NAFA 2008 Electon Results

[HawkMom]

They are as follows:

Ballots were counted in front of 5 witnesses. Just like the US election this year, a larger than normal members voted. :shock:

Director at Large
Ralph Roger: 532
Steve Jones: 319

South Pacific
Dave Wadsworth: 54
Steve Watson: 33

Mountain
Bruce Haak: 101
John Swift: 79

Canadian
Mark Williams: 40 out of 43 ballots returned

Great Lakes
Dianne Moller: 74 out of 111 ballots returned

[Ben C]

what does it mean if ballots are returned?

[CanadaManada]

what does it mean if ballots are returned?

Presumably those are valid mail-in ballots mailed back to the voting centre.

Justin

[GregMik]

what does it mean if ballots are returned?

A ballot is mailed to every eligible member to vote. Two of the candidates were running unopposed because of the politics being played right now in NAFA. The reason those two didn't have a unanimous win was because the ballots returned either didn't have any box checked or had a write in candidate marked. So there was not many of the 1600-1900 ballots returned, not a very good turn out...as usual.

I predict another loss in membership again this yr.

Greg

[Ben C]

A ballot is mailed to every eligible member to vote. Two of the candidates were running unopposed because of the politics being played right now in NAFA. The reason those two didn't have a unanimous win was because the ballots returned either didn't have any box checked or had a write in candidate marked. So there was not many of the 1600-1900 ballots returned, not a very good turn out...as usual.

I predict another loss in membership again this yr.

Greg

Thanks.

[Keeb71]

If i had received my ballot i would have voted. The guy i would have voted for won so i guess that nothing lost in the end.

Chris

[OutHawkn]

A ballot is mailed to every eligible member to vote. Two of the candidates were running unopposed because of the politics being played right now in NAFA. The reason those two didn't have a unanimous win was because the ballots returned either didn't have any box checked or had a write in candidate marked. So there was not many of the 1600-1900 ballots returned, not a very good turn out...as usual.

I predict another loss in membership again this yr.

Greg

You got that right. I'm done with them. NAFA has so many people unhappy that we tried to elect new people rather than the same old group. And MANY of the folks that wanted change didnt even receive thier ballot so they couldnt vote. I'm done with them. I'd rather giver my support to the WRTC.

[MitchellBrad]

I think those of us who thought this election would make a difference in
NAFA's direction were disappointed. The genius of some in NAFA is they
turned this into a WRTC vs NAFA event. It worked. There are those who
believed WRTC was attempting to take over NAFA even a few within WRTC
believed this. Nothing could have been further from the truth. It doesn't
mean a thing now. The ballots were cast, counted and the results are now
known. This is the direction those who bothered to vote want NAFA to take.
Who am I to question what the majority wants? So I'm not going to bother.
There were several petitions filed by members of NAFA who were also WRTC
members. This fell right into the hands of the conflict mongers and further
solidified their arguments.

In some small way I find an analogy to what Nikita Khrushchev once said. "We
will bury you!" I think some NAFA members really thought WRTC was out to
bury NAFA. Many in the world took Khrushchev's comment to mean they intended
war. More bomb shelters went into the ground while others were too busy to
dig because all they could do was chew their nails. The fact is he later
said, "I once got in trouble for saying, 'We will bury you'. Of course, we
will not bury you with a shovel. Your own working class will bury you". It
seems to me it's the same thing. Your own falconers will eventually bury you
by moving on. Anyway it wasn't an us against them it was more of an
ideological event. Did you want NAFA to become more active in the future of
falconry or did you want to continue down the same old road? The membership
spoke. We NAFA members have to respect that.

I think Greg and Bill are right. The membership is going to continue to drop
from less than half of the licensed falconers in the US to a lot less than
half of the licensed falconers in the US. I suppose this is the way of
things and the future of these sorts of organizations. For what it's worth
we now have privatization, with limitations, of our birds. Those who are
trying to downplay that are overlooking the fact that if for some reason
birds are confiscated we now have recourse to recover the birds, recover
costs and to make them responsible for their actions. That's all we wanted
in the first place.

There is now serious talk of forming a new falconry club in the US. I hope
folks take a good look at this. NAFA's humble beginnings came about because
of the elitist attitudes of people like Luff Meredith. Webster and Beebe
envisioned a club all falconers could join and have a say. Something for the
common folks. Maybe in the evolution of falconry in the US this is the best
approach. Each falconer will have to be the judge and decide where he/she
fits in best.

I've found it doesn't do a lot of good to say "I quit" to an audience. Most
don't care while others are happy as Hell to see you leave. It's best to act
while you keep your intentions to yourself or at least within a circle of
close friends. The future of NAFA is now in the hands of those elected to
the board. It's gonna be interesting to see what people begin to write in
the next HC. No matter how large or small the vote this is a mandate for the
board to keep on doing what it's doing.

