donna Byers, Secretary; Jim Hogue, Treasurer. Board members: Jack Rolison, Program Chair; Rob Beattie, Education/Safety Chair.
January 9, 2014 – Received Federal ID Number for Des Moines Woodturners Inc.
January 2015 – Dick Meuler assumes office of Chapter President
Chapter/Corporate Officers: Dick Meuler, President; Daniel Henderson, VP; Donna Byers, Secretary; Jim Hogue, Treasurer. Board Members: Jack Rolison, Program Chair; Rob Beattie, Education/Safety Chair.
February 3, 2015 –IRS letter of determination issued recognizing Des Moines Woodturners Inc. as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization retroactive to date of incorporation, January 7, 2014.
January 2016 – While not a non-profit requirement, Chapter applied for and received Iowa Sales Tax Permit.
April 16, 2016 – Chapter celebrates the 15th birthday of Chapter founding.
January 2017 – Chapter elects Chapter/Corporate Officers: Dick Meuler, President; Mike Lustig, VP/President Elect; Donna Byers, Secretary; Tom Baker, Treasurer. Board Members: Jack Rolison, Program Chair; Rob Beattie, Education/Safety Chair.
January 2018 – Chapter elects Chapter/Corporate Officers: Mike Lustig, President; Open, Vice President; Tom Baker, Treasurer; Tim Morris, Secretary; Rob Beattie, Education/Safety; Tom Whalley, Programs
January 2019 – Chapter elects Chapter/Corporate Officers: Tom Whalley, President; Will Zitterich, Vice President; Tom Baker, Treasurer; Donna Byers, Secretary; Rob Beattie, Education/Safety; Dave Yearian, Programs
January 2020 – Chapter elects Chapter/Corporate Officers: Tom Whalley, President; Will Zitterich, Vice President; Tom Baker, Treasurer; Donna Byers, Secretary; Jim Reynolds, Tad Tadlock, Stan Merrell, At Large Directors
January 2021 – Chapter elects Chapter/Corporate Officers: Tom Whalley, President; Jim Reynolds, Vice President; Tom Baker, Treasurer; Will Zitterich; Secretary, Tad Tadlock, Education and Programs; Dan Carlson, Membership; Donna Byers, Bill Burchett, At Large Directors
May 2023 – The chapter moves it’s meeting location to Valley West Mall when our former location at the Woodsmith Store, is sold to the Horizons Events Center.