TDHA - Support Question

[Bump]

I am not a member but need to be.....please dont punch me. I will try to do that this week.

[TrueBlueLacys]

Chris, getting the bills up like that would be a huge step in the right direction, that is awesome y'all are working on that! The more people know, the more they'll understand the importance of an organization like the TDHA. Legislation is such a big part of it, but it must be effectively communicated. Bill and laws are complicated to begin with and it's hard to figure out how exactly they impact us as individuals. The more clarity the better. And keeping a running tally of bills the TDHA helped pass and helped defeat, a scoreboard of legislative success, would be a neat way to sum it all up.

Eric, I agree that people don't appreciate it until it's too late, which is why we need to show that the TDHA really does make a difference. For things like the legislative fund and scholarships and even the Hunt for the Hungry, there should be personal anecdotes for people who were helped. Even if it is just a short paragraph saying "Thanks, I'm a real person, and you helped me." And they shouldn't be buried in the message board, they should all be collected on a static page that is part of the main site. Combine that with solid stats and you are building a compelling case.

As far as getting people from other disciplines, I think it is necessary, and I don't think it's gonna happen without some serious outreach. A great place to start would be the TDHA emailing the Texas chapters of Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl and figuring out how they can partner with them and reach their members. I'm sure they have web sites and news letters than could include a small blurb. The banquets are always a big deal, and I bet setting up a table at one would get a huge number of new members. Of course the coon and squirrel dog people, but I have a feeling the same issues will come up there as with hog hunters. So I'd say the first outreach efforts should be the fowl folks.

[dabutcher]

As far as getting people from other disciplines, I think it is necessary, and I don't think it's gonna happen without some serious outreach. A great place to start would be the TDHA emailing the Texas chapters of Ducks Unlimited and Delta Waterfowl and figuring out how they can partner with them and reach their members. I'm sure they have web sites and news letters than could include a small blurb. The banquets are always a big deal, and I bet setting up a table at one would get a huge number of new members. Of course the coon and squirrel dog people, but I have a feeling the same issues will come up there as with hog hunters. So I'd say the first outreach efforts should be the fowl folks.

i've made this same comment about DU banquets, or an SCI event would be outstanding. Even NWTF banquets would be a step in the right direction, albeit turkey hunting isn't dog related but a lot of those same guys upland and waterfowl hunt. I've noticed that i'm not the only TDHA member that is also a DU member, i've also noticed a few Delta Waterfowl members as well.   This may seem weird but most of the people in these clubs are more willing to join an organization that fights for hunting freedoms than most of the people i've encountered in the hog dogging community.

it was mentioned that if we can't reach our own segment of dog ownership (hog doggin) how are we going to reach others??  my reply is putting forth the effort to try and branch out to other segments of hunters and getting told NO is no different than getting the same shut door within our own group.  at least the effort was put forth.  I'd be more than willing to volunteer any time to help reach other groups of hunters if i had at least one person to stand beside me.

[Dexter]

so  i might not have my dues paid yet  but i have a question for everyone.....
 

     how many of you have asked business you trade with for donations to the TDHA  i have 3 so far  ,,,  come on now  let all of us do some door knocking  and face to face asking for donations you would be suprized what responces(sp?)  you will get

 SO GET OUT THERE AND RATTLE SOME CAGES

[TrueBlueLacys]

Dexter, that is a really good idea, but I still think we need to know where the funds go to responsibly raise donations from companies and our communities. Small one-time donations are fine, but it would be great for the TDHA to build long-term relationships that could be highlighted at the Hunt for the Hungry, etc. Also, the TDHA is a 501c3, which means donations are tax deductible. Does anyone at the TDHA have forms/receipts to give to people who donate?

[bryanmcc]

i am not a member yet but it is on the top of my list 
but i am a member of NRA

[uglydog]

Julie, Mr.Mason keep sup with the money, reciepts, and forms along with so many other things he does, not just for TDHA but other wildlife organazations he is involved in. YES He does have the forms they can be handwritten and sent, all you have to do is request what you need and in what name you want it under, as talented as he is, he still needs help with all this stuff too!

Someone asked where does the money go?


1- We fight against bills that would take away their rights. Mr. Mason has been at the capitol of Austin persoanly several times this year while legislation was in session, he had made several posts on this board to inform everyone of what he was doing

2- We have the Crimestoppers to help them,
3- We have a Legal account to help out if they have legal problems.
Seperate money set aside to help out dog hunters who have had crimes committed against their hunting/dogs
3- We have a Legal account to help out if they have legal problems.

