I would like to thank everyone that was on the conference call Thursday night and everyone that supports the ACA. In my opinion, there is no truer symbol of progress when we see friends and neighbors work together to help each other. Everyone in this alliance is a volunteer. There is no paid office staff, just volunteers believing in a cause to make this industry better for everyone. Thank you.
There are so many injustices facing our industry right now. The double standards, lack of science based legislation, moratoriums, unfunded mandates… where does it end? The events taking place in Iowa, Missouri, Minnesota, New York and even at the federal level stands against our fundamental rights we were given in 1776. The fact that every one of us is just one positive test sample from being driven out of business should be a wake-up call to every breeder out there. Something is wrong with the status quo. We have private property rights.
It is essential we have open communication and think big picture. Supporting the ACA comes in three ways- spreading the word of our mission, association representatives participating on conference calls and monetary donations. One member raised reservations about associations supporting the ACA by essentially shifting their own funds and should instead wait to raise funds when there is a battle. I respect that opinion but my concern is looking at the big picture. Some associations are large with high membership in a state with thousands of cervids with prominent breeders to help ignite fundraising on a moment’s notice. Other states have much smaller associations. Smaller associations with just perhaps two or three dozen breeders and the associations struggle to operate in the black. It is essential the ACA have power ready to defend. Shawn Shafer once told me, “we can’t wait until there is a fire before we build a fire department.” I completely agree with that and in that very spirit would believe we cannot wait until a battle to prepare.
The beauty of having this open forum of communication is on these calls we can have a majority consensus of how to spend money when that time comes. No one man or subcommittee will determine that.
We are already seeing individuals send in checks, donate hunts and donate semen for auctions. It is amazing to see what can happen when people are willing to work for a cause.
Any donation to the ACA, big or small, goes DIRECTLY to the defense of this industry. It will not be re-appropriated for administrative, newsletters or banquet expenses. Rest assured, your dollar will be used to defend this industry and is an investment to preserve this industry for future generations.
I am honored to work with all of you and thank you again for your participation.
Travis Lowe
President, Kansas Cervid Breeders Association
