BASS/ESPN Report from Atlanta Meeting
[December 17, 2003]

BASS/ESPN
Report From Atlanta

(All in attendance extend their deep appreciation to the State BASS Federation Presidents, Divisional Representatives, and BASS staff who took time out of their busy schedules this time of year to begin this landmark process of establishing goals for the Federation Program. We also applaud the sincere efforts to work together for the common goals and finally we thank the senior management of BASS/ESPN for underwriting the costs of this important meeting.)

OVERVIEW

• As an outgrowth of discussions among BASS Federation presidents and BASS/ESPN officials during the Bassmaster Classic in New Orleans, a two-day strategy session to re-establish trust and to begin the development of a 5-year plan for the Federation was held in Atlanta Nov. 22-23. In attendance were Steve Puckett; Don Corkran; the five Divisional Representatives of the BASS Federation (Robert Cartlidge, Gary Bradford, Chuck Rolfsmeyer, Charles Mitchell and Roger Fitchett), and 24 state presidents.
• Those in attendance agreed to submit to all state presidents a report on the proceedings of the meeting as well as a timeline of Next Steps.
• Discussions were spirited and constructive. The consensus of the group is that we are moving in the same direction - the right direction.
• No president or Divisional Rep in attendance has any desire to leave BASS.
• All stated they understand that they are BASS and do not wish to be a member of another organization to the exclusion of BASS.

KEY ISSUES (Expressed by Presidents) FROM PRE-MEETING SURVEY (in no particular order)

• Inconsistent communication /no direction /lack of trust between the State Federations and BASS/ESPN
• Poor or declining morale among Federation leadership
• The perception that the Federation Director not empowered to make decisions
• Uncertainty about the relationship between BASS and the 5 Divisional Reps
• Sponsorships - getting dollars to the Federations and sponsorship support/presence
• Money and infrastructure for current and future programs and for the recruitment of new members
• Additional funding to support youth and conservation initiatives
• Perceived lack of appreciation/respect for the Federations and Federation Presidents

KEY TOPICS

• Support of the bass fishing industry.
• Presidents applauded BASS/ESPN for empowering the Federation Director to make decisions on behalf of the BASS Federation.
• Since August, and especially during the Atlanta meeting, the presidents' trust of BASS/ESPN is being restored to much higher levels.
• All participants agreed they are determined to work together to grow the BASS Federation and the sport of bass fishing.
• BASS communicated that we as a group must define how the establishment of The Bass Federation, Inc. affects our ability to effectively work with the Divisional reps. All believe that this is possible.
• Participants agreed that they would refrain from public statements and not air "dirty laundry" in chat rooms and other forums, but would work and communicate with one another directly.
• All parties pledged to work diligently to resolve differences - and they agreed that solutions are possible.

TIMELINE
By January 31, 2004 - Joint meeting between BASS and the divisional representatives.
Nothing can move forward until the relationship between BASS and the Divisional Reps is resolved. Presidents said they fully support the five reps and want BASS to work with their representatives. An effective working relationship (roles and responsibilities) must be defined and implemented.

By February 15, 2004 - Draft version of the five-year plan is completed.
The plan is to be based on results of surveys of all state Federation presidents as well as discussions during the Atlanta meeting. The draft plan will be submitted to each state president and divisional representative for input.

By April 24, 2004 - Final plan is formalized and ratified by the presidents.
The plan will establish long range goals to make the BASS Federation bigger and more effective. This will be the first formal long range plan for the Federation in its history.

In closing, overall the meeting met expectations and formed the basis for the development of a strategic vision for BASS and the State BASS Federations. There was a consensus that BASS is working very hard to fulfill the commitments made during the Classic and is doing the right things to restore trust, integrity and honor in the Federation. There are still issues, but there was agreement that we have the same end objectives and we have agreed to work together to get them resolved.