NTA goals from the members.

John, as a future member I would like to see the NTA more on the front lines when it comes to laws pertaining to wildlife and taxidermists. Now before somebody pipes up about the mounting of one damn raptor, that isn't entirely what I am talking about. We seem to argue on here about laws pertaining to obtaining and possessing wildlife, and it seems that the state and federal wildlife departments don't know the laws either. This is a big deal, it would be nice for the members of the organization to have access to legal council that specializes in or at least understands wildlife law. I am not suggesting the NTA foot the bill to defend someone in a criminal court, that will be between the defendant and the lawyer, but providing a connection to specialized legal advice.
Honestly, I am new to the convention thing and haven't been to any, so I may be completely wrong here. I get this impression from what I read here. We as taxidermist are very competitive and egotistical as a whole and it seems that now the competitions are what everyone is competing with these days. Who can have the biggest and best, seems to be the thing now. I know conventions are important to the financial health of an organization. But I think substance is more important than size. Does not the mission statement of every taxidermy organization say something about educating and advancing the art and business of all taxidermist. This should be the focus of all of them. In my eyes anyway. I don't want The National Taxidermist Association to forget that. I'm sure I'll catch hell for these suggestions but, whatever, they are my suggestions take em or leave em.

 

Regardless of how you think you will be perceived you should never be afraid to voice your opinion. One of the most frustrating things about our industry is that because of our low population in the grand scheme of things, our voice is hardly heard even though we have the most at stake. Any national or state association that hopes to be heard must forge alliances with those organizations that have the numbers, the money, and the ear of the politicians. Like Safari club. Obviously the Safari club has a vested interest in Taxidermists. We are the "boots on the ground" so to speak so I think our voice and experience can add a much needed weapon in the battles to take away the rights of taxidermists and sportsmen.

 

John your doing a awesome job.Keep up the great attitude and wow them.

 

How about the opportunity to go to the convention at least once every few years without having to travel more than 12 hours. I've done the 22 and 32 hour trips already. Somewhere that everyone gets to attend without having to drive for 10 to 12 hours at least say, every 4 years. Maybe eliminate every state that boarders an ocean, gulf, or other country from contention for hosting the convention. EVERYONE should have to travel a little. NOONE should have to travels days every year.

 

Need to.....

Need to come out to the southwest.



Kerby...

 

Ken, many of us, yourself included, have built numerous bridges and inroads with SCI throughout the years. As the most powerful pro-hunting group in the world, the truly have the best interests of all taxidermists at heart.

John, from my perspective, the Louisiana Taxidermists Association was extremely present and invaluable to the NTA down there in Baton Rouge, many of whom came right from the southern portion of that beautiful state. They not only welcomed us but they worked as hard as anyone could possibly have done thus contributing to the collective effort it took to make the NTA show as enjoyable as it was.

 

What I would like to see is for the NTA promote Taxidermy as a legitimate profession that "customers" should use discretion and knowledge when choosing their taxidermist.

For example a larger presence for the NTA within the hunting industry. More dollars towards the promotion of quality taxidermy. As it is now most people outside our own circles have little to ZERO knowledge of how taxidermy works and what is quality...and why you should seek it out. If all we are going to do is make sure we have a convention it's a waste of time. I think that funds spent in this area would help us out far more than any other spent.

The NTA needs to look at itself as a PRODUCT. That product should be absolutely necessary if you want to do taxidermy. As it is now it has very little to do with succesful taxidermy.

 

I'd like to see Jim Tucker & Heath Cline twist a few arms & have the next open convention year for the NTA brought to Ohio!

 

Everyone wants more police, better garbage pick up, better schools and better roads. No one wants their taxes increased to make this happen, however.

The NTA has a "mission statement" and aside from providing the water, we can't make anyone drink. We're never going to be able to provide legal lobby to politicians. We simply don't have that kind of money. We can't "make" conventions go to Spokane San Diego, St. Louis, or Miami because of the same thing. SOMEONE in those areas has to take the initiative and get a facility willing to bid on hosing such a smallt time convention. Currently we can only grab the coattails of SCI and hopefully hang on long enough to get name recognition. I know John Janelli had one of the sweetest deals you could imagine from Bass Pro Shops at one time before the old regime decided he had no authority and instead went with a group who paid us in pennies instead og Krugerands like Bass Pro offered.

