Okay folks, we are NOT speaking for the AFA.  Only our opinions about the
AFA regarding National status.  We are not part of the leadership though
some have pushed one or both of us to get involved.  We might.
 
From:    Bob Church <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Bob C: Too Bad To Be Good
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>It has always been a great sorrow to me to see wonderful people, each with
>a great love of those little ferret rascals at odds over small disagrements
>of a personal nature, at such odds that it disrupts the ability of our
>ferret community to bond together to form a truely national organization
>with political power and influence.  With appologizes to all, none exist
>at present
 
Sorry Bob.  We disagree.  The national ferret association "IS" the American
Ferret Association.  It isn't limited to just the USA either with it's
international membership.
 
>The solution is simple; bury the hatchet, make friends with enemies, and
>bond all the weak and tiny groups into a single strong group, with
>elections and all the junk that goes with it.
 
The making of friendly adversaries has been going on, quietly in the
background.  Behind the scenes the AFA has been busing getting things done
rather than talking/writing about them.  The other groups out there prefer
to stay as separate groups for thier own reasons.
 
There are things that happened just this month (or was it the end of last
month?) that sure surprised even us.
 
The AFA is the only national organization that has the infrastructure
already in place.  If we were to merge it into another entity then we would
have to go all the way back to square one.  The long tedious process of
getting tax certification as non-profit, etc., would have to be repeated,
putting us back a few steps.  Why reinvent the wheel?  There is plenty of
work to be done and plenty of chance for even leadership roles in the very
highest levels.
 
>Personally, I won't belong to any organization that does not allow the
>membership voting rights for the highest levels of leadership
 
Ahhh!  There it is!  Knew you had a beef with the AFA now we know.  But
does the CFA or AKC have national voting for officers?  Well actually
since the AFA is a corporation (non-profit) does any corporation "really"
allow individuals to vote?  Those that issue stock have a pretense of it
but only major investors have enough clout to affect elections.  Its a one
share (not one person) per vote deal.  People work for corporations and
companies - but you do not pick your own bosses.  The support of the average
member is important to a corporate leader but it is not and should not be a
popularity vote when important things need to happen.  Many things that need
to happen may not be "popular" with the little guy.  It would be "popular"
to bash Marshall Farms for example but is it really wise for a group such as
the AFA to destroy all possibility of working WITH Marshall Farms just so
someone can get themselves elected or seem important?
 
None of the groups aspiring for National importance have elections.  The
only election we know of that was supposed to be over the whole one of these
groups as a whole was a fraud.  We'd like more influence over all AFA
decisions but it isn't the best way to do things.  A corporate level leader
has no time for electioneering if there really is important things to be
ne.  The AFA is a corporation not a club.
 
>nor will I support any organization that allows personal disagrements to
>influence policy.
 
The AFA does not get involved in the politics of the other groups, except as
targets.  You really can not blame the target of a rumor or attack for
defending themselves; if you do then you allow rumors to be effective.
 
>As for you club people, don't try to impress me with membership
>numbers, or how large you are compared to the other clubs.
 
"Club" - that is part of the problem.  We do not need a "national club".
Clubs have social events and such but really can not manage effectively
important issues beyond local or even state levels.  This point was
effectively brought to us this past weekend.  We belong to the local club
"LAFF" but the AFA is not a club.  Nor should it be one.
 
>It means nothing to shelters who see little or no help
 
What do you really think a national organization should do to help
shelters?  This could become a really long thread unto itself.  If this is
someone's area of interest.  "JOIN" the AFA and join the shelter
committee!  There is plenty of work to do and plenty of room to
even become "important".
 
>Set a date for a conference, invite all the clubs, and set down and work
>it out
 
In recent issues of the AFA's newsletter volunteer's have been actively
sought for major committee's.  If no one volunteers then how can they
complain that they weren't able to get that position.
 
bill and diane killian
zen and the art of ferrets
http://www.zenferret.com/
mailto:[log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 2271]