ABA= Anal retentive?

[DanceswithDingoes]

When's the ABA going to get its head out of its a%^e and allow guest membership to away shoots? I would really like to attend the Tumut, Forbes and Shellharbour shoots this year but if I wanted to join now (August) it would cost me $95 (family) plus $40 per shoot. :x
Is it any wonder ABA clubs are looking elsewhere when invitation shoot attendance is so limited by the association? :oops:
Sure keep it pure on championships shoots and titles but invitations? Come on :roll:
Is there any ABA execs brave enough to justify this draconian enforcement of its membership policies? I hope to hear from them on this public forum but somehow I doubt it. :(

[coach]

I agree with you DWD . Thats weird aye? :D
I walked into the 3daaa NSW state titles and shot without being a member , paid my money and was accepted!
And I got a third in my division as did Freestyler :lol:
ABA could well do the same and learn a thing or two! Thay lost money on us going else where and many others would shoot at their shoots if they were ALLOWED to!
Their attitude leaves a lot to be desired ! What, they think they are the only org. out there ? I did till I discovered there were others close to us, and now I'm finding myself looking for other alternatives and new experiences!
Just think how much more revenue they could raise if they let non- members shoot!
All it takes is the extra $5 to cover insurance like 3daaa do

[Kuru]

Well guys rather then sit on here and slag off ABA, as good as it feels :lol: Why not speak to your branch rep ? It dosn't do anyone any good to publicly bad mouth an assoc without at least speaking to your rep, then if you don't hear anything back, bi*ch away I say :lol: But really guys, gotta give em a chance :D

[DanceswithDingoes]

Cant have a 'branch rep' till your a member, brother :o
This has been complained about for years, even the editor in Archery Action semi-acknowledges the problem of falling attendance but chose not to pay it any more than simple lip-service. Sometimes throwing rocks at Glasshouses can bring the gardener out. :lol:

[Bruce]

I personally don't think you will get a response from a member of the national executive here .

Each achery organisation has issues we don't agree with , but to drag them out here in the open Forum is a bit tough .

Why not write to the editor of archery action agreeing with her editorial and offering an explanation as to why you think numbers are dropping .

Last year Rob Hines came to the forum and tried to address an issue , he wasn't successful and the reception he got was less than flattering .

When does ceo or president of AA post on the forum ??

It is not the right forum for national officers to address a direct question like that you can write to these people even if you are not a member of ABA .

So ok guys off you go start your bash on ABA it seems that is what likes to happen here .

[coach]

Not bashing Bruce just stating facts!
This issue has been around for a while, why has it not been changed to allow everyone to shoot?
I have spoken to my branch controller about it and have been pretty much told that this is just the way it is and always will be :x

ABA in general just dont seem to be interested in any change at all :x

[Alan Loy]

Just to add another voice. I'm increasingly interested in field shooting and would certainly attend a couple of ABA shoots a year if that was possible. I have made use of the 3DAAA "guest" membership and as a result will probably become a member. I guess a bit of try before you buy is at work.

[coach]

You can try before you buy Alan , at club level only. You can have 3 free shoots to see if you like it :D

[Eberbachl]

Last year Rob Hines came to the forum and tried to address an issue , he wasn't successful and the reception he got was less than flattering .


That's not quite true Bruce...he rocked up here, made one post which was welcomed, and we asked for further clarification and discussion on a number of ABA issues. He didn't bother taking the time to come back and discuss anything more with us.

And they wonder why people bag them? That episode was one of the contributing factors in me deciding not to renew my ABA membership.

Rob Hines had every chance to change the public perception of ABA, but chose to disappear after only one short post. He didn't give the members any courtesy when asked for more input, and chose to ignore it.

[Alan Loy]

I'm spoilt at DVA as we can do any form of archery at the club. To explain what I meant a bit better. After attending a few 3DAAA shoots that game is starting to get into my blood. If I had not attended "away" shoots that would not have happened.

Something similar might happen with ABA but I guess I am reluctant to join unless I feel that I will attend a significant number of away shoots. I would be more than happy to pay more to attend these shoots as a non member but this is not an option at the moment.

