Montana Auctioneers

Montana Auctioneer
www.montanaauctioneers.org e-mail [email protected] BOARD OF DIRECTORS
March 2011
President’s Letter
Ed Hinton
President
Ed Hinton
HInton Auction & Appraisal
P.O. Box 2570
Scobey, MT 59263
Phone: (406) 783-7285
[email protected]
Vice President
Kyle Shobe
SHobe Auction & Realty
408 W. Main
Lewistown, MT 59457
(406) 366-0472
[email protected]
Directors
Brian Young
633 Fiddler Creek Rd.
Fishtail, MT 59082
(406) 328-6864
[email protected]
Wes Kammerman
6440 Leonard St.
Manhattan, MT 59741
(406) 282-009
Gordon Van Ash
P.O. Box 1381
Forsyth, MT 59327
(406) 356-2829
[email protected]
Treasurer
Merton E Musser, CAI
Rich Venzor
Musser Bros. Auctioneers Inc.
Headwaters Livestock
2945 Palm Dr.
25 Wheatland Road
Billings, MT 59102
P.O. Box 590
(406) 652-2266
Three
Forks, MT 59752
[email protected]
(406) 285-0502
Immediate Past President [email protected]
JimBo Logan, GPPA, CES
Robert McDowell III
Logan Auction Service, Inc.
P.O. Box 3746
P.O. Box 168
Butte, MT 59702
Clyde Park, MT 59018
(406) 490-8279
406-686-4728
[email protected]
[email protected]
Bill Allen, GPPA, CES
PO Box 31122
Billings, MT 59107
[email protected]
Hello Montana Auctioneers,
As I write this message the
thermometer hovers around 20 below and
the weatherman says the wind chills may
approach minus 45, hard to believe that
the spring auction season is just around the
corner.
The inclimate weather caused
us to cancel the weekly cattle sale at
Glasgow Stockyards so that afforded me
the opportunity to attend a land auction
conducted by Russell Peterson. Russell and
his staff sold 1.25 million dollars of real
estate in less that half an hour. The land sold
in four tracts and the sale was well attended.
Congratulations Russell on an excellent
and very professionally conducted sale.
The property had been on the market for
sometime with no movement. This is just
another example of the power of the auction
method of marketing.
If you missed the Convention in
Livingston you missed a very informative
and fun weekend. The seminars conducted
by Stephan Proffit III were some of the most
informational seminars that I have seen.
He made it very clear just how important it
is for us to conduct sales properly, be very
contentious of what we say while conducting
sales and make sure our contracts are
properly written.
President’s Letter Continued
It is good to revisit these documents now and again to be on the safe side.
Another seminar I found very interesting was on selling animal mounts and animal parts such
as feathers, claws etc. The seminar was conducted by Dan Quillen of Wildlife Artistry, a taxidermy
business in Livingston. If you have a sale with mounts, especially exotic mounts you need to check
them out very carefully before selling them. There are many laws governing the sale of mounts and
animal parts. Your local taxidermist may be able to help or contact FWP for information concerning
weather they are salable or not.
The next year’s Convention will be in Red Lodge, I hope everyone will be able to attend. I can’t
remember ever having it in Red Lodge so it should be fun. Let’s all show up and show that community
to power of the auction and participate in the Bid Calling Contest. Congratulations to Rick Young and
family, Mert Musser and Jim Cooper as they will be your hosts for that weekend.
I am looking forward to the upcoming year and want to say thank you for your confidence in
me to lead this association. JimBo Logan left some very big shoes to fill, great job JimBo for your
excellent service the last three years. We have a strong board of directors and they have some very
good ideas for this next year to keep the association on the right path. We are here to assist you, the
members, if you have any questions or need anything at all please contact me or one of the other boards
of directors.
Until next time I hope your auctions are all successful and abundant.
Sincerely,
Ed Hinton GPPA
President MAA
2012 MONTANA AUCTIONEER
CONVENTION
January 27-28, 2012
Rock Creek Resort
Red Lodge, MT
Call 866-270-2752 or visit
montanaauctioneers.org for additional information
1
The Chant is Not Important!
