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TOPIC: Whats up with the AFA?

RE:Whats up with the AFA? 01 Apr 2008 14:07 #121

Ronald E. Kramedjian
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Mark_Gough wrote:

Thanks for taking time to provide the additional information Ronald and for the warm welcome to the organization.

Mark,

You are most welcome. BTW, you can just call me Ron.

Mark_Gough wrote:

The current rift represents an organizational pathology whose most causal origins reside in the following, common management dilemna:

The allocation of organizational responsibility without commensurate authority, understanding and specific direction to execute upon those same duties within the framework of the desired goals.

In simpler terms, someone ordered the farrier to shoe a horse, but forgot to mention which horse in the barn needed shoes, how much they should charge, where the tools are located and what the protection, traction or performance goals were.

The engaged farrier threw up his hands in disgust, packed his toys and went home.

Am I close?

Yep. I'd say you are a good deal of the way down the right path.

Mark_Gough wrote:

Let's not do anything to chase that kind of talent off.

That is a hope that is shared by many. Only time will tell if the AFA will figure out how to avoid running off talent across the board.

Ronald E. Kramedjian, RJF

Visit the Guild of Professional Farriers, Inc. Website

"What is popular is not always right; what is right is not always popular." Unknown

"In matters of style swim with the current; In matters of principle, stand like a...

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RE:Whats up with the AFA? 01 Apr 2008 14:18 #122

Mike Ferrara OFFLINE Guru Posts: 5057 Thank you received: 3 Karma: 0	I'm not a member of the AFA...I was for a short time...but I have a question. Does the AFA know what it really wants to do? I've read the mission statement (was it changed recently?)...but do they have short and long term goals and measureables by which they guage their progress and is anyone accountable? What about past performance?
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RE:Whats up with the AFA? 01 Apr 2008 16:16 #123

beslagsmed OFFLINE Master Posts: 1798 Thank you received: 5 Karma: 0	I was just on the AFA website and a thread has been started under "Officers and Directors". For all members I think this would be the place to discuss the AFA in house business, that's what the forums are for. Maybe you will find all the answers you want there.
	Mikel Dawson, RJF (Denmark) What part of "NO" don't you understand!! Caution: Watch for hoof in mouth disease!!! The administrator has disabled public write access.

RE:Whats up with the AFA? 01 Apr 2008 20:39 #124

vthorseshoe OFFLINE Master Posts: 2841 Thank you received: 55 Karma: 11	I haven't a clue what I did, but I finally was able to post on the AFA site. Mikel is correct. There is a spot on the members only site where this can be continued, if it is carried over there. my 2 cents
	"you may not like what I say" ! -but- "you'll never have any doubts where I stand quote Cindy Matthews 1948-2006 I thought my life had come to a close with Cindy's passing, but there is life after death Thankyou Sharon ! Bruce Matthews Southeast... The administrator has disabled public write access.

RE:Whats up with the AFA? 01 Apr 2008 21:25 #125

Phil Armitage OFFLINE Guru Posts: 9254 Karma: 0	vthorseshoe wrote: I haven't a clue what I did, but I finally was able to post on the AFA site. Mikel is correct. There is a spot on the members only site where this can be continued, if it is carried over there. my 2 cents Good luck, been there done that a couple of years ago. Lack of participation, why I do not know.
	Phil Armitage, CF AFA member 7480 "Anyone who proposes to do good must not expect people to roll stones out of his way, but must accept his lot calmly if they even roll a few more upon it." Albert Schweitzer The administrator has disabled public write access.

RE:Whats up with the AFA? 02 Apr 2008 01:58 #126

Derin Foor
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vthorseshoe wrote:

How about,

Phil, Mikel, Eric, Jason, Steve, Ron, Gary, Derin

and ANYONE ELSE who has been emotionally involved in these discussions
tell us how you personally would correct, rectify, improve, or run the AFA from its present state of affairs ?

Lets change this from a negative post to something of value and content that someone could use perhaps...
Now it is time for some of you who have been strong on disagreeing with the AFA to say something constructve, and show us all just what YOU WOULD DO in the place of these other folks .......[/COLOR]

Derin

If you were in Andrew's position how would you do his job ???
What would be your vision for the future of the AFA ?? and how would you lead us to this vision ?

Bruce,

I wrote you a response a few days ago but apparently it is lost in cyberspace somewhere.

I don’t know that I am emotionally involved in what has transpired, although I am pretty certain it has the potential to affect me as a member. I don’t have nearly enough information to know what I would do differently to run the AFA. I suspect a lot of it is fine the way it is and there’s a lot that needs fixin’.

I re-read my earlier post and didn’t get the impression that I made negative comments, just asked for the truth to be put here for all to see, like the transparency we were promised not so long ago.

I personally get along with Andrew, Dick, Ron, Rick, etc. Apparently that isn’t the case amongst them. I think each one is interested in furthering the mission of the AFA and have offered my help to all of them on various occasions.

Again, sorry for the lateness of this post but hopefully this answers some of your questions.

Derin

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RE:Whats up with the AFA? 02 Apr 2008 02:13 #127

beslagsmed OFFLINE Master Posts: 1798 Thank you received: 5 Karma: 0	Phil Armitage wrote: Good luck, been there done that a couple of years ago. Lack of participation, why I do not know. Only the members can make it happen. Gary has started a good thread to get some answers.
	Mikel Dawson, RJF (Denmark) What part of "NO" don't you understand!! Caution: Watch for hoof in mouth disease!!! The administrator has disabled public write access.

