DU Loses It's Mind???

[sportsman450]

COPIED FROM ANOTHER SITE:


After 30 years of supporting and volunteer work for Ducks Unlimited I and over 50 others hung their hat up today. I still believe DU makes a difference and the habitat and conservation work they do makes an important difference. However in recent years the paid staff at DU (office staff) have distanced themselves from the core grassroots volunteers who support this organization. They have no hands on contact with the ordinary average DU member. I have called them keyboard typing, pencil pushing xxxxheads for years now, probably why I am aint on none of thems christmas card list..

They exist only in their little cubicles in their lil ivory tower.
Several months ago DU office staff called a meeting for field staff (Regional Directors, etc.) and basically informed them that regional directors who did not produce $300K per their region and 4 new events could get there resumes' out and dust them off......we who knew of this in north Ms. never paid much attention as historically north Ms. is the major money producer anyway. Since we were above that mark and south Ms was below that mark, and knowing both regional directors, John Peeples with 10 years on the job & Billie Ray Fann with 2 years, we never even considered any DU staff would be stupid enough to do away with the senior, top money producer, top event producing RD over the lesser one.

Yesterday the deceiver (good name for the "turd-cutter") who is the RD's boss calls John & ask him to meet him in Grenada, handed him an envelope and stated "from a budget standpoint " Mississippi was going to a 1 RD system for the entire state and he was sorry but again from staff standpoint Billie Ray was considered "better for the state". Now they did not fire John like the rumors are circulating. They offered him another position in Minnesota or in Wisconsin, knowing full well he would not relocate at his own expense when his family is in his hometown of Starkville, not to mention his wife has a helluva job with almost 20 years in, 3 kids in school , etc...

Talk about a day of infamy...............this will top the farm bill xxx-up that got Ms. DU in the poor shape it is in now. Before the farm bill xxx-up Ms. was in the million dollar "club". After the farm bill xxx-up, most farmers dropped support for DU like a hot potato and a lot still are that way. Well this lil xxx-up will make the farm bill shiite look like a sunday walk in the park.

Due to this as of tonight the latest count I have, the state chairman, his 2 successors in line, 7 of the state officers, 5 state trustees/national delegates, 6 state council members, 4 district chairmen, 21 area chairmen and 15 committees/events have quit. In addition the 24 member shooting committee that does the $175,000 shoot in Tunica each fall now consists of 1 original charter member and 1 member who has attended the past 2 years. 4- $10,000 life sponsor pledges have been cancelled and even 1 guy who left $160,000 to DU in his will has terminated the agreement.

My phone hasn't stopped since yesterday evening...in talking to the Chairman of the board, President, 1st Vp, Sr. Vp & regional Vp I haven't found one that can give an explanation why this was allowed.... none of this will get John his job back as DU has a policy, when they xxx-up dont admit it, whitewash it

all this probably dont mean squat to mosta ya, but ole John is one of my very best friends, a true friend, one that would give ya the shirt off his back without a second thought
I got this email that was sent to everyone connected to DU at a national level from our only female state officer, that pretty much sums up everyone feelings:

[Dutch Dog]

You shoulda copied the email..it was pretty good too. I'm not belittling BRF, as he didn't do anything underhanded to get the new position...it was just thrown on him. Once again...they have bitten the hand that feeds them. This is getting serious folks...if this is the type organization that is in place to protect our duck hunting future, I am glad there is a 2nd option...which seems as if it isn't a "2nd option" any more, but the ONLY option. I'm sure ol John will be able to find himself a place with DW...We as duck hunters don't need his expertise to get away.

[stumpjumper]

Well put Dutch dog I agree 100%.

[weimhunter]

I agree with this. I have also been on the phone for 2 days trying to get a answer on why this has happened. I will honor my date for the Clay county banquet on 1/13/2006. This will be the last time I work for DU. I think of all the great things that DU has done and what John Peeples has done for DU, the ducks and me. I was once one of the biggest supporters of DU, I still think the only thing that this will effect is the ducks. I just hope they raise enough money next year to pay Billie Rays salary. I know of at least 15 chapters that will close and probaly switch everything to DW. This is nothing personal towards you Billie Ray, I just do not understand how this will help the ducks. Like I said, I will honor our banqueat date and look forward to meeting you Billie Ray, but this is it. I will no longer support a org. that is this stupid. Thank yall for letting me let out some anger because this has really bothered me the last couple of days.

[SCOOTER]

I have worked with John for years in Tupelo and Pontotoc events, just dont understand WHY, money is no problem, he had ducks on the brain, got to be a reason, just cant be a damn good one. Good thing they waited till after most events in the north Ms area was over, would have been some pissed off people. my $.02

[duckkiller]

Well put Dutch Dog, I guess its time I send my check to DW. i have always supported both of them for the ducks sake, but after all this crap I will no longer plan on attending the event in Louisville. Isure wish we could start a DW chapter in Louisville

[torch]

That is really sad when an org like DU has to make decision based on the almighty $

[Drakeshead]

Before we all start leaving DU, DU deserve the right to make their statement. I know a lot of folks are upset, but maybe Chad Manlove or Billy Ray can give us some insight as to what is going on.

I am not siding with DU, just think that they deserve their time at the podium as well.

[sportsman450]

It's lookin a little late for that Drakeshead.

Apparently a very large part of DU's central and north Mississippi infrastructure knows exactly what happened and no spin that DU puts on it is gonna change that, and more than anything that's been said, DU's silence at this time speaks volumes.

In the long run, maybe it will be for the best. Perhaps it wil force DU to refocus their efforts away from the boardroom and back to the breeding grounds where it belongs, and in the meantime, all that extra money and effort will hopefully find its way to DW where it will actualy be spent on the ducks.

[SoftCall]

Aw schit sporty....gonna milk this for all it worth...did you even know this gent? You ole DU hater you

[Bustin' Ducks]

Those that didnt support DW...Why support them know...b/c the DU RD got fired...

[Dutch Dog]

Bustin...It's probably not so much that as DU was the 1st one out there and they have remained loyal....UNTIL NOW.

[RotDorn]

I live right down the road from the DU headquarters. 4-5 years ago, I made some phone calls down there and inquired about taking in a group of cub scouts (anybody ever heard of the McDonald's approach? get them hooked young). Anyway...I was told they didn't have time for anything like that! BS I thought!...they have tons of volunteers that could walk them around for 20 minutes and explain what they do.....nope they dont' I took it to the head of the Outdoors Festival....he was told the same thing! ...he made calls all the way to the top! It was only there that we were allowed to take a tour. Later that week I up'ed my donation to the other foundation....never to give DU another dime!

They remind me of a politician....always telling you what they can/do do for you...ALL the time with their hand out!

[greenheadgrimreaper]

I've done ALOT of reading on DU and DW after all I've read, DW will always get my money and support.

[Dixie Dog]

This is $#!+. As all of yall have said John is a great guy. DU has screwed up amd dont want to admit it. My dad is incoming state chairman, but when this went down he told me that he was still gonna support du but did not want his name in the leadership that make dumb ass moves like this. I wish we could get ahold of this sob that made this move. Robert if you find out something we can do for john and his job, call me or dad and we will do what ever we can to help john out. I said all of this to say that i have nothing against Billie Ray. Ive met br and hes a nice guy but he doesnt have the leadership that john has. John is the best man for this job