National Hound and Tree dog Association

[Rusty Hill]

David,

I think a national organization is a great idea.....but what I see may be a problem is that right now not every state has a houndsman association and those that do aren't all that strong member wise.

I guess what i'm saying is that if each state can't even get enough support to have an organization, let alone one that is thriving and growing, then what makes you guy's think a national one would fly?

You have a noble idea, but I think it's going to be a long row to hoe.

Don't take what i'm saying the wrong way.

[TGA]

Rusty,

I hear what you are saying. And the answer is, no matter how you look at it, it will be a tough row to hoe!

But I also think part of the explanation is whether folks were inspired to join a club, or not inspired, based on what the club or association's vision was. Said another way, I think some folks have chose not to join a club, because they weren't a national organization or because they felt the association didn't match their vision of what an association should be. For example, there are a lot of clubs and associations out there, that predominantly focus on hosting events, and if folks don't care to take part in the events, they see no reason to join the club. I've also seen some clubs with a great vision, but seem to get stuck in fundraising mode, and never seem to do anything with it, or what they choose to spend funds on, isn't in alignment with what their vision was supposed to be. This too pushes people away...

But, this is why we think our affiliate program makes so much sense! For those states with existing hound or tree dog organizations, there's no reason for us to start an all new group or chapter. We'll partner and collaborate with those organizations and allow them to sell a dual membership. And since we have a growing discount program for our members, perhaps those clubs can sell more memberships for themselves, as well! For those states that don't have an existing club (but most have at least one hound or tree dog group), their residents can join us directly.

And if you look at the catch-22 that so many organizations face, ours included, this may be the best approach. That issue, being many choose not to join until the club "does something" they care about, but without their support the club never gets big enough to do anything. In walks a National Organization who's charter is to bring all the existing clubs together. If we can get several of the larger organizations to join us, or a bunch of the smaller organizations, we then collectively become large enough to do something. You take a Wisconsin Bear Hunters, coupled with a Kentucky Houndsmen, the Hoosier Tree Dog Alliance (all just examples) and a couple dozen county coon hunters clubs, and before you know it, you have an organization with a very sizable membership base that can achieve things that perhaps none of those groups could do on their own. AND... when you start to get some "wins" more people decide to join.