RE:Whats up with the AFA? 02 Apr 2008 04:28 #128

Mark_Gough
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Jack Evers wrote:

Great post Mark - could you duplicate it in the AFA forums?

Thanks Jack. I certainly could duplicate my original post on the AFA forum but I'm not sure it would be welcomed. I've read the most recent discussion there on this topic. Dick Fanguy has read some of the posts here and has solicited specific questions about the recent changes within the AFA.

Although my post may be of minor interest to some, it represents my perceptions as a new member rather than specific questions about the current difficulties. As such, the timing may not be correct for a "new kid on the block" to waltz in with comments that could detract from the focus I'm sure currently occupies the AFA leadship team.

Specific questions have been posted on the forum by others and I'll wait patiently to see what information is made available to us.

Thanks again and best regards,

Mark

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RE:Whats up with the AFA? 02 Apr 2008 04:45 #129

Mark_Gough
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vthorseshoe wrote:

Mark;

If the organization is to advance then folks like you who have taken the extra time to sit and express yourself ARE NEEDED.
Farriers know Farriery. Some are good business men many are not.
But the organization has to advance with the territory around it or it will fade into obscurity.

Part-time shoer-past member of the dark halls of the corporate world. Frankly I don't care if you shoe 1 day a week and sell ice creme cones on the street corner.
There is no restricton on what makes you a shoer other than your own desire to LEARN a trade and PERFORM said trade with integrity and to the best of your ability, in my book.

One thing you bring to this board is a way of expressing yourself in a manner that is NOT offensive or aggressive to others.
Your intelligence in what you have spoken and suggested come through in a manner where only a complete ***** would be rude to you.

Mark if you were in my area I would gladly come over and work with you in your shop. We both could learn at the same time.

my 2 cents

Thanks for your kind words and thoughts Bruce. I do believe the AFA will survive this bump in the road. I'm sure the organization has had its share of troubles in the past.

If you ever find yourself passing thru southwest Ohio, drop me a line. I'm sure you've forgotten more about farriery than I'll ever learn and could easily help to improve some of my weak areas. In the meantime I'll continue to devote ever greater amounts of effort in study, practice and pursuing the best quality service I can provide for my customers and business.

Best Regards,
Mark

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RE:Whats up with the AFA? 02 Apr 2008 16:38 #130

beslagsmed
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Mark_Gough wrote:

Thanks Jack. I certainly could duplicate my original post on the AFA forum but I'm not sure it would be welcomed. I've read the most recent discussion there on this topic. Dick Fanguy has read some of the posts here and has solicited specific questions about the recent changes within the AFA.

Although my post may be of minor interest to some, it represents my perceptions as a new member rather than specific questions about the current difficulties. As such, the timing may not be correct for a "new kid on the block" to waltz in with comments that could detract from the focus I'm sure currently occupies the AFA leadship team.

Specific questions have been posted on the forum by others and I'll wait patiently to see what information is made available to us.

Thanks again and best regards,

Mark

Mark,
Why wouldn't it be welcome. Members should be heard and be able to say what's on their mind. Post it over there and see what happens. Perceptions as a new member maybe just what the AFA needs, some fresh eyes.

Mikel Dawson, RJF

(Denmark)
What part of "NO" don't you understand!!

Caution: Watch for hoof in mouth disease!!!

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RE:Whats up with the AFA? 03 Apr 2008 04:47 #131

Mark_Gough
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beslagsmed wrote:

Mark,
Why wouldn't it be welcome. Members should be heard and be able to say what's on their mind. Post it over there and see what happens. Perceptions as a new member maybe just what the AFA needs, some fresh eyes.

Hello Mikel. As I had explained earlier, I believe that the AFA leadership has their hands full with the current issues. Much of what I had posted in this thread represented more general observations, beyond the most immediate problems.

Since Dick Fanguy indicated on the AFA forum that he has already read thru this forums thread, he is familiar with any observations and recommendations described by myself and others. Steve Kraus started a new thread to solicit specific recommendations and indicated that he's already taken notes from previous discussions.

Dick made mention of the need for volunteerism within the organization. I considered how I might help and made a gesture in that regard via a private message.

I should mention that I do appreciate the difficult and stressful issues those members directly effected have tried to work through. Ron Kramedjian was generous enough to call me personally during business hours and invest his valuable time sharing his experiences and thoughts about the current problems.

To Ron and others who felt it best to withdraw from their positions, I can say that I am sure all members appreciate your contributions and efforts and will respect your personal decisions.

To those elected and appointed members who continue to serve, and those who may step forward in the future, I'm sure the general membership is grateful for your time, work and effort.

Bartered compensation in exchange for goods or services is something in which we all engage. It demonstrates at the most base level, the need to survive and the fortitude to achieve that survival.

Service in a volunteer capacity speaks of immeasureably greater spirit and should be recognized and honored for its selfless nature.

On that note, it's likely best that I take Phil's good counsel and divest more of my energies in front of the forge. Lord knows I have yet to ruin enough otherwise perfectly good shoes.

Best Regards,
Mark

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