Why aren't you or your club a member of the FMDAC? (looking for feedback)

[Nick A]

Seeing the increased possibilities of restrictions to detecting (a ban is proposed in Clay County, Florida right now ), now more than ever, membership in the FMDAC (Federation of Metal Detector and Archaeological Clubs) is important. I want to hear what everyone's personal experiences (good or bad) have been with the FMDAC. Be as specific as you can about things that were done right or wrong. Membership is cheap insurance to support an organization that tries to help us.

So, why are you not an individual member of the FMDAC? Why is your club not a member?

Thanks for taking the time to respond!

 

[Tom_in_CA]

I can't speak for right now, but back when my city used to have a brick & mortar club, we simply didn't have a lot of $$ (or willing givers, despite pleas and begging). The club kitty would be barely enough to cover our newsletter postage, raffle, incidentals, etc.... And with a sparse 25 to 35 members, (equating to 20-ish attendees at each meeting), you can see that the dollars sent in would be negligable. The hobby is just too "fringe" with too few devotees (at least that are hardcore, join clubs, get serious, etc...). Unlike guns & ammo (NRA) with oodles of hobbyists, buffs, etc...

And also, at least back in the '80s & '90s when we had a club, the FMDAC only took memberships via clubs. Individual persons were not allowed to be members. Your membership had to be via a brick & mortar club. I don't know whether that is still the case or not, but I can recall it kept a few lone-ranger types (or persons in geographic locales with no brick & mortar clubs) from joining.

 

[SteveP(NH)]

There has been so much political infighting inside of the FMDAC that most clubs and people (who were around prior to 2003 at least) got fed up with it and have written it off as a waste of time.

After Duane Biller and his group ousted their opposition there wasn't much left to the organization which is how it ended it in its current sorry state.

Biller et al totally mishandled the entire situation with Carol Schick with their secret votes, and confrontational approach which was pretty much the last straw for a lot of clubs and their most influential members. Seems like every club in New England dropped out after that mess and many others from other parts of the country did as well. I know it was the last straw for me with both sides spamming forums and email boxes with their sides of the squabble. A national organization such as the FMDAC has to be run based on consensus not confrontation and secret votes to kick people out of their positions.

Personally I don't think there is any hope of repairing the FMDAC as long at Biller, McFeeders, etc are still there and I bet, given the long held, hard feelings held by many, that the FMDAC will remain a lost cause even if they do leave.

 

[nw1886]

Personality conflicts seem to be directing actions recently but...doesn't take away the need to at least be counted with having joined. There is little room for mis-steps, in the present liberal climate, and just writing it all off is just another "blame" thing. Never any resolution with that mindset. Time for clubs and individuals to realize the difference beetween finding fault and blaming. The clock is ticking (FAST) to the day when all public lands will have almost no rights geared to an individual and all regulation will be from a "life sucking" and skewed socialist agenda. Don't whine...raise hell. Join. I'm as guilty as anyone but after this last bunch of hogwash...going to HAVE to contibute. Things are getting scary. Just look at how few "views" this thread has gotten!

 

[Nugget Hunter Smith]

There may be problems with individuals within any organization but it is not any reason to stop trying! It takes us all to make things work!
What did you do to rectify the problem? Did you step up and hold a "volunteer" position or put in the many hours it takes to right the wrongs?

The FMDAC has and always will be the only organization big enough to take on problems in the metal detecting community. Right now it has around 100 clubs and hundreds of Independent Members around the U.S. and Canada to support it's efforts. Last year it had several small victories, most notable was in Overland Park, KS where with the local club they changed the minds of the City Council and now you can metal detect once again in the parks. They helped out this year with the problem in New York City through petitions and phone calls and got the City to back off on a couple parks. Right now they are working on problems in FL, WI, KY, and CA.

Like anything it takes numbers to convince the governments to listen to the people! It is time for you to join and save YOUR hobby! Leave the petty complaints at home!

Membership is $5 through a club or $10 as an Independent. You get a lot for so little!