I think everyone expects some split - and it has already happened to some degree. I think the issue is will the split be large or small. It seemed early on that it would be fairly small.
As people read more, their thoughts and opinions evolve. Timing in when they read and comprehend various parts will play a big part in where the end up deciding they stand.
Obviously, some people are diehard BASS almost no matter what; and some are mad enough at BASS to leave no matter what. I think what should happen is members put aside their emotions enough to look at the benefits and future plans, and make the best business decision because our federations are businesses. They need to be run like a business to be viable and effective.
Change is always hard for many people. Always! But it keeps on happening anyway and we have to get around that somehow and look at it as clearly as possible.
Members can choose to just say ?we?ve been with BASS forever so we can?t even consider leaving? or they can say ?this isn?t the same BASS we started with and we don?t like the way they are doing things? so let?s leave ?em. Either of those thoughts don?t have a lot to do with
What is best for the future of the Michigan Bass Chapter Federation, Inc (this is apparently our registered corporate name I?m told)?
What we should be considering first should have to do with our success and viability as an organization (which does includes considering how many members may only make emotional decisions and will enough do this to cause us harm anyway i.e. splitting):
-Are our present state contracts valuable to us?
-Is there an opportunity to keep and even improve our existing state contractual relationships if we choose one path verses the other; and conversely could we lose or lessen them by choosing one path? Can we even legally choose to leave the contracts early?
-Can we afford to lose or lessen them?
-If our choice does that, is/are there an alternative choice(s) to replace them with equal or greater value?
-What activities might be harmed or lost depending on our choice?
-What activities might be gained or improved depending on our choice?
-Will a particular choice harm or help all clubs and the elected board, or just clubs, or just the board, or just some clubs/members?
These are the kinds of questions I?m trying to concentrate on as I think about this important decision to try to lessen my own fear of change and an uncertain future (and I don?t have that just by thinking about going to TBF/FLW because things have definitely changed at BASS/ESPN too and continue to change), all the ?what ifs? that come to mind when I think about what will happen to members, the federation and even myself if we stay, or if we go.