Article By Steven Proffitt
Now that I have your attention, let me say this clearly – I love good chanting! It’s always delightful to listen to the
top practitioners roll through the numbers. But I hate the priority that auctioneers give the chant. Many believe the
chant is the be-all and end-all of auctions. This elevation of chanting is sorely misplaced and obscures what’s really
important in auctions – and it’s not the chant.
Art.
The problem turns on auctioneers not distinguishing between art and business. The chant is art – like singing a song.
It takes talent and a lot of practice to be good. But conducting an auction is not art, it’s business – and the chant is
not the business of an auction.
If you don’t agree, here are two questions.
First, have you ever heard of an auctioneer being sued because he’s a poor chanter? You haven’t and you won’t.
That’s no basis for a lawsuit.
Second, have you ever heard of an auctioneer doing something wrong, but getting off the hook because he’s a good
chanter? Again, you haven’t and you won’t. The law doesn’t care a wit about the quality of the chant. [Note: I said
“quality.” I didn’t say “accuracy” or “honesty” and the law cares plenty about those aspects of the bids called.]
So what’s the most important thing that an auctioneer does in an auction? The answer is simple if we break it down.
“ABC’s.”
Let’s start by understanding that auctioneers don’t conduct auctions so they can chant. Auctioneers conduct auctions
to make sales.
Now what’s the basis for a sale? It’s not the chant. The basis for a sale is a promissory agreement between a seller
to sell, and a buyer to buy whatever is the subject of the offering. The agreement these parties reach is a legal
contract. All selling turns on contracts for sale and is controlled by that body of law. That’s why I teach a seminar I
call, “The ABC’s of Auctions – Auctions are ‘All ‘Bout Contracts!’”
The role of the auctioneer in the selling equation is equally fundamental. An auctioneer serves as an agent for a
seller to form contracts for sale between the seller and the respective buyers of the lots offered. The auctioneer might
do this by using a chant, or he might never chant. Chanting means nothing in forming a contract for sale and that’s
why it’s not worthy of the priority auctioneers give it. It’s just art. Indeed, auctioneers at the top houses often don’t
chant and they annually sell many millions of dollars of assets.
Definition.
Understanding that contracts and not the chant are the nucleus of the auction, we can easily determine the singlemost important component of every auction – it’s terms. Nothing ever trumps the terms of an auction in importance
– nothing! That’s because the terms define the contracts for sale that are formed between the seller and buyers. If
the terms are clear, complete, and correct, the auction can be conducted in protection and furtherance of the seller’s
interest. If the terms are anything less, the seller is in an inferior position and could suffer adverse consequences
and damages.
2
Continued on Next Page
The Chant is Not Important, Continued
Confusion.
Unfortunately, many auctioneers don’t understand the important role of terms. As a result, they make two critical
errors.
First, these auctioneers view the terms of the sale as a burdensome preliminary that can’t be trimmed enough to get
on with what they see as the really important part of the auction – chanting bids. One word answers this thought –
wrong!
Second, many auctioneers never give more than rudimentary terms and then give the same ones at every auction.
Often these terms are no more than a canned spiel that was memorized in auctioneering school. These simplistic
and generic terms are frequently incomplete, vague, sometimes contradictory, and often wrong for the auction to be
conducted. Just as sellers differ in their interests, needs, and goals so, too, terms must be customized to best serve
them.
False Start.
So why do many auctioneers fail to give terms the preeminent role they deserve? It’s because that’s what they were
taught and they’ve never challenged that idea.
Unfortunately, from the first day of auction school, the central focus for most students is learning to chant. The
reason is that’s what they identify with auctioneering, and that’s what they like the most. This is why so many bidcalling contests have sprung up across the auction landscape.
Contests.
While bid-calling contests generate a lot of interest and highlight the artistic ability of the contestants, they fail
to spotlight the far more important business side of auctions. Emphasizing art over business can be dangerous if
auctioneers fail to recognize the distinction.
Today, every auctioneer wants to be “the best” chanter – the champion – to have a belt buckle, or trophy, or ring that
proclaims his or her unique talent. While that’s fine, the law doesn’t care about the quality of the auctioneer’s chant.
