Dissapointed

[Bojack]

I certainly wont be renewing my membership with the ABA. I got one little paper from them in one year and thats it. Not worth the money. I atleast expected a monthly newsletter or something from them.:frown:

[Mr. Chitlin]

I have to say, that is the same reason that I did not renew. I had to call several times to get my membership packet and get my name on the roster, and then I only got one or 2 things from them the whole year. I DID get a renewal notice, though. That's one mailout that they didn't miss my name on.. :smack:

[reflex1]

I don't know why you two have fallen off the list of the ABA - I've been a member for about five years and have always received the quarterly newsletter/paper. Y'all need ta contact Keith deNoble and see what your problem is! jm2cw! :dontknow:

[possum]

Bojack, they only print a news letter every other month but I'm not sure what the problem would be either, I've always got my news letter. Another thing is I don't now when you joined but they've changed Secretaries and things get lost in the transition. Did you try contacting them to see why you weren't recieving anything?

[stealthycat]

shouldnt the organization be responsible for tracking its members ?

[reflex1]

Cat - shouldn't the individual members provide a current and legible address?

[possum]

shouldnt the organization be responsible for tracking its members ?

Like I said things get lost in transitions. You have to consider they are a large organization in just the pure sense of members but they still keep up with a lot of stuff on paper. I will apologize for the ABA for they can't be as perfect as some. :rolleyes:

[stealthycat]

Certainly members should have their current address etc updated. I guess I can sympathize a bit because I joined a local archery club, sent my dues etc and never heard anything from them, called once and after that figured if my membership wasn't that important to them, then they wasn't important to me.

Compare that to the NRA - you can't hide from them, once they get your name you ALWAYS get mail from them :rolleyes:

[possum]

Compare that to the NRA - you can't hide from them, once they get your name you ALWAYS get mail from them :rolleyes:


Something from them at least once a month or does it just seem that way.:confused:

[Earnhardt fan #1]

Something from them at least once a month or does it just seem that way.:confused:

more like week:smack:

[reflex1]

As Secretary for the statewide deer organization I am responsible for mailing the quarterly newsletter and I know I have mailed them all but still hear from some that say they didn't get theirs - WHY? Some are returned and I have to research and find out why and remail (double postage) - some are incorrect addresses because the applications are not legible - I can only surmise what some of the chicken scratchings are. That ain't all the problems we face - but enough for now!

[possum]

reflex, that's why when you see something I've written it's ALWAYS PRINTED IN UPPERCASE LETTERS. That's a habit I picked up doing paperwork on school buses which included recording the VIN# and problems found and corrected.

[Bojack]

Cat - shouldn't the individual members provide a current and legible address?
They've got my address and it was legible to enough to get one newsletter in one year. They'll never get another dollar from me.

[possum]

They've got my address and it was legible to enough to get one newsletter in one year. They'll never get another dollar from me.


Hate to here that, they've done a lot for the bow hunters in this state. Honestly I'd support them if they didn't send anything out, but that's just my opinion. To each his own.

[reflex1]

I agree with ya possum - find out afore ya quits on us Bojack!

[rjet]

As Secretary for the statewide deer organization I am responsible for mailing the quarterly newsletter and I know I have mailed them all but still hear from some that say they didn't get theirs - WHY? Some are returned and I have to research and find out why and remail (double postage) - some are incorrect addresses because the applications are not legible - I can only surmise what some of the chicken scratchings are. That ain't all the problems we face - but enough for now!

You sure you it aint that you are just old and blind??:biggrin:

[reflex1]

Knowing you as I do reject - you wouldn't understand!

[possum]

I usually get mine late. I think the mailman reads mine before he leaves it in the box. I need to catch him and sell him a membership. :biggrin:

[firehog]

Reflex, I agree with the hard to read. I know when I was sending packets out for another organization sometimes I would actually have to call them and confirm what was written. You just couldn't read it. I suspect the same thing is happening here. If I wasn't getting what I wanted I would make contact with the organization and make sure they had my address right. A lot of times these letters are going to another address and its never returned back to the original sender so no one knows the person is not getting their letters. This all sounds easy to fix, but when your looking at 100 applications at a time, its real time consuming to set and decipher the writing. I don't mean to make a excuse, but these organizations are working with volunteers and sometimes working for a living and everyday stuff comes first. But I promise you, these organizations are not intentually not sending folks the information.

