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esoxaddict |
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Posts: 8780 | Shawn's thread got me thinking too. This is a two part question. If you ARE a member of Muskies Inc: 1. Why did you join? 2. What could Muskies Inc. do that would make you want to be more involved? If your are NOT a member of Muskies Inc. 1. Why haven't you joined? 2. What could Muskies Inc do to make you consider being a member? | ||
| jonnysled |
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Posts: 13688 Location: minocqua, wi. | 1. because the local chapter is lead by good people and the headwaters group does some tangible things in the area that directly benefit me (ie: docks at landings ...) 2. show how the overall organization makes me want to identify with them ... right now it's more of a local impression that i can identify with and the larger group seems like it takes more money than it provides for benefits. | ||
| DEMolishedyou |
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Posts: 408 Location: Omaha, Nebraska | Yes 1. Well I wanted to talk some fellow musky hunters here in Nebraska and to learn more about the Nebraska Musky fishery. 2. I try to participate in all of my chapters meetings, events, outings and volunteer experiences. Edited by DEMolishedyou 6/25/2008 3:21 PM | ||
| THA4 |
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Posts: 468 Location: Not where I wanna be! | I am a member, i joined because i wanted to be apart of an OGRANIZATION that supported the conservation of Muskies..... which is something i strongly believe in! | ||
| jwelch |
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Posts: 233 Location: Iowa | I am a member. 1. I joined to help an organization that supports a fish, I love to fish for. 2. I live an hour from Clear Lake (Heartland Chapter) and 2.5 hours from the Spirit Lake area(Great Plains Chapter) - so with time and money constraints - it's difficult to get involved. Side question, does muskies inc come out with a financial report during the year? It would be interesting where all the money is going. Edited by jwelch 6/25/2008 3:47 PM | ||
| ToothyCritter |
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Posts: 661 Location: Roscoe IL | 1) I received a 2 year membership for my birthday a long time ago. I made friends with some of the members & enjoyed being a part of their efforts to build handicap piers & stock our local lakes. Still a member today & try very hard to participate in all of the events we schedule through out the year. 2) Kill the Magazine & develop more youth education programs that I can participate in. I say this about the magazine because I have written a few atricles for Muskies. I could not beleive how much money they were going to pay me for each word.. I donated every penny back to MI for the first article & never received a thank you. On second & third article I did the same thing. I get a call later that year & they wanted to send me a check for almost $400, I said keep it & just pay the $35 I owe for next years membership. Later the next year, I get a notice indicating my membership expired. I just feel it's way too expensive to run & the money could be used for stocking efforts & education programs. Thats just me... | ||
| kap |
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Posts: 552 Location: deephaven mn | I joined for two reasons. To meet more muskie fisherman and being i am a one of many who are part of high fishing pressure i thought i could lend a hand in trying to create a better fishery. | ||
| Obfuscate Musky |
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Posts: 654 Location: MPLS, MN | I joined simply from what I heard they did for Catch and Release and Stocking. I stopped my membership because it seems the money went to Magazines I didn't really read. | ||
| BNelson |
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Location: Contrarian Island | yes, I'm a member of the Cap City Club here in Madison I joined because at the time I wanted to meet more local fishermen and learn more about the fishing Madison Lakes...our club does a ton for the local fishery and the fishing gets better every year...in big part to our club and the relationship they have with the DNR. As far as Muskies Inc, internationally, I'd say the magazine is a big money waster and that money could be put to better use. Maybe have an online or PDF version only to email out and skip the printing process. Still Muskies Inc, does a lot for our fisheries but I would encourage everyone on this board and who fishes muskies to join MInc or another local musky club. Edited by MSKY HNR 6/25/2008 3:46 PM | ||
| esoxaddict |
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Posts: 8780 | I forgot to answer... I joined because I was infatuated with all things muskie. I had no idea that so much was being done for the fisheries until afterwards. I stay around because of how active Muskies inc is in getting things done, and because our club really IS about what they say they are about -- Youth, Fisheries, and research. I agree somewhat about the magazine. I wouldn't want to see it go away, but there has to be a way to provide more content at less cost... I would definitely contribute more money if I could specify where my money went and know that that's where it went. | ||
| tcbetka |