The law focuses on the business aspects of the auction and that’s what auctioneers must focus on, too.
Conclusion.
If you’re a new auctioneer, keep practicing your chant. Polish it so you can be proud of it and everyone will enjoy
listening to you.
If you’re a seasoned chanter, congratulations! Show off your talent at every chance.
In either case, never forget that chanting is just art. It’s not the purpose for which auctions are conducted.
Auctions are conducted to sell assets, and these sales are founded upon contracts. Terms define contracts for sale and
nothing ever trumps them in importance – not even the chant.
Steve Proffitt is general counsel of J. P. King Auction Company, Inc. (www.jpking.com) in Gadsden, AL. He is also an
auctioneer and instructor at both Reppert School of Auctioneering in Auburn, IN and Mendenhall School of Auctioneering
in High Point, NC. This information does not represent legal advice or the formation of an attorney-client relationship and
readers should seek the advice of their own attorneys on all legal issues. Mr. Proffitt may be contacted by email at sproffitt@
jpking.com.
3
Are You All There?
Article By Mickey Lapp
My maternal grandmother Shirley, was one of the wisest people I’ve known in life. She would often tell
me, “Mickey, enjoy your youth.” I never really understood what she meant by that until I hit the age where I
discovered there are probably more years behind me now, then there are in front of me. What Shirley meant
was, youth enables you to do many things - enjoy those things to their fullest extent while you’re fully able.
There is a young man that comes to mind whenever I remember Shirley’s sage advice, and that young man is
Kyle Shobe. I’m not bragging about Kyle, simply because I don’t have to. However, Kyle is a great example
of what my grandmother was talking about. Whether Kyle is calling an auction sale, playing music, or being a
son, brother, husband, or father, he’s all there - giving 100% of himself to the job at hand. He is focused, he is
on-purpose. Kyle doesn’t just let things happen to him - he makes things happen. He lives in the moment, he is
enjoying his youth, and when he’s there... he’s all there.
Being “all there” means we’re giving 100% of our efforts to the task at hand. I mention this because there were
times (albeit few and far between) where I caught myself going down my laundry list while calling bids. I was
distracted by the every day things of life when I should have been “on purpose.” These distractions don’t just
visit us when we’re bidcalling, they creep up on us when we least expect it - in the board room, during the
Sunday sermon, at the stop light, and when our spouse or a close friend desires our complete and undivided
attention. We find our minds wandering at the most inappropriate times.
So what’s the solution? Better time management? Better organization? An attempt to downsize our cluttered
schedules? Perhaps it’s a combination of all these things along with a renewed commitment to focus on what
really matters in life.
What’s distracting you from being all there? If you can’t list at least three things, good for you and God Bless
You! If you can, I encourage you to do a little mental house cleaning and get back to the basics. You’re worth it,
your family is worth it, your business is worth it, and all three are well deserving of 100% of your efforts.
I hope to visit some of you at your auctions this year and I look foward to seeing you...”all there.”
Til We Meet Again,
Mickey Lapp, CAI
Kalispell
Mickey Lapp
Kyle Shobe
4
You Can Never Have Too Much Education
An Article by Hannes Combest, CEO National Auctioneer Association
As I write this in early February, the “Blizzard of 2011” has recently made its exit
from Kansas and headed north and east.
I’m sitting in my little house in Lawrence, Kan., looking at snowdrifts that are almost
as tall as I am, and I’m dreaming … not of a White Christmas, but of Orlando, Fla., in
July! I know that in Orlando I will feel the heat and humidity and perhaps think fondly
back to the 2011 blizzard (maybe -- and then again, maybe not!).
But what I know for sure is that I won’t have to deal with snow in Orlando. What I
will get to do is see many of the friends and colleagues I’ve met over the past three years at the International
Auctioneers Conference and Show. As I write this, the brochure and forms for the conference are at the press,
the March issue of Auctioneer is being produced and soon NAA members will receive all three publications.
