State Association Benefits

DITTO!

 

I had stayed in the dark for two decades not even talking to other taxidermists...The day i joined a state association, a completely changed new world came into view,and it directly affected the quality of my work, and the amount i could get for my work--its a win win win..not to mention how many great folks I now consider my friends that i met through the association...I pitty the fools who think otherwise :

 

There are some people who are just not 'joiners'. They like hanging out in their garage or shop, doing their art, and don't feel the need to join into what is sometimes a social situation. They don't belong to the Elks club or Masons either. I know they could learn something, but there are shy people out there. It's hard for me to feel like I fit in at our conventions, as a beginner. It seems like everybody has known each other for years and it's old home week. Our seminars are fabulous, and I'm learning from some of the best, but it's kind of a lonely weekend. What do associations do to make new guys feel welcome?

 

Leaf art,

You bring up a good point. I know that in a lot of small state associations everyone knows everyone. I know that if you don't have an outgoing personality it is sometimes hard to fit in. I would suggest that you volunteer to help out. Most associations are always in need of extra help, and if they are anything like our association if you offer to help and are sincere in your efforts you will be welcomed with open arms. Attend a few board meetings, and become involved. The more that you put into it the more that you get out of it. I can almost guarantee that it won't be long before you fit in and it will be old home week for you too.

If all else fails go to the watering hole after all of the seminars are over, and rub elbows and relax. I am not saying that you have to go to the bar and get drunk. Heck have a coke and try to out lie the liars.
You most likely will run into some of the folks that frequent these forums, ain't that right critter coroner.

It also raises a good point to those in the leadership of state associations, that I am not sure that I have heard asked before. WHAT ARE WE DOING TO MAKE NEW MEMBERS FEEL WELCOME, AND MAKE OLD MEMBERS WANT TO COME BACK. Great post, and a lot of food for thought.

 

I know a large group of us stays up nearly all night talking on FRIDAY AND SATURDAY. We sit in the main lobby or the hallway. All you have to do is to come and sit down with us.

 

If these people don,t care enough about themselves to join and improve to a higher level,let them go on thinking they are good and the ones in an assn. will just continue to smoke them on a daily basis! It's their loss not ours.I personally have no respect for any of these non educated taxi.'s that put out crap and choose not to do anything about it. They usually end up being second rate cutthroats that make it hard on the rest of us real wild-life artists to make a living! A bad taxidermist is a black eye to the profession.I have put in the hours to educate myself, I have competed and won the ribbons,I've won the special awards, I' have earned my specialist certifications by my state assn..Yet the same thing happens every year,I listen to someone tell me how good Ol' BillyBob is at taxidermy when in fact Billy Bob does some of the most horriffic work in the country! Personally ,as hard as we try to get these people to join an assn. it is just frustrating to see them pass it up and just not care. Sorry! I got on my soapbox but it just aggravates me!

 

I feel like I'm in the same boat as Leaf Art. I've gone...years ago... watched the politics, the clics, the back-slapping, the arguments, the embarrassments. Haven't been back in years. I know how important it is to keep improving so I just spent my money on 1 on 1 training. BUT - I went to the World Show in 1999 and it impressed on me how good taxidermy can be. Because of that show I've been striving to reach that level ever since.

I went to my state show years ago and minus the ego driven, bad-feelings, feeling left out competition I LEARNED a great deal from the seminars. I tried to speak with a few of the heavy hitters...they didn't have the time. I did have several members corner me in order to bad mouth and totally trash and "warn" me about someone else. I left feeling like I had been back to highschool and had no intention of going back. It's no fun watching two grown men, who hate each other's guts smile and exchange pleasantries - all because of jealousy over what they had entered into competition.

I love taxidermy because it allows me to get away from the crap of the everyday workplace, if going to a specific state show takes that benefit away then I would chose not to attend.

Still, I'm going to several state shows this next year to see the latest work...but this time I know what I'm going for and if they "in-crowd/clic" doesn't say hi, that'll be ok too I'll be there for a different reason.

NOTE: A person's Perception is their Reality...to negate or minimize one person's experience isn't fair or equitable and assumes incorrectly, in my opinion, a great deal (Those within a cliq rarely recognize that they are indeed in it...and most times would find it of no benefit to do so...something about "on the outside looking in" comes to mind. To say that this hasn't or doesn't happen is perhaps one of the many reasons over 80% of taxidermists choose not to join their respective state or even national organizations, even when doing so would most likely benefit them in some fashion. ) Finally, judging by the PM's I received regarding this issue I see that I am not the only one with this same perception. Hats Off to Mr. Bauman for seeking answers as to why so many don't participate.

"It also raises a good point to those in the leadership of state associations, that I am not sure that I have heard asked before. WHAT ARE WE DOING TO MAKE NEW MEMBERS FEEL WELCOME, AND MAKE OLD MEMBERS WANT TO COME BACK. Great post, and a lot of food for thought." Terry Bennett - 9-12-07

 

Wings Up, I had better see you at the Ft. Worth show in June, LOL

 

Well,

That's one that will say "Hi". Thank you Becky.

 

IMO here is no IN crowd. It is the fact that many people have been to the show for many years and are FRIENDS who see each other only once a year.

Sure like any competition there are winners and losers. If one of my good friends wins an award you bet I will "slap his back".

I have been involved in State Shows for most of my taxidermy life. I have never seen any indication of "deceit" or "cheating".

Here in Ohio we have taken as many steps as possible to make people feel welcome. The judging is done in the open so that ANYBODY can look and see what's going on. Whole families can go to the show without paying any extra money(unless they enter).

I try and speak to as many people as possible but you know what....I AM BUSY that weekend.

Every year we say in EVERY seminar, talk to the judges, get your critique, talk to others no matter what their level, get opinions. Like I said every night we sit and talk nearly ALL NIGHT. Sometimes it is up to YOU to join in.

IMO there is no better place for a taxidermist than a State Show.

 

Well said Jim.

 

Jim hit the nail on the head.
Ive been involved in helping out with our state show and it is crazy. People can get all the info they want if they just ask.

Ive been to the Ohio show the last couple of years and Jim has spoke to me even though I'm from Michigan. I think he moved the show to Columbus to keep us from wearing any Maize and Blue.

 

Well, it IS right across the street from the Horseshoe.....MI attire at your own risk!

 

I guess i will chime in too. I used to think our association was full of clics. As it turned out it was all in my head. Im lucky to live in a state with some of the best taxidermist in the world. I would see their names in Breakthrough, and most of the supplier catalogs. I would see them at the meeting talking to officers of the association, but rarely to any of the general membership. now you have to remember that i was fairly new at this time, and just in awe of these people and thier work. To me these people were movie stars. At one of the meetings i needed to ask one of my favorite "movie stars" a question. Boy was i amazed. We ended up talking most of the day. As it turns out they seem like sharing their knowledge. Since then i have been to many of thier seminars, and even been to some of thier homes. I feel extremely lucky to be part of such a wonderful association. Oh, and the clics? yeah there is a clic, and i think it has about 280 members ;D

 

Len,

You got that right. Most of those "celebrities" are down to earth people that have worked really hard to perfect their craft. Of course there are a few with "attitudes" but most at not that way.

 

It sounds like your running a great organization KBauman- It's good to hear there are assoc. like that. We do quite a bit of work for shops in Oklahoma- some great people down there.

That "celebrity" b.s. is really unfortunate ( and stupid). A number of my clients say that they can't say our name in front of " the greats" as it may offend them : or even tell anyone in there presents we do good work ??? lol. One reason we avoid shows~