I have been bombed! Not really, but it seems so by the number of e-mails I have recieved in the last two days regarding the formation of a national ferret association. About half the e-mails are from the east coast, three from other countries, and the remaining 50 or so from various other locations in the USA. One post disliked the idea, and one post is not counted because it was a discussion, and not actually a letter of support or non-support. Some comments. First, I am not a giant. I am 5'6" which does not qualify. I am cute, but only a few observers believe it. My long and wavy hair is beginning to gray, and I have a slightly high forehead. These attributes disqualify me from office, especially those of a presidency. However, I am quite qualified as a firebrand and malcontent. I could do well as a public education person, but ranters never make good presidents. Second, there is a great deal of work to be done if such an undertaking is made. One person alone cannot do this, even if they are hip and cool. There is a humongous difference between organizing and doing, and if such an attempt is ever made, we must do it, not organize it. To do it, a group of dedicated and discontented people will have to form a committee, placate wounded prides; facilitate cooperation, and generally become pests of the highest order. In addition, they should be people who have a neutral or unbiased appearance towards the existing ferret politics Third, the FML is a great vehicle for communication, but there are a lot more ferret owners than the thousands on this list, and they also need to be made part of the picture. If not, then we are just another factional voice, and will never be truely national, so why do it? There is no reason to do this if the new organization is no better than the status quo. To be better than the status quo, we must learn from their mistakes, and take steps to to repeat them. That takes study time, and people willing to do the study. Any volunteers? Fourth, unless some of the big names come forward and support this idea, it will die on the vine. This is not a Bob Church fan club (although a Bob Church Hate Club might work). As already demonstrated by many "national" clubs, organizations that are an extension of a few people's personality are limited in scope and appeal. A national club reflects the needs and personalities of the members. Before ANYTHING can be done, we need a wide scope of committed people (committed to mental institutions would be nice and then they prozak our detractors). Fifth, we can learn from the Japanese and look at the long term picture rather than the short term one. In other words, we have to decide what people want, then give it to them at low cost and high benefit. We need to do our homework. Sixth, you need to continue to voice your support for this idea, with letters to the FML and various big-name ferret people. More importantly, take the idea to your local shelter or club, and garner their support. Remember, there is no reason why this club has to take away from any other existing organization; personally, I'm for concurrent memberships. (In other words, joining STAR, LIFE. FURO, AFA, etc., automatically gives membership in the new organization.) Last (for now), expect distrust and dislike of the idea from the existing organizations, many of which are one-person ego shows. It is likely rumors and lists of reasons will come out for this project to fail (I have already been forwarded a letter urging people not to support the idea). It is also likely some will see this as an "Us or Them" situation. It is important to understand this idea is a clean slate, a method to get past the existing bull and politics in order to form an organization for ferrets. That is not to say many of the existing organizations don't work for ferrets, but because of politics or ill-will, they have been crippled in their efforts. A new organization--a new slate--allows political enemies to work together for a single good without any one side thinking they've lost. Nobody loses, we all win. No one needs to be hurt if we all work together for ferrets. Before anything can be done, we need support for the idea from all of you, shelters, clubs, vets, breeders, etc. We need pledges of monetary donations. We need people willing to put in time to type, contact local clubs and breeders, design cool logos, etc. We can do this in a very short time if we work hard; certainly by the 10th Anniversary. So what should we call this thing? I've come up with "Death to the Anti-Ferret Gestapo" but others might find it appealing to the wrong crowd. Actually, here's my idea. National/International Ferret Association/Club/Union Hey, I'm a single guy, so feel free to critize and editorialize if you have better ideas for the name. (I orginially thought the "Business of International Ferrets" was cool, but the idea of belonging to a "BIF" left me queasy.) I guess nominations for the organizing committee are open. Bob C and 17 MO Mad As Hell Ferreteers [Posted in FML issue 1969]