[coach]

He didn't give the members any courtesy when asked for more input, and chose to ignore it.
Seems to be the way with ABA :(

Look at that I'm a poet and didn't know it :lol:

[Marcus]

Last year Rob Hines came to the forum and tried to address an issue , he wasn't successful and the reception he got was less than flattering .
No what happens is that these people come on here and try to dictate policy and get upset when their status means squat in the actual archery community. No time for any organisation administrator who sees themselves above the general archery community.

[Eberbachl]

The interesting thing is that if your go back and read the thread in question, he was actually greeted quite nicely, and thanked for taking the time to make an effort. He was asked to stick around and continue to diiscuss ABA with us.

He chose to ignore us, and stay atop his high perch up at ABA national.

[Bruce]

I guess that all I am trying to say is that you can vent your spleen as much as you like here , but to effect change you must go to the source , contact the officials involved write to the magazine agreeing with an editorial or article ,or disagreeing with an article .
Posting a topic like this on the forum is preeching to the converted , I don't think it will achieve much apart from starting the my association is better than yours slanging match :D

I agree ABA should have a facility that archers can pay a premium price to try out a game of ABA , but as already has been stated , any archer can attend a club for free and have three free shoots , sure its not a tournament but it is an oppurtunity to try out the games we play .

[robbo]

Another "lets bag ABA thread". :roll:

Why am I not surprised. It's been a while since we had one.


I also agree, that a guest membership facility.

But I think this thread could have been started in a more positive manner.

[robbo]

I am an ABA member, I wanted to shoot AA, so I joined, I wanted to have a go at 3D in the 3DAAA format so I joined. No problem. :roll:

[Barry]

I am not here to bad mouth ABA in any way. But I must say my exposure it at club level has been confusing.

I have been a member of an ABA club for 3-4 months and attended several club shoots. I try to ask questions about how the whole thing works but it just seem so hap hazzard. Almost seems to me like a secret club.

For example: It was Marcus that explained the arrow weight rules. I didnt know what a 'Branch Controller' was until Bruce mentioned it here and I certainly dont know who our branch controller is or how to contact them or even what I should contact them for?

I have also recently discoverd that there is a rule book somewhere that I can mail order or something? I also just went on my first bowhunting trip and was told by the guy at the pro shop that I should do something called 'bowhunting proficiency'.

Now I am not saying that this information is not available to me if I ask for it.... but the problem is I don't know what to ask for. This system would work ok if there was a mentoring system or if I was best mates with a long standing member but I am not.

Now I am a gregarious guy and not shy and I will certainly work it out.... but the system certainly doesnt seem very user friendly even to me. Where is the 'how to guide' or the FAQ section and PDF rulebook on the ABA website. I also admit that part of the problem is probably my club but if these things were readily available to me it wouldnt matter.

All I really want to do is to be able to shoot lots of arrows and do so competitevly. Not having a go either; after all I am one of those 'new members' being spoken about.

Slightly off my topic..... but the issue of random shooting partners at club shoots has become an issue. My wife wants to shoot with me and because she can't she doesnt, I think the 3DAAA approach is a much better one and yes I will write a letter outlining this. I am also showing up to my next club exec meeting to talk about my concerns.

[Clare Barnes]

I didnt know what a 'Branch Controller' was until Bruce mentioned it here ...

Does anyone else think of Thomas the Tank Engine whenever they hear that term, or is it only me? :-? :oops:

[Barry]

Ahhh is that what they are????

But Branch is more politically correct.....

[Bruce]

Clare , our last branch controller was known as the "fat controller" but when i took over his position that term was officially terminated :D

Archon , most of your concerns sadly relate back to your club .

When a new member joins our club we outline to the new member the way things are run , your club should have on the exec an ABA delegate that attends the branch meetings and takes concerns raised by your club to that meeting and reports back to the club the goings on at other clubs in your branch . Your club should also have a bowhunting Proficiency officer that will run you through the BPcourse once you have been a member of the association for 3 months . Once you start to claim game after you have done your BPC your club should have a measurer that will measure your trophy's and help you to record them with your club and ABA .

All of our new members are instructed on how to go about getting a rule book and we have copies at the club for members to purchase and look at .

Also when you first joined ABA you should have recieved a little blue book called the constitution , that outlines the job descriptions of all the officials in ABA from club coach to national executive officer .

