Although I summarised my view in my short post early in the thread, I have a further suggestion, based on the sensible logic of Derek's post, which advocated the initial formation of State-based groups that might contribute to a national group by way of providing representatives.
As a suggestion as to how we might move forward, how about a large open NSW forum (meeting) to discuss how NSW might go - whether to adopt the strategy of developing a 'NSWRKA' vs further development of a national body (NRKA) with individual membership? The other states could concurrently do same. Concerns have been expressed in this thread about current NRKA office-bearers possibly being non-representative - and indeed, that commercial self-interest may be a driver for some. Why not get all sufficiently interested parties together to discuss this, and certainly to put forward alternative leaders? The truth is that it may be hard to find people prepared to do the work - which is thankless and risks inevitable Internet criticism. I personally think we would be extremely lucky to get people of the calibre of Jamie, who are capable of and prepared to do the long yards required. To put one or two minds at ease, I am not personally an office holder for NRKA nor any other herp group, and won't accept any such position in the forseeable future.
As a suggestion to achieving above, how about forming a 'startup committee', perhaps in the first instance comprised of existing office holders of the NSW herp societies; two or three (or more?) contributors to the current APS discussion who feel strongly enough about the need for ensuring a more transparent system to put their hands up, plus the two or three NRKA office holders (I think the committee is currently Jamie, Anthony Stimson and Peter Johnson?). This loose 'committee' could work towards the organising and conducting of an open forum - perhaps at one of the RSL clubs or equivalent in Sydney - or maybe at one of the earlier expos this year, where a future direction can be found in a more democratic fashion. This of course will mean that in the next few weeks 'someone' will have to do a fair bit of organisational work - which of course is where democratic progressions can falter. But perhaps if a time limit is established - e.g. if no such forum is organised within a reasonable period (say, well planned by mid-January?), then the existing NRKA committee or one of the herp societies might consider stepping up to the plate to organise such a forum. But even if the forum/meeting is organised by NRKA or a herp group, the open meeting that is being called for will allow a fully democratic approach to mapping a way forward towards the devopment of a truly representative body.
I would expect that a number of talented people from interstate herp groups, herp magazine publishers, breeders and the like could also be coaxed to attend, and would add considerable value to trying to put something together that can build eventually to a nation-wide industry-representative voice. People like Simon Stone (SA), John Deutcher (Vic) and Troy Kuligowski (Qld) are names that come to mind.
How does all of this sound as a rough idea? I thought about it overnight, and don't see any other practical way of meeting the reasonable criticisms that have been presented in the current discussion thread. This way, everyone gets to have a say in the development of a representative body, and at the same time, as Jamie said, anyone not interested in participating, need not participate. Its an attempt to find a way forward, where either the existing progress of NRKA might benefit from a more democratic foundation, or a better way of forming a representative reptile-keeping body is determined and developed?
John
Derek's post:
It should represent itself as the peak national body representing reptile keepers and deal with issues at a national level.
It should have state and territory based affiliates, not members. Individual affiliates should be affiliates by virtue of their membership of an affilliated club/association/society (see below).
It should be composed of an executive committee including a president, secretary, treasurer, state/territory delegates and special purpose office holders as required.
There should be similarly composed state/territory associations (for simplicity NSWRKA, VRKA, WARKA, etc) that should be affiliates of, and elect delegates to, ARKA.
These state/territory associations should represent themselves as the peak state bodies representing reptile keepers and therefore deal with issues at a state/territory level. (IMO, state-level associations are necessary because much of the law governing reptile keeping is state law, not federal law.)
Individual herpetological and reptile keeping clubs/associations/societies would choose to affiliate with the state RKAs and members of affilliated clubs would pay an affiliation levy to the state RKA (through their club) to cover admin costs and establish whatever 'fighting funds' are required.
Affiliated clubs/associations/societies would elect delegates to their state associations.
stuffs up - we're all going to wear it NO MATTER WHAT! The RSPCA and PUBLIC OPINION will just knock whatever twig you attempt to wave at them and you'll be left scratching your heads and wondering where it all went wrong!
