TBF growing rapidly across the country

[blakstr1]

http://www.flwoutdoors.com/article.cfm?id=144121

the latest BassFan article...

[djkimmel]

Good article. Sounds like a good foundation is being laid to have two strong, national federation groups. I expect a fair amount of crossover membership between the two (I may be one of them).

I agree with the sentiment in the article that the federations will control their own destiny much better and have an actual vote in direction in the TBF since we are all shareholders of TBF. Just one of many reasons I will be putting much more energy into TBF now.

Very good start with great potential. I figure we'll have a much better idea about what next here in Michigan after this weekend.

[Revtro]

It's interesting that some states voted overwhelmingly to go with TBF, yet here in Michigan, the vote was closer and went BASS's way.  I wonder what the most influential factor was?

[cwinsiii]

From what I saw it was lack of good information.

[djkimmel]

Some members said it was too late to change this year. Some are just ultra-loyal to BASS no matter what. Some seemed to vote against Wal-Mart, Ranger, FLW, Irwin Jacobs, etc. Some said there are other companies we can get sponsorship from if voting for BASS causes us to lose sponsorship. I hope they're right.

Overall, I thought many did not really consider the loyalty of our existing sponsors and the important role they have played for years to our viability and success. I thought many really weren't thinking what was best for the federation, but for other reasons like those listed above, and others. Many people knew the information that was available, but voted for the other reasons anyway.

Doesn't really matter like we've said now that the vote is over. This is just some of the things I heard at the various meetings and fishing shows. Change is always hard for many people.

[yukonjack2]

sounds a little too much like the Cart vs. IRL thing?

DQ KVD their number one guy, and alton Jones for practice violations?  sliding down that slippery slope it sounds like to me.

MI will see over a time period what is best for the federation, just a little slower growing pains due to sponsorship issues I would guess.

Next year aught to be interesting.

[djkimmel]

Next year probably will be interesting... but so will this year too.

No matter what, I don't want to see the Mi BASS fed nation going into utter chaos. They have a large scholarship fund that needs to be kept stable and useful among other assets. That's why I may stay a member if I can just to keep putting in my two cents worth regardless of who is eventually left to listen. It's been a concern all along with the membership having already slid to 50% of what it was a few years ago.