By Bruce Ross, Executive Director bross@wisducks.org; 262-224-4949
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s May, 2022 Newsletter edition.
Volunteers work at WWA’s Adopted Jackson Marsh Wildlife Area
The first article of this type was first published over two years ago. I wrote it shortly after joining the WWA staff and seeing so much opportunity to deliver greater impact, but not having enough staff to accomplish it. As I thought about the volunteers who want to have an impact with their volunteer time, I thought what if… what if we could provide a list of organizational needs and use the power of the internet to find volunteers with the right skillsets and passion to help accomplish them. AND IT HAS BEEN AN AMAZING SUCCESS! Some examples:
- George Ermert saw that we needed help to grow our social media presence and following; since George took over that effort, our followers on group and page have grown by over 40%. And George became a director and was recently named as our volunteer of the year!
- Professor Sarah Orlofske (UW Steven Point) undertook the banding coordinator role, and while COVID prevented a lot of DNR banding activity (and now avian flu may have an impact), she’s got a handle on how to get the word out when the DNR picks back up again. She’s an active member of the Education Committee.
- BJ Grassmann saw that WWA needed people to find new project opportunities in their local area and raised his hand. He developed a presentation and reached out to local sporting clubs, conservation organizations and landowners…. The list of projects has grown significantly. And since then, BJ has become a WWA director, and taken over the reigns of the Habitat Committee to help it achieve new levels of impact.
- Luke Blose of Millennial Geospatial saw the opportunity to provide his GIS expertise and has been working with Peter Ziegler to develop an in-field application to support Peter’s surveying needs. He even got two of his work colleagues engaged in the project!!
- Many people raised their hands to do AWA-like field work (clearing invasives, hanging duck boxes, building accessible blinds, and more!).
- Two teachers raised their hands to develop a wood duck education program for mid-school students…. And so many more!!
Starting with baby steps that lead to giant leaps, these volunteers understood that they would help define the expectations and develop the practices to be successful… and that their energy would be the driving force to bring value to the effort. What a great leadership opportunity, right?! Good resume stuff, too!
This revised table updates the list of WWA organizational needs, including the Waterfowl Hunters EXPO. It also reflects WWA growth areas planned over the next two years in:
- hunter recruitment,
- grassroots habitat project expansion,
- wild rice program growth,
- membership growth and
- recruiting new chapters.
Take a look, and maybe you’ll find a good fit! And if you have a passion or skill you think WWA could benefit from – even if it’s not on the list – give me a call!! Ready to sign up? Go to our volunteer form here.
