ITA Directors

[k9]

A lot of talk about people feeling unrepresented by thier ITA Directors.

However, I have never really seen a lot of heavy competition for the position of Director. It is generally seen as somewhat of a thankless job, you work your tail off at Convention rather than enjoying yourself, and you get complained to a lot.

Rarely do the Directors slots come open, and when they do, it seems like they do not have a lot of people stepping up to fill them.

Do me a favor. Each of you who are interested narrate for us on here what you expect your ITA Directors to do. Act like you are running for Director, and explain to us what the role of the Director is, or what our expectations should be of our Directors.

I'll post my views, but Im gonna think on it a bit first.

Right now, from what I can see, most get the job by being a trapper or furbuyer, and being interested in the position when it comes open. They KEEP the job because they have an interest in Iowa trapping, and are willing to put some work into it.

I know some Directors are hard workers, and others who have been lazy and just filling a seat.

Next time a position opens up, lets have some guys get in there and compete for it, rather than just one or two step up to the plate.

[x-demoman]

When there is an opening in the ITA BOD it is usually posted in the ITA news in the T&P CAller. Other than directors at large you must reside in the district you represent. The BOD meeting are usually mentioned in the Iowa news and are open to all who want to attend. Don't recall seeing many visitors at most meetings.

[furman]

Some day I would like to take a directors spot but I have too many things in my life at this time but some day….

As for them taking heat it’s comes with any governing position of any group….. its part of the job and it’s not bad to question any decision they make it’s a members right to do so.

I was the grievance negotiator for our union though contract talks and took a lot of heat for some of my thoughts on things and was question on my point of view.

I know what it feels like to be hated by both sides. But as I stated up top its part of the job when you make decisions for any group and it’s the members right to question you.

[centraliowa (ryan)]

i think a director needs to make a effort to contact trappers he represents. with all the different forms of technology it is not that difficult. Jut get on a few of the message boards and ask for the trappers in your district to send you their email address and put together a mass email mailing with everybody's address and stay in contact with the trappers you represent. The flow of information is something the ITA needs to work on. I also feel that if you are a director you need to put your personal feelings, wants, desires aside and represent others. And yes i have voluntered to be a director.

[k9]

I think a Director should be able to look to the past and the future, and make decisions based on what he has seen, and what he sees in the future. I think a Director should be somewhat savvy as to the political side of things, but not lose sight of the real goings on out on the trapline. We have some Directors who are very active trappers, and some who have not set traps in a long time. If the Director is not still actively trapping, at the very least he needs to keep in regular contact with a variety of people who do, as things change all the time.

We tend to only think about Directors at convention time. I think a Director needs to be a vigilant watchdog both on the trapping side and political side. He further needs to understand other outdoor sports, such as coon hunting, etc, so that he can be an effective advocate for trapping with those other groups.

A Director needs to be somewhat of a people person, open minded to the needs of others, but yet remain true to the task of protecting Iowa trapping.

[x-demoman]

Yes riverrat the ITA is a non profit organization.

It is the by laws that give you or anyone wanting to attend a BOD meeting the oppertunity to speak.

I used to host meeting in my district but when no one shows up how do you get their input. We do have directors who are not on the internet.

The minutes are posted on the ITA web site as are all the meeting dates. Other suggestions?

K9 I agree 100%. No one like politics but it is the process we have to involved in like it or not. Some directors are involved in the trapping supply business or as a furbuyer. I would think they would have a better handle on the trappers pulse than those of us who just trap and would like just to be left alone to do our thing.

Gene

[k9]

Adam I will probably go to the BOD meeting in Ames in April if you want to ride with. I have been to those a couple times and always have been allowed to speak, in fact encouraged to speak.

We and our Directors are still on the same team, just right now we are calling for a different play. The end goal is still the same, we are just reading the field differently.

[x-demoman]

Contact the President to be put on the agenda. You will be given 5 minutes.

Gene