Dreamers Or Difference Makers?

by Amy Hatfield

My 11th grade American History teacher often accused me of daydreaming. She was right. She was also boring. I felt OK about my daydreamer label at the time, but now I recognize my daydreams for what they really are: an escape from whatever isn’t engaging me at the time.

And the daydreams are always lofty. I imagine Oprah interviewing me about a novel I wrote that sold five million copies or I’m back on a boat in Costa Rica but, this time, I not only hook the sailfish with my pink-skirted saltwater popper, but also reel her in. In the vision, there are high-fives all around and my bare feet are bleeding, only slightly, from the four-hour fight to reel in this enormous trophy.

Daydreams can be an expression of ambition, but they can also be counter productive, especially if the dreamer is reaching for things only teetering on the cusp of what’s reasonable at the time. A wide receiver that dives for a ball just outside his reach is ambitious; a wide receiver that dives for a ball ten yards beyond his reach is just face-planting.

Put A Name On The Ballot

Sure, you can sit and dream big, but your task list doesn’t grow shorter. Or you can reach just outside of your core responsibilities and daily demands and inch yourself above the fray to impact issues in your own arena.  Day by day, we can all stretch our influence in the workplace, in an industry and, inch-by-inch, we’ll make incremental progress. Within our own industry, there is opportunity to lead archery and bowhunting as a nucleus of businesses and as a sport. Each year, the ATA reaches out to you guys and asks for your leadership. This year is no different. We need you to sustain the collective efforts we all value and give life to new efforts that, at present, hibernate, undiscovered.

Do you have ideas about what ATA should do with its resources? If so, we encourage you to run for the ATA Board of Directors or nominate someone you feel would be valuable to your trade association. Here’s what you need to know:

• Qualifications. All companies that are regular members may nominate their CEO or someone on their leadership team for election to the ATA Board of Directors. Although individuals are elected to the Board, it is the actual company that is the Board member. The individual elected to the Board acts on behalf of their employer. In addition, if an elected individual leaves a company, then the company retains the Board seat and can name a new representative to serve out the term.
• The Election. This election will fill four positions. It will be conducted by mail and the election will end on March 1, 2011. Positions that will expire on March 31, 2011 include Cajun Archery, David White; Easton Technical Products, Greg Easton; Gold Tip Inc.; Tom Zelenovic and Parker Compound Bows, Paul Vaicunas.
• Terms and Obligations. Terms are 3 years in length and Directors pay the expenses associated with their service, which generally involves attending three Board meetings per year. Directors elected in this election will take office on April 1, 2011 and serve through March 31, 2014.

Nominees Must

Submit their Name, Regular Member Company Affiliation and Contact Information.

1. Agree in writing to stand for election.
2. Download and complete the board election biographical form and submit by December 31, 2010.
3. Materials can be sent via: e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; fax at (507) 233-8140; mail at 101 North German Suite 3, New Ulm, MN 56073.