If I can be any assistance with any enquires , please feel free to PM me , by the way wich branch are you in I think from memory you are from around Brisbane somewhere , that would make Sue Green your branch controller


Bruce

[Clare Barnes]

Clare , our last branch controller was known as the "fat controller" but when i took over his position that term was officially terminated :D Bruce
As in anyone using the term would be terminated? :D

[Bruce]

Still waiting for some one to test that outcome :D

[coach]

I am an ABA member, I wanted to shoot AA, so I joined, I wanted to have a go at 3D in the 3DAAA format so I joined. No problem.

So, let me get this right Robbo, you spent a **** load of money just to try these games? Not all of us can afford to outlay this kind of cash ! Thats why it is good that orginisations like 3daaa let you shoot without becoming a member :wink: Imagine if you had to join every org. just to shoot , I for one wouldn't be able to afford this as my whole family shoots! At least we can go and shoot the odd 3d without having to become members :D

[Barry]

Bruce,

I do have one of those little blue books and I thank you for your input.

I will PM you about some other questions.

Barry

[rinaldo]

Does A.A have day insurance at there shoots?

[coach]

"That" little blue book is a waste of paper! Why dont ABA give you the rule book when you join ? :o

Sorry I remember now, why would they "give" you something you need when they can SELL it to you? :roll:
Not that you need the rule book anyway as they don't enforce the rules!
The rules are just there so you have to fork out money to buy the book to know what they are :rofl:
Yep it is a joke!

[James Park]

Does A.A have day insurance at there shoots?
Yes

[Bruce]

That little blue book is not a waste of time , it answers alot of questions people have .

When I joined AV/AA last year I got nothing from them , no constitution, no rule book nothing .

With ABA , I got the constitution , the archery action Mag, cloth patch , sticker , the ability to sit a test and prove my profficiency to claim game , a facility to submit game that I had claimed to be measured and recorded . extra insurance whilst I was hunting game and many other benifits , I didn't get squat from AV or AA .

Please lets not let this get inot a slanging match , I love to shoot arrows and I love to shoot arrows at ABA targets as well as IFAA targets .

Until 3daaa has some sort of ongoing program for bowhunting and support network for bowhunters I will remain Loyal to ABA .

[coach]

I love to shoot arrows and I love to shoot arrows at ABA targets as well as IFAA targets .

IFFA sux :lol: Shot one on the weekend with 5 pin sight what an experience that was !

OK I wont get into a slanging match but that BPC is a joke :wink:

[DanceswithDingoes]

Bruce I never doubted your loyalty to ABA and yes there fees can be considered reasonable, however it is a lot of money to fork out if only 1-2 shoots a year take your fancy.
Now lets take South-West Slopes for example, our club (ACT Field and 3D) have approximately 10 members interested in attending that shoot of which only 3 are ABA members. The other 7 have to consider the additional cost involved.
Now my question is can clubs like SWS afford to turn away these interested shooters because of an organisational mandate that can only rationalised by pure greed?
I know of at least 5 people that have written to the ABA (one of these WAS a branch secretary) expressing concern over this and other related matters only to be sent a generic reply "will be considered at next exec committee meeting" never to be seen/heard/mentioned again.
Some of the suggestions were:
A guest/temporary insurance fee for invitational shoots.
A 'barebones' membership (no bluebook, clothpatch, magazine subscription)
A season or semester (2 or more payments even direct debit) fee to reduce the financial burden after Xmas, particularly on families.
back to South West Slopes and Lachlan Valley Shoots, apart from the immediate fees gathered on the day (which is in itself contentious) they are economic spinoffs such as hotels, canteen takings local entertainment etc. sadly all of this wont happen for 7 of our members because of the ABA rules, and I think its a bloody shame. :oops:

[Robert43]

I like the bare bones membership as I am a ABA member and dont read the magazine and gave away the cloth badge and sticker :-?

[Bruce]

Ding , I don't disagree with anything that you have said .

I think we need to offer something for visitors , maybe even a barebones shooting membership with just a shoot for the fun of it mentality , maybe members only compete for awards . I don't know the answer , but I want to try and find it .

