quote:

Originally posted by MJines:

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:

Saeed and all,
I agree. This organization is broken and needs to be overhauled. However, like the USA is learning with our endless missteps in world events, you cannot change things from the outside looking in. You can only change from the inside. For example, until the Iraqi or Russian or North Korean or American people say "enough is enough" , nothing will change. Until one person stands up like the young man did in Tyenomen Square in China, everything stays the same.

So, what do. We do? Sit on the sidelines and complain or somehow get inside and effect the changes needed? I joined recently with that in mind, but doubt I will have an impact without several hundred others of the same mind. The other option is to join Peter Flack in his proposal. Go to his website to see what he is up to.

In the meantime, we sit outside and complain or go inside and effect change.

I agree.

I initially believed that the solution was to get involved with SCI and work to push them in a more constructive direction. I can say based on my efforts in that regard, I am convinced they will never get there . . . or if they get there it will too late to matter. There is simply too much institutional momentum in the organization for them to embrace the types of changes necessary to make them effective in the times we live in, e.g., .[/B] drop the SCI moniker, drop the "safari" connection in all the publications, eliminate the awards programs, move the headquarters from Tucson to Washington, start trying to appeal to and embrace all hunters, significantly upgrade the lobbying, communications and social media capabilities of the organization, develop a more customer service focus in dealing with members . . . and first and foremost, restructure organizationally so that you have a strong, capable hand on the tiller and entrust that person to actually chart a course and steer it without the executive committee meddling and trying to drive the boat on a part time basis from umpteen locations all around the country. No, I really feel that other than some tweaking around the edges, you can assume that what you see is what you are likely to get in the future from SCI at least for the foreseeable future.

On the other hand there is an effort underway at the NRA called the Hunters Leadership Forum. When I look at the NRA I see an organization that is to the Second Amendment virtually everything SCI should be to hunters, e.g., the NRA embraces all firearms owners, headquartered in Washington, a robust lobbying, communications and social media capability, capable and determined leaders like LaPierre and Cox, etc. Are they committed to and can they become an organization that lives up to the phrase First for Hunters? I do not know. But at least for me my efforts I think are better directed at encouraging and urging the NRA to do so as opposed to transforming SCI into something it apparently has no desire or willpower to be.

Regardless, whether you think the solution is SCI, DSC, the NRA or something else, Ross is right, kibitzing from the bleachers is not going to change anything. Get involved.

quote:

Originally posted by AilsaWheels:

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:

quote:

Originally posted by dogcat:

Saeed and all,
I agree. This organization is broken and needs to be overhauled. However, like the USA is learning with our endless missteps in world events, you cannot change things from the outside looking in. You can only change from the inside. For example, until the Iraqi or Russian or North Korean or American people say "enough is enough" , nothing will change. Until one person stands up like the young man did in Tyenomen Square in China, everything stays the same.

So, what do. We do? Sit on the sidelines and complain or somehow get inside and effect the changes needed? I joined recently with that in mind, but doubt I will have an impact without several hundred others of the same mind. The other option is to join Peter Flack in his proposal. Go to his website to see what he is up to.

In the meantime, we sit outside and complain or go inside and effect change.

I agree.

I initially believed that the solution was to get involved with SCI and work to push them in a more constructive direction. I can say based on my efforts in that regard, I am convinced they will never get there . . . or if they get there it will too late to matter. There is simply too much institutional momentum in the organization for them to embrace the types of changes necessary to make them effective in the times we live in, e.g., .[/B] drop the SCI moniker, drop the "safari" connection in all the publications, eliminate the awards programs, move the headquarters from Tucson to Washington, start trying to appeal to and embrace all hunters, significantly upgrade the lobbying, communications and social media capabilities of the organization, develop a more customer service focus in dealing with members . . . and first and foremost, restructure organizationally so that you have a strong, capable hand on the tiller and entrust that person to actually chart a course and steer it without the executive committee meddling and trying to drive the boat on a part time basis from umpteen locations all around the country. No, I really feel that other than some tweaking around the edges, you can assume that what you see is what you are likely to get in the future from SCI at least for the foreseeable future.

On the other hand there is an effort underway at the NRA called the Hunters Leadership Forum. When I look at the NRA I see an organization that is to the Second Amendment virtually everything SCI should be to hunters, e.g., the NRA embraces all firearms owners, headquartered in Washington, a robust lobbying, communications and social media capability, capable and determined leaders like LaPierre and Cox, etc. Are they committed to and can they become an organization that lives up to the phrase First for Hunters? I do not know. But at least for me my efforts I think are better directed at encouraging and urging the NRA to do so as opposed to transforming SCI into something it apparently has no desire or willpower to be.

