Newly elected officers and Board members for 2010

President-
Joel Edwards

Vice President-
Steve Wolk

Secretary-
Carol Janelli

BOD-
Jim Ellis,
Bill Haynes,
Randy Jordan,
Mel Kincheloe

An open letter to the NTA Membership:

In recent months, the NTA has endured some rough roads.  Most of our problems have come in the way of accusations of wrong doings.  Let me point out that there has been an investigation as to the claims that were brought forth and as of today NOTHING has been found that is wrong.  The Board has reviewed documents that some have claimed did not exist.  The NTA attorney has reviewed all documents that were in question and is thoroughly convinced that everything is there.  

The CPA which works for the NTA has reviewed financial records and also agrees that everything is available and accounted for.  Say what you want, but these professional men are not going to jeopardize their jobs and long careers for a bunch of taxidermists.  This is not to say that over the years that the NTA Board has not made mistakes.  This is not to say that many years ago the financial reports could have been done in a different format that would make it more "user friendly" to review today.  But, this IS to say that if an individual took their time, asked the right questions, and had an absolute understanding of how things were done in the past, the math adds up.  Period.

Currently the NTA Secretary Carol Janelli is voluntarily serving as the Interim Treasurer as well.  Carol has made it very clear from the very beginning that she is not an accountant and does not have the equipment to present a fancy treasurer's report.  But what Carol has done, is a fantastic job of making sure moneys are deposited in a timely manner, and that bills are also paid in a timely manner.  The checkbook that she is responsible for balances to the penny, and has balanced to the penny since she has been doing this position.  Also keep in mind that in years past, the treasurer's position was a paid position.  Since the time Carol has taken over, she has not been compensated a dime for her time.  If someone wanted to take the time, had the knowledge, and the right equipment, the numbers from the treasurer's report could be entered into a system and a fancy report could be provided.  In a perfect world we would have that, but currently this organization does not have the funds to do so.  However, we are checking into getting an accountant to take this position, but again, this requires funds to make it happen.

In recent weeks there have been four Board Members resign with one of them being the President.  As Vice President, I have stepped up to the plate to do the absolute best that I can to help build the NTA.  I am not going to get into anyone's personal business and give my opinion about the resignations.  As far as I am concerned it is water under the bridge.  Dwelling on it is not going to help me, help you, or help the NTA.  My goal as your new President of the NTA is to be as positive as possible, and to get back to what the NTA was all about when it was founded.  We are here to serve you, the members.  We are here to help protect you by working together, helping each other, and working with Conservation Force and other like minded groups.  Just today I received an email from Conservation Force with a note about them working with animal cruelty laws in the Supreme Court.  Without these people, many laws would go against all taxidermists, and we would not be in business very long.  

I have no problem with anyone being in disagreement with the NTA, or the Board.  What deeply concerns me is this.  Our industry is being put under the microscope by PETA, HSUS, and several other anti gun and anti hunting organizations.  Not one problem that we are seeing right now is coming from the "outside."  Every one of our problems is coming from within our very own industry. Our very own back yards.  These anti groups have not attacked us with too much fervor as of yet.  So far it does not seem that they need to.  Do you think it might have something to do with the fact that we are too busy stabbing our own in the back?  I am asking that all taxidermists try our best to look at the big picture, and to promote our industry in a constructive and professional manner.  Again, this does not mean we cannot disagree, but we must be respectful to each other.  Not one taxidermist will benefit, if the entire industry is viewed by the outside world, as a profession that eats its own.

The NTA convention in Springfield, Illinois is rapidly approaching.  You have my word that I, the entire Board, and NTA Headquarters will do everything humanly possible to make this a great show for you and your family to attend.  We totally understand that money is tight for a lot of people and that it is a sacrifice to come to any convention.  There are some fantastic seminars scheduled for the taxidermists as well as for the kids.  Some of the best judges in the world will be there to critique your mounts.  What a great learning experience.  Don't forget that on Saturday night while the banquet is going on, there will be a pizza lock-in for the kids to attend.  Pizzas and movies and fun times for all. PLUS...Here is a special bonus for the early registrants for the NTA convention this year...Cabela’s has generously donated events coupons to the first 500 registrants at the NTA Convention which provide $20 off $120 Purchase or $10 off of a $75 Purchase.

I look forward to meeting each of you at the convention.  Please get to know the NTA better and discover the great people, friends, knowledge and lifetime of memories that will be at your fingertips.

Steve Wolk
NTA President

Please remember to do your nominee the courtesy of asking them prior to submitting their name. Those persons nominated for the office of president must have served the NTA either as a board member or as an officer. Check your November-December Annual Report to see if your nominee has served previously.

According to NTA bylaws you must have paid your membership on or before May 1st to receive an election ballot. A CPA will mail out the ballots between May 20th and May 31st. You are urged to participate in the election process and cast your ballot for your NTA officers and board members.

Look over those running for election. Read their resumes carefully. Select the persons you feel

have the best interests for the NTA now and in the future. The positions that are held are important and require individuals who are willing to make small sacrifices and donate time. They will also be spending some of their personal funds to serve you. 

Requirements: All officers and board members are expected to participate in the early board meeting as well as the national convention. The early board meeting is usually held 5 months ahead of our convention. The president decides on what those dates will be. We usually arrive on a Thursday evening, meet on Friday and Saturday, and return home on Sunday. For the national convention, our meeting is on a Tuesday, Wednesday, and the convention follows from Wednesday evening through Saturday. Aside from the time and energy required by those meetings, they will also cost board members money. For the early board meeting, they will be provided with air transportation and a room to share with another board member. Their meals, airport parking, or any other expenses they incur are their responsibility. For the convention, they will be provided with a room on Tuesday night and a complimentary convention registration. They are responsible for travel expenses, additional room nights, meals, etc.