[Marcus]

I guess this is the thing.
I join AV because 90% of my shooting is target. $91 a year
I joined 3DAAA because I like to shoot 3D and it's only $30 a year
Now for me to join ABA, which I would like to do for the odd shoot here and there, it's $70 a year. $70 moves it into the "not worth it for 1-2 shoots" catagory. It's not expensive for full time ABA members, quite reasonable, however it would be good ifthe organisations had a fee that would cover part time shooters. AV/AA should consider it also.

[Robert43]

That soulds like a good idea Bruce only full members get to accept the awards :D

[robbo]

I am not here to bad mouth ABA in any way. But I must say my exposure it at club level has been confusing.

I have been a member of an ABA club for 3-4 months and attended several club shoots. I try to ask questions about how the whole thing works but it just seem so hap hazzard. Almost seems to me like a secret club.

For example: It was Marcus that explained the arrow weight rules. I didnt know what a 'Branch Controller' was until Bruce mentioned it here and I certainly dont know who our branch controller is or how to contact them or even what I should contact them for?

I have also recently discoverd that there is a rule book somewhere that I can mail order or something? I also just went on my first bowhunting trip and was told by the guy at the pro shop that I should do something called 'bowhunting proficiency'.

Now I am not saying that this information is not available to me if I ask for it.... but the problem is I don't know what to ask for. This system would work ok if there was a mentoring system or if I was best mates with a long standing member but I am not.

Now I am a gregarious guy and not shy and I will certainly work it out.... but the system certainly doesnt seem very user friendly even to me. Where is the 'how to guide' or the FAQ section and PDF rulebook on the ABA website. I also admit that part of the problem is probably my club but if these things were readily available to me it wouldnt matter.

All I really want to do is to be able to shoot lots of arrows and do so competitevly. Not having a go either; after all I am one of those 'new members' being spoken about.

Slightly off my topic..... but the issue of random shooting partners at club shoots has become an issue. My wife wants to shoot with me and because she can't she doesnt, I think the 3DAAA approach is a much better one and yes I will write a letter outlining this. I am also showing up to my next club exec meeting to talk about my concerns.


I wouldn't take this as bashing, just contructive criticism. :D

The issue of not being able to shoot with your wife, is that at club shoots?

At club shoots it shouldn't be a problem, ask your score recorder if you both can be placed in the same group. I do this at our club, we often have someone who wants to shoot in someones group, and I try to accomodate them.

But I don't think this is an option at branch and Title shoots. :-?

[robbo]

Imagine if you had to join every org. just to shoot , I for one wouldn't be able to afford this as my whole family shoots! At least we can go and shoot the odd 3d without having to become members :D

I have 5 members of my family that shoot, and a sixth one soon.

[rinaldo]

Wow $91 to shoot target. $210 per year membership per adult just to shoot on the weekends and after 5pm weekdays at our local AAclub.

[Marcus]

Rinaldo, we are $100 + $91 to join our club as an AV member
7 days a week access however

[rinaldo]

Rinaldo, we are $100 + $91 to join our club as an AV member
7 days a week access however
Is that just target or all the disciplines?

[Marcus]

That's just target, but you can shoot field and indoor as well.
You can join our club as a 3DAAA member for $135, includes the club fees.

[coach]

I have 5 members of my family that shoot, and a sixth one soon.
Well I'm happy for you Robbo, as I said I for one cant afford it!
Just because you have 5 family members who shoot doesn't mean every one can afford it!
The post in general really wasn't needed Robbo and yes you have pissed me off royally :fist:

[adam(aka the punisher)]

my shoots and targets are free. I suggest you all take up bowhunting :wink: .

On a serious note I can not see myself being able to shout the family a shoot half of the year at those cost. I'd prefer to spend the money on fuel and have my own 10000 acres of live animal field course.

but you crazed target shooters will put into shoots what I do hunting. but when it comes to family it tends to get expensive. I think generally new comers to the sport wife kids should only have a small fee to cover insurance. Don't we want to promote archery and bowhunting and gather more members. Good start to let them shoot without big fees. just my opinion.

