For the folks that may not know me let me give a few credentials as to my knowledge of the process before I state my opinion on what I have been reading.
I served for a little over 6 years on the AMHA Board Of Directors (from November 2000 – February 2007). I was on the Executive Committee for 3 years. Served 2 years as Director at Large and 1 year as AMHA President. Due to no one else filing to run for my seat in 2008 I was also eligible for and elected by write-in for a third consecutive 3 year term. Due to other commitments on my part and the emergence of another qualified candidate (Mark O’Neal) willing to serve I declined the third term. I have also served on numerous committees. My wife and I have also been involved in some way with most of the major sales in the industry. During this tenure I have met, got to know, worked with, argued with, supported, opposed, dined with, partied with, traveled with, showed with and against, etc…etc…. almost everyone that is active in the Miniature Horse industry. The fact that I have been there disproves the theory that you have to be rich to play a major role in AMHA because I in no way qualify as rich.
Now for my opinion.
I have always been and continue to be a strong supporter of both AMHA and AMHR, and I can tell you that the dedicated people that volunteer their time to the overall management and betterment of these associations are serving in frustrating and most often thankless positions yet because they believe in what they are doing they continue to volunteer for the shooting gallery. There are several B.O.D. and committee members that are active on this forum and I assure you nearly all of the directors and staff read it. Folks like Gordon Harris, Jody Hock, Toni Reece, Laurie Slobody, Tony Greaves, Libby Rosen, John Eberth, Al Bulgawicz, ……. Just to name a few (and I apologize to the ones I forgot to mention) all come on here from time to time to try and explain things and do damage control for the betterment of us all as members. I know these folks and I can assure you they follow the rules and if they happen to slip they quickly get their hands soundly slapped and someone is quick to point out their error so that we don’t get caught in a messy situation on the volatile topics and issues that are bound to come up. I have sat at the table and worked with these people and I am confident they can handle the jobs they are tasked with. Have I always agreed with all these people – Absolutely not. Have I always been right – Absolutely not. Has there always been compromise – in most cases but not all. Are there agendas on the board – they are all humans so I am sure there are. I have seen many disputes erupt among board and/or committee members but I believe that in almost all cases the disagreeing parties both feel they are doing what is right for AMHA. Now the truth is in some cases one party is right and the other is wrong but in a lot of other cases the “right” lies somewhere in the middle and there is some validity to both sides. I have yet to meet anyone with all the answers and all of us at times can make the wrong decision, especially it we are basing it on inaccurate or incomplete information but in the long run I feel very good about the integrity of our association as there are many checks and balances and “watch dogs” in place. If you have not been there you can’t understand the hair pulling frustration these folks put up with at times or how rewarding the job can be at other times when things go right. However the rewarding times are usually in the form of self-satisfaction for doing what you felt was a good job but seldom comes in the form of thanks form any other source; but on the other hand let something not go so well and those other sources get real vocal and active real quick.
I guess after hearing and reading some of the concerns about current issues I felt kind of bad that some of these folks are not being heard and maybe even thought to have been underhanded in these issues. I for one appreciate the task these people have taken on and applaud each and every one of them for there efforts whether we totally agree on a topic or not.
So from me a big THANK YOU for your time and effort and to the rest of the membership please contact these people with constructive comment or input but please don’t discount their efforts or try to stir a pot that needs to be settled with cool headed reason and cooperation. All the ranting in the world will not help. Get involved as much as you can and learn the people in the official positions and then offer constructive criticism and solutions in a respectful courteous and professional manner and you will be surprised at how much of a part you can play in the issues. While we all may have different thoughts and ideas on how to get there I guess I am naive enough to believe we all have the same basic goals in mind for the Miniature Horse Industry.
Boy Was That To Long Or What!
Thanks!
Ronnie Clifton
I served for a little over 6 years on the AMHA Board Of Directors (from November 2000 – February 2007). I was on the Executive Committee for 3 years. Served 2 years as Director at Large and 1 year as AMHA President. Due to no one else filing to run for my seat in 2008 I was also eligible for and elected by write-in for a third consecutive 3 year term. Due to other commitments on my part and the emergence of another qualified candidate (Mark O’Neal) willing to serve I declined the third term. I have also served on numerous committees. My wife and I have also been involved in some way with most of the major sales in the industry. During this tenure I have met, got to know, worked with, argued with, supported, opposed, dined with, partied with, traveled with, showed with and against, etc…etc…. almost everyone that is active in the Miniature Horse industry. The fact that I have been there disproves the theory that you have to be rich to play a major role in AMHA because I in no way qualify as rich.
Now for my opinion.
I have always been and continue to be a strong supporter of both AMHA and AMHR, and I can tell you that the dedicated people that volunteer their time to the overall management and betterment of these associations are serving in frustrating and most often thankless positions yet because they believe in what they are doing they continue to volunteer for the shooting gallery. There are several B.O.D. and committee members that are active on this forum and I assure you nearly all of the directors and staff read it. Folks like Gordon Harris, Jody Hock, Toni Reece, Laurie Slobody, Tony Greaves, Libby Rosen, John Eberth, Al Bulgawicz, ……. Just to name a few (and I apologize to the ones I forgot to mention) all come on here from time to time to try and explain things and do damage control for the betterment of us all as members. I know these folks and I can assure you they follow the rules and if they happen to slip they quickly get their hands soundly slapped and someone is quick to point out their error so that we don’t get caught in a messy situation on the volatile topics and issues that are bound to come up. I have sat at the table and worked with these people and I am confident they can handle the jobs they are tasked with. Have I always agreed with all these people – Absolutely not. Have I always been right – Absolutely not. Has there always been compromise – in most cases but not all. Are there agendas on the board – they are all humans so I am sure there are. I have seen many disputes erupt among board and/or committee members but I believe that in almost all cases the disagreeing parties both feel they are doing what is right for AMHA. Now the truth is in some cases one party is right and the other is wrong but in a lot of other cases the “right” lies somewhere in the middle and there is some validity to both sides. I have yet to meet anyone with all the answers and all of us at times can make the wrong decision, especially it we are basing it on inaccurate or incomplete information but in the long run I feel very good about the integrity of our association as there are many checks and balances and “watch dogs” in place. If you have not been there you can’t understand the hair pulling frustration these folks put up with at times or how rewarding the job can be at other times when things go right. However the rewarding times are usually in the form of self-satisfaction for doing what you felt was a good job but seldom comes in the form of thanks form any other source; but on the other hand let something not go so well and those other sources get real vocal and active real quick.
I guess after hearing and reading some of the concerns about current issues I felt kind of bad that some of these folks are not being heard and maybe even thought to have been underhanded in these issues. I for one appreciate the task these people have taken on and applaud each and every one of them for there efforts whether we totally agree on a topic or not.
So from me a big THANK YOU for your time and effort and to the rest of the membership please contact these people with constructive comment or input but please don’t discount their efforts or try to stir a pot that needs to be settled with cool headed reason and cooperation. All the ranting in the world will not help. Get involved as much as you can and learn the people in the official positions and then offer constructive criticism and solutions in a respectful courteous and professional manner and you will be surprised at how much of a part you can play in the issues. While we all may have different thoughts and ideas on how to get there I guess I am naive enough to believe we all have the same basic goals in mind for the Miniature Horse Industry.
Boy Was That To Long Or What!
Thanks!
Ronnie Clifton