jackson area duck hunters/waterdog owners

[dukdawgn]

Sounds like you guys got everything going...

From what I've gathered between the workings of two clubs up here, you are definitely gonna need the following (at least) to get off the ground:

1) a clean charter-- self explanatory
2) membership-- also self explanatory
3) the club officers/hard workers

The main aspect is the folks who can produce for the club. Membership should be promoted to folks, even without dogs, b/c those kinda folks can give the time needed when others can't. You also need the kinda folks holding the reins, who can produce info at the drop of a hat. Spreadsheets and database info are great tools for gathering and storing info, are easy to transport and translate, and can be sent electronically to those who can't make meeting and such. The president should be able to keep up with higher levels of the organization, and provide the feedback relative to the club to its constituents. The president is working for the club, giving the options, advising on them, and then representing the clubs wishes. The Vice President is one of the hardest working individuals in the club. Usually assigned to being or aiding the hunt chairman/hunt secretary, and being an info person for the BOD and other membership. The Treasurer should be very good with handling funds that may be written out in stages, or all at one time. This brings out the importance of a constant knowledge of the account, whereabouts of checks, and legible paper to show for it. Again, timeliness is as key as correctness. The Secretary usually gets the job of maintaining communication lines that aren't face to face. Such things as readily available club rosters, listings of officers, and monthly newsletters will do wonders for providing info before its balled up and asked for at one time.

Just a few thoughts on what you might expect. Don't expect perfection. If you find a perfect club, get in the truck and leave! Don't join, cuz you'll only screw things up! hehehe... Don't be timid to ask the upper levels for advice and help, its what they are there for. Remember we have sponsors like Purina, Tritronics, Avery, and Mossy Oak. Any of these will be glad to help in what ways they can. Last, make good use of your neighboring clubs. When it comes time for ya'll to be able to put together a training day, or host a hunt test, and you don't have enuff goods, just ask of a another club. You will find a lot of help when you look in the right places.

[Drakeshead]

I have to admit, I do not know how to do spreadsheets or database stuff, but my wife does. She just received her associates in Accounting and had to take all that stuff. She even had to make an advertisement pamplett for one class and she did it on the Jackson Senators and made some power point stuff as well. Looked awesome! Gator is in college and he too might know how to do all that stuff as well.

As for getting the word out, our local channel 17 has announcements on it for free as long as it is a non-profit organization as well as a local AM radio station. The radio station will play the ad 10 times a day for two weeks free, just has to be a non-profit organization. I am not sure if this would qualify.

Putting the cart before the horse, superb.net web site hosting is a top notch hosting company and are very reasonably priced. For a set up fee of $35, web site domain name registration of $19 and then just $204 for the year you get 20 POP3 e-mail address 300Mb disk space and 10Mb of monthly traffic.

Just some more ideas/thoughts.

[Drakeshead]

My wife corrected me. It was not a pamplet, it was a brochure.

[chance]

I ran the last two West Mississippi hunts. One at Tara and one at a cattle ranch near Vicksburg. Both were good hunts. Hope you guys get it going. Will be happy to share our successes and failures.
Tom Weeks has been hard to reach at times. Keep trying. He may know where any equipment might be.

[Drakeshead]

Chance,

Mrs. Weeks yesterday said that there have been launchers purchased, but some belong to Dr. Weeks, some to Mr. Slaton and some belonging to the West Mississippi HRC. Will have to get all that sorted out. I think I have a catalog at the house from Dobbs Training Supply with spring loaded manual and remote launchers listed.

[dukdawgn]

don't worry too much about the computer skills, just so long as you can find someone who can keep up with stuff that way. You really only need one or two people who can rotate turns keeping up with that kinda stuff.

As far as the internet hosting, you'll never need that much capacity, nor that many emails, so no need to pay $200 more per year for it. A good priced company has domain names for $15/yr, all the MB's you want for $7/month, and all kinds of emails as well. This also includes unlimited traffic and transfer. You can go as far as to knock out a club website for $60/yr total, if you want too.

Am looking forward to seeing things get kicked back up down there....

[chance]

Don't fret equipment right now. Get your group together, be sure you got a base for club. A couple of meetings. We will be glad to come down and lend our "expertise". When you get ready to put on a hunt test, we can bring our equipment that you might need. Get you guys going without a big expense. Get a few bucks in the bank and then begin to build up equipment.
First real meeting would be a good time to get Bobby Williams there to say a few words concerning HRC. He be da man. Would not mind coming for a Saturday training day myself. Put the thing in motion before enthusiasm wanes. Once rolling, like a snowball, it will just keep getting bigger.

[gator]

thanks glen....gator

[Drakeshead]

Is this considered a non-profit organization? AmSouth bank has free checking if it is. Just was wondering.

[dukdawgn]

no, this is not considered a non-profit group, because we host events to raise monies for our own benefit. Is just a venue to spread cost of training equipment over a bunch of folks, rather than me having to do it myself. The actual aspect, is that the 'club' has equipment, that i helped buy, and can go use whenever i need.

[Max]

I might be interested in assisting, although I would like to see this become an AKC club. Before any of you jump me on this, let me explain my point. As someone interested in running both (UKC and AKC hunt tests), I can run a UKC HT just about every weekend during the HT season and not drive over 2-3 hours. However, to run AKC HT is another story. Bottomline, I believe we are saturated with HRC clubs and could benefit from a new AKC club. Regardless, I would be interested in starting a training group in the Vicksburg area. Send me an email and we can discuss details.

Cheers,

Randy

[Drakeshead]

Hi Randy,

First off let me be the first to welcome you to MSDucks.

Second, I think Gator was at first just looking for others to train with and then came up the idea of West Mississippi HRC getting formed back up. It is already a charter and no new expences would have to be used to get it started except what is owed. I am not too sure on all the details as I am new to all this HRC/AKC stuff, but I have seen many arguments stirred up on here about it.

If West Mississippi HRC does get going, as it looks like it will, this does not mean that an AKC club can't be started as well. I guess it wouldn't hurt, but as stated before, I am new to all of this.

Brad

[chance]

Drakeshead---it will be considered a not-for-profit organization. Could not be any other way.

[dukdawgn]

whoooops.....

guess I messed that one up....

did not realize it is a not-for-profit organization. score two points for glen....

[Bobby Williams]

Dr. Tom Weeks has been appointed assistent fielf rep. for region 5. I am sure he will do all within his power to get West Mississippi HRC going again. I will do whatever I can but right now my plate is rather full. Hope to be transporting wife to nursing home next few days then maybe get to bring her home. Future not looking really great but maybe better. Thanks for all of your prayers they really work.