Now I know that you are going to say that everything on Swifthorses is a lie and none of this is the whole story and that those that resigned/quit/got axed are not worth having around, but this is proof positive of what is really happening. Don't try to spin this one, it aint gonna work, face the truth.
Dennis McDonald Resigns from the R-CALF Board
On March 1, 2007, the R-CALF Board started removal proceedings against Region I Director Denis McDonald. Today, McDonald announced his formal resignation from the Board. There were three days left before the vote was to take place on his removal. Below you will find the text of his resignation letter as sent to Swift Horses.
Dennis McDonald
Melville, MT
March 12, 2007
To Whom It May Concern:
The implosion of R-CALF occurred in large part as a result of the most ferocious power grabs I have ever witnessed. The effort started more than a year ago with a concerted effort to rid the organization of Leo McDonnell, myself, and others. A letter written to Chuck Kiker, the President of R-CALF, and sent by Bill Bullard says that Bullard was having trouble working with the former President (Leo McDonnell) since Leo wanted to work on other issues rather than the litigation effort alone. Bullard mentions that this "inherent conflict worsened in 2006." Thus the stage was being set for Leo's expulsion. I fought hard to prevent this outcome, but in the end I failed and for that I apologize.
The effort continued to oust the founders since many of us felt that though it is very important to prevent the importation of Canadian cattle, and particularly cattle over 30 months of age, continued litigation was not the proper course. We lost the original case and all knew further litigation had only a remote chance of succeeding. Consequently, I felt asking producers to continue to fund a losing effort without disclosing the long odds of success was immoral. Instead, many of us thought trying the case in the arena of public opinion and in the Congress was the proper course and could be done at far less expense. Producers need to be told that further litigation will cost over a million dollars and offers only a glimpse of hope. This policy debate, however, was only incidental to the power grab that occurred on February 8. It was on this date that Chuck Kiker and Leo were expelled.
To pursue the closing of the Canadian border to cattle over 30 months of age in the Congress would require a united front and a continued open dialogue. With a new Congress more friendly to grassroots producers, Leo McDonnell and Chuck Kiker believed reasonable communication between R-CALF, USDA and the Congress was necessary. Jon Wooster and myself agreed with that approach. However, the now existing R-CALF Board could not tolerate dissent. They knew if they could vote Chuck Kiker out as President, it would remove Leo from the Board since Leo was on the Board as the immediate past president. Thus, when they removed Chuck they successfully removed Leo. Jon Wooster then resigned followed by 15 committee chairmen, and the entire Washington staff of Jess Peterson, Abra Belke, and John West. I didn't resign because I couldn't get myself to leave the fight to save R-CALF and tried desperately to put the organization back together. On March 1, 2007, I pleaded with the Board to allow Leo back and Chuck and Jon to return, as well as all the committee chairpersons and Washington staff. The request was met with absolute defiance. On March 1 they (the remaining R-CALF Board) provided the required 14-day notice to vote me off the Board. The action is scheduled to take place on March 15 and thereafter they will have succeeded in ridding R-CALF of all the founding members of the Board.
The absolute defiance of member's wishes continues. Recently the remaining Board members held a meeting and refused to allow R-CALF members to participate, saying the Board is only required to allow members to participate once a year, at the annual meeting. This is in stark contrast to the open forum allowed and welcomed under previous leadership. The Board then passed a resolution restricting a member's right to review Board meeting minutes by requiring them to travel to the Billings office if they wanted to read the minutes and refusing to make financial statements available to membership on a monthly basis. They also demanded that I sign a Loyalty Oath. I refused saying this sort of thing ended in the U.S. during the McCarthy Era and is practiced today only in some communist countries. Having been ostracized and excommunicated from the Board by Max Thornsberry and Bill Bullard I now face the same fate as Leo, with my expulsion scheduled for March 15, 2007.
So here we are, all efforts to restore R-CALF having failed and with the existing Board having surrendered the moral authority to continue to represent our industry. So how do we proceed? Though R-CALF as an organization has been hijacked, the commitment, dedication and ideals for which producers have aspired have not. An organization can be hijacked but our voice cannot. We are committed to providing an opportunity for our children to remain on our ranches. Thus, an organization has been formed – UNITED STATES CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION - to carry on the ideals that so many family cattle producers share. Make no mistake, this new organization, though with a new name, is the old R-CALF: the same people, the same ideals, and the same commitment.
This is a critical time for our industry with MCOOL, the Farm Bill, trade matters, animal ID, and competition issues looming large. It is just too important not to re-saddle and continue the ride. These kinds of things are difficult but let's just get on this new mount, quit crying, and get on with the task at hand.
So it is with sadness and hope that I hereby submit my resignation from the R-CALF Board. I feel it is best to step down as the existing board is unified in its determination to remove me and I find myself facing the inevitable. Forcing a vote to remove me would really serve no useful purpose. Thank you for all your support.
