Hi Birchwood
You shouldn't need a pin, because your workpiece is quite large, and a pin will only get in your way, as you work yourself around the perimeter.
Use a pin when you have small pieces and your hands are close to the router bit, and there is a danger of getting pulled into the bit.
Start anywhere along your piece, with a firm grip and ease your piece into the bit, moving left to right no matter where you are standing. Slow down around your narrowest widths ie. neck, beak etc. Watch for tearout.
Hope this helps. Give it a go!!
Ric
You shouldn't need a pin, because your workpiece is quite large, and a pin will only get in your way, as you work yourself around the perimeter.
Use a pin when you have small pieces and your hands are close to the router bit, and there is a danger of getting pulled into the bit.
Start anywhere along your piece, with a firm grip and ease your piece into the bit, moving left to right no matter where you are standing. Slow down around your narrowest widths ie. neck, beak etc. Watch for tearout.
Hope this helps. Give it a go!!
PS:If you have a pin, you can drill a 1/8" hole in your baseplate to take a pin. Pin should be to the right side of the hole, from the side you are most comfortable to work from and if you are Right Handed and reverse if you are left handed.
Ric 
