DU Newsletter - A Call to Arms

[sportsman450]

mallardchaser-you are singing a different tune these days.What's changed your mind?
In my less than humble opinion,no organization that is based in volunteer work should pay the "higer ups".The grunt's time is just as valuable as theirs,and they give the volunteer nothing!
If they have any talented leadership,I haven't seen it.The ones I delt with were either jerks,drunks,or idiots.You thought this to - mallardchaser.

The complex I refer to is the festival grounds and offices.If your main concern is the ducks you shouldn't waste a single penny.

[Dutch Dog]

the festival grounds are all part of the agricenter international...The DU complex is the corporate headquarters and other than being in the same general area is probably unaffiliated with the agricenter. The place itself is not THAT extravagant. I have been in offices buildings in germantown, cordova, collierville, "southwind" and downtown, and in my own personal opinion it can't compare with some of the better ones, but it certainly isn't something that belongs in Frayser either. Heck I went to Avery outdoors warehouse/corporate headquarters friday and it is in one of the $hittiest parts of Memphis. It could be considered the "binghampton" section. Who on here has heard of Avery??? Anyway their place is off Broad just south of Summer (they parallel each other) there are more crack houses and prostitutes in that area than any other section of Memphis. I am not currently a member of DU, I will admit it, I was up until about 5 years or so ago when I heard of them going on Dall sheep hunts and the like. I decided that I wasn't going to contribute my money which I feel should be going to serve one purpose (helping ducks) and them spending it on something totally different. I also was unimpressed with the whole DU tv show. That was geared totally toward the upper echilon of society which is in my opinion what DU has begun catering to. When DU comes out publicly and denounces the accusations of them wasting money and the like with satisfactory answers (proof) then and only then will I again pledge my support. It seems as if Delta waterfowl is the frontrunner these days or that seems to be what everyone keeps saying. I am not a member of them either I will admit that too. I am not going to jump on that bandwagon. Until something breaks one way or the other I will take my $25 and contribute that to 2 boxes of shotgun shells for myself.

[Wildfowler]

Dkman, I've been trying to research this topic myself. Perhaps you could help me to understand some of the details that I have found. Based on some of what you have said, I must not be reading and understanding my information correctly.

Please follow this link to the US fish and wildlife service division of Federal aid, apportionment information page. http://fa.r9.fws.gov/apport/apport.html

From there, please look at the SRF final apportionment and the WR final apportionment reports. Don't these reports show me the actual dollars that were given by the Federal government to the various states for year 2001 for wildlife restoration? And does this report account for all of the government money that's available in various wildlife government programs out there today? Because I see an apportionment of at least 167.7 million dollars, that was "allotted" to all the states. Possibly as much as 240 million.

I've also been looking at the DU annual report for the same year.

http://www.ducks.org/about/annual_report_2001_1.pdf


Please look down on page 2 of this link. There is an amount of 41.2 million dollars listed as federal and state habitat reimbursements documented here under the revenue section of their report. This same report further down, shows me that this total only makes up 24 percent of DU's total revenues. You said earlier in this topic that DU membership contributions are nothing compared to the government contracts that DU lobbied so hard for. If you add up the member's contributions, the sponsors contributions, and the major conservation gifts (the really big donations) I see that totals 45 million, which is more that the total revenue that DU received from the government.

So based on the information that I have researched. On a national level, DU is not controlling all of the government money. Nor do they receive the bulk of their funding from the government. So why is it that DU would choose to single Mississippi out? MS does not even receive the bulk of the federal funding. MS just gets an average amount, just like most of the rest of the states receive. If DU were "just in it for the money" as some claim. Why would they focus on a state that generates an average amount of revenue? Why would DU want to "keep down" these local MS groups? If DU is indeed strictly in it for the money, then they need to figure out how to secure more of the government funding. That's where the big money is. And not worry about trying to strangle some local group from MS out of a few bucks.

Please explain your argument to me in a way that I can easily understand. I don't think DU treats MS any different that they treat other states. So I'm basing my opinions on the fact that DU clearly does not receive the bulk of their revenue from the Federal gov't, and based on the fact that DU clearly does not receive the bulk of the federal money. Please show me that I am wrong here. Does your local group publish it's financial report? Can you send provide a copy of it? I would like to see the revenues in detail rather than merely relying on your opinions.

Please know that this is only my opinion. I have always had the opinion that DU is not doing a bad job. Now, for the first time, I am trying to validate my opinion with facts. I may be wrong and missing the mark here. If I am wrong, I will gladly admit that I am wrong. I just don't think that people who claim to support ducks, should go around saying that DU is a bad thing. Even id DU wasted half of their money, the other half still goes toward the ducks. Doesn't it? According to DU, 87 % of their money goes toward the ducks. And I don't think that's half bad. Do you?

Thanks.

