By Bruce Ross, Executive Director bruceross@wi.rr.com
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s February, 2021 Volunteer Newsletter edition.
In the February newsletter to all WWA members, I spent a lot of column inches recognizing volunteers who helped WWA survive, and in some ways, thrive in the memorable year that was 2020. Hall of Fame, Volunteers of the Year, personal recognition, Super Goal chapters, Top Net, Most Improved, and Top Gun winners were announced and praised. Rather than repeat all of that again here, in our volunteer newsletter, let me link you that article – if you didn’t read it then, take the time now to see what cream rose to the top.
As volunteers look ahead to what 2021 brings, there is a new confidence about a light at the end of this pandemic tunnel. But the timing of when that light gets here is uncertain. And for each individual, it may get here at a different time. Some will retain anxious until herd immunity levels are reached, some may be anxious until they get their own vaccine, and some are not anxious at all. Our patrons and our volunteers fit into all of these categories and we have to respect their individual concerns. People won’t come to an early event if they fit into the first category, and others will come if they will feel safe.
We had one person who questioned whether an upcoming banquet was going to enforce community restrictions; I thought that chapter’s leader reflected sensitivity and understanding, while addressing the intent of the chapter in their upcoming event, with their reply:
“We are planning to adhere to all Covid requirements. Our banquet venue is providing plated meals rather than buffet style to eliminate undue contact. Masks will be provided as well as hand sanitizer. Our venue has provided ample space in the dining area to insure our tables are over 8 feet apart. Our gaming area is in a separate room and we ask that social distancing is practiced. We ask that anyone that is feeling ill not to attend to eliminate the possibility of community transmission. We utilized these same practices at our [fall] banquet of last year. We had no reported contact tracing follow ups from that event and the community infection rate was much higher in September than being reported currently and expected to continue. Vaccination opportunity is expanding for most vulnerable populations so we are hopeful that the infection rates will continue to decline. I hope you will consider to attend, but certainly understand that this is a personal decision for each individual and everyone has diverse concerns.”
2020’s experience for each chapter was different – but there were some common threads that made it the best year ever for some of them. Please check out the “Top 5 Ways to Make Super Goal” article if you want your chapter to move to this next level this year.
Finally, I want to thank each volunteer reader of these words. Without you, WWA would be struggling right now. Some of this is a financial recognition of course – chapter events and raffles helped put us on a strong footing for 2021 even if the Super Goal box wasn’t checked – but it also extends to the volunteers who work in other areas, too. The AWA program, wood duck box program, our advocacy work, our educational efforts with both new and seasoned waterfowlers…. these efforts, even if they were impacted last year, created the conditions for our continued success as we start our 37th year. People inside and outside of WWA look to us to be a leader in the state’s waterfowling community. Your personal dedication gives WWA the standing as a responsible steward of those interests, when viewed from any direction. Thank you.