I hope what you will see will excite you. We’ve worked hard to put together a quality education program that
will provide you the information you need to either grow your business or make you more efficient. Both
actions have the same result – they add money to your bottom line. We have kept the same tight scheduled we
initiated last year, allowing you to fly/drive to Orlando on Tuesday and leave Saturday afternoon and not miss
one single thing. This means you have less time away from your office or from your friends and family.
As you look at the brochure and forms, you may ask yourself, “I just attended my state convention, why do I
need to go to both?” I could answer this question quickly by saying, “You can never have too much education.”
But the truth is … you can never have too much education.
The professional development opportunities offered by your state may meet your state’s license requirements
and may meet your continuing education requirements to maintain your educational designations. The
education at the NAA will also meet those needs. You will have access to three and a half days of quality
programs, many of which will focus on specialized niches you have within your auction business.
While at your state association events, you will see the friends and colleagues you have met from across your
state. And at the NAA’s Conference and Show, you will see the friends and colleagues you have met from
across the nation or world.
The decision for you is not to select one conference over the other one. The decision for you is to make a
commitment to improve your business in the most effective way possible – learning from as many people and
incorporating as much information as you can to add money to your bottom line.
And don’t forget to talk to your accountant, as business-related continuing education and expenses may be tax
deductible for you. And don’t discount what a little break from the day-to-day grind of work can provide.
Lonnie McCurdy, from Kansas, told me that he schedules the NAA conference on his calendar every year;
otherwise, he would never get a break. That’s good for Lonnie and for his family and for his business.
So make your plans now to attend the NAA Conference and Show. And while you are there, look me up! I’ll be
there – without my snow shovel!
5
MAA Celebrates 50th Anniversary!
The 50th Montana Auctioneer’s Convention was held January 28-29, 2011, at the Best Western Yellowstone Inn
in Livingston, Montana with Steven Proffitt, III as the featured speaker.
This year’s Bid Calling Championship Contest was a success with 15 contestants in the Pro Division and some
steep competition. Ed Hinton of Hinton Auctions out of Scobey, Montana took first place in the Bid Calling
Contest. Rick Young of Rick Young & Sons from Absarokee, MT placed second in the championship and Rob
McDowell out of Butte, MT placed third. The Rookie Division of the Bid Calling contest had 4 contestants
competing for rookie of the year. Jake Yoder of Mission Auctions from St. Ignatius, MT was the 2011 Rookie
bid call champion. The crowd of about 250 at the Livingston fairgrounds was given a chance to participate with
the “People’s Choice Award,” going to Jaxson Allen from Lewistown, MT. This year’s Hall of Fame inductee
was Rick Stahl out of Opheim, MT.
The Montana Auctioneer Association would like to welcome two new directors to the MAA Board: Wes
Kamerman of Kamerman Auctions out of Manhattan, MT, and Brian Young from Fishtail, MT. Ed Hinton
was elected the new MAA President and JimBo Logan was awarded a plaque for his exceptional service and
dedication to Montana Auctioneer Association from 2007-2010.
The winner of the all expense paid trip to the NAA Conference July 12-17, 2011 in Greensboro, North Carolina
was awarded to Jim Cooper out of Billings, MT. Jim will have the opportunity to compete at the national level
this year.
Through the annual MAA raffle, a 2011 Honda Rancher 420 4X4 from Lewis Town Honda, Lewis Town,
Montana was awarded to Clete Ophus from Big Sandy Montana. The Marlin model .444 caliber rifle was
awarded to Lorrie Stewart of Loma, Montana.
Award Winners
Jake Yoder, Ed Hinton, Rick Young, Rob McDowell III
6
MAA Celebrates 50th Anniversary, Continued
7
Rick Stahl Inducted Into MAA Hall of Fame
equipment auctions.
Rick Stahl has been in the auction business and a member of the
Montana Auctioneer Association for 40 years, specializing in agricultural equipment and machinery livestock. Rick graduated from Western College of Auctioneering in Billings, Montana in December, 1970.
Early in his auction career, Rick was partnered with Fritz Hoppe and Del Strommen operating under the business name “Wide Range Auction Service.” They provided stiff competition to other auctioneers in northeast Montana for many years, but were always regarded for their professionalism and ethical business practices – practices that Rick
himself maintained throughout his life, in and out of the auction business.
