Mark_Gough-I became a member of the AFA because this organization provided a committment to several topics that interested me personally and professionally.
They did.
That committment is best summarized in the AFA mission statement and the AFA "five tenets" of "Education, Certification, Communication, Innovation and Research".
Education- only recent factoid, even sole depth. Savoldi.
Certification- a "standard", definition~~ not of good quality.
Communication- speaks for itself.
Innovation- HUH?
Research- what research?
While the recent drama within the organizational leadership is interesting, I have personally decided that such events are largely out of scope regarding my membership.
Your leaders are out of your scope to cope?
Leadership participation, particularly among volunteer organizations, is a dynamic and resilient aspect of organizational structure. Communication, and the risk of misunderstandings, mis-steps and error, is magnified given the lack of geographic proximity and the diverse idealogues of individuals.
Statement from/ of leadership, you deem not to cope with, failed in one of the parts of the mission statement.
Problems originating within the organization are probably best discussed and managed within the confines of the organizations communication medium rather than aired throughout a more general and broader public that has no vested interest.
Why? More members visit this forum, ask questions, gain information and solve problems than the organizations website. Numbers versus numbers.
In short, regardless the political upheavals within the leadership organization, my personal expectation as a member is continued, longterm committment to the mission and the established tenets. That is what I payed for. That is ultimately the "contract" between myself and the AFA.
What have you learned from the organization except how to pass a standardized test?
Individual members are free to debate and discuss ad nauseum the details of specific, individual leadership failures and offenses. Such is the field and manner of politics.
Been a free country since I have been alive.
Personally, I find it comparable to watching reality television. Large quantities of ad-hoc rhetoric, anecdotal evidence of dubious character, excess commercialization and overall, a poor investment of time and energy.
See above~~~ communication as a mission statement:rolleyes:
I prefer a position that is more focused on delivery of the mission and the tenets that define the promised deliverables to each member.
A mission is stated as a goal, when one or more partitions of the mission fail, the whole mission fails.
In that context, I would argue with anyone that I really don't care what leaders "Billy Bob" and "Peggy Sue" have said or done to each other during a specific meeting or event.
Thought you were a member that stands behind the organization's mission statement or portions thereof. Seems one has a choice to pick and choose parts of the goal they stand for or behind.
I do care that they ultimately deliver on the AFA promise.
Specifics?
Certification:
An organization certification process and opportunity is available to all members. No complaints.
Open to all comers who pay dues, customary and usual for most organizations.
Education:
Education as a tenet seems to be little more than a recommendation and presumed requirement for certification, not a committment outside the experience offered within competition. Pre-certification clinics are an example of good delivery. So is the annual AFA convention. Sadly, I see little else that is more routinely and readily available. Case in point; examine the AFA educational webpage. There are only three topics available. The magazine, while good to excellent in content, but is sporadic and infrequent in delivery.
Standard reading is a basic. But graded practically in the extraordinary.
Communication:
There appear to be four communication mediums in general use. The AFA website, the No Foot No Horse newsletter, the Pro Farrier magazine and a general email distribution.
The website is the weak link. Although there is quite a bit of information offered, much of the content is relatively static. Low attendance on the websites forum is a testament to the entire sites lack of popularity. Improvement in this area should be a major focus of the AFA leadership.
Truth in advertising/mission statement comes to mind.
Innovation:
While there is evidence of historical innovation delivered by the AFA, it is unclear that enough energy is expended by the organization to define this attribute as a tenet. Short of introduction of what is probably one of the earliest, standardized certification processes, I see little innovation delivered. Perhaps I'm not examining the right areas.
Science, technology and innovation has surpassed the organization by 20 or more years.
Research:
I've identified little or no work in the area of research that would identify the AFA as an organization dedicated to such endeavours. Individual members clearly pursue and, in some cases, even participate in equine farriery research, but I really don't see the AFA involved organizationally. Does the AFA, as a practice, provide funding to research groups? Does the AFA act as a peer review authority in matters of equine research? Are there organized members or committees of the AFA participating in specific research projects? If the answer is yes, I would expect the website to include information relating these topics.
See above. No affiliations with prominent research facilities across the world. Goes back to mission statement of innovation, education and research; DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Mission:
"To further the professional development of farriers, to provide leadership and resources for the benefit of the farrier industry, and to improve the welfare of the horse through continuing farrier education".
Is the AFA delivering on this mission statement? Does the AFA deliver on their organizational committment to the five tenets? Those, I believe, are far more relevant and appropriate topics for discussion than the internal political upheaval currently consuming so much attention.
Long term, it is likely a far more productive discussion to be had.
My 2-cents, and no change coming, from one inconsequential member of the AFA.
The Mission statement will never be implemented to it's full potential. To much tunnel vision for to long a time.</B>