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Location: Green Bay, WI | Interesting thread... As a newly-elected VP of MI, I must say I have heard these concerns raised several times before--the two biggest seem to be 1) That the International organization takes too much money and gives too little back; and 2) That the magazine is a waste of money. While I realize that everybody is entitled to their own opinion(s) on the matter, I would like to add my impressions here. I rejoined MI one year ago, with the intent to get involved in the local effort here in Green Bay. One of the biggest complaints I heard about MI in the past, is that they don't actually *do* anything! The International organization seemed to have fallen into oblivion, and all that was going on was whatever each chapter could arrange on its own. So be it, I thought--at least I could get involved with the local chapter here, and maybe make a positive impact on the Green Bay fishery. Since joining and becoming the Research Director for the Titletown Chapter, I spent several hundred hours working in support of the local fishery. Then this spring at the International board meeting, I was asked to become the VP of Fisheries, Research & Youth for all of MI. I agreed to do it, under one condition...that the "new MI" that is evolving would actually DO something! Our organization is full of extremely intelligent, hard-working and dedicated folks trying to make a difference in our sport. But it's been a struggle to get things realigned in the proper direction, and thus I think the impression is that nothing is getting done. But I feel that nothing could be further from the truth right now--but more about that in a bit: First I want to comment on the magazine. Since Kevin Richards took over the magazine, the thing has taken on a life of its own. For those who do not know Kevin, you don't realize what a gifted & talented guy he is. His credentials in the world of Fisheries Biology are impeccable, and MI is pretty darned lucky to have him. Under his guidance, the magazine will gain credibility and recognition within the industry--and more & more practicing biologists will become willing to contribute articles, and this will give the magazine even *more* credibility within the sport. And this is extremely important, for if MI is ever to become a viable entity in the musky world, we need a forum for the exchange of valid information. Not that all of what goes in the magazine has to be of scientific caliber--but some of it should. There should be something for everyone, but any practicing musky biologist in the field should feel as though MI is indeed a viable and credible entity. If MI members want MI to get something done...we need the respect of fisheries professionals across the range of the muskellunge. Kevin Richards is just the guy to get that done for us--just give it some time. So that brings me back to my other criteria for accepting the VP position--being allowed to assume an active role in musky-related issues across the US and Canada. And in the 3 months or so of the "new administration," here are a few of the things we are now involved in: 1) Just this past spring, immediate Past-President Mr. David Cates wrote a *strong* letter of opposition against the early C&R season (north of highway 10), which had unfortunately been sneaked through the legislative process without any input from DNR biologists. Mr. Cates also made some excellent points about how the rights of all Wisconsinites had been violated because they did not have a chance to provide input on the matter via the long-established Conservation Congress process. Thus MI, as an organization, took a stance on a issue specific to the sport of musky fishing. And while it may not have made the difference in the outcome of the process, it (at the very least) illustrates how the new MI is prepared to speak out on behalf of the musky fishery, wherever it may be threatened. 2) As an organization, MI sent a letter to the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board (NRB), supporting the Wisconsin DNR in its proposal to increase the size limit on musky in the Chippewa Flowage (WI). For even though the citizens of the state voted in favor of the issue at the Conservation Congress spring hearings in April, the Wisconsin CC delegates, at their spring meeting in May, decided to vote *against* the citizens of Wisconsin in this effort. Thus they OPPOSED this size limit increase. I have spoken with Area Fisheries Team Leader Dave Neuswanger, and felt very comfortable that the proposal he and his staff made to increase the size limit was based in solid scientific principle. (EDIT: I also spoke with several local anglers and was advised that there was significant local support for the proposed size limit increase there--and in fact there had been support for several years.) Thus I made the recommendation to the MI Executive Committee that we support the WDNR in this matter. And indeed, last week a letter of support was sent to the Wisconsin NRB to ask them to accept the proposal of the DNR biologists, and the vote of the citizens of the state. The meeting to decide the matter was actually held yesterday and today, so I am not certain of the outcome--but MI again took a stand in support of the musky fishery. 