NASAR is a political beast. To think otherwise is to bury your head in the sand. Now this is not to say that NASAR, as an organization, does not provide excellent training to individuals involved in search and rescue operations. It does. The courses that they offer are an excellent source of information and provide necessary knowledge for the individual who desires to become a professional searcher.

However, the organization is made of individuals. Some of these individuals have not learned what serving a purpose higher than oneself is all about. As in most politically charged organization, like NASAR, beware of individuals who are acronym seekers. Those individuals who want to add lines to resumes and letters to their names. These are the individuals who believe that they know who the “best” search teams are and the “only” way to conduct a search or training session. They are the best of the worst.

And these few choice individuals did show their worst in March of 2001, when the appointed State Representatives for the SAR DOG section were instructed to provide a list of ALL K9 handlers within their state to the Regional Representatives for processing. This was to be an ALL INCLUSIVE list that would provide needed data to the NASAR staff so relevant information could be passed on to EVERY dog handler. It was not for NASAR members only. It was for everyone and a chance for the organization to prove that it was above politics, beyond the egotistical thinking that drives the self-serving hypocrites that fill the SAR world. It was a mission of honor, set out to alleviate the fears of the naysayers who doubt the Canine Section’s motivations for creating standards and a certification process.  It was meant to build bridges. It was meant to bring ALL people into the house of NASAR. And all it did was build walls.

How self-serving a representative, the one from the State of North Carolina, to think that he could pick and choose which dog teams he would include on the list and which teams he would not.  He made his first mistake not including teams he was fully aware of.  The next mistake, perhaps his worst, was excluding teams that had been trained and certified by me, Jonni Joyce. I have established a reputation as a well-known and respected master trainer of teams across the United States, so the exclusion of these good people and great dogs that have gone through my program or taken my course, wasn't going to fly.

As eyes watched from a distance, this seeker of acronyms made the fatal mistake of putting politics before honor. This after an email was forwarded to all involved explaining  “Etiquette Guidelines for NASAR representatives.” 

Here is my response to NASAR regarding the exclusion:

“You can build walls or you can build bridges. Simple-minded people in positions of authority build walls. It is the professional, sometimes quiet, sometimes a voice in the wilderness that has to be heard, which builds bridges. Judge an organization not by the misdeeds of the individuals, but rather by the organization’s response to the misdeeds.”

And respond they did. A directive to the NC state representative requested justification for failing to contact and excluding certain “highly regarded people”. Immediately, the position of State Representative across the nation was abolished and the regional representatives were authorized to form committees and appoint individuals to assist them in their projects. Not only had it occurred in North Carolina, but in other states as well. The powers to be at NASAR responded swiftly and effectively to the miscarriage of justice and made their position known.

Politics, professional jealousies, and personalities will not be allowed to interfere with the mission. If you represent NASAR, you will do it professionally. If you attempt to ride their coattails for individual political gain, you will fail. In order to attach NASAR in your list of acronyms, you best be on your best behavior. Not the best of the worst.

Seems to be a new Sheriff in town, and I for one I’m pleased. It has renewed my faith in the organization. So much so that I have rejoined NASAR in hopes of making a difference. I can only make a difference if I am part of the equation. I judge an organization, not by the misdeeds of the member, but by the response of the organization to the misdeeds. NASAR is to be commended on their response.

by Jonni Joyce.

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Regional representatives please forward this e-mail to your state personnel ASAP  Cheryl Kennedy

“I will NOT tolerate any local/regional/state politics in this process!  I and others have worked too hard to build what we have going.  And yes, LE SAR teams should also be included.”
Cheryl Kennedy

“Politics should never interfere with the saving of human lives.”
Jonni Joyce 

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