Any individual who cannot attend the necessary association functions or complete the projects appointed to them without valid reason is encouraged to step aside. The association cannot function properly with officers and board members who contribute on a partial basis. There are those individuals in our membership that are able to spend the time and effort required to make our association something we can all be proud of. It is far more gratifying to be a member of a great association than to be an officer or board member of a mediocre association. The NTA has a 17-person board because it takes that much effort to make it work. 

Elections will be held for president, vice-president, secretary and board members. Please consider your decision carefully as you cast your vote.

1.  Earned at least 5 points at the NTA Annual Competition including one first place ribbon beginning with the 1982 competition. 

2. Earned at least 16 additional points at a national, regional or state level in NTA sanctioned competition using NTA score sheets, criteria, and judges. 

Note:  One must be an NTA member prior to a competition before points will be credited.  The competition must be an NTA Affiliate or regional and follow NTA requirements for sanctioned competitions.  It is the responsibility of the affiliate to complete the standard NTA forms for proper credit of points earned in competition.  For information on competition points you may contact NTA Headquarters 108 Branch Drive, Slidell, LA 70461 or via email: Ntahq@aol.com or phone toll free (866) 662-9054 or FAX: (985) 641-9463.

Note:  A of E notification letters informing NTA members that they will be receiving their award in Lubbock, Texas will be mailed in June. 

The NTA Points Committee, wishes to remind everyone that May 15th is the deadline for your competition points to be counted for those persons wanting to receive their 2010 Award of Excellence in Springfield, Illinois.  Those that have completed the requirements will be notified in June that they will be receiving their NTA Award of Excellence.  Please forward points for your competition information promptly.   Points may be forwarded to NTA Headquarters 108 Branch Drive, Slidell, LA 70461 or via email: Ntahq@aol.com or phone toll free (866) 662-9054 or FAX: (985) 641-9463.

The NTA Distinguished Taxidermists Competition is open to those NTA members who have won a Judges Best of Show award at an NTA licensed or sanctioned affiliate or regional, WTC, SCI and NWTF competition since the 2009 NTA Convention in Huntsville, Alabama.  Entrants must be registered members of the NTA Convention, be present at the convention, and pay all appropriate entry fees plus an additional $40.00 entry fee for this award prior to the early registration deadline.  Entries in this competition will also be eligible to win all other awards in their proper division. 

The mount entered in the Distinguished Taxidermists Competition must be the exact same mount that won in the state or regional affiliate competition and NO substitutes permitted.  Any mount that has been entered in any previous NTA National Competition is NOT eligible.  Entry into the Distinguished Taxidermists Competition is allowed only if members fulfill these requirements and present an official registration form.   Forms may be obtained from NTA Headquarters upon request.  NO entries are allowed into the Distinguished Taxidermists Competition unless this form is presented at time of registration or entry. 

The National Taxidermists Association scoresheets, judging criteria and judges are designed to distinguish and assist those taxidermists who endeavor toward high quality standards in their competition entries. The National Taxidermists Association is pleased to present the following information with regard to sanctioned events. 

All state chapters will be considered in one of four categories when hosting taxidermy competitions.  Please read below to reference where your state chapter falls.

1.  Affiliated states are those whose memberships are 100-percent NTA members.  These states may host sanctioned NTA competitions provided they make use of NTA judging criteria, NTA judges and NTA scoresheets.  Their competitors, as NTA members, will earn points toward their NTA Award of Excellence and NTA Certification.  Points must be presented to the NTA Pointskeeper by May 15th in order to qualify for that years Award of Excellence.  Affiliated states are provided 100 complimentary scoresheets yearly.  Affiliated state conventions are published in “Outlook” once information is forwarded to NTA Headquarters.

2.  For a $250.00 "licensing fee" per event, all associations other than NTA affiliates, may conduct a sanctioned competition provided that NTA judging criteria, NTA judges and NTA scoresheets are used. Scoresheets must be purchased from NTAHQ.  All NTA members that enter competition will earn points toward their NTA Award of Excellence and NTA Certification.  Points must be presented to the NTA Pointskeeper by May 15th in order to qualify for that year Award of Excellence. Sanctioned taxidermy competitions are published in “Outlook” upon receipt of information at NTAHQ.

3.  If chapters desire to host an unsanctioned competition they have the option of paying a $50.00 “licensing agreement” and make use of the NTA copyrighted scoresheets, which must be purchased through NTAHQ.  However, competition points are not credited for competitors, as the competition is not an NTA sanctioned event.  Without a signed and paid licensing agreement or licensing fee, no competition may legally make use of the NTA scoresheets.  NTA scoresheets are protected by U.S. copyright. Without the licensing fee, or licensing agreement, NTA copyrighted scoresheets cannot be used under any condition.

4. Chapters are, of course open to host unsanctioned competition and make use of their own or other form of scoresheet.

The above information released by National Taxidermists Association Headquarters, 108 Branch Drive, Slidell, Louisiana 70461.  For scoresheet costs, licensing agreement and additional information contact NTAHQ (985) 641-4NTA (4682) or Toll Free: (866) 662-9054.
 

Please take the time to visit  The Taxidermist Emergency Relief Fund Site Mounts and taxidermy items for sale on www.taxidermistrelieffund.com Join the NTA now! Call, write, or e-mail Cindy at NTA Headquarters NTA Headquarters 108 Branch Drive Slidell, LA 70461 Phone 1-866-662-9054 E-mail: ntahq@aol.com Fax: 985-641-9463 Want to know about advertising rates with the NTA? Click here for our Media Kit Information Copyright © 2001-INFINITY National Taxidermists Association