[sportsman450]

Thank you Dutch Dog,that TV show was another prime example of D.U. waste.Even if the hunts were donated,and Jamison Parker's time was free,the remaining expense (film crew,transportation,ect.) had to be substantial.Remember that all you volunteers.Your work paid ror a hunt at a place you'll probably never go to yourself.I'm sure Parker and his replacemnt enjoyed it.

As far as their offices are concerned.Any extravagance is too much!!!!!!!

[Wildfowler]

Sportsman, where do you think DU would be without these "higher ups"? Do you really think that volunteers have the time to run such a large organization. How much time, money, and effort does it take to put together one DU project?

I could not imagine relying on unpaid "volunteers" to manage 175 million dollars in annual revenues effectively. I just don't think it could be done.

DU has grown to such size that it is not unlike any other large corporation in America. They have to attract and keep solid, visionary leadership. Visionary leadership is what built this great country that we live in. Please tell me where the excess lies. The DU annual report shows that only 3 percent of DU revenues go to administration and human resources. I haven't researched any other large corporations for a similar comparison. I would be willing to bet that DU is running a very lean operation if they are only spending 3 percent on their employees.

I am quite certain that other businesses spend much more than 3 percent on their employees. I'll bet we could ask some of the business owners around here, what percentage they spend for a comparison.

Please show me the DU excesses. I don't buy it.

[sportsman450]

Wildfowler-you hit the nail right on the head.D.U. has grown into a corperate business instead of a charity with ducks as the beneficiaries.
And yes the beuracracy has taken over.Existing mainly to support itself.
Talented executives,and I wish D.U. would find some, can donate their time just like anyone else.

Buy the way,do you work for D.U. in any capacity?

[mississippi_duc_htr]

I said almost the same thing last year on this board and a couple of others about D U being just another corporate entity and got my _ss hammered for it. They dont care about the hunter which is what got D U started in the first place all they now care about is the money that they can raise and control and image. I didnt know all that that dkman knew but I did know that they were fence walkers . This they proved @ the past several flyways counsil meetings. They wont take a stand on anything that has to do with season or limits or hunting. The reason for this is they dont want too piss anybody off in ANY areas of the country and hurt their membership which means money too them also. From what life has taught me in 40 years is that where their are large sums of money concerned their usally is some person or group of people involved that are getting rich from it.Take for instance all the money that was raised from the Sept 11 th attack last year. Think of all the millions that were raised from fund raisers across the country . Then you hear that people that lost loved ones couldnt get access to the money that was raised for them to help out their families. Think about all the Sunday morning preachers on tv that were taking in millions in the name of God and eventually got busted for all the things they were using the money for. If memory serves me correct it wasnt for contributing it to charity except for themselves. I wonder when was the last time DU got a tax audit or are they a tax free based org.HMMMMMM let me guess

If you think DU spends your money like it is suppose too then by all means send it in too them. If you dont then dont send it in. The choice is up too the individual. The way they spend your money is up to them!

[sportsman450]

Thanks mississippi !
Hopefully this will be my last reply on this topic.I think I only have one more thing to say.
As long as D.U. has a group of brainwashed people who get off on the titles they get,they will be able to keep on conning the average Joe into collecting the money and singing their praises for them!!!!!!!!

[Wildfowler]

You know, I never met any other duck hunters who had such hatred toward Ducks Unlimited until I got internet access. The people that I have always associated with, we all shared a common bond. A love for ducks and duck hunting. And DU restores duck habitat. What's wrong with that? And if DU is doing such a bad job at it, how would you do it better?

Sportsman, you have still not answered my questions, yet you continue to rant and rave about the evil "big business" conglomerate known as ducks unlimited. What are some examples of whatever the heck your point is? Please, I really want to understand your perspective.

Where does all this negativity come from? Did you have a bad personal experience with DU? I did have a bad experience, yet I choose to continue to support DU. Because I think it's important to support ducks. As it stands right now at 7:30 PM on October 13, 2001, I still know of no other choices besides DU and DW, with whom I can donate money to a group that I feel has my best interest at heart.

When I was in college, I was on a DU committee. It became apparent that the major object of this committee was: sell, sell, sell. Unfortunately, I am not a salesman. I hated this environment, because I was actually made to feel like I was not contributing to the cause. Yet I stuck with it and completed what I had begun because I am not a quitter. Then made the conscience effort not to get myself into that position again. Yet in no way, did I hold DU responsible for my personal experience.

DU has 750,000 members. I thought that most of them were just like you and me. We all love ducks. If DU is in it just for the money, what exactly do you mean by that statement? Doesn't that really mean that DU is just in for the money, so they can get more money to continue conserving duck habitat or doing whatever it is that DU does for it's existence. Honestly, that doesn't sound all bad to me.

And so far, no one has been able to tell me what exactly DU does. Or doesn't do. Or tell me specifically what you don't like about DU. All I've heard is how bad DU is for being in it just for the money. All I've heard is how much they pay their executives and how many perks they get. All I've heard is how wasteful they are. And how they are controlling government moneys for their own personal gains. I see no evil in this because they are still using all this evil money to conserve waterfowl habitat. Aren't they?