And we're NEVER going to make the industry 100% professional. It's nothing but a pipe dream. Too many people refuse to join because membership is already "too high" and they're going to charge $200 for a deer head regardless of that we say.

And I know, I'll hear about the negativism from the bleeding heart society, but it's the factualy unvarnished truth. (If you don't have a guy within 20 miles of you who's using your price list and cutting it by 20% or more, I might buy into being too harsh.) All the NTA can do is set "goals" and comply with their "mission statement".

 

NTA Mission Statement

The National Taxidermists Association is a Non-Profit Educational Organization. The National Taxidermists Association’s purposes are as follows:
 To function as a non-profit educational organization dedicated to promoting conservation of wildlife through the preservation of specimens to the highest standards of the taxidermy art.
 To unite into one organization all interested taxidermists, tanners, taxidermy suppliers, and sportsmen.
 To value and respect the taxidermy industry and it’s supporting agencies as important and contributing members of society.
 To disseminate information and meet in convention at regular intervals.
 To promote interaction among taxidermists and foster cooperation with related wildlife oriented industries.
 To benefit the taxidermy industry by: lobbying for or against pertinent State and/or Federal legislation; and developing rapport with government agencies.
 To establish a N.T.A. Code of Ethics, and operate under same.
 To establish an Ethics Committee.
 We believe in the richness, diversity and uniqueness of our membership

 

Jim, I apologize. Really. But trust me, that's the OLD mission statement and goals that the board either has or will have very soon. Those OLD statements were useless and self serving. I hope they're history real soon.

 

Well thank you Mr. Tucker. I guess I would like the NTA to stand up to it's mission statement. I hadn't read that recently so I didn't remember that when I wrote my suggestions. I know that is a tall order but if the NTA cannot devote itself to that, what's the point? There are already enough associations and the like for folks to join and go to competitions, and rub elbows with like minded people.
I get the same damn argument from my state organization, "We don't have the resources to lobby the government." I feel that if we want to make the taxidermy industry relevant, then we could use a voice to speak up against these asinine laws that are on the books or are being added yearly. I'm not suggesting having our own lobbying group, but building and maintaining strong allegiances with entities such as SCI and the like, that can and will help our cause. I can almost understand the state associations saying this with their limited memberships but a national organization should be able to do this. Under the circumstances I can see this taking some time to accomplish but the NTA should be working towards that. George, if in fact that mission statement is outdated and no good, and soon to be changed, why the hell would or should anyone support the NTA?

 

Everything that 3bears said is what I would say also --> A united voice to speak for us against new regulations that would negatively affect our craft. I have not joined the NTA because, so far as I know, it seems to mostly be about the convention/competition, and I am not so much in to those these days. I do think it is a great thing for people who like doing that. And props to John C for posting and allowing the NTA members to get involved more.

 

3bears, that a bit of hypocrisy there. You advocate a strong voice and the ask why you should join. I suspect I'd be wasting my time explaining the irony in your comments. The mission statement the board will get is devoid of euphemisms and innuendos. It's stated in clear, understandable English. It certainly contains relevant subjects. Now if you'd like to see those things, give me a reason why you SHOULDN'T join.

 

There you go George, throwing that damn word around again, and every time you do you give weight to my definition of the word. I did not ask why I should join, I asked why would or should anybody join. We all have our state organizations that we can join and get the perks that go with it such as competitions with awards and seminars and venders, if we choose. The NTA should look to be leader not a follower if it wants to succeed. If it is the intention of this board to just rebuild an organization similar to what was there or similar to the state associations, then have fun with that. When I am assured that the NTA in fact does want to do better I will send in my application, but not until then. I gave you reasons not to join, now can you please give me any good reasons to join?