AOBA Election

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Cindy Negen on April 15, 2009 at 9:41am

Sharlene,

No blasting here from me. I am in total agreement with you. We too know the Jones family of River Ridge Alpacas both personally and professionally and think that Doug Jones would be a FANTASTIC addition to the AOBA board. He has fresh ideas from the prospective of the small farms and has many excellent ideas on bringing in the youth of this industry as our future. It is not enough to have the youth of current breeders....Doug has ideas to bring in youth and their families of NEW breeders and ranches.

Please everyone read all about Doug Jones. Look closely at each candidate and ask yourself this: Are these ideas and concepts NEW that this candidate brings or are the the SAME thing that has yet to work for our industry.

Sharlene if we get blasted I guess we can cry on each other's shoulders, but this election is so very important that it is totally worth speaking out for!

Thank you all for my 5 minutes.

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Permalink Reply by Sharlene Parks on April 15, 2009 at 9:47am

Thanks, Cindy. Let's pray for the best outcome!

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Permalink Reply by Maryann Marsh on April 15, 2009 at 10:19pm

Thanks for the input gals........anyone else? Feel free to post for your favorite and EVERYONE please vote!!!!!!

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Permalink Reply by Bonnie Klingman----Heaven's Gate Alpacas on April 16, 2009 at 12:24am

This is so true! We all need to do our part and make sure we vote. I love the Alpaca Business and I feel the same way as you Sharlene. I have heard the old saying about our Alpacas going down the same path as the Emu. So people PLEASE make sure we all do our part by voting and may God help us make the right decisions. Thanks for allowing me to voice my opinion.

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Permalink Reply by Cindy Negen on April 17, 2009 at 1:04pm

Hi everybody,

I don't know how many of you received the AOBA email blast that Doug Jones sent out, but I am going to post it here because I think it is very important for all of us to be informed on this election. I am a very firm supporter of Doug Jones and the agenda he has for changes in our industry. I encourage you to call or email Doug with any questions, concerns or ideas you would like to see implemented. Doug's contact information is in his letter below.
Ok...off my soap box. Thank you for letting me post my opinions and observations here without getting slammed. It is highly appreciated. Here is the letter.

April 16, 2009
Doug Jones
River Ridge Alpacas
Burkburnett, TX

Dear AOBA Member:

As AOBA election packets arrive in the mail, supporters have urged me to speak out. No, I wasn't contacted by Mr. Mike Safley prior to his recent letter of endorsement of certain candidates. Apparently, candidates Claudia Raessler and Michelle Swango weren’t contacted either. I'd like to offer the following, in pursuit of the only endorsement that really counts, YOURS.

I recognize that the marketing component of our Association is important and crucial to the expansion of both our industry and membership base. Equally important is the excellent AOBA show system; we need to keep it strong, affordable and accessible to all. But, we must increase the recognition and acceptance that, above all, our alpacas are livestock. They produce more alpacas AND an annual harvest of marketable product, their fiber. We must insure that the alpaca end product, fiber, is widely promoted.

Today’s youth, 4H and FFA members and their parents, are the future generation of alpaca farmers. Expansion of the national herd and production of commercial fiber quantity is dependent on their involvement in the industry. I strongly support further development and expansion of the recently formed AOBA Alpaca Youth Association.

Big farm or small farm, it is important that we all support each other, our industry and our Breed Association to achieve the advances we need as a whole. Farm failures are inevitable if we do not work together. We all started with a few alpacas, a mentoring farm, and a dream. We're all striving to produce that "perfect" alpaca, even though today's "perfect" alpaca will be dismissed from the ring in a few short years. Improvement of our breed and programs to accomplish generational improvements, such as EPD's, should act as a common bond for all of us.

My qualifications to serve you:
20 years, US Air Force, Air Traffic Controller. How does that help prepare me for the AOBA Board of Directors? I learned to respect differing views and work with many personalities while moving from taking orders to giving orders. My position truly required thinking "outside the box". My entire career required making critical decisions based on careful analysis of all available information and due consideration of the possible consequences. I can say "no" when the easy answer might be "yes", yet I believe it is teamwork that will move our organization and industry forward.

I also have a farming background dating to my youth, raising cattle and show hogs. I understand farm management and how to make a farm work for you, as you work for the farm, a relationship that is important for individual and industry success. My family has been raising alpacas for nearly five years. Our farm is all "hands-on" as I've learned to be both a vet and a nanny for alpacas. Though alpacas are different from cattle and hogs, they all have an end product. The best thing about alpacas is that after the harvest I still get to talk to them as I feed.

I don't believe 20 years in the alpaca industry necessarily makes one qualified for the AOBA Board. What's important is the willingness to make a difference. Regardless of background it is important to elect those dedicated to working for the betterment of every AOBA member and the industry as a whole.

Thank you for your time. Please contact me if you have questions about my candidacy or visions for the future of our association. I'm available at 940-642-0387 or via email at dougrra@yahoo.com.

Doug Jones

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Permalink Reply by Heidi Christensen on April 17, 2009 at 10:01pm

Hi there,

Just want to throw my opinion out here. I am not going to endorse anyone, but I agree with Sharlene - we need change. I appreciate Mike S and Steve Hull and their contribution to alpacas, but that doesn't mean I am going to vote for the people they endorse.

I have seen too many people complain about the state of affairs at AOBA, that they don't do much for their members, and I tend to agree. Not that I want something for nothing, but what does one get for their farm membership? The right to vote and the right to buy leads. And the right (?) to not have to pay $100 as a non member to enter a show. Whoopee.

Ok for some, but I don't have anything to sell now. I'm all about voting, but I would like to see a bit more "Owner" benefits than just "Breeder" benefits. After all, it is the Alpaca OWNERS and Breeders Association.

I just hope people vote. My knee jerk reaction is "oh crap, So and So is endorsing Such and Such, so the people who I might want to vote for (for a CHANGE) don't have a chance. Why bother at all"

So, please, VOTE! If you want the old guard, if you want change, whatever :) Just vote - perhaps we will get a few new faces in there!

Heidi Christensen
WingNut Farms
Graham WA

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Permalink Reply by Sharlene Parks on April 17, 2009 at 10:11pm

This election will be interesting. I am finding there are quite a few folks who feel like we do. I just hope there are enough of us to make a difference!

Thanks to all who have taken time to respond here, and I encourage everyone to send copies of these posts to your friends who will be voting that might not be members of Alpaca Social. It may bring in more members for Alpaca Social too.

Sharlene

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Permalink Reply by Rick Horn - All American Alpacas on April 18, 2009 at 12:56am

I'll personally be voting for Libby.
If you want to know why, do some research on the registry closure that occurred before Libby's tenure with ARI. Note that closure was placed in policies and procedures vs the bylaws. She did a good job of making sure that no BOD could reopen the registry without a vote from the members.
Had it not been for her work, we'd all have a bunch of 4 legged emus.

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Permalink Reply by Cindy Negen on April 18, 2009 at 4:41am

I can appreciate your point Rick. I am glad we have more than one vacancy to fill. This election, with the candidate selection members have available to them, should create a fantastic BOD with fresh new ideas and objectives as well as a well-rounded BOD dedicated to working together with the members to keep our industry safe and thriving.

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Permalink Reply by Maryann Marsh on April 23, 2009 at 11:44pm

wohooo, mine is in the mail!!!!!!! Dont forget folks, postmarked by the 30th!!!! Get those votes in the mail!!

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Permalink Reply by Sharlene Parks on April 24, 2009 at 8:36am

Sent mine back the day after I received it. This is a very important election. Hope for change!

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