Endurance News - for or by members?

[Laney Humphrey <laneyh@mbay.net>]

Hi Bob, et all -
    Doyle's recent editorial request for input to "Endurance News" was very
encouraging, I thought.  But then hearing Nancy DuPont's report of Doyle's
apparent hedge about publishing whatever she submitted about trails aroused my
fears for the relevance of the magazine again.
    I am a weaver and spinner when I'm not riding my horse or writing about
saddles and a number of years ago I watched as the Handweavers Guild of America
completely dropped the ball and let its publication be supplanted by a
commercial magazine as the weaving/spinning information resource of choice by
those communities.
    AERC and "Endurance News" are facing the same problem today.  If Doyle is
willing to be open to input from members and willing to spend some money on EN
it can remain the mag we all turn to for relevant information (as well as ride
results).  Susan Gibson and "TrailBlazer" are lurking in the wings and it
wouldn't take much for her production to take the lead, or some big media outfit
may realize that endurance and trail riders are a quickly growing readership
eager for info and with money to spend on horse related products and launch some
new mag.  From experience, I can tell you that it's counterproductive for the
non-profit sponsoring organization (HGA, AERC) to have its membership looking
elsewhere for leadership, support and information!
    We all know that information is where it's at now and I really hope AERC
will be daring and bold with EN so that it goes straight from the mailbox to the
reading throne instead of into the recycle bin or file once the ride results
have been scanned.
Happy Hollydays to all,
Laney

Bob Morris wrote:

> To all:
>
> Nancy quoted<<<I offered to write an article with these important issues
> included and his
> response was: "Don't expect that we will print it after you write it. I am
> just letting you know in advance we can't accept everything submitted.">>>
>
> I find that very discouraging. If the membership is to be heard, if the
> membership is to be encouraged to participate in this organization, if the
> AERC is to be of the membership then the membership should have a very
> strong voice.
>
> The statement by Doyle, taken in the manner presented, tells me that he is
> exercising some de facto censorship! I say, let the Executive Director
> solicit articles for the EN but also encourage unsolicited articles and
> publish the meritorious ones. Those pertinent to the strong issues of the
> time.
>
> But to discourage the submittal of anything for the EN? Doyle, you owe us an
> explanation. The EN is not only a magazine FOR the members it has been, and
> must always be a magazine BY the members.
>
> Professional authors are often times not cognizant of the importantance of
> certain aspects of the sport. That comes from the offerings of the members.
>
> Bob Morris
> Morris Endurance Enterprises
> Boise, ID
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From:   Nancy DuPont [mailto:Htrails@Earthlink.net]
> Sent:   Wednesday, December 22, 1999 1:45 AM
> To:     Teresa Van Hove; janis.jeffers@ucsfstanford.org
> Cc:     AQUINN@epri.com; cberto@juno.com; Bonita B. Young; hlm@ecis.com;
> nsmithka@sonic.net; Nola Michel; Ridecamp@endurance.net; janesmom@ecis.com;
> tstovall@email.msn.com; easyrider@psnw.com
> Subject:        RC:  Re: re Hiking the Hill for trails
>
> Regarding the Hike the Hill for Trails. It is a trip to Washington DC from
> March 12 to 15 for the purpose of influencing and educating Congress and
> Senate about our need for trails.  It is outrageously successful, in fact
> that is how we kept the Yosemite Stables Open.  That is also how we have
> been able to grandfather in some of our traditional competitive and group
> rides.
>
> Hi Teresa, I take it that EN means Endurance News. Of course I would be
> willing to write an article...BUT.... I was at a dinner at the Camp Virnir
> Restaurant in Georgetown last Saturday night and sat next to Doyle Patrick.
> I offered to write an article with these important issues included and his
> response was: "Don't expect that we will print it after you write it. I am
> just letting you know in advance we can't accept everything submitted." I
> told him that I understood how difficult it must be for him, but that he
> wrote in his column last month how he was soliciting contributions from
> professional writers.  Anyway, (you are right) I have so many articles to
> write now and with Christmas there is no time.  I will probably put out a
> Heritage newsletter with the trails information in it and include the
> announcement of the Tahoe Rim Ride in it as well.
> Thanks for thinking about me.  You are absolutely correct, the general
> membership needs to know a  whole lot more about the issues so they can be
> forwarned and prepared to take action. George Cardinet is so busy with his
> Anza Trail stuff he hasn't been answering letters and calls.  Posting to
> Ridecamp is another good idea because some of you take and run with it.
> At 11:35 AM 12/21/99 -0700, you wrote:
> >Nancy or Connie,
> >
> >Is there a web-site with more details?  I have to admit to not
> >reading my EN's terribly thoroughly in the last year or so but I
> >dont remember hearing of this.  Its not enough for the trails
> >chair to be personally committed - the general membership needs
> >to be told whats going on and what they can and should do to
> >help (with plenty of repetition).  I'm a BCH member too (again
> >not super active, but committing to supporting the organization
> >with membership dues and pitching in on some trail work days)
> >but I feel that the trails committee needs to do whatever it
> >takes to get trails information to as many AERC members as
> >possible - its not enough just to say "get involved at your
> >local level, join a general trails group" and get an occasional
> >email out to ridecamp.   Though it probably is best to wait till
> >after the holidays to post to RC about this so the info does not
> >get lost in the shuffle.
> >
> >How about featuring Heritage Trails in EN?  - Nancy would you be
> >willing to write an article?   I think it would be great for
> >everyone to learn more about this group.  Its the kind of
> >information I've been wishing I was getting from EN.
> >
> >Teresa
> >
> >
> Nancy DuPont, Executive Director
> Heritage Trails
> 1350 Castle Rock Road
> Walnut Creek, CA 94598
>
> Our Mission: To preserve and protect trails and answer the question, "Where
> are you going to ride your horses, and where are you going to keep them."
> Telephone (925)937-7661 FAX (925) 943-7431
>
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