3) Currenty, MI is in the process of making the arrangements to help provide financial support to some original research into the effect of C&R on muskellunge mortality. This research will take place starting Summer 2009, and will be undertaken by a major Canadian University, with the principle research work being performed by our very own Sean Landsman in fulfillment of the work necessary to earn his Masters degree. The work is being funded by the Canadian university, as well as Muskies Canada--an extremely forward-looking organization, with a well-established record of supporting programs such as this. Muskies Inc. is proud to have been offered an opportunity to participate in this program, and it only makes sense that we indeed support the effort--for the results of the work are sure to be extremely valuable to the musky fishery in the United States. 4) Working with new MI President Dan Narsete, our new VP of Communications Jay Zahn has developed a monthly "President's Round-table" internet chat, to provide chapter Presidents an enhanced ability to communicate directly with the Executive Committee. This also provides a higher level of accountability for the EC to the rest of the membership--instead of waiting for a twice-yearly board meeting, your chapter officer can simply chat live with any of the EC members at one of these monthly meetings. Here, any concerns can be immediately heard and addressed. This unprecedented chat feature should facilitate a much more rapid resolution of any chapter-related issues than ever before... So here are just four examples of how MI is indeed becoming more active in all things musky. There are other things in the works, but it would be premature to discuss them here at this point. But suffice it to say that one of the goals of President Dan Narsete is to make MI a credible and viable entity in the sport of musky fishing and conservation...and I support him in this endeavor. As VP of Research, I will do everything in my power to make positive contributions to the sport, throughout the range of the musky--whether it be in the US or Canada; Washington state or New York; Tennessee or Minnesota. Finally, I apologize for the lengthy post but felt that it was important to provide some specific examples of just how MI is making a positive impact, in just the past four months. I hope this will give some insight to those who might not see the types of things we are currently involved in--and are committed to continue to support in the future. Yes, unfortunately these types of things require money...and we are working on alternate funding sources. But in the interim, our support comes from the general membership--and I realize that some may consider this to be "business as usual." However I would simply ask that those concerned individuals give things a chance to grow, and give us a chance to cultivate new sources of funding with which to support future efforts such as these I have mentioned. But I urge everyone who is either a current MI member, or is contemplating becoming a member, to get the facts. Things ARE changing in MI, and I think you'll see a huge change in direction of the organization over the next 1-2 years. I honestly believe that things will get better... TB Edited by tcbetka 6/25/2008 6:27 PM | ||
| ToddM |
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Posts: 20217 Location: oswego, il | 1)I am a proud member of Fox River Valley and I am on the board as the speaker director and IMA delegate and help out with most of our club functions. I am but one small part of this great club. I was talked into joining on this site's chat roon by Slamr and Luke Chinewalker. I knew the president of the club, Big Goomba and knew it was a good club. Joining was a logical step and one that allows me to contribute. 2)What can Muskies Inc. International do as an organazation? They need to be our national mouthpiece and driving force on issues that greatly matter to the musky world. Speak as a club of thousands, not an indiviual club of a couple hundred. The chapters are great and do wonderful things but it seems like we are just that, individual clubs. Take for example wisconsin. I believe it has the most clubs, the most members, more muskies and more lakes that any other state. With that said, I have only once, one year, seen anything printed in the magazie about issues to be voted on during the spring hearings. Not only should every musky related issue to be voted on and explained in the magazine, every single county location, website info, any pertaining info that should be known, be made known in that magazine! This should be said about all issues regarding muskies in all states. The magazine is the mouthpiece for the international to it's members. Make the important issues known, period! make the importance of being involved known. Jim Bunch touched on this before his departure from the magazine and it's something that needs brought up and the drum beat loudly. We need our accomplishments known to everyione, musky fisherman and non-musky fisherman alike. Put them in the magazine and other publications. We are a non-for-profit organazation. Would the two musky magazines not get a writeoff for having a "why join Muskies inc" ad in every magazine. Would any publication? It seems logical to me that M.I. should have a more solid tie to the musky magazines and other big name fishing publications as well. I am not an expert in this field by any means but it seems we are missing an opportunity here. Sport shows. They can be a pain, they