NTA goals from the members.

3bears, you write well, but I'm not sure you understand the definitions of the words or comprehend what you've said. You started off by implying what I said was wrong but end up by validating what I said. Now I'm confused. GEEZ!!!!

The NTA was based and created ON STATE ORGANIZATIONS. In fact, the original charter was copied from a state organization. The purpose of the organization was intended to be a step more critical than the state competitions with a larger selection of seminar and instruction methods. The later intent was to act as an umbrella FOR the states, but they killed that with the cockimamie "affiliation" program.

You're hardly alone and in my years, I see attitudes like yours being the prime reason for ANY NATIONAL TAXIDERMY ORGANIZATION to have an uphill climb to success. Too many cooks intending to spoil the broth. Everyone insisting th at THEIR perception is better or correct. Coupling that with those intent on blowing roses up people's asses and not wanting to be transparent in ALL their dealings jeopardizes any organization. The NTA is no different.

 

John, transparency is not a word in the dialect of taxidermy. Sorry. Never happened before, ain't happening now, won't be in the future. The track record of every taxidermy association is littered with bodies to prove that.

 

The NTA may want to look at themselves more as a business organization than a hobbyist organization,gearing their focus more to helping members be successful as business owners and commercial taxidermists.Right now taxidermists are more involved in impressing each other than they are at building a client base.

 

AMEN

 

gab, that is partly what I was trying to say, I don't think that they should forget about the hobbyists out there though.
George, I was raised to respect my elders and have tried not to go this way, but enough is enough. Quit the naysaying BS and help the NTA grow into the organization it can be or please step aside and let others do it. You may be correct, it may never make it, but it damn sure won't if influential members like yourself and standing board members continuously hold it back. I do understand what I write, but I guess I may need to explain myself better. I am not familiar with the history of the beginning of the NTA. Again, why would an organization that is relying on attaining membership support from people around the country, that are already likely members of a state or regional organization, expect them to support another organization that offers nothing more than their local organization? The NTA is fighting a uphill battle, there is no question of that, but in order for it to be relevant it does need to "reinvent the wheel" so to speak. It does need to offer more than other organizations, or at least offer similar things in different and better ways, to draw support from taxidermists across the nation.

 

AMEN! AMEN! AMEN!

 

3bears, I happened to grow up in an era where truth, honesty and integrity meant something. Taxidermists tend to bore he'll out of me with their narcissism and turning a blind eye to facts. I tire of guys insisting that if you aren't blowing roses up their ass, you're "bringing down" an organization. I've spent seven years and thousands of dollars trying to bring integrity and honesty to the NTA. I've seen the hard working, honest people slandered by prima donnas. I've seen exceptionally talented men who made comfortable livings in real business smeared by guys who never done more than working for someone. I am sick of hearing how offended some of you are when confronted by facts and truth. Do you REALLY think I make up this stuff? My integrity is worth a helluva lot more to me than embarrassing some of you with the truth.

 

Thanks for taking suggestions John, it's a very good way to get ideas for the board to throw around. As we discussed at Texas , I would like for the award of excellence brought back to prominence. At one time it was the pinnacle of our industry. There is no doubt A world champion is the best of the best ,but that is one mount at one show. The AOE is earned by collecting points over a period of years at state shows in addition to points at the national level. It takes a lot of hard work to attain and it seems like its just kind of faded away.

 

George, I don't blow roses up anyone's rear end and don't want them up mine. I am quite certain that I am not alone when it comes to the ideas I have expressed, just maybe the only one brave enough, or as some may think dumb enough, to post them here. Instead of arguing with me and my suggestions, maybe try listening to them for once. I have hopes for the NTA, but all I hear is excuses why they cannot be accomplished, or been there done that, ain't gonna happen. You may well have tried and failed for many reasons but circumstances and some personnel have changed. If the issues were important enough to attempt before now, why aren't they important enough today? I am not one who believes that if you have a problem throw enough money at it, it will go away. Therefor I will not be sending dues until things have been proved to have changed.
I'll express another opinion that pertains to this subject. People in general tend to acquire a sense of ownership of something, when they devote time and resources to that something. This is good and bad. It can be good, because it helps motivate people to work harder. The bad of it is like in this situation it appears that some have and maybe continue to make decisions about the NTA for personal reasons and not for the betterment of the NTA and it's members. It seems pretty easy to fall into this trap, I myself was headed in that direction once, in an organization not taxidermy related, that I helped build, thankfully I realized it and chose to step away. I am not attacking anybody's integrity, I'm sure everyone had good intentions in the beginning but other influences obscured their vision along the way.

 

3bears, you are 100% correct. The NTA isn't headed in the right direction YET. I think that you are wise to have a wait and see attitude.

 

John, are you quoting me? I will do anything I can to be part of the solution, except tolerate being told my ideas are no good and "ain't going to happen". I have no bad intentions and no personal agenda other than to be part of a National Taxidermist Association, that actually will benefit everyone in the industry members and non-members alike. I hope this is what the board is working towards.

 

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