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"Take
a look at us, take your time…
this
may be what you have been looking for".
Good
day,
Check
us out, look us over. We have no “agenda”,
other than fulfilling our primary purpose of getting out on the ground
under open skies like our ancestors did. There are other fine
organizations dedicated to the same purpose. We all want to shine, but
the North American Frontiersmen are determined not to take ourselves so
seriously that internal conflicts overshadow the basic human
satisfaction of getting close to mother nature. We are embarked on a
bold enterprise, to see if a fellowship’s
affairs can be so regulated as to eliminate controversy and antagonism,
thus allowing members to remain active on the basis of actual interest
rather than monetary payment. We have created a basic set of standards
that we hope will endure, but our intention is to reach for excellence
rather than create commandments. Our leaders exist only to serve the
Association, not to rule. By remaining focused on our primary purpose,
we believe we can operate our Association using our mutual efforts and
co-operation, allowing each to contribute according to their ability,
relying only on sign-up fees to cover our minimal expenses. Only time
will tell if we can avoid the problems experienced by other groups, but
we are going to see how far we can journey based on good will and mutual
respect.
If
you have read our other statements, you will know that we
are not reenactors or festival-goers, but a survival minded association
dealing with today's situations in our own way - the 1750 to 1843 time
periods.
Several
of the “old
guard”
whose founding efforts launched existing associations, organizations and
clubs have reappeared and are in the process of starting anew, with
every hope of learning from their prior experiences. Many of us feel a
renewed interest that we thought had been eaten away. If you want to
join us in our journey, read on. We see ourselves as yet another means
to enjoy the best that primitive recreation can offer; we encourage
memberships in multiple groups and the resulting cross-pollination of
good ideas.
Like
other such organizations, we have created “Requirements”
that define the abilities expected at various membership levels. We have
tried to shape these requirements to reflect actual experience, whether
gained within our ranks or in prior activities. We have created a
Council of Elders whose sole purpose is to judge a prospect on their
demonstrated abilities. In many cases, members of other Associations
will find that their skills allow them to enter the NAF at a similar
level. Others, especially those newer to our activities, will benefit
from the same close sponsorship and guidance that has worked in other
organizations. Our levels of membership are shown below, and described
in the Bylaws.
Give
it some thought after looking us over. If you know others of like mind
that would be interested, please pass the word. All are welcome, no
matter what your expertise level is -- we all had to take a first step
to start on this journey.
Early
explorers made this trip before Bodmer and the Prince,
now
frontiersmen and their families are on the move, come and look us over.
Here's
a map of 1800-1820 showing the growth of the nation.
[remember
to "click back button" to return here]
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North
American Frontiersmen
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