[coach]

Don't we want to promote archery and bowhunting and gather more members. Good start to let them shoot without big fees. just my opinion.
This is what we want to do Adam! As for you hunting, ABA frowns upon people who hunt without their Bowhunter Proficiency Certificate. I have had one person high up in the hunting part of ABA actually say to me " You are hurting and bringing the sport into disrepute by hunting without one" :o
The idea is a good one but it needs some refining I think :D

BTW I dont even know if you have a BPC just thought I would let you know about it :)

[Bruce]

one good thing about having your BPC is that it helps to give acurate numbers of people that hunt with a bow . I know that not all bowhunters are members of AbA , but we need to have some sort of numbers , I know that when I wrote a submission to state government re banning hunting bows , I could call on these numbers to help our argument .

[woodduck]

Bruce,
With numbers of people attending shoots on the decline and other archery game alternatives out there welcoming visiting shooters, isnt it time this question about letting visitors shoot at ABA shoots be addressed at the next zone meeting.
After reading your replies to the posts on this thread, I dont think you disagree with the basic idea's expressed. If I havent misunderstood your position, could you, as my zone controller, put this to the next zone meeting for discussion.
I know this should come thru a club rep, but as an independant ABA member, I'm asking you to table the idea for discussion. You are right when you say this sort of question should go thru the proper channels
( club reps, zone committees, zone reps and so on up the chain) so instead of everyone flapping their gums here, which doesn't achieve anything much, how about everyone who thinks this is a good idea, get in touch with their club reps and get the issue going thru the proper channels.
If there is enough grass roots support for this idea, and members actually do something thru the proper channels, we might see a positive change. Maybe ? :D

[Steve B]

Well said woodduck , and I am behind you on that 100%. I think that all would be aware that no matter what the organisation that channels have to be used to make things happen, I enjoy the discussion here, but really wonder if there is any follow up by the people that raise points here.

You have woody and I applaude you mate...

[Juggs]

one point is there is a lot of prospective mebers here who have no voice.

the issue is we would like a tempory membership but because we are not members we cannot vote.

bit catch 22 dont you think.

[robbo]

Well I'm happy for you Robbo, as I said I for one cant afford it!
Just because you have 5 family members who shoot doesn't mean every one can afford it!
The post in general really wasn't needed Robbo and yes you have pissed me off royally :fist:

If my post wasn't needed, then maybe you shouldn't have posted this.

I am an ABA member, I wanted to shoot AA, so I joined, I wanted to have a go at 3D in the 3DAAA format so I joined. No problem.

So, let me get this right Robbo, you spent a sh*t load of money just to try these games? Not all of us can afford to outlay this kind of cash ! Thats why it is good that orginisations like 3daaa let you shoot without becoming a member :wink: Imagine if you had to join every org. just to shoot , I for one wouldn't be able to afford this as my whole family shoots! At least we can go and shoot the odd 3d without having to become members :D


I can afford it (not really) because I neither drink nor smoke.


I hear this **** about not affording this or that for their kids all the time from people who think nothing about spending $100 plus a week on smokes and piss.

If your pissed off with that post, then I'm sure I'm really concerned. :roll:

[2Dogs]

Here Here Robbo! :lol: ....hangon I'm justing putting out me Fag, while I pop another XXXX :wink: :lol:

[coach]

You really miss the point dont you Robbo? :roll: And to start gettin personal is just a tad childish IMHO!

It really is none of your or anybody elses bussiness whether I have smoke or a beer . I work hard for my money and my child does not go without ANYTHING!

[Bruce]

ok Guys , slag off at ABA if you must but not each other , if it gets inot a slanging match I will lock this thread , I don't want to do that.

[Eberbachl]

Bingo Bruce :wink:

[Juggs]

so to get this back on track.


how do non members get to voice there opinion.

if current members are not worried about the issue, it will never be fixed and you will continue to alienate a large body of archers who just want to shoot arrows with out the expense of another membership fee.

[freestyler]

I hear this sh*t about not affording this or that for their kids all the time from people who think nothing about spending $100 plus a week on smokes and piss.


Robbo your comments were unwarranted and uncalled for.........My children have never missed out on anything because i have a smoke,,,,We just happen to have other things in our life apart from archery,so cannot afford to be handing out money hand over fist to try different forms of archery..That is all Jeff was trying to point out,in future keep your personal attacks off the forum as i'm sure no-one else wants to read them.