4- We have a Youth program that informs the youth about hunting with dogs, which only a few work at. This has been going on for several years, Trailblazer programs where TDHA introduces/teaches thousands of youth about dog hunting, Youth are the future Voters Yall

6- We're trying to get a program started to give schoarships to High Schools for collage that are going into some field related to dogs and hunting. This is in Discussion amoung the board of directors right now trying to get it al ironed out and set up, will be done soon

7. I know All of you already know about the TDHA Hunting Contest - Feeds people who are Hungry-It helps Hog populations, OVERALL PUTS A POSITIVE IMAGE OF DOG HUNTERS IN MANY COMMUNITIES


I will tell you what the the TDHA also needs is mover and shakers, PLENTY of people got ideas, but that does not work with out folks who are willing to follow through, hands on, get the work done. TDHA does not have the funds to pay folks to do these things, VOLUNTEERS make things happen, the funds help when materials are needed to educate, publish, Advertise what is being done

[TrueBlueLacys]

Krystal, I was in no way implying I don't think the money is accounted for, just saying people want to see the results. So that could be personal testimonies, a scoreboard of legislation, statistics for events... but it should be quantified somehow. I feel like this is a huge problem for a lot of nonprofits. When you are performing these public services, metrics can be an afterthought, but the most successful NPOs do a good job of it.

But I'll certainly second that people need to volunteer. Everyone, even Mr. Mason who does so much of the work, has a real life outside of the TDHA. If we all chipped in a little bit - one person goes to this event, another goes to that hearing, another organizes finances, etc - much more could get accomplished. People should run for office, join committees, offer up their services, whatever. So maybe the goal shouldn't just be to raise membership numbers, but to increase the number of current members that are involved. Just joining isn't enough.

[TrueBlueLacys]

Here's an example of what I'm talking about.... from the HSUS: http://www.hsus.org/about_us/accomplishments/counting_the_ways.html. Doesn't matter if you agree with them, there is no question they are making things happen. PETA, ASPCA and everyone else has similar pages. And that is the level or communication and transparency that leads to a growing membership.

But for an example y'all might be a little more pleased with, here's a PDF of the Ducks Unlimited fact sheet, which I think is very straightforward and easy to digest: http://www.ducks.org/media/News/_documents/National.pdf.

The biggest hurdle is not getting those things made, it is getting the numbers. Once you have the numbers and statistics and testimonials, putting up a web page or even making a flier is easy. And if that is what DU does, that is what the TDHA needs to do to reach that population of dog hunters.

[cantexduck]

Julie,
  Great posts on the spread sheets from DU and the HS. I think those,or something like that, is needed. I am not one of the people who likes to know where it goes BUT many(if not most) are. 25 bucks is a drop in the bucket. If there was a detailed sheet explaining where each dollar goes many people like my self might be will to go above and beyond the 25 dollar donation.


  On a side note. I would like to get the ball rolling to inform other Orgs about the TDHA. I have many in with DU and Delta. I am with the Austin Chapter(we are small) but the Reg. Director is a friend of mine so he can help get the word out to other Texas Chapters. In order to do this I would like the support of Mr.Mason and the BOD. Would be great if someone else would join with me(if given permisson) to get this going. I think a small group that is comitting to this would be a step in the right direction. That way we have "X" person/s talking to the other Orgs. instead of just anybody. What do yall think?

[catchrcall]

Mike, go for it.  we NEED people like you that are already in some of these organizations to help pitch the TDHA and the benefits of joining to them.  The more we branch out and recruit the more ammo our representatives like mr mason will have when he goes to austin.  Just imagine how much of a difference it would make to a legislator if instead of "We have 300 members"  he could say " We have 3000 members".

[Dexter]

i was on a vol.fire  department  for years annd year and  it was funded purly by donations and grants and on donation goods have the vendors give you a reciept of the goods  and a business card,, then TDHA  will  mail a reciept on a letter head back to the vendor  for thier  tax deduction ,,,
  I talked to Mr Mason  just to  make sure and he said  absolutely  so to speak......

 i have another question is there a P.A system where is someone can  call out like winning raffle tickets..

 have a  ticket for your gate fee and along with a line of prizes that would be giving away then also have a second raffle  for  other prizes

 at this time now i have  3  sponsors that have givin me a verbal promise of  goods ..

 if my stuttering self can do it anyone can
   Dexter

[Dexter]

id rather hear 30,000  people ,, you need to put it it just doesnt support  dog hunters but ALL dog owners
  look into taking out ads for  membership drives  in lets say texas trophy hunters magazine,,  the ad  is a donation also
 American classifieds... once again a state wide publication  ,, along with  the other  texas based hunting and fishing  publications..