Please show me how you have come to these conclusions about DU. If I am wrong for wanting to support DU. If I am wrong for thinking that duck hunters who show such negativity toward DU should have their heads examined. Please explain this to me. I really don't want to be on the wrong side of this issue.

Thank you.

[sportsman450]

I have given my specifics;you've chosen to ignore them.
Once again,the money they waste on their offices in Memphis(unnessary luxury),the money they waste on executives(a volunteer organization should be just that) is enough for me.
I don't know anything about government business and I don't care,but there has to be a better way.
And,you said it yourself,they badger their volunteers into that sell sell sell attitude.
And yes a was one of their lackeys,and it was one of the worst experiences I've ever had.
I'm not going to work free to pay another man's salary,and that's just what their volunteers do.

[Wildfowler]

Sorry Sportsman, I didn't see that last question.

No, I do not work for DU. In fact, I don't even have a DU decal on my vehicle. Mainly because I don't like bumper stickers. I do have a DW tag on my front bumper.

I am a regular working "stiff", just like the rest of us. I do not come from the upper echelon of society. I do not have family land. I do not have family money. I'm just some grunt worker who doesn't get paid enough, I Spend every dime that I make every month just existing. And I am frantically trying to figure out how to work harder and make sacrifices in life so that I can make a better living for myself so that I may continue to enjoy and pursue my one true passion in life. Duck hunting. Rather than complaining. I'm trying to do something about it. And I pray to God often, that he will continue to bless me with the opportunity to continue to duck hunt. And to share it with others.

[Wildfowler]

Now wait a minute Sportsman, you haven't given me a single specific fact. How much did all that cost up in Memphis? Why do you consider it excessive. The DU annual report shows that they have 13.5 million tied up in Land, buildings, and equipment for year 2002. This total is the Memphis office, the western regional office, and the Bismarck office.

DU brings in 175 million dollars each year. The assets you are complaining about constitute less than 8 percent of the total revenues. The salaries are reported at 3 percent of the total revenues.

As best as I can tell, DU is spending 11 percent on their employees and all the "perks" associated with having an extravagant work environment. I'm not running my own business, so I don't know for sure, but that sounds pretty cheap to me. Please EXPLAIN to me, how this is excessive. You keep making these broad statements, yet have no factual basis. What am I missing here. Do I need to have my head examined? If I am not reading these reports correctly, please explain to me, where I am mistaken.

Or if I am just picking and choosing my info to suit my case, please point a specific example to the contrary to me.

Thanks.

[sportsman450]

Wildfowler-We actually have a friend in common.Mallardchaser is a good friend of mine.
It is people just like us that D.U takes advantage of,and if you can't tell-it really pisses me off.
I would normally not have written near this much,but I'm laid up with a bad ankle,and I'm bored as hell.Plus, this is my first computer,and I'm having fun playing with it.

[Wildfowler]

I'm with you Sportsman. I have no intention of ever serving on another DU committee. I just don't fit that mold. But I don't hate them for it.

I'll give you another one Sportsman. Last year, I was anti-DU. I became this way from blindly following what other people say about one organization or another. I never took the time to try to form my own opinion. I just believed that other duck hunters truly had my best interests at heart.

Well let me tell you something. I was wrong. I refuse to ever fall victim to that type "blind sheep" mentality again. All I'm trying to here, is learn for myself and form my own opinion.

Please tell me why DU is such a bad organization. Don't just tell me it's because of excessive corporate waste. I already know you think that, but please tell me why you think that way. Where exactly is all this corporate waste occurring? I really don't see it. I'm slow to learn, and I still don't see it. How much money did they spend on that TV show anyway?

For nearly two years now, more and more people seem to be jumping on this anti-DU bandwagon. And one day I woke up, and started asking why. And I've yet to come up with an answer.

I really want to do the right thing. I really want to do what is best for the ducks. I really want to donate my hard earned money to groups that have my best interest at heart. So please explain your position to me. I just want to see the error in my logic here.

Let me ask you this question. If DU wasted half of their annual revenues, and spent the other half on conserving waterfowl habitat. That's 87.5 million dollars spent on the ducks. Isn't that a good thing? Please answer the question. I can't even conceptualize just how much land can be controlled with that amount of money each year. But I'll bet it's a staggering amount.

If DU spends any portion of their revenues on conserving waterfowl habitat. That has got to be a good thing.

One last question. If you were running DU, how would you spend the money?

Please know, that I do not have any personal agenda here other than supporting the ducks that I love to hunt. I'm not picking on you or Dkman. I don't have anything against anyone is anti-DU. I just don't understand that attitude and don't agree with it. I am just trying to get someone to clearly explain this opinion to me.

Thanks.

[sportsman450]

Wildfowler-if you haven't seen the offices in Memphis,go look at them .If you don't think the same work could be done in much less lavish settings,perhaps you are missing my point.
If you have seen them,I don't see how you could argue.
If you feel that they should spend that much on human comfort,we just disagree.