[Bruce]

Juggs , One way to raise concerns and ask Questions is to write a letter to archery action , express your concerns there and start a debate in the magazine . That would be one way of getting your views heard

We had a branch meeting today and a lot of concerns discussedon the forum over the last few months , were reaised in general business .

so that is another way that items get to national , because as a branch all our minutes get sent to National .

Bruce

[coach]

Good on ya Bruce . By us raising these concerns on the forum you got to know about them and now they (hopefully) will be recognised by the Nat. Exec. thru your actions :D
This forum is a good way to let people know about our concerns. A letter is easily ignored and a debate in the magazine would be slow , also if the powers that be chose to not respond to the debate it would be soon forgotten or not printed at all!
Thankyou for raising it at your meeting, hopefully it will be addressed :D

[Bruce]

Coach and others ,

don't rely on me .

Take the time to write a letter to your branch exec and ask that it be included in the minutes , they may not agree with everything you write or say but they should give you the courtesey of listening .

For those of you in clubs you should have club reps , ask them to take your concerns to the next branch meeting , its time to be proactive not reactive .

If your not in a club , write to your branch exec as an independant archer , I recieved a letter to day and I will forward it to national on behalf of the member concerned also I will answer it on behalf of the branch .

I will work on behalf of my members as hard as I can , so should your branch controllers .

Remember we are all doing this for the benifit of our sport , if I add another 0 to my paypacket from ABA , I still get $0.00.

[coach]

I dont just rely on you . I have spoken to my branch controller on several issues and I dont get much support . Thats why I thanked you as you seem to have done something :D

[Bruce]

ok coach , sometimes things are better done in writing .

Bruce

[robbo]

I am an ABA member, I wanted to shoot AA, so I joined, I wanted to have a go at 3D in the 3DAAA format so I joined. No problem. :roll:

Not responding to anyone in particular, just putting my opinion forward. So no slagging off here. :-?

I am an ABA member, I wanted to shoot AA, so I joined, I wanted to have a go at 3D in the 3DAAA format so I joined. No problem.

So, let me get this right Robbo, you spent a sh*t load of money just to try these games? Not all of us can afford to outlay this kind of cash ! Thats why it is good that orginisations like 3daaa let you shoot without becoming a member :wink: Imagine if you had to join every org. just to shoot , I for one wouldn't be able to afford this as my whole family shoots! At least we can go and shoot the odd 3d without having to become members :D

This seems to be aimed directly at me.

Imagine if you had to join every org. just to shoot , I for one wouldn't be able to afford this as my whole family shoots! At least we can go and shoot the odd 3d without having to become members :D

I have 5 members of my family that shoot, and a sixth one soon.

Still no slagging off by me. :-? I did forget the :D at the end of this post though, as it was intended.

I have 5 members of my family that shoot, and a sixth one soon.
Well I'm happy for you Robbo, as I said I for one cant afford it!
Just because you have 5 family members who shoot doesn't mean every one can afford it!
The post in general really wasn't needed Robbo and yes you have pissed me off royally :fist:

This seems to be the start of the crap :roll:

Well I'm happy for you Robbo, as I said I for one cant afford it!
Just because you have 5 family members who shoot doesn't mean every one can afford it!
The post in general really wasn't needed Robbo and yes you have pissed me off royally :fist:

If my post wasn't needed, then maybe you shouldn't have posted this.

I am an ABA member, I wanted to shoot AA, so I joined, I wanted to have a go at 3D in the 3DAAA format so I joined. No problem.

So, let me get this right Robbo, you spent a sh*t load of money just to try these games? Not all of us can afford to outlay this kind of cash ! Thats why it is good that orginisations like 3daaa let you shoot without becoming a member :wink: Imagine if you had to join every org. just to shoot , I for one wouldn't be able to afford this as my whole family shoots! At least we can go and shoot the odd 3d without having to become members :D


I can afford it (not really) because I neither drink nor smoke.


I hear this sh*t about not affording this or that for their kids all the time from people who think nothing about spending $100 plus a week on smokes and piss.

If your pissed off with that post, then I'm sure I'm really concerned. :roll:

This is not an attack on anyone, I'm just sick off people telling me me I must have plenty of money because I spend so much on my kids.