can be pricey and the booths hard to staff at general fishing shows. Muskies Inc. needs to represent itself at these shows. DU, FF and many of the other clubs do and we should to. The more the word gets out about M.I. and the good work we do, the better. Gain alliances to other national and large outdoor clubs. Fight together on big issues that affect us all. Gain more respect, alliances and influence through people outside our organazation who can help us gain contact and results. I said this in the other thread and i will say it here. If somebody looked at the M.I. website, it would seem the club is about chapter challunges and memorial tournaments. Great things no doubt but meningless to most. The new M.I. vision seems to be swinging to meat and potatoes, something it needs to grow and I hope it gets there. | ||
| AFChief |
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Posts: 550 Location: So. Illinois | I have been a member for just over three years and value my membership as one of the most important organizations I have ever been involved with. I believe we strengthen the organization though strong active local chapters and through the support of other chapters within MI. The magazine is invaluable to communicate current topics of interest, efforts of each chapters and as a jumping off point for serious discussions facing our fisheries. The local chapters is where the rubber meets the road and should act on behalf of the international organization to address regional issues. I feel my chapter does an exceptional job, relying on its own organizational strenght to further the goals of the international organization. J Edited by AFChief 6/27/2008 10:08 AM | ||
| BenR |
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| I am not longer a member and most likely would not join again...What they could do, come clean on the money scandal that took place and return those monies to the people and chapters that paid them. Also change the amount of money that goes to nationals from the membership dues....Those things would bring back a good number of people who left when this took place. Also I am curious if membership has gone up or down over the past 10 years....Ben | |||
| engineerbry |
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Posts: 4 | i joined the milwaukee chapter a few years ago. and abruptly quit. i also loved the idea of being around people who had a passion for muskies like i did. but themembers of the chapter didnt even chat to anyone but themselves. there were a few of us in the back of the room that tried to fit in but were soon all by ourselves. by no means am i starting a feud here. but i just felt like it was a total clique. its hard to be the stranger on the block but the guys made everone new feel very unwelcome. good luck this year on the lakes. engineerbry | ||
| tcbetka |
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Location: Green Bay, WI | I've heard this same complaint, actually. I don't doubt that it happens--although I cannot understand why. All I can say is to find a new chapter and try again...if that's at all practical. Hopefully, things like this will start to change as the "attitude" within the organization changes within the next couple of years. But from what I have been told, there certainly was an 'old guard' contingency that seemed to favor secrecy and isolation versus openness and comradery. It's unfortunate, but may certainly may be true. TB | ||
| Team Rhino |
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Posts: 512 Location: Appleton | I'm a member of the Title Town chapter in Green Bay. Mainly joined because of my addiction to muskies. There doesn't seem to be a clique thing going on in our group. I attend most meetings. Our president in GB Jay seems to make everyone feel welcome. Edited by Team Rhino 6/25/2008 8:53 PM | ||
| MUSKYBOY |
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| I formally joined the Fox River Valley Chapter 39 club a few years ago after talking with Todd Minor and several other club members having attended meetings on and off over the years. He and I are now responsible for booking club speakers and we also both work on the IMA. I am also Secretary and Stocking and Conservation Director. I have the same issues you all do with MI International so I work for a great club that puts pressure on International to change. I also visit other clubs around the country since I travel for work and some clubs have inner circles and some don't. If you don't like your local club, try another one in the area. Many people join our club because we actively help each other and share information. | |||
| ESfishOX |