Following his partnership with Hoppe and Strommen, Rick partnered
with his brother Race, forming Stahl Auction, and finally worked for
the Glasgow Stockyards (GSI) selling cattle and managing their farm
Rick won the MAA Bid Call Championship three times and finished 2nd and 3rd several times as well. Rick
competed on ‘both sides’ in the years of two MAA sanctioned contests (one for Merchandise auctioneers,
one for Livestock auctioneers). He won the Merchandise division in 1978 (Kalispell) and 1987 (Bozeman).
He also won the title in 2001 (Scobey) and received for the first time, the Del Strommen Memorial Bid Call
Champion’s traveling trophy. In 2004, Rick was selected as one of the top 30 livestock auctioneers in the
nation, as he competed in the World Livestock Auctioneer Championship in Billings. Many fellow auctioneers
enjoyed listening to his impeccable rhythm and timing, and marveled at his natural ability to connect with the
crowd. His jokes, personality and general give-and-take with the crowd always made him an instant hit with
everyone. “Rick is fair in his dealings and is as fun to work with as anybody. Rick is a real quality individual
I’ve always enjoyed working with him,” said MAA president Ed Hinton.
Throughout his auction career, Rick had a strong belief in being actively involved in industry organizations
and demonstrated that by serving multiple terms on the Montana Auctioneers Association Board of Directors,
including the office of President in 1979-1980 and Vice President in 1983-1984. Ten other intermittent years
he held a Board of Directors position for the MAA. He was also a member of the National Auctioneers
Association for 35 years.
“Rick has always been admired and appreciated, his honesty and integrity for conducting business has
developed a great rapport with buyers. He sets a great example for all auctioneers around the country,” said
longtime friend and colleague Jayson Shobe of Shobe Auction & Realty.
In addition to auctioneering, Rick and his wife Sue farmed in the Opheim, Montana area for many years; a
profession they are now fully retired from, as they sold their farm property and machinery in October, 2008 (at
auction!). For health reasons, Rick was forced to retire from auctioneering, he now travels to Glasgow daily to
work at Glasgow Implement, Inc. selling Case machinery to farmers and ranchers in northeastern Montana- a
profession he has a bit of expertise in. With 40 years of experience in farm machinery and sales, Rick now has
the opportunity to work with many of the same people, from a slightly different angle.
Although clients won’t hear his rhythmic “25-will-you-give-me-30-dollar” during the procedure of their
purchase, they can still expect the same professionalism and sincerity from a man who set something of a
standard for professional auctioneers in the state of Montana.
8
Auctioneers “Sold” on National Auctioneers Day
National Auctioneers Day is celebrated the third Saturday in April, marking a special day in the lives of
auctioneers each year. This day is recognized by auctioneers as a day to reflect back on one of history’s oldest
professions and celebrate the industrys future.
Auctioneers offer their voices to a range of charities and philanthropies to celebrate National Auctioneers day as
a way of giving back and giving thanks to the communities and customers they serve.
The last stronghold of the competitive free enterprise system, auctions and the age-old profession of
auctioneering continues to grow in today’s economy. It is estimated that approximately a quarter of a trillion
dollars in goods and services are sold by live auction every in the United States.
Online or on the lawn, auctions continue to grow in popularity with consumers. Bidders enjoy the thrill of
competition with an auction and the rush that comes with the chase for treasures. Auctions are one of the most
effective and efficient means of turning assets into cash quickly, and continue to be the most useful means of
establishing fair market value. Most importantly, consumers come back to autions time and time again because
of the fun and entertainment.
Cornerstrone Business Resources Donate to
Auctioneers
Paul Parkhurst of Cornerstone Business Resources a merchant services company out of Greenwood Village,
Colorado, has come to an agreement with the Montana Auctioneer Association to donate 10% of any profit on
an account that goes above and beyond the cost of services. Cornerstone offers unrivaled rates with no hidden
fees.
