Summary of R-CALF Convention:
For the first time in R-CALF history two security guards were hired to remove anyone who didn't adhere to Bullard and Thornsberry's control of the convention. It is believed these guards were hired to intimidate and prevent any questions regarding the litigation that R-CALF has filed against former members and leaders. The rules established at the onset of the meeting made it impossible for anyone to demand answers to questions regarding these lawsuits.
We received this report from an attendee at the meeting:
Less than 60 people at the membership session. Never more than 100 at any meeting. They told the press they expected 400 - 500. Most were from South Dakota.
No financials were given to the membership. The policy to remove directors without cause was "steamrolled" through. Directors can now be removed without explanation. It was predicted that at least one director who has been questioning the financial expenditures of R-CALF will be summarily removed immediately.
If members want information they have to go to the Billings office to get it OR they can contact their directors for what they want but were reminded that their directors are under "binding" confidentiality agreements.
The rules of the convention were laid down. Members were warned about making any abusive statements, harsh words, accusations, negativity, disruption, etc. A member described it as McCarthyism. Security guards were present. Members were told that if they didn't obey the convention rules the convention chair would have security remove them.
A tribute to Joel Franz was held at the evening banquet. Shae Dodson conducted the ceremony at which time she said Franz was the ONLY person who had the courage to expose "the actions of the former R-CALF president" who compromised the cattlemen's Canadian lawsuit and he did so by divulging the "two USDA letters". See the above paragraph for how the rules applied.
The setting was described as Kathleen Kelley's, Max Thornsberry's and Bill Bullard's empire.
The lawsuit against Kiker, McDonald and Wooster never came up. Financial questions were not answered. Only directors received financial reports and they are under "binding" confidentiality agreements.
Members of the press determined as "unfriendly" were escorted out of the convention by security guards.
Everyone else felt threatened by the same possibility if they chose to speak their opinion. Thus, several who attended the convention in hopes of getting answers to their questions about the lawsuits were fearful to do so at the risk of being publicly humiliated and embarrassed.
