An Urgent Message from PRCA CEO Karl Stressman

To the Members of the PRCA,

The battle continues between Jim Warren and the PRCA. Each side has their opinion of how the PRCA should operate and by now you have heard arguments from supporters on each side regarding how they believe Jim's proposals will affect the future of professional rodeo. As you can probably imagine, I did not agree to take a leadership position with the PRCA without first fully informing myself about Jim's proposals and the related issues.

HERE ARE THE FACTS:

Jim wants the cowboys to have more of a voice in the decisions of the PRCA. The PRCA is welcoming the voices of the members. The Board of Directors and staff have met with members of a new planning council, made up of five contestants from each event, and shared ideas concerning the future of all of rodeo. Ask any of the contestants involved, or read their letters on www.supporttheprca.org. They found out firsthand that the PRCA wants to hear from its members.

Just recently Jim has started claiming that what the PRCA needs is something called "member services." The fact is that it was the staff at the PRCA who came up with the idea that there may be a need for a new department of staff that is focused on Member Services. Now the staff and I are working to analyze the best structure and the key elements of that proposal and it will be presented to the Board of Directors for their review. All Jim and his camp have done is take someone else's idea and try to claim it as their own.

Jim wants a guarantee that in the future the members will always have a voice in the PRCA. What he does not realize is that if the members stay involved, they will always have a guarantee of being heard. There is an effective system in place. You need to utilize that system. I am still learning about the PRCA, but I know that only 10 to 12 percent of the Members are taking advantage of the opportunity to vote in elections for Executive Council positions. We do not need new structures, we need everyone to become involved!

Jim wants a five-member committee to address the issues and interact with the Board. The PRCA doesn't think we need another layer of government to try and wade through every issue.

Jim wants five percent of the total PRCA budget to fund this five-man committee with no membership oversight on how they will spend the money. The PRCA thinks there is a more effective way to spend that money - like maybe funding a new member services initiative!

I have worked diligently with many others from the PRCA and from the contestant ranks throughout the last week to address Jim's concerns and have tried in good faith to get beyond the rhetoric and understand his needs. Unfortunately, it is very hard to get beyond the rhetoric. Jim's camp has taken the opportunity several times to change their mind about the importance and effectiveness of their own original proposals and they cannot really articulate their new issues. What is clear is that they are just as uncertain as everyone else regarding what will happen if they actually win.

Here is what I know: I am on my way to Colorado Springs to make a difference in the communication of the PRCA and its members. I left a great job at Wrangler to join the Board, PRCA Staff and those members who are willing to roll up their sleeves to help move the sport of professional rodeo forward. I am convinced that we can achieve our goals and improve the sport for everyone concerned. We have a great staff and a Board of Directors that is anxious to serve and to listen to the Members. We have a system in place for effective change and the mentality to make the necessary changes. What we DON'T NEED is a division of our membership and more uncertainty. Unfortunately, if Jim Warren wins that is what will happen.

You all need to stand together and give the new administration the opportunity to serve the membership. The alternative is that Jim wins and even more resources and energy are wasted in the appeals process and in trying to deal with the fallout of what in all honesty is a very bad proposal.

The PRCA is your organization and I am asking you to give your proxy to the PRCA so that we can all join together and continue moving forward to achieve the best for the sport of professional rodeo. Go to www.supporttheprca.com , print your proxy, sign it and fax to (866)367-8218 by SEPTEMBER 24th.

It's your association, it's time we stop the divisive arguing and start DOING!!!

Sincerely,

Karl Stressman

IT MAY BE YOUR VOTE THAT IS THE DECIDING VOTE!