UTA News

The UTA Partners With Unishippers
At its June meeting, the UTA Board voted unanimously to partner with Unishippers in order to provide yet another benefit to our members.  For over 20 years, Unishippers have been a valued and reliable shipping resource to over 75,000 businesses.  They are an authorized reseller of UPS services, and partnered with over 30 respected regional and national common carriers such as UPS Freight, SAIA, YRC, and R & L Carriers.  Last year they saved their customers over 20% on over 12 million shipments.  Their business benefit from better rates, one invoice, one web site, and one point-of-contact for your entire small parcel express air, ground shipments, freight and international shipments.  Because of the consolidated shipping volumes Unishippers bring to their carrier partners, they have the ability to offer the UTA members competitive rates usually reserved for large corporations.  Often times they offer the same carriers currently being used but at a savings.  Unishippers prides itself on the consultative approach helping its customers save time, trouble, and money on their shipping.  A recent example shows how Unishippers helped one of the UTA members by being able to offer the customer different methods for shipping an item.  Unishippers relationship was able to save this member over 200%.  While this example is extreme, it demonstrates the Unishippers consultative commitment to providing the UTA members with great savings!  To contact Unishippers, you can e-mail Kathy White at  kathy.white@unishippers.com or by calling her at 406-563-7792.  She promises a quick response time and with the collective volume of the UTA members, and very competitive rates on all your shipping!  As with all our benefits, you have to use them to get the benefit.  Unishippers strives to provide the best available option, we hope this option does provide a tangible benefit.  We want to hear from you and your experience to make sure it is as advertised.

Craig Lewis, Chairman Of The Board

Life Membership Payment Plan Now Available
A number of folks have requested a plan to spread out the life membership fee over time.  In response to this request, the UTA has established a Life Membership Payment Plan that affords the applicant payment options ending with recognition as a Life Member.  Contact your UTA representative for more detailed information.  Just another example of the UTA listening and responding to its members.  We really do stand together.

New Zealand Raffle Winner
Congratulations to Paul Van B from Colorado!  He is the lucky winner of the New Zealand hunt.  Thank you to all who purchased raffle tickets.

Wyoming Taxidermist Association members join the UTA - ALL OF THEM !
The UTA sincerely appreciates the WATA Board decision to use UTA membership as a recruiting tool.  We welcome 37 new members and look forward to continued association and support to the taxidermy industry as we work together throughout the year.  What a great show in Wyoming.  The venue was excellent.  The many mounts were well done with numerous supportive and appreciative comments from public visitors.  The presence of the radio and TV folks as well as the newspaper speak volumes to your coordinated approach.  It was also noted that the Mayor of Casper, the WY Director of the Fish and Wildlife as well as a Commissioner on the Fish and Game Commission attended the banquet.  Including key decision makers such as these will bear fruit later on.  Also, including the Boy Scouts in a hands-on wolf mounting experience was especially appreciated by the attendees.  The sparkle in their eye was unmistakable.  It takes a lot of folks working together to put a convention together - you did so with excellence.  Congratulations are also in order to Steve Werbelow for winning the Artisan Award.  His full body sheep mount was extraordinary.  Great job Steve!

UTA 2010 Election
Nominations are now open for the 2010 UTA election of Directors.  There are three director positions that are up for election.
Northwest Region (WY, MT, ID, OR, WA, AK, ND)
Southeast Region (VA, WV, KY, NC, SC, TN, GA, AL, FL, MS)
US Territories

Consistent with the UTA Bylaws and the UTA Election Policy, directors may only be nominated and elected by members from within the specific region.  To nominate a person for UTA director, please first contact the individual(s) and confirm that they are interested and willing to serve.  Serving as a Director is a commitment of time and money as most costs are self funded.  Directors will be expected to participate in all official meetings, work on various committees and serve as an ambassador for the UTA by attending at least one State show in their region in addition to their own State show and the annual membership meeting.  Nominations can be made by colleagues from within the applicable region or you may nominate yourself if you reside in the eligible region.  Nominations can be sent via mail to Frank Kotula, 1011 Spruce St., Wilkes-Barre, PA  19702.  By e-mail to:  basstrout@msn.com or by phone at 570-819-0391.  Nominations must be received no later than June 20, 2010.  To assist in making your choice, enclosed are the current members from your region.  Nominees will be contacted and must accept or decline no later than July 1, 2010.  Ballots will be mailed no later than July 15, 2010 and must be returned no later than August 15, 2010.  The winners will be announced September 1, 2010.  The UTA is a grass roots group of passionate taxidermists interested in making sure that our industry is well represented and that every taxidermist and State Association receives the support they need in a variety of venues.  We are also interested in supporting those who haven given their time and products to the taxidermy industry including the suppliers, tanners and others.  Our board represents a cross section of our industry and we hope with your help to continue in this quest.  We Stand Together!  Please make your selection wisely and vote.