By Bruce Ross, Executive Director – (262) 224-4949 or bruceross@wi.rr.com
This article originally appeared in a March 19, 2020 Special Edition Wisconsin Waterfowl Association Newsletter to our chapter leaders.
The word “Resiliency” is being thrown around a lot nowadays. I looked it up:
“Resiliency: the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.”
This definition makes me want to be resilient, and I guess I want WWA to have that “special sauce”, too.
It’s already been on full display with our four chapters that were first affected by the social distancing mandates.
Green Bay’s chapter was scheduled to host one of WWA’s biggest events of the year in only three days ,when the rug was pulled out from underneath them. They had organized and worked together, and were in final preparations to host the biggest GB event in recent history, when they were forced to consider limiting attendance one week out. Then, as our Governor’s mandaated gathering size limits went from 250, down to 100, and most recently ten people, they were forced to postpone their event. Imagine the series of heartbreaks; first, in acknowledging that it couldn’t be held, then the effort of telling guests and determining how to deal with pre-payments, and then to have to contemplate the energy it would require to reschedule!
Their collective response has been inspiring – they have made contact with and reassured patrons, agreed as a group to lean into the rescheduling, and are now preparing to host a new event on September 24th. And, they’re consider taking on a new event! Totally impressive!
South Suburban was not as far along in their planning, but Jimmy O and wife Dawn are working with newly-returned RD Tom Seibert to re-schedule. Between the Lakes (Chilton) leaders Scott Bratz and new HOF-er John Regan are busy planning their to-be-rescheduled event as well, while establishing some new Class A raffles to help out even more during this difficult financial period for WWA.
It’s no surprise, but nevertheless impressive, that in re-scheduling Waukesha’s banquet, last year’s “Top Gun” Mike Alaimo has already reached out to his patrons, determined what dates work best for them, rescheduled with the venue, and created an incentive for pre-paid attendees to keep their money in the WWA “bank”. He’s also looking to gear up Class A raffles to create some additional revenue streams.
These chapters have raised an already high bar! And this, just in the past two days!!!