Some interesting thoughts for sure. I haven't been involved with MTB for quite a few years now but I have to say it saddens me to think what the future may have in store. Can't really say for sure what's happened but it's disheartening to say the least. In the interest of stimulating some interest and discussion, some rambling thoughts - if the thread needs to be moved, hopefully someone will. It's of interest to all I hope -
Politically -
Now that the great crossbow/technology battles are over and deer management in general here in MI has become so politicized, a good share of our meaning and purpose has been lost. At the height of MTB's popularity, we stood side by side with other bowhunting interests pleading the case from our perspective. We had people from MTB appearing regularly at the NRC and populating DNR committees. Now, to be totally honest, it seems somewhat pointless. There's issues, but nothing of consequence. About the only value in doing so now would be to keep membership informed of issues that may not be specific to bowhunting. Working in this way for the membership wasn't the sole purpose or function of MTB during those days but it did play a big part. The membership appreciated having us there representing our perspective and their opinions. I know they did - I heard from them.
Are there or could there be issues that need to be or could still be addressed? I don't know. One such idea that's been suggested to me over and over is lobbying for a trad season. It would take years and lots of research and effort but it could be done. MI's licensing structure and regs seem to be on a little bit more restrictive path and in light of that, I think those who have suggested such a thing could potentially be on to something - there's room for it. Everyone else seems to have a piece of the "pie". Why shouldn't we? With a little imagination, there's a few issues I guess that could be addressed. I think MTB has to identify with and associate more effectively with other organizations that share similar interests.
Clearly if MTB's influence was to be felt, membership numbers would need to increase - a LOT.
Organizationally -
The age old issue of whether MTB wants to be an "organization" or a "club" is always out there. The Council needs to determine one way or another which direction it wants to go in and then focus in that direction. If you're a club, you do things "club-like" in the way you make decisions. If you're an "organization", you do things that are "organizational" in the way you make decisions.
Trad Trails is the heart and soul of MTB's way of communicating it's theme and reason to exist. Whether or not it's something the Council likes to hear, many, many members see that yearly membership fee as a subscription to the magazine. When renewal time rolls around and they think back to the past few issues and see that all that's there is one or two, 2 page stories and four pages of ads touting the Jamboree, Banquet or Trad Bowhunter magazine and a number of business cards from members who do "trad" stuff, well... it makes spending that renewal money a little less appealing.
This is ABSOLUTELY no reflection upon or accusation towards Dan - he's done a great job with that magazine for many, many years and I hope he continues on. But when he's got nothing to work with as far as material, it's tough. The answer? I don't know but a couple things come to mind.
One, regular contributors - we've got several guys here in MI that are very, very successful trad bowhunters who've made "names" for themselves and have great reputations in the trad bowhunting community. A few that come to mind - Steve Osminski, Bryan Burkhardt, Denny Sturgis, Darryl Quidort. Many others. There are many, many fantastic bowyers and trad bowhunting retailers right here - they need to be approached. They have MUCH to offer. They don't need to write a book for each issue but a few lines with a few picts go a long ways and is not at all burdensome. It's only a few times a year.
Two, incentives for those who are willing to step up a bit and contribute. Jot down a few lines, send a few picts and send it in. People LOVE that stuff. Yearly memberships or renewals? T-shirts? Hats?
Three - a little color. It's expensive but it's a good investment. There's ways to reduce costs.
I don't know but one thing I do know from sitting in both the membership secretary's seat and the editor's seat for many years - the magazine needs to be enhanced.
We have to re-emphasize family and kids. There's nothing new in that - it was a huge part of MTB 's identity back in the 90's and early 00's. It needs to have an emphasis put on it again. For almost all of us, that's what it's all about. For many of us, it's grandkids now.
Not sure how often it's been done but the bylaws need to be reviewed yearly and updated. Times and circumstances change.
Membership status -
This has been a confusing issue since day one and admittedly I did very little to "fix" it during my time with MTB. Some people renew at the Jamboree, some at the Expo, some at the Banquet, some in August, some in November. When they renew at the Expo, do they get a year and a half or a half year? When they renew at the Banquet, same thing? How about when they send it in April? It gets to be confusing for the secretary, the membership and expensive for MTB when a guy renews at different times of the year because some end up with a year and a half, some with a partial year.
