In the time I have taken an interest in the political portion of the AFA I have found myself asking this question over and over.

Why does anyone want to be elected to anyone of the many offices of the AFA ???

Each candidate is ripped apart, his idea's and business practices come under attack.

There is little support from outside or in.

There is fighting (in all sorts of venues and forms) and the squabbling.

In recent years the call for removal, the decisions to withdraw (for a number of reason's) and the list goes on and the saga continue's.

Any person who sets himself/herself up in front of the diverse farriers, even if he has his act together still gets ripped apart.

I think when things fail to get accomplished or not even started it is as much the fault of the disenters as it is for lack of team work, lack of volunteers, and for all I have said in the past about leaders, they can only leads if others are willing to follow.

Perhaps a dictatorship is the best solution. At least a dictator gets rid of any and all disenters.
It seems democracy at work in the AFA is lacking because everyone wants their own way and few are willing to follow others.

Anyone have any comments ?

my 2 cents worth

vthorseshoe wrote:
Bruce, you are quite right in so many ways however the main reason someone runs for office in the AFA is to be the difference.

When I agreed to serve as Treasurer a little over two years ago, I could never have anticipated the rocky road that was to follow. The experience has demonstrated to me the sense of responsibility and dedication of our elected Officers and Board of Directors. I have come to appreciate the strong sense of commitment to the Association when faced with difficult decisions and owe thanks for the way they have given themselves above and beyond what is usually expected.

Anyone considering a run for office (any office, not just Treasurer) should have a plan in mind, a basic plan, that considers at the least a few critical factors. The following would be the basic planks of any candidates platform for any office.

•Money: positive cash flow, revenue growth, and surplus margins.

•Our future: Acquiring new members and retaining old.

•Member satisfaction: How happy are they?

•Quality: How good is our member services?

•Strategic relationships: New sources of members, sponsors and outside revenue. Corporate partnerships.

•Sustainability: Our ability to keep it all going.

These are just a few things to think about but all of equal importance to any healthy organization.

John Blombach

vthorseshoe wrote:

Bruce, good start.
I have to agree and admit that I wonder that myself at times. It amazes me how no matter what a person says there are those who want to make a mountain out of it. I saw it with others last year and here we are again with my threads. I must admit that I was naive to think that asking a simple question like I did in my thread (s) could bring forth such crazy results. We hear all the time that there is a lack of communication in the AFA. Maybe, just MAYBE this is the reason. Who wants to communicate when every time we try, our heads are bit off!

Having had a lot of time to think about the past couple days while I shod horses today, kind of made me wonder. Is the AFA ever going to go where it has the potential to get to? If the members want to eat their own simply because the people stepping up to the plate don't fall into the mold that others feel they should fit into it never will and so one has to wonder if it is a waste of time and effort!

Martin Kenny CJF AFA #178

Martin Kenny wrote:
From another thread Martin~~~"

Guess the periodical wasn't as interesting as you thought?:confused:

Philosopher-King might work. Many are called, few are chosen.....

Jaye Perry wrote:
Nope, that wasn't it. Didn't get to it yet because I had to do some consulting work on this ****** computer before I called it a night and relaxed. As you know, private practice of a farrier is far from a 40 hour work week. At least my wife is happy that I spend my time begin productive instead of tipping a few beers when I get home, or worse yet, before I GET home.
Have a great night you all!
Martin Kenny

Martin Kenny wrote:
Now that is interesting..... the website even blinks out the word s t u p i d .

I guess Baron is trying to clean it up a bit. And you all thought I had cursed or something. HA!

Any man who has the brain to think and the nerve to act for the good of the people is considered a radical by those who are content with stagnation and willing to endure disaster.

William Randolph Hearst

You just think its important

Craig

Mr Kenny, the Baron has the feature because of the seven words you can't say on TV. RIP George Carlin.

Why don't you get your butt chewed for going off course, or is it OK if it's in good humor? God Bless George Carlin

Craig

Craig, it is always up to The Baron. Don't want to go off topic! I do agree with Bruce when he started this thread, being a servant to the public or an Assn is tough on ya! Most likely the fact that almost all Farriers are so independant and self driven ,but not to say we can't learn from others, it is more like they are not like lemmings and don't like to follow? :confused:OK , I'll stop there.

I asked WHY ? Now here is WHY I DID.

My tenure as President of Vermont Farriers Association was EXCITING, EDUCATIONAL, INSPIRATIONAL, and a PRIVELAGE.

I watched a vision of mine unfold.

I watched an opportunity for farriers here in the north country realize the same educational benifits other associations down country were enjoying.

I watched farriers I had admired and farriers I grew to admire come all the way to northern Vermont and give us the total benifit of their knowledge and expertise.

I watched an interest in forging come alive and clinics open eyes on old and new farriers.

I watched us gain our non-tax status.

I and all the others in our group worked hard to become a chapter of the AFA.

We are working dilligently on pre-certification and certification .

But, mostly I had the privelage of working with 5 of the best farriers anyone could want to associate with.
They co-ordinated efforts and vollunteered and always gave their all.

Friendships arose and farriers working together and comparing or offering suggestions.

Myself and Ken Norman made a trip down to the AFA office and met Mr. Fanguy and all the wonderful ladies who keep the office running smoothly.

I discussed different things with Mr. Fanguy and offered my help where ever it might be needed. (twice actually the offer was made)

Long story short, my computer wouldn't down load any of the things Thomas sent me. It made extra work for Thomas and I think he just gave up on me.
( I have other thoughts but that is for others ears)

I became President of the VtFA because I had a vision and a desire and something to accomplish.
I also knew non of it would have ever happened if not for the folks who worked just as hard and gave 100% to see everything came off.
This was accomplished by us setting down and discussing things until we had a concensus.
Then even the folks who disagreed joined in and gave it their all to make a success of the project.
It has always been a combination of idea's from many people that make the final project a success.

The VtFA grew from a few farriers to at last count around 52 members.

So for any nominee's I say go at it with a desire to accomplish something.
Most importantly search out folks who will work with you because they have a similar vision.
Don't pay a lot of attention to the "nay sayers" because it will do nothing but bring your spirits down.

I retired and helped put in a man with visions and motivation in other directions than mine.
This person has continued to lead and guide and deligate along with the help of our invaluable secretary and the other core members.

So Martin, don't get discouraged or wonder why. Surround yourself with a good core of folks who think with an open and willing mind and a desire to see a project become a success even if they disagreed in the formulation of the project.
my 2 cents worth

vthorseshoe wrote:
Bruce, very good list. And thanks for the encouragement.

It looks like a bright day here in North Carolina. I will enjoy it!
Martin

TRIP HAMMER wrote:
John all important things, however I think it is time for the AFA to make some huge changes. I think a well written survey would be a good way to start. Not one of those one or two question surveys designed to get the answer that a few in the organization wants.