May 16, 2008
VIA FAX AND
Mr. Sam Mars III
Secretary
National Wild Turkey Federation
Dear Sam:
Effective today, May 16, 2008, I am resigning my position as a Board Member of the National Wild Turkey Federation. The latest actions by the executive committee and legal counsel to “clean up” the transcribed minutes and submit a revised and edited version do not accurately reflect what took place in that Board meeting. The attack against one of our most dedicated members, Earl Groves, leave me sick with disgust for the way things are turning out under this Board of Directors.
We have worked very hard together for many years, so I do not take this lightly. The firing of our management team and consequent resignation of the CEO leave many of our volunteers rightfully questioning this Board, and I cannot any longer tolerate the blatant attitude that we should act like this was done by management, not the Board. This is about as close to out right lying as you can get, and I am through protecting the integrity of this Board.
I believe the future of the NWTF under this current Board is not in the best interest of the membership of which I remain. The lawsuits which have been filed against the NWTF, along with the excessive use of funds for the other legal battles that are just beginning are going to drain the resources we worked so hard to put to use for conservation. I do not believe the volunteers will support raising money for the Board to spend on excessive legal fees while the Federation’s programs suffocate.
Sincerely,
Michael Tull
____________________________________________________________
May 14, 2008
Sam Mars III
Secretary
National Wild Turkey Federation
PO Box 140
Harrogate TN 37752
Dear Sam,
I am hearby resigning my position as a Board Member of the National Wild Turkey Federation effective this date. I do this in protest to the actions of the majority of the NWTF Board of Directors, which have led to the firing or resignation of most of the very capable and effective NWTF Management Team.
The NWTF under the leadership of Rob Keck, Carl Brown, and Dick Rosenlieb has enjoyed fantastic success, growth and achievement. It has become the leading wildlife conservation organization in the world. Rob Keck and Carl Brown are super stars in the conservation field. Under their tenure with the NWTF, the wild turkey resource has increased from 1.3 million to 7 to 8 million birds. NWTF membership has increased from 15 to 20,000 to now over 500,000 members.
I believe that the loss of most of the management team places the future of the NWTF in grave danger. I understand that lawsuits have been filed against the NWTF for alleged wrongful actions that have potential disastrous consequences for the Federation. I take this opportunity to express my extreme displeasure with the actions that have brought this unfortunate situation.
Sincerely,
Earl T. Groves