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 Posts: 412 Location: Waukesha, WI | I joined Muskies Inc about two years ago when I stepped up my interest in muskies from a couple outings a year to almost full time. John Laimon from Smokeys and Mike Koepp of Mike's Extreme Guide Service were very key catalysts in getting the fire going. John invited me to sit down in the Eagles Nest at the Musky Shop and didn't know me from Adam. Stuck four fish on the first outing I booked with Mike with my buddy stickin' a 48". How could I not like how it started. Did I think the Milwaukee Chapter was a clique? You bet I did. I told the board it felt like I was back in High School. It probably feels that way at times to the new guys and perhaps the not so new. All I can say is that since joining the board, I realized it is a fabulous group of individuals who care about the resource very much. But it doesn't end there. Just ask the autistic kids that our chapter took out on Pewaukee to catch some panfish. The volunteers were grinning ear to ear at how much these kids were enjoying themselves. The youth outings also includes Cops and Bobbers for kids to panfish with police officers. This year is in jeopardy with the high water level. Another youth outing included a number of chapter members who provided their boats and equipment to take high school students out after the mighty muskie. Is our chapter perfect. Nope. Are we a sincere group of folks, you bet. Our chapter is looking for a Research chairperson and would love more representation at the board meetings. We're doing what we can to rekindle the local fire. There are a lot of great chapters in this organization. International; I'll reserve comment about the International because quite frankly, I do not have much of a background of the past. I have had conversations with Dan Narsete back when he was president-elect. He's definitely got a vision to tune up the organization, but he is only one person. Many hands make light work. It takes two to be successful. In this case, the International and the local chapters. Mike Edited by ESfishOX 6/26/2008 7:30 AM | ||
| tcbetka |
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Location: Green Bay, WI | Great post Mike! TB | ||
| Derrys |
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| I've been a member of the Fargo-Moorhead Chapter for 7 years. I've also held an At Large Director position, been the VP of Fisheries, Research, and Youth, been on the Finance Committee, and Executive Committee, and I am currently the Photo Editor for Muskie magazine. For my Chapter, I've held numerous positions. You get out of Muskies Inc. what you put into it. The more you get involved, the more you will like it. It's funny how I see some of the same arguments every time a thread like this comes up. Muskies Inc. is not a dictatorship, and the membership of Muskies Inc. has voted on MANY occasions to keep the magazine, and to keep it at 12 issues per year. I doubt that will ever change. As far as "coming clean on the money scandal", there never was one. We had funds in the stock market a few years ago and when it went to crap we lost a bunch of money just like many of you guys reading this post did. No conspiracy. No cover up. That fund is is currently EXCEEDING what it's intended goal was set at, and resulting in more funds to be used on different projects. If you want to, do like I did and JOIN the Finance Committee to see where the money is going. You won't find the "Smoking Gun' of excessive spending, as some of you may seem to think is there. We've had financial issues in the past, but who doesn't. I think Muskies Inc. is currently in the best shape we've been in since I became a member. The Chapters of Muskies Inc. put thousands and thousands of dollars into Muskie fisheries nationwide every year by stocking fish, purchasing habitat, running Youth programs, etc. The Chapters ARE Muskies Inc. As the previous poster stated, there are new and exciting projects in the works for Muskies Inc. which will effect the website and may even include TV time. Anyone who has received the magazine since Kevin Richards took over should have noticed a difference too. Lots of good compliments coming in about the magazine. To anyone who is not a member, or once was but currently is not, I wouldn't write us off just yet. Great things are right around the corner. Good day gents. | |||
| john skarie |
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| This is exactly what MI has to deal with, people making unfounded and biased accuations against an organization made up of caring volunteers. There was no money scandal as Brad already explained. An accusation that is completely unfounded but very damaging to people who don't know the truth. How MI spends it's money is open to anyone who makes the effort to find out. Seems to be lots of complaints from people who don't even know where the money goes. As far as "cliques" go, well show me an organization that doesn't them to some extent. You don't have to be best friends with everyone in the organization to be involved. You also have to give people a little time to get to know you, and make an effort on your part to be included. MI is made up of people, none of us are perfect. I've become very good friends with people from many chapters. I can honestly say joining MI and getting involved has changed my life in many positive ways. I was Pres. of Fargo Moorhead, RVP to the MI Int., and co-chair of the MMA. The biggest reward was the people I've met and worked with, not to mention the fishing opportunities that have presented themselves over the years. JS | |||
| tcbetka |