For further information regarding Cornerstone’s donations please call 866-270-2752 or email Paul Parkhurst
[email protected]
9
Three Ways Leadership Has Affected Me
An Article by Christie King
The NAA and my state association have both had a tremendous impact on me and my business. After auction school in the early 1990’s, I joined both the National Auctioneers Association and
the Alabama Auctioneers Association. I soon became active in the
leadership of the Alabama Association and went through the chairs of
leadership. In 1999 I served on the Alabama State Board of Auctioneers. In 2006, I decided to seek a position within the NAA Board and later ran for Vice President. My service on both boards has offered me the
opportunity to get to know many of my colleagues, their families, and vendors. I have developed friends throughout the country and the world. These are relationships I will always treasure.
Many may ask why they should get involved in their state or national association. The main reason I became
involved was to give back to the industry that had served my family over the past five generations. Being a “social butterfly,” I love to meet people. What better reason to get involved? While giving was my main reason, I
was pleasantly surprised to realize that I received so much more than I gave.
Due to my state and national leadership involvement, three important life changing things have happened. First,
I developed as a business-person. I was given knowledge to help me work more effectively with people, to run
a board, learn who Robert was (Robert’s Rules), and the importance of communication. Secondly, it opened
up a whole new realm of business contacts and friends. We have both grown through sharing information and
referrals. It is a wonderful feeling to know that I could call on numerous friends across to country. Third, it has
given me the ability to keep my finger on the pulse of the industry and the issues that affect associations across
the country. With these ever changing economic times, the experience has been invaluable.
You are never too in demand to contribute and there is no time like the present. Many say “I am too busy to
take on another volunteer job.” While I understand the pressure of becoming involved, what you receive in return is tenfold of what you give. It has always been said if you want to get something done, seek someone who
is busy to get involved.
Christie King, CAI, AARE, BAS is a fourth generation auctioneer and one of three principals of J. P. King. She
also is President of C King Benefit Auctions and Vice President of the National Auctioneers Association. She
can be reached at [email protected].
10
MONTANA AUCTIONEERS
ASSOCIATION
Proposed by: Kyle Shobe Seconded
by: Rob McDowell
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
MINUTES
Passed: 8 of 8
January 28, 2011, 9:00 AM
5.
ASSOCIATION REPORTS
a.
President’s Report
1.
CALL TO ORDER
President JimBo Logan, GPPA, CES
called the meeting to order at 9:02 am
on January 28, 2011.
2.
i.
JimBo is very happy with the
community support received through
sponsorship of the conference. MAA
has collected $3350 from sponsors and
has signed up two in kind sponsors
to provide soda and printing of the
auction flyers.
ROLL CALL
Board Members Present:
President JimBo Logan, GPPA, CES
ii.
There are extra table if any
Board members have brought auction
items.
Vice President Kyle Shobe
Treasurer Merton Musser
b.
Immediate Past President Mickey Lapp
Treasurer’s Report
i.
MAA financial are doing well.
Current assets of the organization is
$17,612.25.
Director Rick Young
Director Matt Smith
Director Gordon Van Ash
Director Robert McDowell III
MOTION
Director Rich Venzor
Approve the Financial Report
Proposed by: Rick Young; Seconded
by Mickey Lapp
Staff Members Present:
Passed 8 of 8
Dan Ollero – The Maurer Group
Board Members Absent:
Director Bill Allen
6.
MAA Convention
a.
Hall of Fame
i.
Rick Stahl will be the Hall of
Fame inductee for this year.
3.
REQUEST FOR
AMMENDMENTS/ADDITIONS TO
THE AGENDA
ii.
A list of Hall of Fame inductees
is needed. It was suggested when we
have the information, the association
might want to order a plaque with all
the inductees on it and leave room to
add on following years. Gail has been
acting as the MAA Historian and Kyle
will talk to her about helping to get this
information.
Added “Elections” to the Old Business
4.
APPROVAL OF MAY
MEETING MINUTES
MOTION
Approve November 15, 2010 Board of
Directors meeting minutes.
11
MOTION
i.
Tickets need to be printed and
ready to sell by September 1. The
four-wheeler didn’t get finalized until
later so that has to be taken care of in
June or July.
