I am also a member of the Tucson Herpetological Society, a sociey who's mission statement reads as follows: The Tucson Herpetological Society is a non-profit organization supported by tax deductible membership dues and contributions used for education, conservationand research concerning the amphibians and reptiles of Arizona and Mexico. The society's founding members were herpetoculturists such as David L. Hardy Sr. the founder, Frank Retes, Many Rubio etc. The society has been a big part and suppourter of local research and conservation efforts and maintains a healthy relationship with the AZG&F Dept.'s operation game theif to help enforce illegal reptile poaching. All members are expected to adhere to the laws regarding collecting etc. etc. Recently the board of directors has refused to place an ad in the society's newsletter for a 2nd annual herp show and expo by the events director who also happens to be a member of the society. He was told that the society had no place for herpetoculture and that he should start a community himself. I felt that this was undeserved as the year before he was allowed an ad in the newsletter. The ad we speak of had a caption that read: *DISCLAIMER: The above event is not endorsed nor affiliated with the Tuscon Herpetological Society.
The THS has been around since 1988 and I have been very pround to be a member of such a prestigious group of people however I feel that the THS needs to reconsider what it does and become more open to others. What do you think must be done? Any advice is appreciated. Thanx-Robert Villa (Helleri)