Organized Squatching
Updated: The Mid-America Bigfoot Research Center (MABRC) did not result from the turmoil listed in this entry to the Squatchopedia, it was started and grew on it's own merits.
The purpose of this article is to give some insight into the origins of organized bigfooting in it’s current incarnation and offer some observations. In the beginning, of the current situation, there was the BFRO. It claimed to be the only scientific Organization out there pursuing the mystery. The BFRO is owned and operated by Matt Moneymaker, a situation that led to conflict within this group. There were various curators who left over a period after trying to gain a more mutual sense of control over the BFRO and having Moneymaker refuse. As a result, many members left for any number of individual reasons. As a result of this, many personal relationships and friendships suffered.
Whether directly or indirectly, the result of this exodus initially was what would become the AIBR, the Alliance of Independent Bigfoot Researchers, whom at the time were comprised of the majority of those who left after disagreeing with how the BFRO was run. It is possible that the original name would have been the AIR, future edits to this will hopefully clarify that. But returning to the observation of fraying relations from the semi-break up of the BFRO, similar personality conflicts occurred in the forming of the AIBR. Again this author encourages the edits to this that will clarify those points that are conjecture of my part, but there was an apparent disagreement on how to run the fledgling AIBR and the group had a split of it’s own, the dissenting faction formed the Sasquatch Research Initiative.
So now there were three “Macro” organizations, notwithstanding the existence of smaller, region specific groups doing research as well. One point off clarity though is that some think the SRI came first, it was in fact the AIBR that preceded it an d the SRI came from the second schism if you will. That brings us to the editorial portion of the article. Are any one of these three groups fit to lead the community in setting standards or leading by example. Their histories would suggest otherwise. One group is a sole proprietorship, and subject to the controls of one person, and is for profit, two things that have been a source of controversy. But what of the other two? The AIBR portrays itself as an Alliance of Independents, but it runs itself through a Board of Directors, and has several sub committees and members only join after a majority rule vote. Such a system would seem to lead to a clique like situation. The SRI has a similar form, but is also formed by the nucleus of the group from yet another schism and have a similar theoretical verses actual organizational makeup. Of the three groups, neither of the younger groups have performed to the level of the BFRO, yet much of the BFRO’s findings are considered suspect in varying circles, namely the other two groups.
Two other manifestations are notable also. The first is the fact there are many multi-group members, where a single researcher has membership in both the Sri and AIBR, and in some cases the BFRO as well. Why? To hedge their bets? To spy? Or is it just an indication that noneof the three fit the bill they seek to? The second is that in arenas such as the BFF, and other message boards, it’s not difficult to observe how many of these frayed relationships and hard feelings stemming all the way back to the semi break up of the BFRO often create such a touchy environment in places, specifically the BFF. Other boards are relevant to, but the BFF is the prime example due to it being the largest board out there to date.
The question to be asked, is this same group of personalities, that date back to the first schism, who vie to the be the dominant group (author’s opinion), doing anything helpful for the community overall, or is the petty circle jerk that is now several years in the way of any real progress of a conclusion to this mystery? Is membership in a group beneficial at this to a newcomer to the research, or just one mind that will be poisoned by all these unresolved issues from years ago? These are question that in this author’s opinion, many in the Community ought to ask themselves.
