By Bruce Ross, Executive Director
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s November Volunteer Newsletter edition.
For the hard nucleus of WIWaterfowlers the season continues, with open/moving water and field hunting opportunities moving to center stage. I know others who’ve said they’re moving on to pheasants or grouse or deer, and still others who have cleaned and put away the shotgun. My guns await their end-of-season scrubbing with (hopefully) many more days afield yet this season.
And that brings me to thoughts of family, and now, Kelcy’s reminder that my volunteer article is past due. Not a problem.
After 10 months in the WWA “saddle” I am still inspired by the commitment of volunteer leaders like Steve Dudeck, Wally Mielke, and Erich Pitz, among many others, whose efforts in the Manitowoc area are responsible for a growing and fun banquet and wood duck box building for statewide needs. Another chapter’s meetings always involve spouses, or children – or parents (once the leadership torch has been passed). They simply want to put on a good event for their community, or increase the cavity nesting bird population, or maybe, just be part of something that is making a difference locally. In all instances, family is intimately involved in the effort.
Early in my time with WWA, President Bruce Urben observed to me that chapters where family members are involved are more likely to be sustained and successful the long run. Some proof of that theory: the Manitowoc chapter just celebrated its 30th anniversary of putting on a top-notch event. Wow – WWA has only been around 5 years longer than that. Bruce could have added (maybe it was implicit) that it makes the volunteer effort that much more rewarding to the volunteers too, and sometimes in unusual ways.
For example, I will be delivering some of Erich’s wood duck box kits to the 16 year old daughter of a volunteer this week, who has scoped out a school leadership project where she will lead several local cub scout troops in building and placing the structures in local wetlands (the local chapter will perform the ongoing maintenance). Good character and leadership skill development, I think, and it won’t hurt on the college application either!
Another AWA volunteer takes his young boys into the field with him to do some of that wood duck maintenance—looks like they are having some fun bonding time together and if you look closely at the picture, maybe you can spot an outdoor ethic being passed from father to son.
We just received a new membership application to a boy from his father (it’s a surprise, so I’ll protect identities). It’s the first one I’ve seen so I reached out to Dad, who responded: “ He is thirteen and is really enjoying his time in the blind. Not only hunting but learning about the sport and all the different waterfowl. It is important to me to teach him the proper sportsmanship and ethics I was taught. As you stated about the commitment to your mission, the sportsmanship and ethics with young hunters is often missing too. We are both hoping to get more involved with your organization. He doesn’t know it yet because it’s part of a Christmas gift. ”
We are coming to the season where families everywhere gather to embrace each other and what it means to be a family. Consider if your WWA family offers you opportunities in your own family to do things that will give you opportunities to be close, and share experiences that wouldn’t otherwise be obvious.
And speaking of the WWA family, you should all know that Tom Seibert is finally (after nearly 20 years) retiring. He tells me that he’ll continue to be a big player with WWA, in a volunteer capacity (thanks Tom!) but why not come to the Christmas Bash and help give him a nice send off. And welcome his replacement, Bob Kufahl to our WWA family.
Have a great Thanksgiving!