Whoa, focus – Let’s bring it all in…

Lets get a network going –
John

Hey Folks,

I suppose a network is a beginning but I agree that a formal association would be the eventual goal. Not for the sake of having a formal organization, but for the effort to be enduring and ongoing beyond the efforts of this founding group. Yet the start doesn’t have to have that organizational burden from the onset but already exists as an exploratory group effort, storing the information and exchanges on Carl’s site as a start up.
The distinction between an exploratory group effort and an association will be defined by the collection of membership dues. At that point it will be an association with or without any government rules and regs. Again if having it as a part of an existing 501c3 as an umbrella organization it would be easier to get and keep up with funds that may be donated or collected from membership. We offer the support of Healing Harvest Forest Foundation in that capacity when the time comes to decide about that. At the same time we commit to contribute writings from our experiences from the onset. In fact there is much already written on the DAP site that could be useful information for interested members.

I second the motion of Scott being the moderator and chairman of the exploratory committee. Of course it would be better if he had faster internet service, but for text he can probably get allot of work done from that station nonetheless. If he types as slowly as most of us, it will work well.

So we start as a network, grow to be an association and ripen into the Animal Powered Logging Association of the World. (APLAW) (just a suggested name) I like it when names have hidden meaning or hidden in the obvious….

Do we want to refine our objectives next? The common sense expressed by Rick and others are appropriate terms for expressing the best efforts of this group. Will Scott be harnessed with the task of collecting these objectives in text and we all agree on them as the first page of our first information release?

Let me know what we can do next.

I will be out of town tomorrow doing a pre-event site inspection and organizing for the Southern Draft Animal Days event in Tennessee and will check back on this progress when we return. We will be glad to provide a free booth inclusion of this effort at this event if everyone agrees.

I also will be glad to contact Lynn Miller about gaining his support for this fledgling group too. We need the industry icons support in every way.

Good work folks, thanks for all of your sharing.

I remain in Warm Salute,

Jason Rutledge
Biological Woodsman
President, BOD
Healing Harvest Forest Foundation
http://healingharvestforestfoundation.org
540-651-6355

1. I agree with Rick go for it I think if we start slowy and build we will be better able to controll the content and quality!
2. Uinaversal horse logging association!
3.To develop some sort of state or reginal orginisation to help with training new and upcoming horse loggers Get more awareness to the general public find and permote new ways to use animal power to enhance our forest world wide!
4. more goverment help to land owners in the form of tax or cash payments to maintain there woodlots, help and encuagement in new tecnolagie to make our work safer and more proffitable, the workmens comp idea is great and more nettwoking! Tim / lancek

Let’s get it going –
– To promote positive impact forest management using draft animals and appropriate technology –
– We need a way to rate or insure performance and praise a job well done –
– Work-mans comp is a huge issue that should be addressed –
– a data base/ referral system to share with prospective clients –
– a place to advertise services,tools,and equipment –
– a net work to discuss ideas,successes and failures –
– mentoring or training –
Just some thoughts for now – still thinking on the name – John

Well I am still unsure about how to respond technically, so I am trying reply to this message that came from the secret forum.

This is good stuff folks, great work. I will add some comments in italics below.

Draft Animal Power – Sustainable Farming, Forestry and Living wrote:
> Hello,
>
> Carl Russell has just posted in the Draft Animal Logging Association Working Group forum of Draft Animal Power – Sustainable Farming, Forestry and Living under the title of Whoa, focus – Let’s bring it all in….
>
> This thread is located at http://www.draftanimalpower.com/showthread.php?t=2022
>
> Here is the message that has just been posted:
> ***************
> I have included my comments in blue below, Carl
>
>
> —Quote (Originally by Scott G)—
> …….
> So, all of that said lets get down to details. I will outline several point by point below. Please respond to them in the same fashion for ease of organization.
>
> 1) What is the consensus and/or discussion on what I’ve mentioned so far?
> It sounds as though the consensus is that networking via an international communication effort is primary with the end goal being the formation of an international association based on input from contributors & subscribers.
> I agree with this.
>
> 2) Throw out some names for the effort. Ideally ones that could carry over into the eventual association. Key words could/would be; draft, forestry, logging, powered, animal, international, etc..
> International Draft Animal Forestry Initiative (IDAFI)
>
/Animal Powered Logging Association of the World (APLAW) –

I like the above suggestion also, it just doesn’t have the word association in it, which may be more appropriate if this effort elects to exist without the gubment sanctioning… this may be appropriate if we have an existing non profit 501c3 that could act as a fiscal agent in the unlikely event that some funding arises that could support the group with a restriction that it can only come to a 501c3. HHFF stands ready as a 10 y.o. ngo that would be a fitting umbrella org. for/to this effort.
/
> 3) Mission statement. This should be 1-3 sentences at _most_.
> To facilitate the international connection between draft animal forestry practitioners, exchanging information, providing benefits of association (ie. insurance, cooperative marketing,etc.), and advocating toward mutual goals.
>
> 4) Goals. List five goals, in order of priority, for this effort. Clear, concise, and limited to one complete sentence.
> 1. to establish an international directory of associations, organizations, and individuals who are supporting /(or practicing)/ the work of draft animal forestry practitioners.
>
> 2. to develop a network of information sharing, such as websites, e-newsletter, and hard-copy newsletter to support /(and promote)/ the international community of draft animal forestry practitioners.
>
> 3. to form an association to support the international community of draft animal forestry practitioners.
>
> 4. to improve opportunities for draft animal forestry practitioners to unite regionally, and internationally, to share information, work, markets, and advocacy.
>
> 5. to advance an ecological perspective of forest management, based on the use of draft animals, and other low impact/low input strategies.
>
>
/6. To serve as a networking, clearinghouse and contact information for individuals and organizations involved in animal powered forestry throughout the world.

7. To serve as an official body to support collaboration, research and demonstration with all interest groups on the issues of sustainable forestry including, governmental, non governmental organizations (NGO), academic institutions, municipalities, private landowners and those individuals interested in actually doing this work.

8. Establish a mentor /apprentice network world wide.
/
> …….
> —End Quote—

Jason, you cannot respond to the e-mails that come from this forum. They are just messages to alert you that someone has posted, and to show you what they wrote so that you don’t miss out on portions of the discussion.

When you want to respond, you just visit the site as usual, and post in the same old way.

Carl