Hi all
This is my last post offering an overview of what a national body might look like. With this one - as for the last few, please note that what I am proposing would or should impinge on the activities of the state and territory associations. A national body would be a close ally to and supporter of state based associations. So if you see what appears to be duplication in what I am laying out - don't worry about that as this is purely draft, or conceptual at this stage.Now, about:
Use of the media
- A national body would be in an ideal position to form a link with media outlets to become an organisation that they go to, for opinion on relevant issues in the press. Media (radio, TV and newspapers) like to have good ‘talent’ on tap who they can call. By representing a national body, our spokespersons would be seen by the media as having expertise and authority to speak. They would automatically contact that person as issues arise. I am not sure that any such person or organisation has this role at present.
- Provide a first point of contact for media inquiries into issues of our concern. IE we could speak to the media when a German backpacker is busted for trying to get a couple of shinglebacks out of Australia at Perth airport.
- Being a national body with PR reps in each state could mean that we could become a ‘one stop shop’ for the media. All PR reps would be briefed on our policy positions on the full gamut of ‘difficult’ issues.
- It would be excellent if we could then use direct media input, not only to correct the nonsense that often comes out at the moment, but also plug away at our central messages – i.e.:
* not all reptile keepers are crooks,
* most reptiles thrive in captivity,
* of all the vertebrates, reptiles (along with fish and frogs) are amongst those least likely to suffer from being in captivity - if housed correctly.
* reptiles are cheap and easy to house well, compared to cats, dogs, other mammals and birds.
* increasingly, many native animal species (including reptiles) are not necessarily safe in the wild,
* many of the wildlife control laws in this country are illogical and some even pose a threat to endangered reptiles,
* much of the illegal export of Australian reptiles is a result of illogical Federal
Government laws and policies
* Australia is missing out on valuable export dollars because of these illogical laws. Only the
poachers and traffickers are making money from reptile exports at the moment.
* the private sector is often more capable of caring for endangered species than Governments departments.
* Reptile keepers can have an important role in conservation of reptiles - if only they were permitted to.
* Approximately 60% of what we know about Australian reptiles has come from keepers and others in the private sector. Etc.
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Hi all
What a great discussion. Gavin and I want to thank you for your interest. He and I are both writing this post.
We are well aware of the procedures required to set up a formal association. So we agree totally with Bluetonge1 and Jackknife. But to “just do it” as Jamie says is a bit tricky for us at this place and time - but we will get there.
We are just two people teetering on the northern edge of the continent - well away from where you all are. But we have a plan - if you will bear with us.
Apart from putting ‘out there’ all of the concepts in a sort of draft overview (as Greg has been doing with his posts) we are setting up a web site to be the hub of attention for our group (whatever name it might have).
We can do this with donations coming Jamie and we two, as well as from a couple of keen supporters amongst your ranks. But mainly this will be possible due to a generous offer made by a professional web designer in Sydney – who is also on this forum.
This web site will carry all of the developmental material needed to go the next step to create the formal body. It is hoped that the web site will draw in key people from around the nation. It will also be the vehicle to disseminate the developments as they happen. This forum is good, as is FaceBook, but the web site will be much more specific to our aims and will be much more dense - in terms of the quality, variety and quantity of information that we can lay before you.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, and there is no ‘use by date’ on this task. So hang in there and stay with us – please!
Gavin and Greg
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Yikes - I just discovered this in my previous post.
"Please note that what I am proposing would or should impinge on the activities of the state and territory associations."
It should have read: "Please note that what I am proposing would not or should not impinge on the activities of the state and territory associations."
What a difference a word makes. Lucky no one reads these things! LOL.
