I have to admit that I have reservations about this proposed national
organization.  Maybe some of my reservations come from a misunderstanding of
the original vision for the group.  Hopefully, someone can clear up these
questions I have.
 
My main concern is that this group may interfere with
legalization/quarantine efforts already being taken by local groups.  Local
organizations pushing for leg./quar.  know their laws, their officials.
They know what it takes to get the job done.  What will this new group do?
How exactly can they help?  I'm also afraid that everyone will be so
interested in giving money to this new group, that they will no longer give
money to their local groups and shelters.  If membership fees are high as
some folks suggested, I would have to chose between supporting that one
group, or supporting the 4 local shelters I now support.  And exactly what
will the membership money be used for?
 
If this a small group of say 9-12 people as Sukie I believe suggested, can
they really tackle efforts in all states?  When they get 50 requests for
help because of the new push for leg./quar.  inspired by the Kodo debacle,
can they really help all?
 
I also feel that this is a duplication of existing national groups, such as
the AFA, except that this group will work more toward legislative issues.
Perhaps the folks who want this new group should try working with AFA to
form a legislative committee within the existing group.  Sukie made
suggestions as to what she feels the new group should be doing.  All of
these things are currently done by AFA, except maybe the push for
legislation.  Of course, we did hear from Bill and Diane that there have
been efforts for legislation within AFA.  These efforts seem to have been
hampered by internal politics.  Do you think this won't happen in the new
group?
 
Will this new group be "headquartered" anywhere?  Since it will consist of
folks from all over the country, will they get together a couple times a
year?  Will membership dues pay for this?  If they don't physically get
together, I assume that much communication will take place through e-mail.
That excludes the people who don't have access to the net.
 
That brings me to another thought.  This group seems like it may consist
mainly of FML members, to the exclusion of others not more active on the
list.  We can all name the "big" folks on this list, but how many of us can
name the other people that should be involved, but don't have internet or
email access?  Certainly, the folks on this list are extremely knowledgeable
and caring.  Bob C for example sure does know ferrets, but what experience
does he have in pushing for the development of legislation?  Folks like Dick
B., who was very active in leg./quar.  issues, may not have all of the
technical knowledge of others, but would be more useful in a group dedicated
to legislative issues.
 
Okay, those are my thoughts.  I understand the need for legislation.  And we
should let ourselves be inspired by the injustice done to Kodo, his family,
and all other ferrets killed in the name of public health.  But we have to
think this through, and consider other options as well.  If anyone can
address some of my concerns, please do so.
 
Thanks,
 
Heather
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[Posted in FML issue 1973]