I'm sure glad it's hawking season.

[Ben C]

If i had received my ballot i would have voted. The guy i would have voted for won so i guess that nothing lost in the end.

Chris

Except that this kind of practise is sloppy and unconstitutional I guess........not that I am from the US at all, so my opinion means jackshit. :lol:

[SquirrelHawkin]

Dam,I voted for and hoped Steve Jones would win.

[OutHawkn]

Dam,I voted for and hoped Steve Jones would win.

A WHOLE lot of people wanted to vote for Steve , but they didnt get ballots...ODD dont you think..............

[SquirrelHawkin]

A WHOLE lot of people wanted to vote for Steve , but they didnt get ballots...ODD dont you think..............

I hope that's not true:(,I think Steve is what NAFA needed.

[GregMik]

A WHOLE lot of people wanted to vote for Steve , but they didnt get ballots...ODD dont you think..............

Why did they not request one? There was plenty of time.

Greg

[Eagle Owl]

Why did they not request one? There was plenty of time.

Greg

Many did, Greg, and they kept getting the run around. :roll:

[OutHawkn]

Many did, Greg, and they kept getting the run around. :roll:

:supz:

[GregMik]

We need to find these ppl and bring this up at the general board meeting.

Greg

[SquirrelHawkin]

:(Many did, Greg, and they kept getting the run around. :roll:

And they wonder why the membership numbers drop.:(

[Eagle Owl]

We need to find these ppl and bring this up at the general board meeting.

Greg

I agree!!! Fred Fogg is one of them and he will be at the meet!!!

[OutHawkn]

We need to find these ppl and bring this up at the general board meeting.

Greg


Many of them plan on doing just that. :supz:

[OutHawkn]

I agree!!! Fred Fogg is one of them and he will be at the meet!!!And we're voting to put Fred in charge...right Brandi...LOL:lol:

[GregMik]

:(

And they wonder why the membership numbers drop.:(

Unfortunately I predict at least a 300 member drop this yr.:mad:

Greg

[GregMik]

I am going to pay my dues for one more yr and run for Central Director again next yr. If they play games again I will be gone.

Greg

[OutHawkn]

I am going to pay my dues for one more yr and run for Central Director again next yr. If they play games again I will be gone.

Greg

I wish you would I'd pay my dues for another year if your going to do it.

[GregMik]

I wish you would I'd pay my dues for another year if your going to do it.

No wishing necessary, it is a promise.

Greg

[HawkMom]

The way to get around this and get your ballots counted is to show proof of your NAFA membership status. The label on your Hawk Chalk (usually has expiration date on it). Or a cancelled check or print out of your paypal dues payment. Then even if you do not get a ballot, send in your choice via certified mail with a return receipt. That way you have proof that will stand up in court challenges. But, will enough dis-enfranchised members really do this to make a difference?

I did receive a ballot and sent it back promptly. I will now copy it from now on and send it in with proof of receipt.

[Eagle Owl]

And we're voting to put Fred in charge...right Brandi...LOL:lol:

Yep!!! ;) I am making posters right now!!! I was thinking we can have something like a picket line in front of the doors to the board meeting! :lol:

[Eagle Owl]

We need to find these ppl and bring this up at the general board meeting.

Greg

Many of them plan on doing just that. :supz:

We need to try and get a list together of everyone who did not receive a ballot and tried to get one. I am sure many did not get ballots who will not be attending the meet. That way we can stand up with a list and demand to know why so and so did not get a ballot.

[GregMik]

The way to get around this and get your ballots counted is to show proof of your NAFA membership status. The label on your Hawk Chalk (usually has expiration date on it). Or a cancelled check or print out of your paypal dues payment. Then even if you do not get a ballot, send in your choice via certified mail with a return receipt. That way you have proof that will stand up in court challenges. But, will enough dis-enfranchised members really do this to make a difference?

I did receive a ballot and sent it back promptly. I will now copy it from now on and send it in with proof of receipt.

Kitty,

I am afraid that so much stuff has gone on with these elections that the membership does not have much confidence anymore. Where does it end?

Greg

[MitchellBrad]

What happened to Ken's post?

I answered it:
Hi Ken,
I wasn't going to chime in on this just because.... Do you really think it was fixed Ken? My personal opinion is, when it came to sending out the ballots, incompetence ruled.
Just out of curiousity it would be interesting to see who didn't get a ballot on this forum. An informal sample, so to speak. I got one without any problems. My neighbor says he didn't get one, he wouldn't have voted anyway. I went over there to get him to vote one day, he said he didn't get a ballot but I suspect he threw it away. He couldn't remember. In his case anything he says is: Non Gradus Anus Rodentum!
In my opinion what's done is done.

