SFW, mad because I am right

[cantkillathing]

I already had a post cut because I am right, maybe I should be head of SFW, so then people will know that I will support the hunting man and his concerns.
I posted a message about how the SFW doesn't allow the members to vote on issues, so therefore how do they say that they support things, For example, there was the issue of shutting down limited entry units to allow them to come back to the respectful deer herds that they should have. The SFW opposed this and didn't agree with it, talking with members of the SFW they say that they were disappointed because they didn't get to vote on this issue, nor do they vote on any issue. So why be a member of the group if your opinion or voice is never herd, sounds like somebody is making a bunch of money as the head of the group and doesn't care what the members think. I would think that for certain issues the members should have a pole on, but Brian here in his message states that it would cost to much to pole the members, how would it cost to much? 10,000 members at $25 a year is $250,000.00, 10,000 envelopes and stamps maybe $.50 which is $5,000.00, that would leave $245,000.00 to pay the board for there great efforts. Here below is waht Brain had to say. Maybe I am just sour because of the way the deer managment is going in Utah, but I disagree that members don't get to vote on issues that effect them. I won't even go into the new elk managment plan that the SFW supported which is a bunch of Crap, anyway I would like to know why people join the SFW if they don't get to be herd as members.
Yes, I am bitter about managment.
Brians comment-
If SFW polled its members for every issue, it would cost more than they could possibly raise. They'd go broke very fast. It costs money to do most polls.
Second of all, there would still be people complaining, because not everyone would want things the same. In fact, it's hard to find 2 people who agree on how things should work, let alone 10,000.
If you have suggestions or concerns as a member, you can always voice them to the local chapter chair person, who is usually an SFW board member. They will then voice the concerns of the folks in their chapter to the entire SFW board.

Solution:
SFW already has a web site. For far less than $5000 you can create a utility for any member to access and register for a member ID, an ID # that is their's alone. You can then poll via the Web at your web site. Members log in, use their private ID (insuring only one vote per member) and collect the data simply and accurately.
It is simply dishonest in this tech world to say that collecting this data would be too expensive. No stamps, no mail. It would cost a few bucks for the web developer and maybe some software but thereafter you'd have a clean, inexpensive, acurate way to get the feedback you desire on ANY issue you care to put to the members.

 

[Founder]

This is a never ending argument. If you want to share your thoughts and ideas, bring them to a chapter meeting. I'm the SLC chair person. We have a couple meetings a month right now prior to our banquet. You are welcome.

The only other solution I have for you is to start your own group and show us how it's done. Usually, the only way to get things done your way, is to do it yourself.

Shoot me an email and I'll let you know when our next metting is.

Brian Latturner
MonsterMuleys.com

 

[schmalts]

Hogwash that a poll would cost anything significant. Internet polls are easy and cheap. It sounds like they do not want input, just your money.

 

[trathner]

I don't know anything about SFW. However, I have run numerous organizations and currently work for one and sit on the board of another one. Certainly it would be best to have an organization's leadership fully in sync with the membership, but sometimes that is not the case. Sometimes the members want alot more than what is politically acheivable. Other times the leadership is dead wrong.

The idea of polling the membership by mail on issues seems simple, however it is very complex and costly. You don't just pay for postage at .50 cents each. You have to pay for printing, postage, return postage, labor to send the mailing, labor to tally the poll and some audit system to assure that the poll was conducted fairly.

Internet polling of members could work if you could assure the security of responses. What if someone could vote 500 times on an issue? You would need a coded system to assure one vote per member.

Americans always fight for complete transparency, they want to know everything. Well just because you are a member of an organization doesn't mean you get to know everything, all the time. If you MUST know everything use the system to get elected to their board, or advisory committee.

Politics can be very ugly when you are trying to work through an issue. It is almost never black and white. So taking an up or down vote on every issue can be counterproductive. For example:

What if the vote is split on an issue? How should the organization advocate? If you say "neutral" you don't undersatnd the political reality. Imagine remaining neutral on a tag fee increase, or other controversial issue. What would your organization be worth if you do that?

If your political opponents see that your organization is split, they could easily exploit it. Imagine if PETA/HSUS knew hunters were split on a ban on baiting, or hunting with crosbows, or some other issue? What if they could prove it with our own poll?

TR

 

[Daxter]

If you don't like the ideas and philosophies of the leaders of SFW don't join. Find another group that shares your philosophy and join it, or like the founder said form your own group.

The reason any group has leaders is because having a group of members vote on everything just isn't reasonable. Sure, having an internet poll wouldn't be a big deal, but being a real leader sometimes means voting against what the majority would vote for. In California, a state referendum led to the banning of all mtn. lion hunting. If the decision had been left to leaders rather than letting everyone vote maybe some common sense would have been present and they would still allow lion hunting. My point is that the leaders of any organization should be more informed and have a different perspective which allows them to make better decisions than if they were always bound by a voting majority. This is how our goverment works, you vote for the leader that you think will make the best decisions. Sometimes the guy you voted for decides that it is necessary to raise taxes, if they put it to a vote nobody would vote to raise taxes, but a leader has the perspective to see that is a necessary eveil.
In joining a conservation org. you choose the org. that you think will have the best agenda and make the best decisions. Find a leadership that you can trust to make the best decision. I don't necessarily think the SFW is the ideal conservation org, so I am not a member.


Dax