Regardless, whether you think the solution is SCI, DSC, the NRA or something else, Ross is right, kibitzing from the bleachers is not going to change anything. Get involved.

I nominate MJines to serve as dictator of SCI for a five year period to give him ample time to implement his platform.

Do I hear a second?

quote:

Originally posted by billrquimby:
It is not difficult to become a member of SCI's board of directors. Join and get active in a local chapter, then convince its officers that you will serve them best as their rep on the international board.

Failing that, gather twenty-four like-minded friends, apply for a charter and start your own chapter.

Bill Quimby

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
This is all interesting from many levels to me.

I have personal friend who is on the board. He is a great guy. However, whenever it comes to SCI, he becomes another person entirely.

SCI seems to have this effect on people.

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:
This is all interesting from many levels to me.

I have personal friend who is on the board. He is a great guy. However, whenever it comes to SCI, he becomes another person entirely.

SCI seems to have this effect on people.

quote:

The top has got so rotten, they cannot even think straight!SCI needs DRASTIC change!

quote:

Originally posted by MJines:

quote:

Originally posted by billrquimby:
It is not difficult to become a member of SCI's board of directors. Join and get active in a local chapter, then convince its officers that you will serve them best as their rep on the international board.

Failing that, gather twenty-four like-minded friends, apply for a charter and start your own chapter.

Bill Quimby

Bill, in your opinion do you believe that SCI is susceptible to change from the grassroots level in the face of an entrenched executive committee? If so, how long do you believe it would take to effectuate meaningful change from the grassroots level? I am not saying it is impossible . . . I am saying that without a receptive audience it would take years if not decades to effectuate significant cultural change from a grassroots level in an organization like SCI.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
It would be nice if the convention offered a little give back to the hunters.We pay and pay and pay and are expected to buy and pay.A free dinner or lunch or whatever would show that the organization is not just a cold money machine.This goes for the exhibitors too.They could possibly give special treatment to famous or very rich people I don't know.

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
It would be nice if the convention offered a little give back to the hunters.We pay and pay and pay and are expected to buy and pay.A free dinner or lunch or whatever would show that the organization is not just a cold money machine.This goes for the exhibitors too.They could possibly give special treatment to famous or very rich people I don't know.

quote:

Originally posted by Matt Graham:

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
It would be nice if the convention offered a little give back to the hunters.We pay and pay and pay and are expected to buy and pay.A free dinner or lunch or whatever would show that the organization is not just a cold money machine.This goes for the exhibitors too.They could possibly give special treatment to famous or very rich people I don't know.

There are no free lunches ... However - you mention exhibitors, every year SCI puts on a dinner and drinks for all exhibitors, on the night before the convention starts.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael Robinson:
No way!

It's a combination of The Greatest Show on Earth - and Suckers Born Every Minute in Vast Numbers with Bad Hair.

Like a so-bad-it's-good reality TV show!

I love it.

Where else could I wear my rattlesnake boots?

quote:

Originally posted by larryshores:

quote:

Originally posted by shootaway:
It would be nice if the convention offered a little give back to the hunters.We pay and pay and pay and are expected to buy and pay.A free dinner or lunch or whatever would show that the organization is not just a cold money machine.This goes for the exhibitors too.They could possibly give special treatment to famous or very rich people I don't know.

I have recently learned there is a VIP area. I am not sure who gets invited nor how one gets on the list.

quote:

Originally posted by jdollar:
It's called the Patron's Lounge. ...... paid for by the rest of the membership who couldn't get in........

quote:

The Patrons' Program

PATRONS' BENEFITS INCLUDE
Privileged access for you and a guest to the Patrons' Lounge. The Lounge, as its name implies, is a comfortable, cozily furnished, room where patrons find haven from the hustle and bustle of the Show Floor.

NIGHT OF THE HUNTER
You and a guest are cordially invited to join us Thursday evening at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino as we celebrate the Night of The Hunter. An exciting lineup of evening auction hunts and items will lead into the SCI Major Awards program. This program honors hunters, our hunting heritage and top species taken in the last 24 months as well as recognizes 2014's hunting accomplishments. Additional tickets can be purchase for this event and are $100.00. This is an excellent opportunity to meet and mingle with other SCI members and share your hunting adventures.

QUALIFYING FOR PATRONS' BENEFITS IS SIMPLE!
Spend $15,000 or more at live or silent auctions held at SCI's Annual Hunters' Convention.
Multiple items may be combined to achieve this level of spending. Spending must be in one individual's name. Husbands' and wives' spending cannot be combined. Show Floor purchases from individual donor/vendors are non-qualifying.

TO MAINTAIN YOUR PATRONS' BENEFITS
Simply continue making purchases at SCI's Annual Hunters' Convention auctions of at least $15,000 (in a single year) no less frequently than once every two years. It's that easy!