[Mark Moglich]

I never got one!!! Only thing I got was email from some alarmed members about WRTC. Sounds like the OLD minded members don't like change. What happened to Ken's post?

I answered it:
Hi Ken,
I wasn't going to chime in on this just because.... Do you really think it was fixed Ken? My personal opinion is, when it came to sending out the ballots, incompetence ruled.
Just out of curiousity it would be interesting to see who didn't get a ballot on this forum. An informal sample, so to speak. I got one without any problems. My neighbor says he didn't get one, he wouldn't have voted anyway. I went over there to get him to vote one day, he said he didn't get a ballot but I suspect he threw it away. He couldn't remember. In his case anything he says is: Non Gradus Anus Rodentum!
In my opinion what's done is done.

[MitchellBrad]

I never got one!!! Only thing I got was email from some alarmed members about WRTC. Sounds like the OLD minded members don't like change.

Your kidding me!!!! Then there may be more to this than meets the eye.

Brad

[Kentish Falconry]

Bit like the Hawk Board Elections here then, no one knew about them until after they had closed and the Members were in place.
Many other candidates would have put their names up for election had we known when it was.
I was told that it had been published in the BFC News letter but mine never arrived and still hasn't. The BFC are not the only club in the UK but there does seem to be a lack of communication from the Hawk Board to Falconers, so this time we ended up with 4 Specialist Members out of 6 so the rules have been changed so that half the Hawk Board will stand down for re-election every 2 years. Next year 1 HB Member will stand for re-election and 2 more places will be offered to candidates to bring the HB Members back to 6
At least this way there will always be 3 existing Members who are up to speed on current events and work in hand.
Terry

[FredrickFogg]

And we're voting to put Fred in charge...right Brandi...LOL:lol:

Uh, no thanks! LOL I will be at the board meeting with emails from all the board members and Bridget with all their promises to get me my ballot that I never did get. All I got were excuses and apologies. I told them I wanted my dues back from this year, but I was going to stay a member because I wanted my voice to be heard and to get things changed. So I will be there demanding my dues back or something of equal value. LOL. So count me in on the board meeting.

[Eagle Owl]

What happened to Ken's post?


Brad, he deleted it himself.

[MitchellBrad]

Brad, he deleted it himself.

Thanks. That covers that.

[Venividevenatio]

Bit like the Hawk Board Elections here then, no one knew about them until after they had closed and the Members were in place.
Many other candidates would have put their names up for election had we known when it was.
I was told that it had been published in the BFC News letter but mine never arrived and still hasn't. The BFC are not the only club in the UK but there does seem to be a lack of communication from the Hawk Board to Falconers, so this time we ended up with 4 Specialist Members out of 6 so the rules have been changed so that half the Hawk Board will stand down for re-election every 2 years. Next year 1 HB Member will stand for re-election and 2 more places will be offered to candidates to bring the HB Members back to 6
At least this way there will always be 3 existing Members who are up to speed on current events and work in hand.
Terry

( Sorry that this off the thread.)
Terry, surely you are not suggestiong that the HB has a bias towards the BFC?
How could you be so cynical?
I know I couldnt!:lol:

Perhaps your post would be better placed after this?
http://www.falconryforum.co.uk/showpost.php?p=879297&postcount=74

[Ben C]

It this this FUNDAMENTAL sloppiness on both sides of the pond that is TRULY detrimental to the respective tenets of the sport.

[Kentish Falconry]

( Sorry that this off the thread.)
Terry, surely you are not suggestiong that the HB has a bias towards the BFC?
How could you be so cynical?
I know I couldnt!:lol:

Perhaps your post would be better placed after this?
http://www.falconryforum.co.uk/showpost.php?p=879297&postcount=74

I am not suggesting anything of the sort Paul you know better than that.
What I am saying is that there seemed to be a lack of organisation with last years elections.
I had spoken to the Chairman of the BHA as I am also a member as well as the BFC, no one seemed to know when the CV's had to be in so I phoned Jim Chick and he told me the elections had been the day before after a long discussion Jim said he would put it to the HB that I and JPJ could be co-opted onto the HB as Specialist members this did not work out so instead they changed the rules and decided to go for Bi annual elections for half the Board.
I stay in contact with the HB and still make suggestion to them along with info gathering. I will consider my position next year as to whether I will stand for election or not
Terry

[SakerJack]

What happened to Ken's post?

