Why Become a member?
Joining a local club not only benefits you the regular exhibitor, but it also benefits the club and every other exhibitor too! Becoming a member allows you to have your ideas, and suggestions make a difference in how shows are run, show dates, judges, and types of shows. Your membership fee, although small, is used towards the yearly expenses needed to maintain the club's charter with ARBA, insurance, and other bills due every year.
Often times local clubs are started by a small handful of Rabbit Folk, with just enough people to hold the charter. ARBA requires at least 6 people to open a local club charter. Should just one of these people no longer wish to be a member, or participate, the charter cannot be renewed, and no shows can go on.
Having a good plenty of members also allows other people to run for Charter Holder or Officer Positions. This will allow other people to make decisions for the club, rather than the same people time and time again. Not to mention, this means more help putting on the shows. In smaller local clubs, it is usually the same 2-3 people who do all the work hosting the shows from beginning to end. Every little bit of help is always appreciated!
Often times local clubs are started by a small handful of Rabbit Folk, with just enough people to hold the charter. ARBA requires at least 6 people to open a local club charter. Should just one of these people no longer wish to be a member, or participate, the charter cannot be renewed, and no shows can go on.
Having a good plenty of members also allows other people to run for Charter Holder or Officer Positions. This will allow other people to make decisions for the club, rather than the same people time and time again. Not to mention, this means more help putting on the shows. In smaller local clubs, it is usually the same 2-3 people who do all the work hosting the shows from beginning to end. Every little bit of help is always appreciated!
common excuses
When inviting folks to join a club, we often times hear the same excuses over and over again. Listed below are the most common excuses - debunked!
I don't have the time. (I work full time) (My family is too busy)
Speaking on behalf of NMRE only, 98% of our members, including officers, hold full time jobs and have families! We all have things going on in our personal lives that need our attention. Whether it be going to work full time, taking care of young kids to school age kids, after school activities, 4H, Husbands or wives, animals to care for, other shows we wish to attend, or any other normal everyday life activity. We ALL are busy.
In all actuality, the most time consuming position in the club would be that of the secretary. The club secretary is without doubt the heart and soul of the club itself. It is the job of the secretary to maintain member lists, current ARBA Charter, State Registration, Insurance, and update other club members of changes, votes, and other news.
Being a club member does not mean that you have to devote X amount of hours a day, a week or a year to the club. It means your imput and time you give is valuable!
I don't know how to run a club/show.
We all were green at starting a club at one point, and we all have been green as to the how to of running a club or show. We all had to learn, and for most of us, we learned as we went by being members of other clubs first. Becoming a member gives you a behind the table view of how a club or show is run, it is a great learning experience for any exhibitor whether you run for an office position, join a committee, or simply stay a basic member.
Keeping a club going is fairly simple, however, even those who are seasoned in all aspects of how a club should be run, we too often make mistakes, and are still in the constant process of learning more!
A club is not run by just one person, but by the membership. Every opinion counts, every person counts, no matter how much time they have dedicated to the official running of club matters or shows.
Again, often times shows are run by the same 2-3 members of a club. From start to finish. This means obtaining dates, charters and judges. Finding, making, or ordering awards. Obtaining and securing a venue. Making the show catalog, entering each entry. Setting up the show room, picking up judges from airports, and/or reserving hotel rooms. Answering questions at the show, Making sure the judges are taken care of, Checking in Exhibitors, Running the raffle table, the snack table, answering questions, fixing errors and then breaking down the show, getting show reports out....so much to do with very few people to do it.
Your at the show anyway, why not help where you can?
I just want to show my rabbits!
Really? So do we! Did you read above what all we do to put on a show? We do all that, and then find time to show our rabbits. Let's not forget in between running the club and the show, we also have to find time to squeeze in trimming nails, and grooming of our rabbits!
I mean after all, this is why we started the club to begin with. We want to show more! If everyone said "I just want to show", what shows would we have? Where would our hobby be?
I am already a member of a club.