Dennis McDonald
Dennis McDonald Resigns from the R-CALF Board
On March 1, 2007, the R-CALF Board started removal proceedings against Region I Director Denis McDonald. Today, McDonald announced his formal resignation from the Board. There were three days left before the vote was to take place on his removal. Below you will find the text of his resignation letter as sent to Swift Horses.
Dennis McDonald
Melville, MT
March 12, 2007
To Whom It May Concern:
The implosion of R-CALF occurred in large part as a result of the most ferocious power grabs I have ever witnessed. The effort started more than a year ago with a concerted effort to rid the organization of Leo McDonnell, myself, and others. A letter written to Chuck Kiker, the President of R-CALF, and sent by Bill Bullard says that Bullard was having trouble working with the former President (Leo McDonnell) since Leo wanted to work on other issues rather than the litigation effort alone. Bullard mentions that this "inherent conflict worsened in 2006." Thus the stage was being set for Leo's expulsion. I fought hard to prevent this outcome, but in the end I failed and for that I apologize.
The effort continued to oust the founders since many of us felt that though it is very important to prevent the importation of Canadian cattle, and particularly cattle over 30 months of age, continued litigation was not the proper course. We lost the original case and all knew further litigation had only a remote chance of succeeding. Consequently, I felt asking producers to continue to fund a losing effort without disclosing the long odds of success was immoral. Instead, many of us thought trying the case in the arena of public opinion and in the Congress was the proper course and could be done at far less expense. Producers need to be told that further litigation will cost over a million dollars and offers only a glimpse of hope. This policy debate, however, was only incidental to the power grab that occurred on February 8. It was on this date that Chuck Kiker and Leo were expelled.
To pursue the closing of the Canadian border to cattle over 30 months of age in the Congress would require a united front and a continued open dialogue. With a new Congress more friendly to grassroots producers, Leo McDonnell and Chuck Kiker believed reasonable communication between R-CALF, USDA and the Congress was necessary. Jon Wooster and myself agreed with that approach. However, the now existing R-CALF Board could not tolerate dissent. They knew if they could vote Chuck Kiker out as President, it would remove Leo from the Board since Leo was on the Board as the immediate past president. Thus, when they removed Chuck they successfully removed Leo. Jon Wooster then resigned followed by 15 committee chairmen, and the entire Washington staff of Jess Peterson, Abra Belke, and John West. I didn't resign because I couldn't get myself to leave the fight to save R-CALF and tried desperately to put the organization back together. On March 1, 2007, I pleaded with the Board to allow Leo back and Chuck and Jon to return, as well as all the committee chairpersons and Washington staff. The request was met with absolute defiance. On March 1 they (the remaining R-CALF Board) provided the required 14-day notice to vote me off the Board. The action is scheduled to take place on March 15 and thereafter they will have succeeded in ridding R-CALF of all the founding members of the Board.
The absolute defiance of member's wishes continues. Recently the remaining Board members held a meeting and refused to allow R-CALF members to participate, saying the Board is only required to allow members to participate once a year, at the annual meeting. This is in stark contrast to the open forum allowed and welcomed under previous leadership. The Board then passed a resolution restricting a member's right to review Board meeting minutes by requiring them to travel to the Billings office if they wanted to read the minutes and refusing to make financial statements available to membership on a monthly basis. They also demanded that I sign a Loyalty Oath. I refused saying this sort of thing ended in the U.S. during the McCarthy Era and is practiced today only in some communist countries. Having been ostracized and excommunicated from the Board by Max Thornsberry and Bill Bullard I now face the same fate as Leo, with my expulsion scheduled for March 15, 2007.
So here we are, all efforts to restore R-CALF having failed and with the existing Board having surrendered the moral authority to continue to represent our industry. So how do we proceed? Though R-CALF as an organization has been hijacked, the commitment, dedication and ideals for which producers have aspired have not. An organization can be hijacked but our voice cannot. We are committed to providing an opportunity for our children to remain on our ranches. Thus, an organization has been formed – UNITED STATES CATTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION - to carry on the ideals that so many family cattle producers share. Make no mistake, this new organization, though with a new name, is the old R-CALF: the same people, the same ideals, and the same commitment.
This is a critical time for our industry with MCOOL, the Farm Bill, trade matters, animal ID, and competition issues looming large. It is just too important not to re-saddle and continue the ride. These kinds of things are difficult but let's just get on this new mount, quit crying, and get on with the task at hand.
So it is with sadness and hope that I hereby submit my resignation from the R-CALF Board. I feel it is best to step down as the existing board is unified in its determination to remove me and I find myself facing the inevitable. Forcing a vote to remove me would really serve no useful purpose. Thank you for all your support.
Dennis McDonald
Thanks for the letter SW :!:
