Southeastern Director Nominee Michael Beran

[michaelberan]

So now that I'm officially on the web site (meaning my nomination made it there in time), I'm interested in knowing how many active NAFEX members are in the Southeastern area and will actually be voting this time?

[FredFogg]

Me!

[michaelberan]

Me!

I would have figured no less!

[doggoneit]

me

[laj]

I will.

[michaelberan]

I guess I will start with a little about me then, but what do people really want to know about a person?

That I consider myself of high moral standards, always thinking to act in a way that keeps me beyond reproach?

That I'm a Scoutmaster for BSA Troop 205, just a small way to ensure our boys grow up with solid principles?

That I quit a 6 figure job in the corporate world to start my own Nuisance Wildlife Control business, so I could work with animals?

I don't know, what do you want to know?

[Joby]

Michael,
What did you do in the corporate world? Financial/business savvy is something that I think would benefit NAFA well.
-Joe

[Byron]

I will vote

Byron

[michaelberan]

Michael,
What did you do in the corporate world? Financial/business savvy is something that I think would benefit NAFA well.
-Joe

Good question Joe,

In the mid 90's I was a Sales Manager for several cellular companies, back when we had one cell tower in the whole town and 15 lb cell phones. When cellular companies switched from outside sales force to inside sales showrooms I got out of cellular.

I did a short stint as a Sales Manager in the uniform industry before moving over to construction materials.

In 2003 I was made an offer I could not refuse with a construction company and served as the Vice President until 2010, it was a medium sized company 6-10 million a year so I was the Estimator, Project Manager, Sales Manager, Human Resource Manager and Vice President (Golden Gopher)

My first year on my own, just me, no employees I made $20,000.00 in profit.

[longbow]

And how do you intend to help NAFA ?

[michaelberan]

And how do you intend to help NAFA ?

I was sitting in the hotel meeting room in Garden City, Kansas in 2004 at the NAFA meet, there was a lot of moaning and groaning, and just plain down right pissy bitching going on about "NAFA" when Kent Carnie, blue in the face, jumped up and said,"NAFA?, NAFA? ...... you are NAFA!" That has stuck with me since then, it's not really NAFA I need to help, it's you, how can I help you "NAFA" better?

[Razorback]

I am voting.

[echotadog]

I to will be voting . What is your Strategy / Mission statement to Help organize and represent the falconers in Each state , especially those states without Falconry groups , clubs or Organizations ?

Do you intend on visiting each State's sponsored Meets and gatherings to keep the NAFA Members up to date for regional changes and to search for input on any changes ?

What kind of Stance or Relationship do you plan on developing with the Wildlife Resource Agent in charge of Falconry Licensure and Regulations in each State ?

Thanks for your Time and consideration in doing this here , It shows stones to put yourself out here and willingly answer questions .....

[Jimmy]

What kind of Stance or Relationship do you plan on developing with the Wildlife Resource Agent in charge of Falconry Licensure and Regulations in each State ?

Hopefully none! I'm sure I speak for most falconers in my state when I say that we don't want anyone that doesn't live here, to be trying to influence things that may affect us.

[Joby]

Good question Joe,

In the mid 90's I was a Sales Manager for several cellular companies, back when we had one cell tower in the whole town and 15 lb cell phones. When cellular companies switched from outside sales force to inside sales showrooms I got out of cellular.

I did a short stint as a Sales Manager in the uniform industry before moving over to construction materials.

In 2003 I was made an offer I could not refuse with a construction company and served as the Vice President until 2010, it was a medium sized company 6-10 million a year so I was the Estimator, Project Manager, Sales Manager, Human Resource Manager and Vice President (Golden Gopher)

My first year on my own, just me, no employees I made $20,000.00 in profit.

Sounds like you've got the background to run the whole d@mn thing Michael! Any thoughts of running for NAFA president next, I'd sure vote for you! Unfortunately I'm in Ohio, or you'd have my vote.

[michaelberan]

Any thoughts of running for NAFA president next, I'd sure vote for you!

I think I need to be older to be the NAFA President, they normally have a lot of grey hair.

[michaelberan]

What is your Strategy / Mission statement to Help organize and represent the falconers in Each state , especially those states without Falconry groups , clubs or Organizations ?
My goal is to meet with these groups and ensure there is smooth continuity for the ratification of the regulations that will ensure Falconry stays legal in each of the states, mind you that you are NAFA and each state will have to pull together to make this happen.