[Luv2Hunt]

I'm not trying to get cross-ways with anybody about this but I feel I have to respond to Mr. Bojack. While I understand your frustration, I know first-hand how difficult it is to administer the membership list. First, I've been on the ABA board for 8 years this summer. We (board members) don't receive a penny for what we do. We do it because we care about this sport and, believe it or not, all the bowhunters in this state and their continued opportunity to enjoy a liberal bow season throughout their lifetimes and those of their children. So rather than taking the position that the administration of the organization is sub-par and quitting, I would encourage you to get more active in the organization, volunteer your time rather than expecting others to do it on your behalf, and help effect positive change. Many people in all walks of life are quick to point out a problem, but very few ever seem to offer a solution. The ABA would love for all bowhunters in the state to be members, and though I'm sure that will never happen, we will continue to lobby for their rights anyway. As for comparing us to the NRA, take a look at the payroll numbers for the NRA executives and staff. You will get a clear picture of why they are able to be so organized. That is where a good portion of your membership dollars are going. I am an NRA member by the way so I feel justified it talking about them. Just my 2 cents worth.

[John Stiles]

When a new member joins yer church, the head knocker usually pays the new guy a visit or two....having said that; church is not a white building sport'n a steeple and a bell, but a group of people...a family of people, who are concerned about each other, study together, share things they have in common, etc......! Now, if you think about that, and similar situations, you can conclude reasonably; if you don't make new members feel like a part of the group......they may actually fall away! JMHO~john

[Bojack]

I understand that they do alot for bowhunters in Arkansas, and for that, I am thankful. Although, I was under the assumption that I was to get a monthly newsletter and so forth. I got my packet, and one newsletter in twelve months. That is the reason for my dissapointment. I'm not dissapointed in the organization for who they are what they do, just their ability to deliver what they say I guess. I may be the only one who has had this problem, i dont know, I hope not.

I support any organization or group of people that defends my country, lifestyle, and family. Do I support them financially? Not always. Should I? Probably. I quite the Rocky Mountain Elk foundation b/c I felt like all the fat cats were getting fatter and getting better places for them to hunt, not the little guys like myself. I quite the NWTF for the same reason. After probably 10 years of being a member what did I get in return. Nothing. Yes people are fighting for my rights to hunt, but sometimes people want a little in return to show for their patrinage (sp). I quite the NRA after several years b/c they were calling my house every single freaking day asking for money for this or that. A man with mortgage and family sometimes has to decide where his priorities lie when it comes to shelling out the money.
Will I join the ABA in the future? Maybe, I'm not sure right now. I know it was probably an honest mistake that my letters where not delivered.
Sorry for the ranting.
Bojack

[firehog]

Bojack I surely understand what your saying. Give them a call and see whats going on. I have never not got my newsletter. Sometimes things slip through the cracks. I know being involved in another organization sometimes things happen. Not making excuses but the ABA and ADHA or run by volunteers, folks trying to look out for us and not try to make a dime doing it. They both need all the help they can get. They don't have paid staff to work on things daily, so things do slip. I would not set here and lie about that. But getting ahold of them is paramount so they know. Folks running these organizations on their off time need to know when folks are not getting stuff. It maybe just a case of your letter going to someone else.

[possum]

After probably 10 years of being a member what did I get in return. Nothing. Yes people are fighting for my rights to hunt,


You answered your own question. Yes people are fighting for my rights to hunt

Sounds to me like you might be expecting more than a 10-20 dollar a year membership could pay for. I not saying you shouldn't be aggravated because you didn't get the newsletters you were told you would receive, but to use that as an excuse for not rejoin in my opinion is BS because after reading your post it sounds to me like you expect more than what is reasonable.

[John Stiles]

You mean like some comraderie of course....don't you? I can't think of anything more disconcerting than to join a group that neglects to recognize ALL of it's members....especially when the monetary contribution is equal for all.??~john

[possum]

Most groups of the type have at least several gathers a year. I know the ABA has 3 that I can think of, the 3rd weekend of March, Memorial Day and the 3rd weekend of September. I've been a member of the ABA for somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 years and I myself have gone long stretches without receiving a newsletter but I never quit. Usually a call maybe two takes care of it. They even have a website that you can use to get contact information.

http://www.arkansasbowhunters.org/index.html

[Bojack]

[QUOTEbut to use that as an excuse for not rejoin in my opinion is BS because after reading your post it sounds to me like you expect more than what is reasonable.[/QUOTE]

I'm not using that as an excuse to not rejoin. And no I dont expect more than what is reasonble.
When you send someone money for something they say they are going to provide then dont, thats frustrating.
They had my address to send me my packet and one news letter and then my letter telling me its time to rejoin, how come they didn't have it the other 11 months.

How would you feel if you ordered a one year supply of green persimmons and 2 months later got one walnut? Then 10 months later i sent you a letter telling you its time to order some more persimmons.

[Bojack]

Possum
And another thing, if you go read my first post you'll see exactly what I "atleast expected".

