Vice President — Roger Macy, P.O. Box 112, Portis, KS 67474; phone: 785-346-2076
Secretary — Donna Macy, P.O. Box 112, Portis, KS 67474; phone: 785-346-6017
Treasurer — Pauline Brecheisen; 24685 Lyon Rd., Chanute, KS 66720; phone: 620-432-1770;
e-mail: e-pauline@live.com
NTA Director — Russell Voelker, 11816 K-16, Hwy., Valley Falls, KS 66088; phone: 785-945-6750
FTA Director — Robert Currie, 926 M St., Belleville, KS 66935; phone: 785-527-2449
Membership Options:
• Individual membership including subscription to The Trapper & Predator Caller — $20
• Family membership with subscription — $25
• Junior (14 & under) with subscription — $15
Complete membership application on first page of association section and send dues to:
KFHA, Treasurer
Pauline Brecheisen
24685 Lyon Rd., Chanute, KS 66720
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
The fur harvesting season has been interesting as Mother Nature ruled how we went about the task of catching fur and it seems that some chose not to trap at all and the numbers of fur caught by those who did trap was down because of the weather. KFHA, Inc. canceled the December fur auction early, but it was unprecedented when the January fur auction was canceled because of the lack of interest and the lack of fur to sell. I’m sure the low take of fur this year will only help move supplies and fur prices will climb in the future.
The first of the 2010 year brought the KFHA, Inc. a new secretary that was elected at our fall rendezvous. Dan Kvacik took over as secretary as of the 1st of January 2010 and I am sure he will serve us well. I would like to thank Donna Macy for her past service as secretary. District 15 now has a new director and I would like to welcome Dana Garrison on board as I know he is hard at work for the KFHA, Inc. in getting ready for the Kansas Boat, Sport and Travel show in Wichita.
When mentioning the Kansas Boat, Sport and Travel show in Wichita or the Farm Show booth in Topeka in January, I always wonder why it is always an officer or past officer of the KFHA, Inc. that works them. The officers should delegate our members, some that could be more qualified to help with the KFHA, Inc. booths as it should not be necessary that the officers do all the work.
As leaders, the officers are responsible to see that the KFHA, Inc. runs properly and the needs of its members are met. However, their primary goal should be to delegate as much of their workload to other, possibly better qualified individuals. They should not try to shoulder it all themselves or they will get burnt out and not want to help at all. We have many good officers that do a lot and we do not want to lose any of their great work they do for the association. The officer’s job is to see that the work/event or goal is accomplished not to do all the work themselves. When members see someone else willing to do the work all themselves, it merely reinforces a belief that the association exists for their personal pleasure and recreation.
The members feel no obligation to help. There are many members that when asked will help and we greatly appreciate those and please say yes when asked to help. Surveying the membership to see who has a talent and that is willing to use that talent to better the KFHA, Inc. is one of my goals for 2010. We are continuing to set up more educational booths around the state as well as doing seminars at other organizations activities. This means that more and more volunteers will be needed to further our mission. We do several events in the Topeka area and need volunteers willing to help out in that area. If you are willing to help, contact your district director or attend a district meeting to help. The KFHA, Inc. is your organization and you, the membership, should be willing to put some time in to help. The KFHA, Inc. needs someone to monitor the state legislature for any legislation that might affect the fur industry, so contact me if you are interested.
If you do not think you have what it takes to converse with the public at a booth, it is not that hard when you are passionate about the subject. I think we are all passionate about the fur industry and it is easy for us to talk about that. The KFHA, Inc. will be holding seminars at our 2010 fall rendezvous on media presentation and the proper way to converse with the public in our educational booths. If you are unsure if you can represent the KFHA, Inc. well in a public event, please make plans to attend our fall rendezvous in Osborne in 2010. I know the subject of volunteering to help the KFHA, Inc. has been visited before, but it doesn’t hurt to keep trying.
On visiting past subjects, the membership secretary is still being flooded with members concerned about receiving a second notice from the Trapper & Predator Caller magazine after they have mailed in their renewal. If you get a new membership card from the KFHA, Inc., you are a member and just disregard the second notice. It just takes time for the Trapper & Predator Caller magazine to get the new renewal in the system. If you still have questions, you can call the membership secretary.
May God Bless.
— W.R. Brecheisen
VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Rain, ice, sleet, snow and bitter cold. We have had it all during the furharvesting season. Due too the bad weather, low fur prices and virtually no furs, the January fur auction was cancelled. There will be an auction on Feb. 20, 2010 in Abilene. If you need a lot number, you can contact me at 785-346-2076 between 6 and 9 p.m. At this writing, we have a few numbers issued. With the low harvest number of furs, maybe by next season, the surplus might be depleted some and the market will come back some.
Hope this spring fishing is better for everyone and all can enjoy the great outdoors in an outing with a friend, a family member and especially with a youth.
Don’t forget the many activities of your organization and help or participate in all that you can. Last but not least, remember the rendezvous on Oct. 1, 2 and 3 in Osborne.
— Roger D. Macy