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As president of the NCTA, I would like to thank everyone who attended the show this past week. A special thanks to all the board members who did an outstanding job. Also to the judges who took there time to come and share there knowledge with each of us. To the suppliers for there support. And most of all, to the people who took time to come and join the NCTA and be part of this association.
I have had to take a few days to gather my thoughts on what took place at the membership meeting this past Saturday. I found out that being president of anything is not easy. If everyone is happy, then you are doing a great job, if only one is not happy, then you are not doing the job right. I also found out that I am the president for the ones who want things to go one way and the others who want it to go another. That puts me in a hard place. I am also a proud member of the NCTA who has a voice just like every other member. The membership took a vote on multiple ribbons in the masters division, and they let it be known that they wanted multiple ribbons. Was everyone happy, no, but the members decided. Some of the ones who were against this blame me, the president. Well that is fine if it helps you, but I was only one vote. I have seen and herd that this vote was a disgrace to the charter members and master taxidermist. Once again the membership voted and we know the outcome. This vote had nothing to do with disgrace, it had to do with what most of the members wanted. The only disgrace I saw at the meeting, was the way a few members acted. If the vote had gone the other way, no one would have said” well I want be back” or stomped out of the room. All this over a ribbon. If this is your reason for being a member, then it is the wrong reason. I keep hearing the term ” Master Taxidermist”. What is a Master Taxidermist? This is my thoughts on this. A Master Taxidermist is a title that the association puts on members that complete a criteria. One must receive a number of points to get his or hers Award Of Excellence and then they move to Masters. The ones who do this in three or more categories receive there Master Award. This is a great honor and something to be proud of. The thing is, one achieves this in a division that has multiple ribbons. Would you not think to become a Master at something it should be really hard. What if the professional division was single ribbons and you still had to have a ribbon to get points, not the score, but a ribbon. Now that would be a different story. It’s OK to have multiple ribbons to get what you want and not after you get it, think about it. When I walked into the competition room this past Saturday after the ribbons were placed, I looked around and thought, what if there were multiple ribbons on the mounts. Would this have changed anything. Would the awards given out that night been any different, no, the best mounts still would have won. It does not make sense to hear people say I will not support my own state association, but I will support another association that has multiple ribbons.
I set at the banquet and watched the young people of the USSA talk about there lives and tears ran down my face.Watching them be so happy with their stories of hunting and fishing and just how blessed they acted with the lives each one of them have. I looked around and thought we all can learn so much from these special people.
NCTA President
Vincent Fleming
I obviously have no idea what went on Vince, but as someone who’s been in a leadership postion of our state trappers association for quite some time, and dealing with a membership of over 1900, I can tell you your situation is not unique, and you already have it figured out. Keep on doing what you are doing, it will work out in the end!
My pastor told me one time a little pruning makes for a lot of new, healthy, growth. From what I hear, you have done a great job.
Let me summarize and clarify a few things on my behalf:
1. You are correct Mr. President – you are a member and have the right to vote on the multiple ribbons. Some that “blame” you as you imply aren’t saying that the vote being passed is your fault. However, you were the one who initiated that another vote be cast this year because of the peer pressure you felt. As Dennis Smith clearly stated in the meeting, the board could have said NO. And the numerous phone calls that we had you continually stated to me that “You didn’t care what happened, you didn’t care if the vote passed or not”. If was wasn’t that important it shouldn’t have even been brought up.
2. It IS felt as a disgrace to some of the charter members and Master Taxidermist – if you had taken the time to truly listen to them you would know that these are not just words but are actual feelings. I, myself, have been on the phone since I got home and have heard from quite a few of them.
3. There are a few people there that would NOT have shown back up had it not passed – I know of one taxidermist who came running in at the last minute who hasn’t attended the show since I’ve been the secretary in 5 years only because we didn’t have multiple ribbons in Masters. I also know of a few others who won’t come for that very reason.
4. I did get mad and leave the meeting, “stomping” if you will and you can call that a disgrace if you want. Trust me, the alternative would NOT have been pretty.
5. “All this over a ribbon”. That’s what YOU did all this for isn’t it?
6. So many of the guys who have been competing have gotten their teeth kicked in year after year and they’ve learned from it, it’s made them better. You don’t achieve the excellence of Dennis Smith, Chris Barnhardt, Bryan Stillwell, Page Nethercutt, Keith Bowman and more by being “given” a ribbon. You achieve it by continuing to compete, to learn from your mistakes, from having the drive to win the ultimate prize. Now, it’s like a little league baseball team where everyone has to have a prize.
As I said, I’ve been on the phone with quite a few people since being home….it’s AMAZING what I didn’t know and what I’ve learned…….
I’m in red below.
Melissa Thrower Stillwell wrote: Let me summarize and clarify a few things on my behalf:
1. You are correct Mr. President – you are a member and have the right to vote on the multiple ribbons. Some that “blame” you as you imply aren’t saying that the vote being passed is your fault. However, you were the one who initiated that another vote be cast this year because of the peer pressure you felt. As Dennis Smith clearly stated in the meeting, the board could have said NO. And the numerous phone calls that we had you continually stated to me that “You didn’t care what happened, you didn’t care if the vote passed or not”. If was wasn’t that important it shouldn’t have even been brought up.
That’s not Vince’s or the board’s choice. This issue was coming up again. All somebody had to do was bring it up in the meeting & it has to be addressed. He cannot sensor the members of the association.
2. It IS felt as a disgrace to some of the charter members and Master Taxidermist – if you had taken the time to truly listen to them you would know that these are not just words but are actual feelings. I, myself, have been on the phone since I got home and have heard from quite a few of them.
This one has stumped me & I’ve really thought about it a lot since the meeting. I’m missing something here & I don’t know what it is. I’m not saying they are wrong to feel this way, but I have yet to hear it put into words that would explain it.
3. There are a few people there that would NOT have shown back up had it not passed – I know of one taxidermist who came running in at the last minute who hasn’t attended the show since I’ve been the secretary in 5 years only because we didn’t have multiple ribbons in Masters. I also know of a few others who won’t come for that very reason.
That’s possible, but I don’t think it would have been quite the stir had it not passed. It is disappointing that some have said they are done & I wish it didn’t have to be like that. I think it hurts the association, but I think it will hurt them as well. Hopefully after some time everybody will cool off.
4. I did get mad and leave the meeting, “stomping” if you will and you can call that a disgrace if you want. Trust me, the alternative would NOT have been pretty.
5. “All this over a ribbon”. That’s what YOU did all this for isn’t it?
I really hope the change will help us grow the association in terms of members, talent & revenue just like I have the same hopes for the actions we took to split the bird division. I’ve never really mounted anything that wasn’t a duck but I’m planning on bringing something different just to give this new division a shot. I hope others do too. I also hope that the multiple masters ribbons will help us cultivate the talent by helping bring along & retain that group in the middle between pros & the top masters. You can’t teach this group & educate them if they are not there.
6. So many of the guys who have been competing have gotten their teeth kicked in year after year and they’ve learned from it, it’s made them better. You don’t achieve the excellence of Dennis Smith, Chris Barnhardt, Bryan Stillwell, Page Nethercutt, Keith Bowman and more by being “given” a ribbon. You achieve it by continuing to compete, to learn from your mistakes, from having the drive to win the ultimate prize. Now, it’s like a little league baseball team where everyone has to have a prize.
I don’t think that will change much & I don’t think the little league reference works here. If it did, all you would have to do is pay your entry fee, but you still have to mount a good piece or you’re going to get your teeth kicked in. It’s still going to happen & you’re still going to have to learn from your mistakes & use them to drive you to the ultimate prize of being a state champion
As I said, I’ve been on the phone with quite a few people since being home….it’s AMAZING what I didn’t know and what I’ve learned…….
Mellissa, this will be short but I’ve heard enough that I feel like its time to reply so there is no question where I stand. There is no doubt you did a good job as secretary. Emotions have ran very high and feelings have been hurt and it is obvious to me that you are enjoying the controversy for the simple reason you joined this thread to “stir the pot”. There have been many changes that have taken place in 59 yrs. of life that I have not liked nor responded correctly too but changes come and go and life goes on. If you are truly “done with the state association” which is your choice, move on and support someone else and you and a few other that may have lost your grip, leave us alone and watch the assoc. grow. Oh and by the way multiple ribbons or not I will continue to compete and do my best if there are NO ribbons.
Cripplecreek- I certainly respect your opinions and can see that you have a true passion for helping to make the association grow. I once did as well….keep those good vibes flowing, they will be needed.
As far as some feeling disrespected I’ll be glad to give you names and numbers for at least 5 Master taxidermist I have spoken to the past few days who feel this way. They will be more than happy to explain. All have expressed to me that they will not be back – that may change over time, as you say, when people cool off.
As I said, my tenure is over and I served proudly. The thing I don’t appreciate is the way I was treated at the end of the show by some and the fact that, without calling names, Vincent Fleming just called me and Chris Barnhardt a disgrace. I’ll gladly call names because it is very evident as to whom he was referring to.
But hey – at least I’m in good company 🙂
Herman – I’ll make this short as well. I’ve been a member of this forum, if you notice by that little date under my name since Aug 2011, I just choose not to participate most of the time. As far as “stirring the pot” I was only defending myself.
And further more, Jeremy is welcome to remove any post I make should he deem it unnecessary or rude.
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