[ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Throwing in the towel, and then some
- From: Terry Cochran <fairway97045@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: gsdramey@xxxxxxx, showgsd-l <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 4 Dec 2010 09:30:16 -0800 (PST)
Great post Christine,
I compare the parent club now with that beautiful dying puppy in the whelping
box. Do we pick it up and try to rub it back to life, breath into it's mouth or
do we just let it die? Each member of the parent club will have to make up
their
own mind. The only thing that is going to change the core of the club is last
rights.
Tincture of time will change the face of the club. How we mold our youth will
determine what we shall become.
Terry
________________________________
From: Norma Ramey <gsdramey@xxxxxxx>
To: showgsd-l <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sat, December 4, 2010 8:21:59 AM
Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Re: Throwing in the towel, and then some
Ladies & Gentlemen --- Christine has really said it --- like it IS --
before, now and beyond. I learned something in high school from
my history teacher that, for some odd reason has stuck with me all these
many years -- "THE ONLY UNCHANGING THING IS --
CHANGE ITSELF"!!! Also, so many times, I've heard the --- quote of --
"Wake up and smell the coffee"! Not real sure what it
means, old woman that I am, but please read Christine's note once again and
act accordingly. OK I will lurk a bit -- Norma no L
----- Original Message -----
From: "Hickoryhill" <hickoryhillgsd1@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "showgsd-l" <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2010 10:13 AM
Subject: [ SHOWGSD-L ] Throwing in the towel, and then some
I found Ms. Galasso's article, informative and truthful. Intersting that she
referenced a topic that I had touched on last week or so about a lack of
entries at specialties, and why this was occuring. It seemed that some
handlers were opting to go to all-breeds vs a couple of speicalty shows that
were being held on the same weekend. I suggestd that perhaps handlers were
recognizing they could earn the same, run less, spend less time in the ring
and have an opportunity to make more if they won breed and went into group.
Plus since all for the most part were getting older, there would be less
physical exertion. In other words, more money, less work, follow the money
trail. This ultimately lead to a discussion about getting new members, money
and workers. The basic concensus seemed to be that more club members were
needed for work and money. I wrote the below hoping to stir some type of
consciousness within the "core" group I refer to in my below e-mail.Pretty
certain, I didn't
reach them. While I was hoping to start a spririted debate/discussion with
my e-mail, it was pretty well met with silence and a few crickets chirpping
in the background followed by a sudden change to a different topic of
discussion. I thought I would share the below with this list. I don't
consider it cross posting, I am the author, no reference has been made as to
who has said what on the "other list" and if it violates some "rule"..oh
well..spank me. So here goes:
I have read with interest that last several posts about the "contoversal"
question. Seems we either have people who want to reminicse about the good
old days, or gain new members to simply contribute to work or income.
Perhaps in the later statement, we can find the crux of the whole problem.
If your primary goal is to gain new members to increase workers and income
for the club, your new members will not be around long.
People want to BELONG to organizations where they feel appreciated, included
and have fun.When I read statements such as " We need to build our coffers"
or "We need workers and income to keep the club going." then this tells me
that there really isn't a GENUINE interest in getting new members, it is
about money( which I referenced before, its always about money) and workers
to do the work that others either don't want to do, or can't do anymore. New
people and young people will WILLINGLY work for a club if they feel that
they are truly a part of the organization. However, don't expect most to
stick around for any length of time if they feel they are only being used
for their dues and to work.
For those who might not know, Steve and I both started in performance;Steve
in Schutzhund and I in obedience. When I started, I too had my own
equipment, and eventually taught all-breed obedience classes. I became
interested in conformation via obedience. Back then, conformation was king,
and I could barely find enough dogs in obedience at specialties to qualify
for a leg toward a title, so I attended many all-breed obedience trials.
This was about 30 years ago or so. It was then that I also started getting
the Review. The same core group of people who were running the GSDCA then,
are the same group as now, but only 30+ years older.Although I appreciate
their years of dedication to the breed, not much thought was given to
getting or maintaining new members.They didn't have to. Entries were large,
specialty clubs were thriving. It just doesn't seem important to think about
the future and the "What ifs" when your at the top of the game. When all was
going g
reat, we failed to recognize that more attention should have been given to
the future. So here we are now doing damage control, when we should have
been excercising preventative medicine.
Steve and I primarily associate with younger as well as newer people in this
sport. I hear first hand their frustration about offering to volunteer for
committees, or to work in different capacities for the GSDCA only to either
be turned away, or never contacted at all . It doesn't take long to discern
that all this talk about getting new people and young people involved in the
sport is simply that..just talk..no action.Don't beleive me? Get out an old
Review, look at the judges, exhibitors, board members, handlers. How many
new faces do you see? How many faces are missing? There are a few new ones,
but not many and certainly not enough new faces to offset the normal
attrition that takes place in any organization( ie, death, illness,
lifestyle changes, income change,etc).
The GSDCA is not alone. There are plenty of old crusty organizations who
used to be around, but aren't anymore because the "status quo" wanted to
exclude anyone who might think differently than they did. On the other hand,
political organizations recognize the need for youth.They employ their
energy and resourcefulness, plus political groups recognize that youth has
ENERGY, which older folks don't often have! The few young people I know in
this sport are innovative, strong, willing to work, want to please and have
fresh youthful ideas. They are fun to be around and keep you young at
heart!Most of all they are eager to learn about the breed and share their
ideas about the breed as well. You might be surprised what you learn about
the breed from young people or newcomers.It always good to have a fresh pair
of eyes to help you look at things from a different perspecive! Youth and
newcomers keep an organization viable. Any organization that lacks a GENUINE
interest(
not for money or work) in gaining new members and young people will
eventually whither away, to think otherwise is to be in denial.
In closing, I would like to say that I beleive that the above e-mail won't
make an iota worth of difference, it will simply make some uncomfortable,
some angry, or some beleive that I am crazier than they orginally thought I
was as being direct and cutting to the heart of the problem often has that
affect on people.
__,_._,___
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is Copyrighted 2010. All material remains the property of the original
author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind
are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the
Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Each Author is responsible for the content of his/her post. This group and its
administrators are not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed in
any
post.
ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY
MANNER
OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF
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PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A
VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED.
For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxx
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POST is Copyrighted 2010. All material remains the property of the original
author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind
are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the
Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Each Author is responsible for the content of his/her post. This group and its
administrators are not responsible for the comments or opinions expressed in
any post.
ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY
MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS
PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY
FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE
PROSECUTED.
For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxx
VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://showgsd.org
NATIONAL BLOG - http://gsdnational.blogspot.com/
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