Guy_Buck wrote:
As a long time farrier and non-AFA member, I think you have something.

You won't get the public to see the value if you can't get farriers to see the value. I think the question the AFA needs to ask itself is "why are there so many working farriers who don't want to belong to the AFA?" ok, you could suggest that they're all hacks but I don't think you could back that up.

Communication: It doesn't matter if it is good, bad or what, the members just want to be kept in touch with what's happening. I am tired of the same old thing: "We got a new letter coming out next month that will explain it all" We have all heard it and that's what makes the internet great. We don't have to wait. The office sends me a copy of "NO FOOT, NO HORSE" - why? I can down load it from the net and read it. Not only do I get it a lot faster, but I would be saving money if it wasn't sent to me. I would guess the majority of the member got e-mail, so send them an e-mail letting them know its on the net and save the paper!!

I just wonder what the member ship would have to say about having the WCB take over the shoeing competition? Something this big should have been put to the membership and see what we say. It would have taken the monkey off the office's back and besides isn't the WCB a "member"?

Hey Steve, Thanks!!
I'm in my third year as an apprentice/helper with a small book on my on on my offdays. I think there should be some type of incentive for young( time as a farrier) like myself to pursue more education. That is why I am a member of AFA and local chapter. The VHA is very active in education. I would like to see more winter clinics on basic forging skills not just handmades or contests or even precertificatin but tweaking/ shaping a keg shoe, shoeing for conformation not just the foot. evening online seminars.
The cost of seminars that the local chapters put on those who attend maybe a rebate of some sort.
Intise the newbies,wannabes out there to gain knowledge and experience. Give an incentive to the senoir, more experience shoers, when the let a newbie ride along.
Just thinking outloud

JimBondra wrote:
Sorry it came off that way Jim. But thats the way it is down here? I like my state assn. and enjoy it but when they lose Representives like they did, reminds me of that Tea Party, they had up in Bean Town a couple hundred years ago! My truck ran well today thanks!

Communication: e-mails, posting of committee, BoD, EC, ect. agendas in time that members can have some input if needed, Posting of meeting minutes after the meetings.

The EC needs to stop alienating good people who are willing to help. Even though they don't see eye to eye on things. Don't kill the horse because you want a diffrent cart.

The BoD needs to step up and take control of the association. Even if this means going against what the EC would like to see. Be in charge.

Education, while the chapters are good at doing educational clinics. There needs to be more educational materials available for members and horse owners. Things like short videos on how to draw a clips, ect.. Maybe short Correspondence type courses on a viriaty of things. The possabilities are unending. The could be a small fee to cover costs that would keep the program going.

Did I mention communication.

Build a stratigic plan and get it out to the members.

Funding for precertification clinics and certification. Last year our association lost money on a precertification clinic due to attendance. If its a AFA program then there should be some type of funding available to off set the costs to the chapters. IE: maybe the AFA could pickup the travel cost for the examiner. While the chapters pickup the costs for lunch/arena rental.

Redd Mcintyre wrote:
Hey Redd,

The VHA has a pre-certification clinic coming up being put on by three CJF's .......should be a good one. Come up sometime and we'll wreck some steel

Derin

How about NOT spending $4.60 on postage + the cost of a Priority Mail envelope to confirm the renewal of my membership and to give me another pin. I think a post card or nothing would be fine (my checking account statement would prove they got their $).

I suppose sending out mail is easier than a newsletter/magazine.