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Trouble Reading this email - Read it online Vol 3 • No 9, March 2nd, 2008
This Week's Stars
  I thought I'd start this issue of CLIFFNotes with some photos sent in by a member.
Update on the EIR As an update for those new to CLIFFNotes, an anonymous donor came forward and offered a large donation. After much discussion we decided to file an Environmental Impact Report with the state of California. Governor Schwarzenegger called for an EIR before he would support ferret amnesty (and eventual legalization). We were pleasantly surprised that an EIR doesn't cost as much as we had heard, "ferrets don't drive or make noise" we heard - so the EIR will be simpler and less expensive that we were first lead to believe.
Currently there is some research going on by members of what I call our "Brain Team" before signing a contract with our consultant and being official. I am used to knowing exactly what is going on but now I'm not the lead person for all of this (which is a good thing). However it makes it hard to report on what is happening, but some things are best left unsaid until the time is right.
The official non-profit paperwork and check have been sent to the IRS. We are expecting to have that done in the next couple of weeks. Ferrets Anonymous was set up as a 501 (c) 4 organization because we do political work. The new non-profit organization is educational, not political, so donations will be tax deductible.
There are about five people working on this and their preliminary work is very impressive. I am not going to undermine their efforts by disclosing things in CLIFFNotes that they are not ready to make public. So please excuse our semi-secrecy.
One very nice thing about this is none of these people have big egos. The goal is ferret legalization not who is in control or who gets credit.
Additionally, I wonder if we've gone about this all wrong for the past 15 years. I wish we had recognized the value of scientific work instead of criticizing DFG and the state of California.
A Few Replies From Legislators Come in Now that the deadline for new legislation has passed, a few legislators have responded to our requests for a legislative sponsor. The responses are along the lines of "I voted for ferrets when last time it was brought to a vote, thanks for contacting my office". - Unfortunately, this has not been very helpful.
We will monitor the state assembly and senate candidates after the June primary and look for a sponsor in 2009. Hopefully the EIR will be concluded by then so we will have more going on for us. San Diego FA Meeting The San Diego Chapter of Ferrets Anonymous needs to have a meeting to elect officers and all the details of having a club. Our treasurer has resigned so now basically, it is just me. Perhaps we can schedule an afternoon in a park where we can order box lunches, play games (complete with great prizes) - and work out the details of organizing this chapter is in order? Does anyone have a good location to recommend?
Identity Theft (or at least confusion) Somewhere in "Internetland" is another poor Pat Wright credited with founding Ferrets Anonymous. Please be assured I don't look anything like this woman credited with founding FA back in 1993:
  This is my photo - funny, I don't see the resemblance. More Photos
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