Do you intend on visiting each State's sponsored Meets and gatherings to keep the NAFA Members up to date for regional changes and to search for input on any changes ?
I don't want to make a campaign promise that I don't know I can keep BUT, personally, I would like to visit each of the states I will be representing to talk with Falconers face to face.

What kind of Stance or Relationship do you plan on developing with the Wildlife Resource Agent in charge of Falconry License and Regulations in each State ?
As a resource only, each state will have to develop a relationship with these agencies for long term survival, in Louisiana we have had a difficult time but things are now moving forward, this thing does not need to be reinvented, it can be slid into place with very little "work"

[michaelberan]

It shows stones to put yourself out here and willingly answer questions .....

Just temper reading this thread with the, "You don't know what you don't know until you actually take the seat", too many times people running for office write checks with their mouth that their hiney's can't cash!

[echotadog]

[wyodjm]

Just temper reading this thread with the, "You don't know what you don't know until you actually take the seat", too many times people running for office write checks with their mouth that their hiney's can't cash!

Yes, that’s true. But keep in mind also Michael that we're talking about an organization with perhaps 1300 members. You’re not running for Congress and you’re not going to be offered a corporate jet to conduct official duties. You’ll be a volunteer working for an organization with an overall apathetic membership. There’ll be very little thanks when things go right and it will be your fault when things don’t go right. It will also take you about a year for you to get up to speed on the issues and for you to get a read on the small power clusters within the organization.

With that being said, hats off to you. Thanks for wanting to get involved. Here’s to you succeeding.

All my best,

[michaelberan]

With that being said, hats off to you. Thanks for wanting to get involved. Here’s to you succeeding.
All my best,

Thanks Dan,

There will a curve to learn but there is now more transparency in the organization, I've been to the NAFA business meetings over the past 9 years during the meets (I'm a meet junkie), I think it is easier now for newbies than it has ever been in the past.

[rri32701]

I'll be voting

[Lowachi]

I'll be voting

Glad to see ya throw yer hat in the ring! And yes I heard Kent then too! Newbies take awhile ta get settled in. I Hope yiu accomplish your desires and stick with it long enough ta do it.

ATB
Rich

[ericedw]

I think it is easier now for newbies than it has ever been in the past.

MUCH MUCH easier, things are running so much smoother now and NAFA is overall in a good place, in my opinion.

Within a few months of me taking office 4 years ago our agendas were up to 20 items (most of them nonsense) and we came out of those meetings bruised and bloody but right now there is a great group of directors that are working together for the members.

Read through and understand the Constitution and Bylaws as well as the policies and proceedures manual (that's a fun read) and you'll certainly be ahead of the learning curve.

And good luck in the election.

[Saluqi]

We're going to have a new director orientation at the meets starting this year. That's where you learn the secret handshake and are given the number to the bat phone.

[jondarp]

MUCH MUCH easier, things are running so much smoother now and NAFA is overall in a good place, in my opinion.

Within a few months of me taking office 4 years ago our agendas were up to 20 items (most of them nonsense) and we came out of those meetings bruised and bloody but right now there is a great group of directors that are working together for the members.

Read through and understand the Constitution and Bylaws as well as the policies and proceedures manual (that's a fun read) and you'll certainly be ahead of the learning curve.

And good luck in the election.

I'd agree that NAFA is indeed overall in a good place thanks in no small part to the efforts of people like Eric Edwards and other NAFA directors who are not afraid to get involved, speak their minds and make an concerted effort to affect some meaningful changes to the organization.

Regards,

[Lowachi]

I'd agree that NAFA is indeed overall in a good place thanks in no small part to the efforts of people like Eric Edwards and other NAFA directors who are not afraid to get involved, speak their minds and make an concerted effort to affect some meaningful changes to the organization.

Regards,

thanks to all for their efforts in my/our behalf. I appreciate it!!!!!

[michaelberan]

I've had several requests about what I've done as in Falconry.

I was raised in the swamps of Louisiana around Catahoula Lake in central Louisiana, a child of the 70's I always had a bird of some sort around, in 1973 I rescued a crow and free flew it around the house, in 1975 I rescued a young Red Shoulder Hawk and flew it for three years, never jessed it, never caged it just hunted craw-fish and frogs with it, for all accounts it was a free bird, but when I called it down with a leopard frog (it's favorite) it would come right away.