ALL memberships need to expire at the SAME time EVERY year with no exceptions. It would be cost effective and make things much easier for the membership secretary and more importantly for the membership. Pick a day and time and stick with it. Send out membership renewal cards within weeks of receiving that fall issue???
I see it spelled out on almost every bowhunting site I frequent when talk of MTB is bantered about - "I was a member but I forgot that my membership expired and just forgot to renew."
Stick with ONE date and time of year... No more renewing here, there and everywhere.
New memberships and renewals - when someone renews or joins, make sure they receive a confirmation letter in the mail within 5 business days of the time it was postmarked. When I did the secretary's job, I had one form letter for new members and one for renewals and I simply changed the name to whom it was addressed with each membership and it seemed much more personal. From time to time i updated the form letters with news, info and reminders. This would, could or should be done via email to keep costs at a minimum. If they don't have an email address, print it and send it snail mail. People want to know they belong, their efforts in joining or renewing have been acknowledged and they are a part of something. Getting that confirmation of "belonging" is HUGE.
At some point the Council is going to have to move in the direction of allowing membership to join or renew online. I know it's been talked about for years but it needs to be done for obvious reasons.
The Internet is HUGE and traditional or not, traditional bowhunters are using it - we need to take advantage of it.
Communication -
If you are going to survive and THRIVE, you need to communicate with every single member and make EACH one feel as though they are a part of it. Now days almost every single person has email and in general, the membership needs to be communicated with on a more regular basis. On the membership or renewal form, make sure they have a LEGIBLE email address and if they haven't filled it out, call them on the phone. Keep an up to date list and communicate REGULARLY with them. It's inexpensive and takes very little time or effort.
Banquet/Jamboree -
Honestly, I don't feel there's a lot to be improved upon. Both are well run and especially the Jamboree is unique to MTB because of the location and of course the 2-D course which is amazing. Maybe the Banquet could be a little more centrally located but I certainly understand why it is where it is, depending on the year.
Re vendors at the Jamboree, I don't think the Jamboree was ever meant to be vendor orientated - it's a shoot. Yet, when the Jamboree was hugely attended, the vendors showed up because there was a reason to be there (plus, they enjoyed the shoot itself). The bottom line is, the Jamboree is still a shoot and always will be. Attendance will dictate the number of vendors that want to participate. Are there incentives to get them there? Of course - a little imagination could be used.
Re chapters, right now, I think there only needs to be one chapter - a statewide one. I'm afraid setting up chapters now would further fracture an already fragile situation and as Dick mentioned, right now, who?
Re a merger between the two trad groups? I'm not on the Council and am just a member but I wouldn't care to see that. There is too much identity associated with each group. It really should stay that way. Re combined activities or events? Of course - we've done it successfully in the past.
The bottom line is the bowhunting landscape in MI has changed and while not sacrificing any "traditional" principles, MTB has to change it's identity and approach a bit as well. There are so many ideas out there that haven't been tapped into that just can't be typed into a 15 minute reply to an Internet thread and need to be talked about face to face in a group setting.
The "big" issues of the day are gone now and what we've got left (and what we've always had) is spreading the word re traditional bowhunting. We're not going to grow anymore by playing offense or even defense to all the real & perceived threats to bowhunting in MI. The best way to attract bees is with honey. MTB's mission and purpose needs to be looked at and redefined and when it is, it needs to be communicated clearly, massively and effectively. People need to know what the benefits are to "belonging". It's part of it but it's just not enough anymore to say we're a bunch of people sitting around a campfire carving out bows from a hunk of osage. There's 300,000 Bowhunters in MI - how cool would it be to "convert" 25% or more of them to the joys of hunting with a recurve or longbow?
In NO way should anyone read this and cast any doubt or blame on the past or current leadership. I to was a part of it and those currently serving are just flat out burned out and are frankly in survival mode now. I'm not so sure it's new blood we need as much as it is new ideas.
MTB is and was a good organization and can continue to be. I'd sure feel bad about seeing it fade away.
Topic: Michigan trad archers (Read 1217 times)