As you can see from this tiresome post that I did not start any attacks on anybody.

Coach, if you didn't want a response from me then you should have kept your personal attacks to your self.

[robbo]

Bruce, (and also anyone else not mentioned in my last post) I apologise for keeping this going, but I wanted it to be clear that I did not start any thing.

That was definately my last post in reference to it.(this one is anyway :D )

Apart from that I think most of the posts in this thread, have been very constructive. And I hope we can get something to come of it.


I will be writing a letter of some sort to our branch controller in support.


Although I have missed our AGM.(today) I was going to the meeting at Goulbourn with out ABA Rep, but the kids football got in the way. :D

[coach]

Oh for gods sake Robbo let's just let it go . :D
My point is simply that it is expensive to join all Orgs. just to try a paticular type of archery :D

[Randall Wellings]

My point is simply that it is expensive to join all Orgs. just to try a particular type of archery

Most of the points raised in this debate have been very interesting to say the least.
The above point however, needs to be qualified.

Coach...it has been a standard practice for as long as I have been a member of ABA and AA, for beginners, wishing to "try a particular" type of archery, to simply seek out their closest ABA, AA or 3DAAA club and "have a go." That IS how most of us got started.

At the expense of writing something that may be misconstrued.. let me say this, there is a big difference in

[DanceswithDingoes]

But truly, how long do you think the organizations would exist if we allowed this situation to become a reality.

Well Randall, 3DAAA and AA seem to be going from strength to strength with a 'casual' membership policy in place, whereas ABA seems to be experiencing a decline at some rural shoots.
Dont get me wrong here if someone planned to attend a variety of ABA shoots including zone/state/national titles then it would make sense to pay the full fee at the beginning of the year to get the value for money on offer, however as I stated earlier some of our club members are attending an ABA shoot in 'neighbouring' Tumut, others (including myself) would also like to attend and pay the standing shoot fee ($40 for me) and eat food at their canteen and stay in a local hotel, but can't quite justify the $95 pro-rata membership for the remaining 4 months of the year.
'Anarchy' I think not, more a sense of freedom not felt by archers in this country to date.

[Randall Wellings]

Again...your opinion is yours and you are welcome to it.

I think not, more a sense of freedom not felt by archers in this country to date

Please, enlighten us to this "fictional country" which allows or operates associations as you propose. Ain't none to my knowledge. :roll:

We have freedom of choice and freedom does come at a price. :wink:

cheers

[DanceswithDingoes]

Land sakes Randall, work it out, the ABA is the only archery organisation in this country that does NOT allow 'casual' memberships! If they did then archers in Australia could try all forms of archery in non title competitions without having to commit first to an organisation.....wouldnt that be nice? :D

[rinaldo]

I guess that if the membership rates were low enough I wouldn't think twice about joining all three orgs. Both ABA and 3DAAA have very competitive rates but AA and ArcheryNSW price themselves right out of the market.

I can join my family at both 3DAAA and ABA associations cheaper than I could at AA. The last time I went to join my family at the local FITA club it was going to cost me in excess of $750. :o

[coach]

Wow $750 , now that is ridiculous :o

[DanceswithDingoes]

Rin, how the hell do they justify that? :o

[Juggs]

yeah i certain person in AA who might be our new presidento wouldnt allow him family admission

[rinaldo]

yeah i certain person in AA who might be our new presidento wouldnt allow him family admission


The club did not have Family rates at the time, I still dont think they have family rates. I was told because I met my partner at the club and moved in together that this didn't count as a family. She has two boys and I one, we all live together but are not married so therefore we are not considered a family in that persons view.

We left :fist: We were welcomed as a family by ABA and 3DAAA. They lost some very active club members.

[Robert43]

Wow you liked to gether but not a family? I wonder what the equal opp board etc would think of that if you took it to court ?

[Juggs]

classed as a defacto relationship in the courts.

so which club was it Rin

[coach]

Thats SAD :cry: Rin :cry:

[rinaldo]

so which club was it Rin

Not worth mentioning, the lost a family of archers who attended all working bees, took annual leave to help set up a national field course, coached beginners and generally helped around the club because they enjoyed it. Their :wink: loss.