Re: RE: Future direction of the AKA

["William Vannerson" <William_Vannerson at ama-assn_org>]

>>Bill, I hope you won't take this the wrong way but there is a saying that
goes something like - "Talk is cheap, but money buys the whiskey". With all
these "good ideas" that you have why not run for the BOT,...<<

I don't take it the wrong way.  And I may consider running someday.  But I don't feel qualified right now.  I'm still new to the hobby.  I'm not a succesfull breeder, and it may be several years before I am given my schedule with young kids and career.  But I am not against "putting my money where my mouth is."  I have taken an active role in my local club, ChiKA, and will continue to do so and gain more knowledge and experience along the way.

>>The way that the AKA conveys its services to the membership may evolve with time but the basic philosophy need not change.<<

Good point.  Then perhaps we need to remind ourselves, at least those of us that are not actively involved with the daya to day runing of the organization, what that objective actualy is.  How many members can actually state what the AKA's mission?

>>..I would be very concerned if, as a member, I was regarded as a "customer". 

Right again. Actually "member" is a much stronger word.  Here at the AMA, employees are very much concerned with membership and I feel they are much more responsive towards their needs than a business' employee would be towards a "customer."  I was trying to draw a comparison to the BOTs responsibility of representing a large base of people with very little input or help from the majority of the members.

>>The fact that there are alternative fish and egg trading lists online doesn't concern me in the least.<<

Now it's my turn, please don't take this the wrong way, but I am not surprised.  You are an experienced breeder and hobbyist.  You have your contacts and network of sources.  You also have the admirable trait of actualy going out in the field to collect killies.  So your needs are met with the established processes.

But for new folks to the hobby, a generation that has grown up with computers, the current communication strategies may not be sufficient.  There are members and potential members out there that rely on the computer for comunications.  Some not like that or may even think it's a bad trend.  Regardless of that opinion, that's reality and will continue to be reality from now on, just as the telephone is part our current reality.

The point I was striving for, and perhaps missed my mark on, was that the future of the AKA lies in it's ablity to attract new members.  I have heard the lament at more than one killie event about the greying of the hobby, that there are not enough Gen Xers or young folks joining the hobby.  I think that may be an industry trend in general, but I also think the AKA can help change that trend and attract ew members by using the electronic media.

'nuff said.

Oops!  I almost forgot to add.  I do want to state that I believe the BOT and the comittees all do a great job.  It's hard, time consuming and thank less, especially for those that take the responsiblity to heart.  My thanks to all of them for their efforts in my behalf.  I enjoy the hobby and the people in it because of your work.


Bill Vannerson
McHenry, IL
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/william_vannerson

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