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Location: Green Bay, WI | john skarie - 6/26/2008 9:04 AM This is exactly what MI has to deal with, people making unfounded and biased accuations against an organization made up of caring volunteers. There was no money scandal as Brad already explained. An accusation that is completely unfounded but very damaging to people who don't know the truth. How MI spends it's money is open to anyone who makes the effort to find out. Seems to be lots of complaints from people who don't even know where the money goes. As far as "cliques" go, well show me an organization that doesn't them to some extent. You don't have to be best friends with everyone in the organization to be involved. You also have to give people a little time to get to know you, and make an effort on your part to be included. MI is made up of people, none of us are perfect. I've become very good friends with people from many chapters. I can honestly say joining MI and getting involved has changed my life in many positive ways. I was Pres. of Fargo Moorhead, RVP to the MI Int., and co-chair of the MMA. The biggest reward was the people I've met and worked with, not to mention the fishing opportunities that have presented themselves over the years. JS ie; you get out of it what you put in... TB | ||
| esoxaddict |
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Posts: 8780 | Hey engineerbry... I was on the fence about joining for a while until I fished the Pewaukee Classic tournament, went to the banquet afterwards and found out that everyone was really friendly. I sat at a table with a bunch of people I never met, and we had fun talking. Then I won a bunch of stuff in the raffle, and other than some good natured ribbing about the new guy winning with the one ticket he bought, guys I didn't even know were helping me carry it all out to my truck. Seems you had a really different experience with the same chapter and the same bunch of guys. I guess even my chapter could seem like that at first, but its funny -- when you go up to someone at a meeting and talk to them, you might find they talk to you right back. You might even wind up being friends with them some day. Well, unless you quit that is...  | ||
| muskie! nut |
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Posts: 2894 Location: Yahara River Chain | esoxaddict - 6/25/2008 3:12 PM If you ARE a member of Muskies Inc: 1. Why did you join? 2. What could Muskies Inc. do that would make you want to be more involved? 1. Why did you join? My buddy asked if I wanted to attend a Cap Citymeeing in 1/85 and I said yes. 2. What could Muskies Inc. do that would make you want to be more involved? I am way too involved in it now to get "more involved". But I would say to others, if you feel you are getting nothing from Muskies, Inc. you need to get more involved to get the maximum benefit. I have said time and time again, I have met some of the best people through Muskies, Inc. Thanks MI!!!! (that means all those fine folks I ever met through MI) | ||
| BenR |
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| I disagree and in the mid 90's when we tried to get records as to what had happened to the funds I got the run around. I would love to sit down with you guys and go through the financial information from the late 80's to the mid 90's...I am very curious as to where the money went. You two are the only ones that have ever given me an answer at all...Shoot me a PM...thanks, Ben | |||
| john skarie |
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| Ben I have no idea what you are refering to. You keep refering to money, what money? For someone making accusations you are being very vague. You talk about a scandal that nobody else knows anything about that supposedly happened over 10 years ago. I'm not even sure what to say about that. I guess I'll focus on the here and now, and our future. JS | |||
| WvRiverMusky |
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Posts: 133 Location: WV | kinda sounds like a therapy round table.... I joined because I was hooked on muskie and couldnt quit.... its been 4 days since my last raise.... I joined muskie inc for the history, freindship and because im a muskie fisherman. I love muskie inc and Im very proud of it. Not sure of anything to do better. Im sure there is plenty. I would like to attend some big outings with other clubs at other places than West Virginia. | ||
| BenR |
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| Look I am an young guy at 36. I belonged to MI when I was much younger. The national fund disappeared. Nobody would answer any inquiries. So I left the club. I did not start this thread, I simply answered the questions posed. Just because you all where not members then is not my issue. However a good amount of good people and good sticks no longer belong for the same reason. I find it odd that nobody recalls this issue. Sadly it has gotten confused with more recent issues I did not know existed. I am still curious as to the percent of membership increase over the last ten years. Also as I mentioned I have done a bunch of work with local chapters the last 4 years or so in NJ. So I have no ax to grind...I would just never give money to the club on a national level at this point...Ben | |||
| john skarie |
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| Ben unless you have exact dates, figures and circumstances than how can anyone answer your questions here. As Brad stated earlier, our Fisheries and Research fund lost thousands of dollars in the stock market in the late 90's. Your time frame is pretty vague and your claims are not clear. I really can't address this any further, and unless you actually have specifics I don't think it's very repsonsible or ethical for you to keep this up on a public forum. JS | |||
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