History of Organizations

The NTA was started with good intentions. Unfortunately politics have made it pretty much like our current government. Many go in with good ideas, but nothing gets done because of personal differences.

The IGT, while a good group of people and a fun show was started pretty much over politics, a feud between NTA members. It is now defunct.

The structure of taxidermy associations is poorly set up IMO. Competitions, while starting out as a way for members to learn and improve......has now turned into the ONLY function of our state and national organizations. It is the only money we get. To that end competitions have become so lenient as not to make anyone angry so that they return.....and bring their money. I have not been to a competition in a LONG time that did not give EVERY PIECE a ribbon....deserving or not.

The Crains pretty much hold the NTA together and for the most part do a great job. The board members have become obselete in the current system.

Until taxidermists start to re-think our organizations then we will be doomed to mediocrity.

Taxidermy organizations should be focused on IMPROVING taxidermy for the members and the customers. IMO competition should be re-structured so that the emphasis is on improving rather than winning. I could write 100 pages on the subject.

The short version.........politics.

 

"The Crains pretty much hold the NTA together and for the most part do a great job. The board members have become obselete in the current system."
Jim, that seams to be it in a nutshell. How do we get the voice back to the board.? Preasure the president to listen. They are there for discussing ideas. or suppose to be. Can we overthrow the government? The vote shows what most members appear to want, so the rest remain silent? I think all most want is to be heard, and their ideas concidered. seriously concidered.
Dan

 

I did leave out a sentence.....add to that paragraph "However, this is NOT the way the NTA should be ran. The DOG should be wagging the tail and not vice versa."

Dan, you are correct, we need to take back that voice. However 10 year contracts tend to squash "the voice".

I am afraid that we will be seeing some big shake-ups in the taxidermy organizations soon. Of course there are those that say FIX what's broken don't re-build......however it looks like things are BEYOND fixing.

Like George says if more don't get involved it will never change. However the turn over on the board is too slow to make the needed changes. On top of that people who WOULD make necessary changes don't hang on through the storms, they always jump ship, SO there is NEVER a MAJORITY of NEW blood. I am not talking about ANY ONE person, I am speaking of MANY who bailed in the past.

 

Jim hit it right on the head.

 

Jim, Your short version is just fine. I have no interest in any state or national organization where the main function is competition and certification. My initial optimism is fading. Gathering info on who and what the new agenda is may be a difficult chore. Stepping up to the plate is going to require entrepreneurial spirit and fortitude. Monte

 

To what Jim Tucker said about competitions - AMEN, BROTHER!

 

Geno you are asking for a LONG post. I doubt anybody is going to type THAT much.

 

Geno,
Depending on what you are after I would start with keyword search of the forum archives. Write down the qustions you have and start there. Next start e-mailing and picking up the phone of the key people in the area that your information centers around. And last but not least hit your conventions and talk to those who have been around. Many a good conversation. Obviously, the more you put into it the more you get out.
Mac

 

Ralph Garland wrote us an excellent two-part article about how the NTA was formed. Don Ryno also wrote an article about the formation of the Internatinal Guild of Taxidermy (IGT). Here is how to find them in your back issues of Breakthrough:

Garland, Ralph. Part I–Share History: NTA–The Early Years, Issue 43, pp90-91
Part II–Share History: NTA–The Early Years, Issue 44, pp68-69

Ryno, Don. A History of The International Guild of Taxidermy, Issue 42, p127
Reflections of 50 Years of Taxidermy, Issue 82, pp109-111

 

Kathy you are so smart, and attractive I might add.

 

I can't wait for Kathy to take me fishing!!

 

You're welcome for the photo Michael. With smiles like that, I just know you both had a great time at the Nationals. Thanks for taking time to chat with me too. It meant more than you will know.

 

Kathy Blomquist is one of the most brilliant people I know in, around, or about taxidermy. Having said that, I'm sure she's heard snow jobs from other brilliant people over the years. But Phil, you and Michael are pathetic. LMAO

 

George, don't be jealous of Phil & I just because Kathy doesn't wanna here about the fishing trip's you took as a child in the late 1800's ;D

 

Geno...if you can ever attend a seminar by John Janelli, you will hear more fascinating historical stories about taxidermy than you can imagine...and he tells them with such enthusiasm and gusto!!!