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pywiak
Feb 8, 2003, 4:51 AM
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While I don't always agree on every policy/issue, I've been a member since it was organized.
If you're going to be a climber, you gotta pay your dues...
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moabbeth
Feb 8, 2003, 4:53 AM
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Thanks for the link madturtle, I just went in and joined! Been meaning to since I started climbing but your link made it so easy I just did it!
I'd been giving donations to Utah Free Lands to help save the base of Castleton Tower from some cheesy-ass housing tract development. I know the AF is involved with that too.
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mesomorf
Feb 8, 2003, 5:37 AM
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I've been a member since soon after they split from the AAC. I give extra for special causes, like saving Indian Creek, Camp 4, and Castleton Tower. I've make phone calls to the Texas Parks Dept. on the topic of Hueco (fat lot of good that does). I've written letters on the topics of Devil's Tower and fixed anchors in Canyonlands.
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antimatter
Feb 11, 2003, 5:57 PM
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Registered: Feb 18, 2002
Posts: 140
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Wow, great groups! I am a member of both.
http://www.safeclimbing.org
http://www.accessfund.org
I've thoroughly enjoyed hiking access funds' trails, access to the crags they fight for and clipping ASCA's bolts.
[ This Message was edited by: antimatter on 2003-02-11 09:58 ]
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kindredlion
Feb 11, 2003, 6:08 PM
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Member here...
I pick up trash, and clean obscene looking booty from walls. Everyone can ALWAYS do more....
Take Air,
Adam
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climbincajun
Feb 11, 2003, 6:20 PM
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Member and Regional Coordinator for Southern AZ.
If you climb in the U.S., and you're not an AF member, you are part of the problem.
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cracklover
Feb 11, 2003, 6:21 PM
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I am.
GO
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phaedrus
Feb 11, 2003, 6:41 PM
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Joined up in January here. Just a-waitin' on my card.
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stellalpina
Feb 11, 2003, 6:41 PM
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im a member
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just_me
Apr 22, 2003, 3:58 AM
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I am also a member, and an active volunteer. I am currently unemployed, and I have been helping out at the Access Fund office almost every week. If you signed up recently, there is a good chance that I mailed you your member handbook and t-shirt!
If you want to get more involved, contact your local coordinator! Click the link below to find the contact for your area. Volunteer locally when possible. :D
http://www.accessfund.org/...re/who_regcoord.html
Bug your frineds, and get them to join and do their part also.
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redpiton
Apr 22, 2003, 4:02 AM
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You really think anyone who isnt a member would really sign this post????????
member for a year next month.
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boretribe
Apr 22, 2003, 4:08 AM
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Member and volunteer for as long as I have been climbing.
Also a member of ASCA
Giving money helps but volunteering makes a huge difference. Think about donating one or two of your climbing days per year to actively make sure we continue to have great places to climb.
~Geoff
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texasclimber
Apr 22, 2003, 4:09 AM
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I know this isn't the main reason for joining, but remember, the money you pay to the Access Fund is TAX DEDUCTABLE!!!! Wouldn't you rather pay that money to them rahter than Uncle Sam?!
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drkodos
Apr 22, 2003, 4:27 AM
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I am not a member and never will be.
They don't represent me, or any other climbers I know.
They cause more closures than they do keeping things open.
They are overly aggressive and hostile to land owners and managers.
I hold them mostly responsible for the absolute closing of a number of areas. They continue to crow about their accomplishments, but never tell of their failures.
The salaries they pay themselves are out of proportion to the rest of the climbing community they purport to represent.
F the Access Fund. They are a marketing tool. Controlled by the larger companies, designed to suck in more people to climb so that the market for climbing gear is maintained.
Take a close look at their real budget and see the $$$ they spend making themselves comfortable....
One of the largest hypocrisies ever foisted upon climbers.
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texasclimber
Apr 22, 2003, 4:38 AM
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drkodos, how did you get the financials for them? As a future Financial Analysis (in 4 months), I would like to check this out!
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galt
Apr 22, 2003, 4:44 AM
Post #41 of 87
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I TOTALLY AGREE WITH DrKodos!
After talking to Mike (owner of Horse Pens 40, and a GREAT GUY) about how the Access Fund pretty much screwed him into paying another $100,000 to buy Horse Pens and putting the entire deal in jeopardy of having some big business buy the land I realized why I will NEVER join this organization.
One day before Mike was going to close the deal and purchase Horse Pens (he had every intention of opening it up to climbers and he has kept his word) the Access Fund outbid him with NO INTENTIONS of paying! What they didn’t know was that a developer was coming the following week to scout the area. Had the developer wanted the land he could have easily outbid Mike. Mike had to come up with $100,000 in under a week to purchase the land. This info. came straight from Mike while I was at Horse Pens over my spring break.
