Kansas B.A.S.S. Federation Nation

 HOLY COW!!!!      First, let me say THANK YOU to Don Leatherman for fixing my log-in issues. I have not been able to access this board for , man, maybe 3 years or more? In hindsight, maybe that's a good thing! HA-HA!

This post is strictly an editorial. The premise is what I always believed when I was trying to help with the KBFN board. It is NOT meant to cause hate and discontent. It is NOT a direct criticism of any specific member of our board- nor the board as a whole. Just something that might have been forgotten along the way. Maybe I forgot too. 

Take away all the arguement about tournaments, the rhetoric, the general BS that we like to give each other, and look at the KBFN as it's own entity. The nuts and bolts of it are that KBFN is a business. Granted,a not-for-profit business, but one just the same. Our members are customers of that business.It is no longer a "priveleged society" of outdoorsmen/women.KBFN is no longer the only game in town, no longer the only place to buy a burger in town. There's a new burger place right across the street.....has some pretty good burgers too. Has some great things to offer. Which is better? That's up to the individual.

What sets a business apart? Customer Service. Some will shop price, some will volley back and forth trying to work two businesses against each other. Most will shop with the business that serves them best. KBFN members CHOOSE to shop with our business for one reason or another. MOST understand that our "business" is run with volunteer help, folks that work a full time job,with kids,with all the distractions that accompany adulthood. Do new or potential members know that? Not really. I deal with this issue all the time with my youth club parents and adult club members. The outward appearance of late (to the newbie or potential newbie)is that KBFN doesn't really care much about their "customers". Again, I must point out this is an editorial, and not intended to "rip" ANYONE. 

So, how does KBFN correct this issue? Simple communication. I realize I've been "out of the loop" since resigning in 2005. Back in those days, the qualifiers were presented at the November meeting...the buddy and other events at the February meeting. Often times the dates for the buddy were presented in November also-simply awaiting confirmation of permits to announce the schedule. This was done so that clubs and members could set their individual schedules- providing the customer with data to make an informed purchase. Again, I know first hand that sometimes there are hurdles behind the scenes that prevent such announcements. Things happen.

Gentlemen, nearly 30 days into the new season, no firm date/place/time set for the next meeting of your club representatives? A schedule presented (THANK YOU,JEFF) with an asterisk that says you may add more to it? I have respect for all of you, but guys, that's alot like McDonald's being out of hamburgers.

Thanks for reading, Your friend-Dan

Danny,

I want to thank you for posting your editorial on our website. I appreciate it and this is where these topics need to be discussed. I would like to respond in the same editorial format.

You hit the nail on the head with numerous comments that you made, many of which have been topics of discussion within the Board and at Business Meetings on several occasions. 

The big one! WE ARE A BUSINESS. Absolutely we are a business in every sense of the word and we must operate as a business. Many of our members look at the Federation as an extension of their local Club and don't understand the business side of every event and meeting that we hold. It is much more than a "Club" and I have been trying, over the past few years, to convey that to the membership body. The Representatives that attend our business meetings need to also assume this business mind set. To many times I have seen individuals voting on issues at these meeting to benefit their own personal agenda's and not the Federation or even their local Club and respective members.

An additional fact that you mentioned is that we are not the only game in town.  Numerous tournament trails and organizations have developed in the last few years with many options that would remind one of a restaurant buffet. Most run very respectable events. I personally belong to several. 

As we run our "business", I am not always willing to play at the back of the pack. As more and more organizations get involved, anglers will need to make personal choices in reference to their priorities. We, as a business, can not be expected to schedule our Federation events around every other event. We are the only organization with the path through Divisionals and the National Championship to the Bassmaster Classic.  And thus, we will schedule our events. Choices must be made.

We do not have a firm date/place/time set for the Spring Business meeting. Once again there is some "business" involved in this process and a potential date was posted on the website for March 3rd. I am meeting with a host hotel on February 1st and hope to have all the "business" finished in time to give a 30 day notice to the members.

One issue that I would like to bring to the forefront, and that is membership. Everyone that has been a member since I have taken office knows that memberships are renewable from November 1st through December 31st. This has been hammered home year after year at the meetings, on the website and by e-mail to the Presidents and Secretarys. As of December 31st, if not renewed, all rights, benefits, etc., stop. Last year we had 34 affiliated Clubs and 495 members. To date, 12 Clubs are affiliated, 6 of which have not paid State dues, and a total of 109 members have renewed with the B.A.S.S. Federation Nation but not all have renewed with the Kansas B.A.S.S. Federation Nation. I could list these Clubs, but there is no need for that. They can be found under the tab at the top of the home page of our website under "Affiliated Clubs". HOLY COW!!!!

It is very hard to conduct "business" for the upcoming year when we don't know which "customers" we are doing business with. Kind of like McDonald's having the hamburger buns and all the condiments, but no hamburger.

No sweat Danny, you didn't offend me. I wish all the clubs would get on here and give us there thoughts. There will be those that only complain, but some will actually have some good insights.

Like you said we have to have better communication and if people will use this site I think it will happen. Already with your first post we have had more activity on here. So I say keep it coming.

Danny,

No apologies necessary. I did not take your editorial as being disrespectful, hateful or in a sense of bashing anyone. I took your comments as those of a concerned member.

This is all part of the communication that everyone eludes to. I send e-mail after e-mail directly to Club Representatives and very seldom get a response. I post on the website and very seldom get a response. After a while I feel that I am talking to myself because no one else is listening. UNTIL there is a specific issue or issues that more directly effect a specific Club or specific members. Then I get a "boat load" of communication about issues that I may have not known was even an issues to the members.

As I previously mentioned, I appreciate the fact that you posted on this website. Communication is a two way street. One can expect a response when we voice our opinions, or we can be silent and never bring to light those things that need to be addressed or answered.

As far as Clubs waiting to join until they see the "menu", that can be looked at or taken many ways.

Kind of like the old mystery that has been questioned for many years: "Which came first the chicken or the egg?"

We need productive members to put on a good show, and we need a good show to attract productive members.

A lot depends on how we function each year by the number of members that join. Some join only when the "menu" is beneficial to them personally. So it is a matter of choice. No one is required to join just because they joined in the past. The doors of membership are open to those who choose to join and support the mission and goals of B.A.S.S., The B.A.S.S. Federation Nation and the Kansas B.A.S.S. Federation Nation.

I appreciate the opportunity to participate in this communication.