I answered it:
Hi Ken,
I wasn't going to chime in on this just because.... Do you really think it was fixed Ken? My personal opinion is, when it came to sending out the ballots, incompetence ruled.
Just out of curiousity it would be interesting to see who didn't get a ballot on this forum. An informal sample, so to speak. I got one without any problems. My neighbor says he didn't get one, he wouldn't have voted anyway. I went over there to get him to vote one day, he said he didn't get a ballot but I suspect he threw it away. He couldn't remember. In his case anything he says is: Non Gradus Anus Rodentum!
In my opinion what's done is done.

Hello Brad,, Yes I deleted it. The words I said I meant and as you can see there have been too many ballots that were never sent and received. Incompetence? I doubt it very much, the same thing happened to NAFA members in Canada.
After I posted I thought about it and honsestly I just wanted to wash my hands of the whole election "Fix", so I removed it.
Sorry,, probably should have thought twice before I even posted the first time but I acted first thought about it second..
Regards,,

[MitchellBrad]

Hello Brad,, Yes I deleted it. The words I said I meant and as you can see there have been too many ballots that were never sent and received. Incompetence? I doubt it very much, the same thing happened to NAFA members in Canada.
After I posted I thought about it and honsestly I just wanted to wash my hands of the whole election "Fix", so I removed it.
Sorry,, probably should have thought twice before I even posted the first time but I acted first thought about it second..
Regards,,

Hey Ken,
I'm usually willing to give people the benefit of the doubt. Too many times I've been standing in the crowd shouting, "Jump, jump, jump" at the innocent. Believe me I'm not saying anyone is innocent at all, I just want to be sure before I join in.
I did appreciate your post and tried to answer. My unfounded fear was someone other than yourself had removed it.

I guess, just like a kidney stone, all this will eventually pass. It's gonna be painful!!!!

Hanging chads come to mind. I don't know why I wrote the previous sentence but if there is something foul afoot or a cover up I doubt anyone is going to figure it out or fess up. We all have to justify our decisions and what we are going to do. I've made up my mind but will keep counsel with myself on this issue

Brad

[SakerJack]

Hey Ken,
I'm usually willing to give people the benefit of the doubt. Too many times I've been standing in the crowd shouting, "Jump, jump, jump" at the innocent. Believe me I'm not saying anyone is innocent at all, I just want to be sure before I join in.
I did appreciate your post and tried to answer. My unfounded fear was someone other than yourself had removed it.

I guess, just like a kidney stone, all this will eventually pass. It's gonna be painful!!!!

Hanging chads come to mind. I don't know why I wrote the previous sentence but if there is something foul afoot or a cover up I doubt anyone is going to figure it out or fess up. We all have to justify our decisions and what we are going to do. I've made up my mind but will keep counsel with myself on this issue

Brad

Hey Brad,, thanks for the reply,, Funny well not real funny,, my wife just passed one this morning and was bent over in pain for an hour!! Glad it was her..
Regards,

[Ben C]

Hey Brad,, thanks for the reply,, Funny well not real funny,, my wife just passed one this morning and was bent over in pain for an hour!! Glad it was her..
Regards,

I hazard a guess this particular kidney stone may last longer than an hour to pass.....

[MitchellBrad]

I hazard a guess this particular kidney stone may last longer than an hour to pass.....

Ben,

It doesn't matter anymore except to Ken's missus<G>

What's done is done. The elections are overwith and that's that.

We all will remember this election and take joy from what we've learned. There maybe a concerted effort to toss those vocal WRTC members out of NAFA which you must remember comprises roughly 41% of the licensed US falconers. I'm not sure about our Canadian brethern. It's been a wonderful learning experience for us all. I'm actually quite pleased with what has happened. Believe it or not.

Brad

[Ben C]

Ben,

It doesn't matter anymore except to Ken's missus<G>

What's done is done. The elections are overwith and that's that.

We all will remember this election and take joy from what we've learned. There maybe a concerted effort to toss those vocal WRTC members out of NAFA which you must remember comprises roughly 41% of the licensed US falconers. I'm not sure about our Canadian brethern. It's been a wonderful learning experience for us all. I'm actually quite pleased with what has happened. Believe it or not.

Brad



I concur.......wholeheartedly

[HawkMom]

In the US, less that 15% of gun hunters are members of an organization that promotes hunting. No wonder the gunning community is hurting.

[OutHawkn]

In the US, less that 15% of gun hunters are members of an organization that promotes hunting. No wonder the gunning community is hurting.


Kinda sad if you think about it......................

[MitchellBrad]

Kinda sad if you think about it......................

A close friend of mine says, "We are the last generation!" He may be right too.

Brad

[Ben C]

A close friend of mine says, "We are the last generation!" He may be right too.

Brad

Yes considering that your country was founded on survival through hunting, guns and trapping......