If you want to go clean up a local crag then do it! If you are worried about access issues then DON'T CLIMB STUPIDLY! Do the best you can to impact the world around you, but it seems to me the access fund is doing very little to help the situation and a lot to hurt it
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tradclimber2
Apr 22, 2003, 5:45 AM
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Three years and counting - just sent in my renewal! This group IS worth it.
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miarock
Apr 23, 2003, 3:06 AM
Post #43 of 87
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I believe being a member of my local group (red river climber's coalition) is way more beneficial to the red than the access fund will ever be. some areas need good old fashioned discussion of access issues rather than just another lawyer in the mix. also just because you are an access member does not make you a responsible climber.
mia
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tim
Apr 23, 2003, 3:08 AM
Post #44 of 87
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same here. it's about time for me to send them another check...
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redpiton
Apr 23, 2003, 3:12 AM
Post #45 of 87
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Drkodos....So we meet again. I'm enjoying our confrontations.
However, In this subject, I respect you for having balls.
Thanks for being different. If what you are saying is correct, then I will look a little more closley towards where my money is going. If what you say isn't true, then screw ya.
But, in the long run, thanks for the change of flow. I will do a little rummaging around of my own.
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timstich
Apr 23, 2003, 3:25 AM
Post #46 of 87
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In reply to: Drkodos....So we meet again. I'm enjoying our confrontations. However, In this subject, I respect you for having balls. Thanks for being different. If what you are saying is correct, then I will look a little more closley towards where my money is going. If what you say isn't true, then screw ya. But, in the long run, thanks for the change of flow. I will do a little rummaging around of my own.
'Tis a fine man that respects his nemesis, or rather just some other bloke that differs in opinion. My hat's off to you.
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hooker
Apr 23, 2003, 3:50 AM
Post #47 of 87
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Registered: Apr 22, 2003
Posts: 173
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In response to their financials:
because they allow a person to deduct contributions, and they have status as a not for profit organization, all financial records are PUBLIC records. They create these financials but don't really do a good job at distributing them.
All you have to do is request them and they will send them out.
Another point:
The recent Ad in Climbing that included a "Hit List" of crags. This is a highly hostile attitude, in my opinion. The inclusion of Skytop at the Gunks is particularly grating to me because the Skytop is PRIVATE property.
Private property owners need to have their rights preserved, not eroded. Climbers, including myself, have climbed at Skytop for many years with a a tacit agreement from the Smiley family that it was a PRIVILEDGE that could be revoked at any time. Due to insurance problems, the Mountain House revoked the privilidge. The Access Fund has only made matters worse by protesting (loudly) and trying to intimidate and force the land owner to allow climbing based upon an Historical use provision.
I agree with Dr Kodos. Too many stories in the rags are just "ADS" in disguise for the Access Fund. They seem to be just another marketing tool. Increase membership, increase revenue. Take a look at the cars they rent and drive when they have "summit meetings". Take a look at where the money really gets spent. The majority of $$$ is not spent on Access issues, it is spent advertising for new members. t's a self perpetuating disease that ALL institutions suffer from.
Like any other institution, the Access Fund may have had great intentions, but like Elvis, they have become fat and bloated, a shadow of their former selves. They do not represent me
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drkodos
Apr 23, 2003, 5:11 AM
Post #48 of 87
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Registered: Dec 21, 2002
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In reply to: Drkodos....So we meet again. I'm enjoying our confrontations. However, In this subject, I respect you for having balls. Thanks for being different. If what you are saying is correct, then I will look a little more closley towards where my money is going. If what you say isn't true, then screw ya. But, in the long run, thanks for the change of flow. I will do a little rummaging around of my own.
I tend to think of it as an "idea exchange" rather than a confrontation.
Please don't take my word for it. Go look at the latest issue of the climbing rags and see how many "articles" are actually advertisments to induce membership.
And thanks to the above poster for pointing out the HORRIBLE hit list in the latest issue. I also draw your attention to the "Tech Tips" area where they have a whole page devoted to proper environmental behavior at the crags that degenerates into nothing more than a shill to join the Access Fund.
News Bulletin
Folks, you don't need the Access Fund if you want to do the right thing.
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sroehlk
Apr 23, 2003, 1:55 PM
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Registered: Oct 15, 2002
Posts: 484
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I joined a few months back :D
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dave1970
Apr 23, 2003, 2:40 PM
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Posts: 94
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The Access Fund is committed to preserving the climbing experience for present and
future generations," said Shawn Tierney, access and acquisitions director. "To put
this commitment into action, we allocate approximately 15% of our annual budget to
grants, and for 2003 we have budgeted $120,000. We're proud to fund these important
initiatives on behalf of our members and the entire climbing community."
Since I started this thread, I thought I should share this quote.
This is pretty disturbing to me that they expect to take in 800,000 dollars in 2003 and pay out only 120,000. What is happening with the rest?
I will give them a call and request the tax return and associated disclosures. I have a fair degree of financial knowledge and can easily make sense of the information.
Is anybody interested?
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