Southeren Council Conclave

[Micheal Kyle]

Hey with the Conclave right around the corner as in the first full weekend in October, I was Interested if anybody was going and to see what there thought's were and how they felt about the conclave or the SOC in general. I also was wondering if any body has any info on the new division of the SOC that is sopposed to be down from the Gulf coast of Florida to the Texas coast.

Michael

[Phil Lilley]

OzarkAnglers.Com has a booth.

[Micheal Kyle]

How much was that and will it be worth it. Have you ever thought about all the money and where it goes. I have and would like to know. Can't seem to get any answers from any one.

[Gavin]

Micheal, I'm not going to the conclave but I consider the S. Counci to be a worthwhile organization. As for "All that Money" they dont really have much.....Im on the board of Ozark Fly Fishers in St. Louis, and the topic of conclave & SOC FFF finances usually gets discussed at our mid-October board meeting.

If I recall last years discussion correctly the SOC raises around $30,000 a year at conclave and that gets spent thoughout the year on various budgets (conservation, education, publications, next years conclave,etc). I'm not privy to any of the details, but you want specifics youll need to attend to the business meeting at Conclave and ask your questions. I think its held on Sunday AM, but I'd check the calendar of conclave events for the date, time and location. Cheers.

[Terry Beeson]

Yes there has been controversy over the money and where it goes. The Sunday morning meeting is not well attended by anyone but the individual club presidents and that is not 100%. Last year, I attended since the president of our club (NEAFF) thought he would not make it. He did, but I was glad as a member of FFF to find out a lot of information that is not that easy to obtain.

However, if you get in touch with Roger Maler or Pat Smith, they will be glad to let you know where the money goes. And it goes to various conservation and worthwhile projects that help the streams in the SOC region.

Is the Conclave worth it? Well, seeing all those tiers in one room, getting very inexpensive down to free seminar sessions, and the trade show... plus getting to visit and fish with LOTS of different people... yes... it has been worth it for me the last two years...

If you get the chance, help Al Crise in the youth conclave on Saturday... WHAT A BLAST!!!

[Micheal Kyle]

I am not saying that the conclave is not woth it. I'm saying that there may need to be some intervention on how they spend the money. Yes since I am president of the Southwest Missouri Fly fishers I will be there. I not sure why we need to pay Pat Smith $8,000/year. I'm not sure why the fee for a booth went up $100 50 cash and 50 donation.. I have talked to quite a few people here in the shop and these are there concerns and they are people that usally have booths down there and they are not going to have one this year. I do not think that everyone knows this but the SOC signed a 5 year contract with the fair grounds and the SOC gave them $2000 I was told that they had the option of $500, 2000 or 5000. I here it was for air conditioning when was the last time it has been hot enough down there that we would need air condtioning. I would like to think that they would be more concerned about the programs and coservation issues with the conclave. And what about the presidents meeting last year where the whole board step down because they did not agree with a pettetion that was passed around and signed by big namee people. If I Would have been there I would have said if they want to act like 2 year olds then so be it we do not need them. This is just the tip being a store owner I here and talk to a lot of people that are invloved or who used to be invloved with SOC and they seem to be fed up with antics. I'm not trying be rude or talk down about the SOC but I think that there are some items that need to be adressed. All I'm trying to do it get the facts straight so if I'm wrong plese tell me. I have been a long supportor of the conlclave and will continue to do so.

[Danoinark]

There has been no movement from the Mountain Home club or the National FFF about the Overlook Estates issue on the Norfork that I know of, and I have asked numerous times. Even if they don't have any money to assist, I have not seen any mention of that group opposing it.

[Terry Beeson]

Michael,

I don't disagree with you at all. "Where there's smoke, there's fire" could be applicable here. I do know that there were several projects that were funded last year by SOC and that money came from money generated from the Conclave. I also know that when I compare the cost of Conclave to a lot of other similar events, it is a bargain. As for the booth costs, I don't know what's up with that, but I don't know if I would have a booth myself if I was in business. Just don't know if it is worth the cost and effort...

As for Pat's salary, I don't think there are many people that would do what she does for what she is paid. My opinion is that there is a lot of behind the scenes activity that Pat is a part of. From what I've seen and heard, without her, SOC would be a sinking ship.

However, I would like to see a lot more members get involved with the meetings, voting, etc. Most of the people who want to complain never show up for any of the meetings. They want to leave it up to their club president. Yes, there was a petition signed and sent to the board, and not one signer showed up at the meeting to address the petition.

Long story short, we all should do our best to attend the open meetings and find out what is going on. Maybe then things would change. Also, we need to be more involved in elections and voting. Vote because someone says the person is OK or because he is a friend... or vote because the person has campaigned and you agree with their platform... Just like any government election... we need to be more informed and vote for people who will run things the way the membership wants it run. And we need more people to step up to the plate and run for those offices....

OK... off my soapbox now...

[Micheal Kyle]

Danoinark

I'm not sure what you are talking about is this a conservation issue that they could donate some money to.

Terry you are correct it's a bargin and I feel the same way that there should be more people invloved. I will be at the Presidents meeting unless something happens and makes it where I can not go.I will be happy to address anyones issues for them.

One more thought with Gulf coast starting with Tx, Ls, Ms. That is going to pull a lot of clubs out of the council and with that goes the funding from the clubs. They have a conclave planned on the books for may 18,19,20 in Lake Charles Ls. . Lefty Kreh is the main man there so with that said is something going on behind the senes to cause this. Just a thought

[Danoinark]

Michael its all over this board and also on John Wilsons flyfishingarkansas.com

Surely you have heard of the Overlook Estates development that is ruining the Norfork River?

TU has finally filed a petition to become a part of the lawsuit that the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality has filed to stop this construction and all the sediment flowing into the river. Here is a link posted just today on this board.

http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3230

Check other threads about it on this boards Nofork forum.

This same developer is also doing it to the White.

My question is why hasn't the local club in Mountain Home made some kind of effort to fight this either with their voice or money. So far it has not happened as far as I know. I have been following this closely and have never seen any information about the NAFF being opposed.

Dano