Doesn't matter. There is no conflict of interest being a member of multiple local clubs! Many of NMRE members and officers are members of other clubs and hold office positions there are well. Everybody makes a difference!
I am not local
Generally speaking neither are the members of NMRE! Our club's home-base is in Olney, MT but we hold shows in Missoula, MT. Our officers are in Missoula, Great Falls, Olney, Avon, Idaho and Washington. We are spread all over!
I don't have the time. (I work full time) (My family is too busy)
Speaking on behalf of NMRE only, 98% of our members, including officers, hold full time jobs and have families! We all have things going on in our personal lives that need our attention. Whether it be going to work full time, taking care of young kids to school age kids, after school activities, 4H, Husbands or wives, animals to care for, other shows we wish to attend, or any other normal everyday life activity. We ALL are busy.
In all actuality, the most time consuming position in the club would be that of the secretary. The club secretary is without doubt the heart and soul of the club itself. It is the job of the secretary to maintain member lists, current ARBA Charter, State Registration, Insurance, and update other club members of changes, votes, and other news.
Being a club member does not mean that you have to devote X amount of hours a day, a week or a year to the club. It means your imput and time you give is valuable!
I don't know how to run a club/show.
We all were green at starting a club at one point, and we all have been green as to the how to of running a club or show. We all had to learn, and for most of us, we learned as we went by being members of other clubs first. Becoming a member gives you a behind the table view of how a club or show is run, it is a great learning experience for any exhibitor whether you run for an office position, join a committee, or simply stay a basic member.
Keeping a club going is fairly simple, however, even those who are seasoned in all aspects of how a club should be run, we too often make mistakes, and are still in the constant process of learning more!
A club is not run by just one person, but by the membership. Every opinion counts, every person counts, no matter how much time they have dedicated to the official running of club matters or shows.
Again, often times shows are run by the same 2-3 members of a club. From start to finish. This means obtaining dates, charters and judges. Finding, making, or ordering awards. Obtaining and securing a venue. Making the show catalog, entering each entry. Setting up the show room, picking up judges from airports, and/or reserving hotel rooms. Answering questions at the show, Making sure the judges are taken care of, Checking in Exhibitors, Running the raffle table, the snack table, answering questions, fixing errors and then breaking down the show, getting show reports out....so much to do with very few people to do it.
Your at the show anyway, why not help where you can?
I just want to show my rabbits!
Really? So do we! Did you read above what all we do to put on a show? We do all that, and then find time to show our rabbits. Let's not forget in between running the club and the show, we also have to find time to squeeze in trimming nails, and grooming of our rabbits!
I mean after all, this is why we started the club to begin with. We want to show more! If everyone said "I just want to show", what shows would we have? Where would our hobby be?
I am already a member of a club.
Doesn't matter. There is no conflict of interest being a member of multiple local clubs! Many of NMRE members and officers are members of other clubs and hold office positions there are well. Everybody makes a difference!
I am not local
Generally speaking neither are the members of NMRE! Our club's home-base is in Olney, MT but we hold shows in Missoula, MT. Our officers are in Missoula, Great Falls, Olney, Avon, Idaho and Washington. We are spread all over!
How does being a member benefit me?
In general being a member allows you to vote on important decisions within the club. Voting for officers, changes, etc. Being a member allows you to help choose when and how a show is done. Just remember, not every member needs to hold office, but you have the option too. Not every member needs to physically put on a show, but you have the option to, or to simply help out at the show. The more help, the funner, and smoother the show runs.
Some clubs, like NMRE, cater to our members and offer great member benefits when it comes to show time. Such as choosing judges, shows, specialty shows, locations, lower and later entry fees, etc.
Some clubs, like NMRE, cater to our members and offer great member benefits when it comes to show time. Such as choosing judges, shows, specialty shows, locations, lower and later entry fees, etc.
Your support is always welcomed!
No matter how much time you have available, each and every minute you give, each and every idea, suggestion and vote you give is appreciated! If not this club, please consider joining a local club! Even if it is not NMRE! Don't know where to begin? Well simply email the club you would like to join, and simply ask: How can I help?