lets  do this thing right and build a force that to be reconed with and not a lil piss ant  group

[Dexter]

and thier is  corporate companies that would  help sponsor such groups as academy, dicks sporting goods,cabelas,ect.. that donate thousand of dollars each year to  organizations such as TDHA,,

 one other ideal comes to mind  get posters made and say one day cover every  just say TSC and sit out front  sign folks up and hand them a window sticker and a reciept   Bam bam  more  folks on board ,,

[jls41]

Great posts from everyone!!!  This is so exciting to see others getting amped about TDHA!!!  We need members like you guys to help spread the word about TDHA, to talk with prospective sponsors, and to volunteer your time and voice to an organization that is here to help ALL dog owners!! 

THIS IS FANTASTIC!!!!  Thanks for posing the question Chris!!

[uglydog]

Julie, nothing is personal or directed at you. Please don't take it that way. Mr.Mason does keep up paperwork and would be great if we had enough active volunteers that would keep and do the paperwork so it can be posted and made public, not that anything is secret, just short of actual hands to do the work involved. Money is set aside for programs voted into place by the board of directors, mostly looking to serve the membership when needed.

My major focus is we have alot of folks with suggestions, that is never a shortage.

Now if all the great suggestions that were made here today would be acted on, and folks will join up and keep following up on those actions this really would take off! So Yall keep this rolling - 

TDHA also is an active member/supporter of the US sportsman Alliance, by the smaller grassroots orginizations working with groups such as USSPA and could be part of DU and others, but it takes people keeping track, making contact and most importantly following through to see everything is finished and completed.

[TrueBlueLacys]

Savoy, I hope you go for it! I was thinking you'd be perfect for that. Maybe dabutcher can help.

Perhaps the TDHA should list out some of the skills that are needed and actively recruit volunteers for those positions. Instead of grabbing help when it is offered, you could spread the word that for someone with accounting and financial experience is needed, or someone with a marketing background, legislative experience, whatever. It would be interesting to see who comes out of the woodwork or who active members can find if they know to look.

As far as membership, in addition to teaming up with DU and Delta and such, it would be a good idea to reach out to breed clubs. I know the NLDA supported the Hunt for the Hungry and hopes to be even more involved in the future. Our mission is to promote and preserve Lacys as a working dog, and losing dog hunters' rights would seriously impede that goal. I have a feeling the Catahoula, BMC, Jagd, etc. people would feel the same way. Just promotion on their boards or newsletter could help. And one thing I thought of was offering a discounted membership to the TDHA along with NLDA membership. Or splitting the discount so you get $5 off NLDA and $5 off TDHA membership when you join both at the same time. Not only would it save members a little cash, it would save them time and hassle by combining the forms. Does that sound like something the TDHA would want to pursue? It would be neat to roll it out at several breed groups at once, and the NLDA would be willing to help promote that.

[grunterhunter8]

Mike, I'm in with you if we can get it going.

Cody

[cantexduck]

Cody,
  Great works for me. I will get a list of people to talk to in the next two or so days. I will also get some help from Julie(truebluelacys) on a generic e-mail to send out. Who ever is the powers to be, can you please contact me on this matter. Cody and I dont want to step on toes or be out of line taking the steps needed to get the ball rolling on this. My number is 512 635 9679. Email is mikesavoy@msn.com

[Txmason]

The only way a group can have a stronger voice in Goverment is to have more members.
Ask just the people you know to join would be a start.

Get in with the Coon hunters, DU, fox hunters, cow dogers, and any one that uses a dog.

The bills we fight efects them also.


NOTICE;

Masonda writes:
Folks,
That's why TDHA has a CPA.

Over $8000.00 was paid out for the Hog Hunting contest.
Web site cost TDHA $400.oo a year.
CPA is $300.00 a year for all IRS repost's
P O Box $38.00 a year.
Stamps and mail out aprox. $140.00 a year.
USSA dues $250.00 a year, this is where we get our Liability ins for youth hunt,

When we mailed out the news letter it cost over $350.00 each time and we did it every quarty.

I made over 15 trips to Austin this pass year, over 3600 miles
at no cost to TDHA because I believe in what TDHA stands for.  I have the time where most people work and can't get off.

I'll be meeting with TOP in Austin on June 17 and if any one wants to be there would welcome you.  TOP is Texas Outdoor Partners which TDHA is a charter member along with DU and 64 other out door groups.

We have 192 paid to date members which = $4800.00 a year.

Most people join but never renew unless your looking at them.  We have had over 350 names on the list but have started dropping pass due people after pass due 6 months.

  
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