Most "expensive" koi always win in Japan versus AKCA breeders choice?

[JasPR]

Spot on, Larry, spot on---

I'm off for the holiday, so let me wish everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. JR

[schildkoi]

I thought I had answered your email.

Quote: On another subject I don't recall getting a response from you when I emailed you on Nov. 9 about one of the topics I've been addressing here today. Maybe I'll do better here: ",how about prodding to have AKCA and the various clubs actually get involved in taking positions on local, state, and federal legislation that impacts the hobby? The recent SVC import restrictions were known about in the industry, but where was AKCA? As for the VHS Federal Order restricting interstate commerce of various other farm fish and importation from regions of Canada could expand and have a devastating impact on the domestic koi producers. I was formerly a member of the Sierra Club. They obviously take positions and educate members. For another show I do about billfishing there is a similar organizational arm called the Billfish Foundation that studies and takes positions on pending legislation and educates their membership. Maybe it is time for a similar outreach by AKCA? I'd be glad to write an editorial stating such. John Hawley

This is kind of off topic but since it came up........ I am simply the editor of the magazine. Of course if you write the article, I'll review it (as I do all articles) and if sound (which I am sure it would be) I will print it. I cannot speak for the AKCA as to taking political positions on legislation. This should be done through local club reps up to the AKCA.

Steve

[koicluboftheair]

I don't know what you mean as far as "This should be done through local club reps up to the AKCA"? Should local clubs ask AKCA to take positions or should local clubs just take positions? Then again what good would it do for an Arizona club to take a position on for instance the Federal Order re: Viral Hemmoragic Septicema restricting interstate transport of various species of fish from states around the Great Lakes if there is no framework of coordination within AKCA? Plus, such an effort could go against the local club's desires, which is why I suggest an AKCA consideration from the top down to identify specific issues of concern that could be coordinated with clubs throughout the country where local koi keepers could be inclined to address officials in their area and note "likewise this is the position of our national association." I'd like to convince someone this is a good idea other than domestic breeders I've spoken with. It appears there has never been a position taken by an AKCA club on legislation that can hurt the hobby. Will other states join Maine in making it illegal to own or possess koi?

thanks,
John

Quote: Originally Posted by schildkoi I thought I had answered your email. This is kind of off topic but since it came up........ I am simply the editor of the magazine. Of course if you write the article, I'll review it (as I do all articles) and if sound (which I am sure it would be) I will print it. I cannot speak for the AKCA as to taking political positions on legislation. This should be done through local club reps up to the AKCA. Steve

[schildkoi]

John, The AKCA is the ASSOCIATED Koi Clubs of America. It is the organization that ties together many INDEPENDENT clubs. If a club wishes for the AKCA to take up a position on legislation, then each club should "petition" the AKCA to do so through their local AKCA representatives. If enough clubs have the same desires, then the AKCA may elect to take a position on such.

Steve

[RayJordan]

Hi John,
Perhaps you should invite the AKCA board Chairman (Larry Leverett) on your show to discuss how AKCA operates. AKCA is a bottom up vs top down association. Each AKCA club has a AKCA club rep that acts as a local AKCA director. Clubs can make suggestions to the board vis their AKCA rep monthly prior to their board meetings. These club requests are discussed and then proposals are made and voted on by all the AKCA club reps. This is how programs like the AKCA Judging program, KHA program, Project KHV, etc. etc. have been created. AKCA is a association of koi clubs. AKCA tries to use the collective association to provide programs, assistance and guidelines to it's member clubs. It is not a governing body over the local clubs. Very, very, few bylaws are required of the member clubs who are free to organize their local organizations and run their local club events including koi shows as they wish.

I would second the suggestion to invite the head of the american chaper of Shinkokai (Joel Burkhard) on your show as well.

[RayJordan]

HI Steve,
Looks like we were posting at the same time.

Ray

[koicluboftheair]

Okay Steve,
I see your perspective, but does that prevent the AKCA board from taking positions regarding matters that can be of import to the hobby such as the Federal Order in leau of any position having been taken by a local club? The old expression of lead or get out of the way would seem appropriate. As with ASSOCIATED we in these United States have a Federal government along with state, and local governing bodies. Being associated does not preclude action by the larger body as the association leadership certainly does act on some things independent of the whole as with various projects, but maybe not.

Trying to change the culture of each club in an attempt to get them to take positions is certainly possible and I'll start including that in questions posed them each month in interviews, which is likely more easily accomplished by an outsider such as myself than a club member who would likely be met with “we have never done that,” or “we are not supposed to do that sort of thing.” Traditional wisdom is of course a fallacious argument in the study of logic.

thanks,
John

Quote: Originally Posted by schildkoi John, The AKCA is the ASSOCIATED Koi Clubs of America. It is the organization that ties together many INDEPENDENT clubs. If a club wishes for the AKCA to take up a position on legislation, then each club should "petition" the AKCA to do so through their local AKCA representatives. If enough clubs have the same desires, then the AKCA may elect to take a position on such. Steve

[schildkoi]

The AKCA board can be approached directly, but it still would take the agreement of the clubs to take any action and IMHO the board probably wouldn't take any action if they did not perceive a interest/consenses of the individual clubs.

Steve

[koicluboftheair]

Ray,
I will invite Larry to discuss the operation of AKCA. Joel wants free commercial time to speak with him on air, which strikes me as nonsensical. Maybe another approach would be to pursue establishment of another club that is devoted more so to discussing these sorts of issues I've mentioned and make recommendations directly to AKCA? Then again I've not encountered anyone here that would take the bait and sense any threat to the hobby whatsoever by legislative or rule making edict. Maybe I'll just enjoy the koi and if they go the way of the grass carp requiring exterpation by state and federal authorities as invasives I can take up prawn farming First of course I need to purchase really expensive koi so I can win a few grand champion awards after finishing them in my pond,...true koi kichi eh? )

Carry on!

John

Quote: Originally Posted by RayJordan Hi John, Perhaps you should invite the AKCA board Chairman (Larry Leverett) on your show to discuss how AKCA operates. AKCA is a bottom up vs top down association. Each AKCA club has a AKCA club rep that acts as a local AKCA director. Clubs can make suggestions to the board vis their AKCA rep monthly prior to their board meetings. These club requests are discussed and then proposals are made and voted on by all the AKCA club reps. This is how programs like the AKCA Judging program, KHA program, Project KHV, etc. etc. have been created. AKCA is a association of koi clubs. AKCA tries to use the collective association to provide programs, assistance and guidelines to it's member clubs. It is not a governing body over the local clubs. Very, very, few bylaws are required of the member clubs who are free to organize their local organizations and run their local club events including koi shows as they wish. I would second the suggestion to invite the head of the american chaper of Shinkokai (Joel Burkhard) on your show as well.