posted by Hamza on Jul 26

“I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act, but I do believe in a fate that falls on men unless they act.” -G.K. Chesterton

Our CFA Annual Meeting had some wonderful moments that point to the possibilities of our future. The passing of the first proposition resulted in an electric atmosphere. The overwhelming vote demanding disclosure and financial accountability proved that when we work together we can do anything. I cannot imagine a vote like that 10 years ago?

When there was an attempt at reversing the board’s prior decision to give consideration to a “special” group, the constituency said NO! We demanded fairness. The message was clear: the consideration you give to one club, you must give to all clubs. I was so proud of our constituency at that moment for they demanded sharing the responsibility for making decisions which may not serve a greater good for all.

This blog is really about our shared responsibility in ensuring a sound future for CFA.

Shared responsibility comes in many forms: from the gratitude each of us owes to the hard work of breeders who have come before us and the bloodlines our cats represent; to the relationship that the leadership of this organization has with its member clubs; to the relationship that the leadership has developed with its sponsors; and to the relationship we develop with sponsors who support us as breeders.

In these trying economic times, we can see the impact on clubs and show counts. It is important that we help out our clubs when we can. There are many way to help out, it can be large or small. We can send an entry or send items for the raffle table, or send a small donation if we do not have an entry to support the club.

The fiscal trouble we face is mounting. We have lost almost $500,000.00 with our current leadership. Royal Canin has removed its sponsorship for Meet the Breeds, thereby changing the forecast for the event’s profitability. At present, CFA’s ability to survive in its current state, without corporate sponsorship, is in jeopardy.

As I have said in previous posts, it is time for us to stand up and take responsibility for saving our hobby. I have always believed that the real power in CFA lies with US, the people who show and register cats. I am not comfortable that we are not self-sufficient as an organization. Are you? If I am elected President of this organization, CFA will become a self-sufficient and financially sound organization. I do believe that outside funding should be the icing on the cake and not a critical source of funding.

When we view our sponsors as true partners, we change the relationship that we develop with them, and change the way we work with them. When it comes to our sponsors, WE MUST BE SUPPORTIVE. If you cannot support our sponsors, please use discretion. We must understand that our sponsors expect a solid return on their investments, or ROI.

ROI is directly or indirectly tied to money a corporation spends in sponsorship dollars. When it comes to our CFA sponsors, the return on their investments are expected to come back to the sponsoring organization in the form of good, corporate citizenship, which results in increased sales and profits for the sponsoring organization.

Lisa and I have incorporated CFA sponsors into our own catteries. For example, we feed the Royal Canin Kitten brand and Iams Multicat brand. We also use Doc Elsey’s Cat Litter.

I understand that the products we use for our cats are a personal decision. We are all product sensitive. However, examine your own personal situation and see which CFA sponsors you are comfortable incorporating into your catteries. More importantly, be vocal and supportive about what products you like and work well for your business and be very discreet on what products you don’t.

To the new board members, I hope you heard and understood your mandate. Your responsibility is to everyone in the fancy, not to a select group. It is your charge to stand up to the leadership in the name of fairness and fiscal solvency. Your responsibility is to view our sponsors as true partners and help insure their ROI. And for each of us, our responsibility comes in making our voices heard and taking action when called upon.

I am excited about the possibilities. I have always believed that together, we can aspire to great things. I know that if we work with each other, CFA’s best days lie ahead of us and not behind us. We will be a fancy of inclusion, not exclusion. We will be a fancy of fairness, without haves and have nots. Our destiny is limitless, if we so choose.

We must work together with a sense of shared responsibility, with due diligence and with selflessness for a greater good and better tomorrow.

Warmest regards,
Jerry