To form a committee to investigate the
Hall of Fame Inductees as far back as
possible.
Proposed by: Rick Young; Seconded
by Rich Venzor
ii.
Make sure this item is on the
agenda for the July/August Board
meeting.
Passed 8 of 8
iii.
JimBo Logan volunteered to chair the
committee and Rob McDowell III will
help.
b.
OLD BUSINESS
1.
Bid Calling Contest
Bid Calling Judges
i.
There will be six judges for the
contest.
d.
NEW BUSINESS
1.
Donation of a belt buckle for
the 2011 NAA Convention.
Calcutta
i.
The Maurer Group will be
handing the money for the Calcutta.
Last year it was handled through
Logan Auction but we want to keep the
funds separate this year.
e.
MOTION
To provide a Montana Silversmith belt
buckle to the 2011 NAA Convention in
Orlando.
Corporate Sponsors
Proposed by: Kyle Shobe; Seconded
by Mickey Lapp
i.
Already reported on in
President’s Report
f.
Elections
a.
Mickey and Matt will act as
the nominating committee and will
announce their nominations at the
General Membership meeting.
i.
The Logans have set up for 15
contestants in the Pro Division and 5 in
the Rookie Division.
c.
1500 tickets were printed.
Passed: 8 of 8
Fairgrounds/Best Western
i.
Best Western has been great to
work with. No problems.
Rob and Rich will organize this effort.
ii.
Fairgrounds are also great to
work with but the insurance issue is
going to be a problem in the future.
a.
MAA would like TMG to make
more of an effort to get newsletter
articles from the Board members.
g.
2.
Solicitation for Ads
MOTION
i.
Participation seems to be less
this year. It has been tougher to get
donations for ads.
h.
TMG year review and contract
To retain the Maurer Group for another
year.
Proposed by Kyle Shobe; Seconded by
Gordan Van Ash
Raffle Tickets
Passed 8 of 8
12
3.
2012 Conference
a.
The venue will be discussed
at the Annual General Meeting. Ed
Hinton has shown interest in hosting
the convention in Scobey, MT and
Jayson Shobe has expressed interest in
hosing the conference in Lewistown.
MOTION TO ADJOURN
Proposed by Kyle Shobe; seconded by
Merton Musser.
Passed 8 of 8
A Special Thanks to our
2011 Conference Sponsors!
49’er Casino
Harrington’s Pepsi-Cola
All Service Tire & Alignment, Inc.
Insty Prints of Livingston
1-800-THE-SIGN
Livingston Roundup Association
Antique Barn Inc.
Logan Auction Services
B&B Appliances
Maverick Realty
Bank of the Rockies NA
Mountain View Co-op
Clyde Park Tavern & Cafe
Myrstol Past & Pole Co.
Corner Stone Business Resources
Pawn Depot Inc.
Ducks Unlimited
Shields Valley Hardware & Framing
Emigrant General Store
Stu’s Chemical
First Interstate Bank of Livingston
The Prairie Star
Guardian Title Inc.
Watson Irrigation
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MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Montana Auctioneers Association
TO APPLY FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE MAA, CHOOSE ONE OF THESE APPLICATION METHODS:
Complete this form, provide credit card information, then FAX to (509) 783-4674 or complete this form, then
MAIL with check or money order to MAA, P.O. Box 3097 Pasco, WA 99302. Please fill out all five sections. If
you have any questions call the office at 866-270-2752.
1
Please check one. Membership in MAA is open to individuals, not companies.
MEMBERSHIP
TYPE
ELIGIBILITY
MEMBERSHIP
DUES
INDIVIDUAL
Auctioneer who conducts Auctions in the state of Montana. Entitled to vote.
