Re: [AlpacaTalk] Let them eat cake.
Oh for goodness sake, I would not ban someone for disagreeing with me!
You must have me confused with someone else! ;>
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I won't try to suppress
anyone's point of view. I don't know if you were a member here last
year when I was actually threatened by someone, and had all manner of
horrible thing said to and about me. I never banned any of those
people.
I'm sorry that you think my words and attitude sound like sour grapes.
As an AOBA member, I have every right to complain about the way its
run. There are those who have said to others that they have no right to
complain if they aren't even a member. So which is it, take my ball and
play by myself, or work to change the way things are?
I don't begrudge those rich folks their money, but the regressive
pricing scheme that AOBA presents to us little fishes just makes it
that much harder for us to compete. $5k for ILA? Pocket change to
those big guys. But for some people, it's 10-25% of their entire gross
annual income. Not so many of us have that kind of cash lying around.
$1500-5000 more for the AOBA "benefactor" program. Per year. Again,
pocket change for some, a major portion of one;s monthly income for
others. $795 for FRG? One week's pay, or possibly closer to two weeks
pay for some. Sour grapes?
I'm not disenfranchised, I'm an activist. Always have been. I look at
unfairness and speak out against it. Why on earth does AOBA need to
spin off a for profit corporation if they are in such dire need of
funds? They can't be that broke if they're making too much money to
qualify as a non-profit..
People write to me all the time privately and tell me what's on their
minds. I am by no means the only person who is dissatisfied with the
status quo. I have seen benefits whittled away over the years, and with
these "Benefactor" membership levels, what everyone used to have access
to, now only those fat cats can grasp. I say it's not right! AOBA is
OURS! Those benefits they keep taking away are OURS!
To answer your question as to why I bother being an AOBA member, well I
am the fleece show superintendent for our local affiliate. I can't do
that volunteer job unless I shell out the $125 AOBA farm membership
plus the $50 Show Division membership, plus my affiliate dues. I pay
$250 for the opportunity to spend countless hours without pay to put on
the fleece show. :) But I enjoy doing it, and I get a lot of pride in
doing it. Is is worth that $250? Obviously, because I pay it!
That's another thing that really makes me angry about AOBA's greed. The
non-show division member fee per show! I mean really, does it really
cost AOBA $75 per show per breeder for them to enter an AOBA sanctioned
show? $25 per show is much more reasonable, and people could enter more
shows if they have limited funds.
My sarcasm about the stalling rates at Nationals? Well, at other
livestock shows, stalls are $25. Entry fees are $15. How is the same
stall worth so much more money simply because it's occupied by an
alpaca? I do not see it.
I think it's pretty sad, when someone has a legitimate complaint, they
are told to shut up and stop causing trouble. If you don't like it,
leave. Well I'm sorry but I can't do that. I am a member, and I do have
a say!
Heather
On Nov 10, 2008, at 8:53 PM, Patti Jennings wrote:
> Heather
> I am not an "active" participant of this group; I have been reading it
> with interest over several months. I have watched this particular
> discussion and previous similar ones can no longer remain silent.
> Heather, I realize that this is "Your" group. You certainly have the
> right to express your opinion because you do 'own' (for lack of a
> better word) the group. However
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posted by Chaddo at 9:25 PM
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