2003 I received my Falconry permit, I didn't know about NAFA that year, flew a RT "tweener", 2004 was my first NAFA meet in Garden City, KS (have attended everyone since then), released 1st RT, trapped and flew another RT, then a CB HH, in 2006 I traveled to AZ, Tuscon and trapped a passage HH, in 2009 I trapped another passage HH. 2009 was the year I imprinted a male Saker Falcon for an abatement job I was doing, turned out a perfect imprint, flying puppy dog and not a peep. 2010 I imprinted an EEO to hunt Jackrabbits with but the Film industry side tracked me, we have done a few films and a few commercials, currently I am imprinting two Saker Falcons, a brother/sister combo to fly this fall.

I'm active with the Texas Hawking Association, I teach an apprentice work shop for the summer picnic and I've done apprentice workshops during the winter meets.

I've hunted most of the central states and enjoy gang hawking HH's with other Falconers, I enjoy the company of other Falconers and really love the different meets I've attended.

[michaelberan]

Interesting personal story:

I'm securing funds for a large project coming up and I'm seeking the money from the private sector, one of the possible sources paid to have me take a personality test, very complex test, over 300 questions.

The results came in the mail Saturday.

Does anyone what to hear the results of this test?

[Tony James]

Interesting personal story:

I'm securing funds for a large project coming up and I'm seeking the money from the private sector, one of the possible sources paid to have me take a personality test, very complex test, over 300 questions.

The results came in the mail Saturday.

Does anyone what to hear the results of this test?

Given that most falconers are slightly unhinged, I'd love to know

[michaelberan]

OK Tony you asked for it!

And I know this is "putting it out there" but I am who I am and thats what I am, wouldn't you like to know who your voting for ..... for a change?

It says I'm and "I/D" personality : Influence/Dominance, Interest in People/Directness, Witty/Task Oriented, Easy Going/Decisive, Outgoing/Organized

"I/D's" are persuaders who are outgoing and energetic. They enjoy large groups and use their power of influence to attain respect and convince people to fallow their lead. Sometimes they can be viewed as figity and nervous, BUT it comes from their need to be a part of challenges that have verity, freedom and mobility. "I/D's" could benefit from looking before they leap and spending more time being studious and still. They make inspiring leaders and know how to get results from and through people.

"Now the nitty gritty"
Opportunities for Personal Growth:

If you are an "I/D"
A. Weigh the pros and cons before making a decision; be less impulsive
B. Remember to help with tasks more
C. Exercise control over your actions, words and emotions
D. Focus more on details and facts
E. Remember to slow down your pace for other people
F. Talk less; listen more

Having a sales background I've taken several of these over the years and they have always been very accurate AND I'm always exploring opportunities for personal growth.

[Tony James]

Opportunities for Personal Growth:

A. Weigh the pros and cons before making a decision; be less impulsive
B. Remember to help with tasks more
C. Exercise control over your actions, words and emotions
D. Focus more on details and facts
E. Remember to slow down your pace for other people
F. Talk less; listen more

I can only imagine, if you take that advice, you could be a real asset to NAFA

Best of luck,

Tony.

[Tony James]

I've had several requests about what I've done as in Falconry.

Hi Michael,

I keep thinking about this, as I remember some of the most inspirational and valuable 'workers' in the various falconry clubs and associations I've had contact with.

Strangely, but perhaps unsurprisingly, there seems to be no connection between a falconer's experience or ability in the field, and their ability to provide valuable service to the members.

Sure, some of those members use any perceived inadequacy in falconry terms as a stick with which to beat you, and for sure it's nice to have a record that prevents them doing so, but in truth some of the finest defenders of falconry, and some of the most useful and committed 'club men' I've known, have not always been the best falconers.

I'm assuming the post of director calls for an understanding of 'direction' and good policy, commitment and a host of skills that may be used for the benefit of others, and yet the first thing we all want to know of anyone standing for election is, "What are your falconry credentials"?

Sorry, just thinking out loud.

Best wishes,

Tony.

[frootdog]

Strangely, but perhaps unsurprisingly, there seems to be no connection between a falconer's experience or ability in the field, and their ability to provide valuable service to the members.

This may be true, but I want gamehawkers running my club, not petkeepers or rehabbers. THA members recently elected a rehabber as a director and his first directors report was a pathetic paragraph. You reap what you sow.

[echotadog]

This may be true, but I want gamehawkers running my club, not petkeepers or rehabbers. THA members recently elected a rehabber as a director and his first directors report was a pathetic paragraph. You reap what you sow.