$50
ASSOCIATE
Individuals interested in the Auction profession. Non-voting member
$25
TOTAL AMOUNT DUE $
2
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
First Name
Middle
Last
State
Zip
3
AUCTIONEER PROFILE
Address
City
Company Name
Phone
Fax
Cell
Member of NAA
Member of other state association Where______________
4
METHOD OF PAYMENT
Check Enclosed
E-mail
Bill me
Website
Sponsorship
Date Submitted
5
YOUR AUCTION SPECIALTIES
Antiques & Collectibles
Art & Galleries
Automobiles & Transportation
Benefit & Charity
Business Liquidations
Carnivals & Amusement Parks
Collector Cars &
Vintage Equipment
Computers & Electronics
Estate & Personal Property
Farm & Ranch
Government & Municipal
Industrial & Manufacturing
Intellectual Property
Laboratory & Pharmaceutical
Logging & Forestry
Media
Office & Business Equipment
Real Estate, Commercial
Real Estate, Land
Real Estate, Residential
Restaurant & Food Industry
Trucks & Trailers
By completing and submitting this form, I hereby make
application for membership in the Montana Auctioneers
Association. If accepted, I will abide by its by-laws, support its
objectives, comply with the MAA's code of ethics and pay the
established dues.
Contributions or gifts to Montana Auctioneers Association are
not tax deductible as charitable contributions for income tax
purposes. However, they may be tax deductible as ordinary and
necessary business expenses subject to restrictions imposed as
a result of association lobbying activities. Membership runs
January 1 - December 31.
My Thoughts
An Article by Rob McDowell
Well, thanks to the ground hog we are in the middle of six more weeks of winter and it also
feels like Jack Frost crawled down the hole with him. Boy oh boy! has it been cold. I guess
I shouldn’t complain much, here in southwest Montana the winter has been pretty mild compared to the rest of the state. Those who live in the north east corner have had it tough for
quite a while now. My Dad has made the comment a few times that, “this year has been one of
the longest for cold weather he remembers.” I thought maybe he had forgotten all the winters
that he spent in the Big Hole Valley, then yesterday he said that the last time that he and Jack
Hirschy were visiting they both remembered about back in the early 1940’s the temperature
only reached a high of 35º below zero for six weeks in row. Hopefully, spring will soon arrive and we all will
have a better attitude for the rest of the year.
Jimbo and Chris Logan need to be congratulated on the great job they have done in leading our organization
and putting on a tremendous convention. The following that they have for their auctions is a good thing for the
auction business. I was amazed at the number of people that attended and supported the fun auction and bid
calling contest. As a whole, I think this year’s convention was outstanding.
It was nice to have some new members join us at this year’s convention. They seemed to like what was
offered. Those of you that weren’t in attendance missed out on some of the best seminars that have been
offered. The two that really benefited me were, “Selling Wildlife Taxidermy Mounts” and the two sessions
with Stephen Proffitt. Jimbo had a great idea when he thought that it would be well worth it for us to bring Mr.
Proffitt to the convention and to be our featured seminar presenter. Jimbo, as they say in the south, “you done
good.”
If you are not familiar with Stephen Proffitt, he is the legal counsel for J.P. King Auction Company of Alabama as well as a featured writer in the NAA’s magazine, “Auctioneer.” His presentation is done in a humorous way that is very helpful in remembering the material. If you weren’t there you really missed out. Mr.
Proffitt gave us many good tips on ways to write contracts for various types of auctions and many things that
we need to address that will help protect us in our businesses. I not only found the material to be helpful in the
auction profession, but it could also be helpful in other business and everyday life. The only thing that makes
me sad is that our society has evolved in a way that we need to be so aware of all the legal gotchas in business
and everyday life. It seems like nobody wants to take responsibility for their own actions. We all forget that
when you point a finger at someone else there are three more pointing right back at you. It would be nice if we
could just follow the code of the west where a man’s hand shake is his bond and his word is good. (There are
way too many lawyers!)
I don’t have much auction news to comment on. I have done my calcutta in Great Falls for the Montana
Prorodeo Circuit Finals in Great Falls and it was about average or a little better than some years, but the gross
was down some from last year. Nothing that hasn’t happened before. I have also done a couple of benefits
that seemed to be a little tough. From those in the know, they say that last year was a bit hard on non-profit
organizations. I am sure this is reflected by the economy. I have some horse sales and a consignment auction
coming up in the very near future to work.
I wish everyone a successful spring auction season.
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