[possum]

How would you feel if you ordered a one year supply of green persimmons and 2 months later got one walnut? Then 10 months later i sent you a letter telling you its time to order some more persimmons.

I'll answer the question first....sometime during that 10 months you'd been getting a phone call.....no where in your posts do you mention doing this.

Possum And another thing, if you go read my first post you'll see exactly what I "atleast expected".

The key to me being "least", it just seems to me from reading your other posts your expecting a whole lot more.


BTW...if your were told you'd get a newsletter every month you were misinformed. The ABA sends out 6 newsletters a year.

[kildog]

Bojack...I understand your frustration sir. As possum mentioned the ABA sends out 6 newsletters per year. If whoever signed you up told you that you would receive a monthly newsletter then I apologize on behalf of the ABA. After you went a couple of months you should have gotten in contact with us...the ABA...to let us know that you had not received any newsletters. There are several factors that could have prevented it, but until we know that you did not receive it...then we cannot trouble shoot and resolve the problem. We do sincerly apologize for such an oversight. But It usually just takes a phone call or email to resolve.
JOhn....The ABA tries to recognize every member and everyone is equal in the ABA. The board members are there for you...to help you...Everyone in the state has two field governors within their respective district that are a sounding board for any questions or problems that may arise concerning the ABA. No one is intentionally overlooked. If we have a problem it is our responsibility to report it a board member, so that it can get worked out. Bojack...I am sorry that your current feelings for the ABA are negative, I hope that in the future you will rethink your decision not to be a part with us and rejoin. If you ever have a problem or concern you can contact me and I will do what I can to make sure that your voice is heard! kd

[livz2hunt]

"I quite the Rocky Mountain Elk foundation b/c I felt like all the fat cats were getting fatter and getting better places for them to hunt, not the little guys like myself. I quite the NWTF for the same reason. After probably 10 years of being a member what did I get in return. Nothing. Yes people are fighting for my rights to hunt, but sometimes people want a little in return to show for their patrinage (sp). I quite the NRA after several years b/c they were calling my house every single freaking day asking for money for this or that".

No offence Bojack, but you quit all these quality organizations because it sounds as if you feel you were a victim in one way or the other. Quite frankly you have your right to your own opinion but I get tired of reading all the negativity that spills from your comments. Sounds like you need to grow up! O.K. let me have it!:thumb:

[John Stiles]

Bojack...I understand your frustration sir. As possum mentioned the ABA sends out 6 newsletters per year. If whoever signed you up told you that you would receive a monthly newsletter then I apologize on behalf of the ABA. After you went a couple of months you should have gotten in contact with us...the ABA...to let us know that you had not received any newsletters. There are several factors that could have prevented it, but until we know that you did not receive it...then we cannot trouble shoot and resolve the problem. We do sincerly apologize for such an oversight. But It usually just takes a phone call or email to resolve.
JOhn....The ABA tries to recognize every member and everyone is equal in the ABA. The board members are there for you...to help you...Everyone in the state has two field governors within their respective district that are a sounding board for any questions or problems that may arise concerning the ABA. No one is intentionally overlooked. If we have a problem it is our responsibility to report it a board member, so that it can get worked out. Bojack...I am sorry that your current feelings for the ABA are negative, I hope that in the future you will rethink your decision not to be a part with us and rejoin. If you ever have a problem or concern you can contact me and I will do what I can to make sure that your voice is heard! kd

This right here is what I'm talking about....a little one on one....shoot, even the preacher won't let you get out the door of the church without saying your name...shaking your hand.....and thanking you for being there! You'd be surprized how much that means to somebody.... an old generic black and white piece of paper ever once in a while just don't cut it. It hasta be a warm: "welcome aboard Bojack"....or John....or Whistle Britches:thumb: that's what I'm talkin about.....a little color:biggrin:

[kildog]

John I try to ignore noone. At shoots and ABA events I always get around and visit, at every event I have friends that I have known for years and always try to make a few new friends...but due to the number of people at these events it is impossible to meet and visit with everyone, but shoot me a line anytime and we can chat, show up at a shoot and we can meet and "chew some fat"....always enjoy listening to others ideas, concerns and hunting stories. kd

[John Stiles]

John I try to ignore noone. At shoots and ABA events I always get around and visit, at every event I have friends that I have known for years and always try to make a few new friends...but due to the number of people at these events it is impossible to meet and visit with everyone, but shoot me a line anytime and we can chat, show up at a shoot and we can meet and "chew some fat"....always enjoy listening to others ideas, concerns and hunting stories. kd

I didn't mean to imply that you "IGNORED" anyone...but I learned that sometimes you can't just leave it at that...sometimes ya gotta wear out the old shoe leather, so to speak. It's good business...besides; you just never know what might be waiting for you to discover...if you are consciencious:thumb: