Wildlife Action

Your Community's Needs....

Anyone considering organizing a WLA chapter needs to answer two important questions:

1.      "Does your community need a conservation organization?" and if so;

2.      "Is Wildlife Action the organization it needs?"

Only you can answer those questions, for only you know best what your area's specific needs are. You must decide if the contributions you and Wildlife Action can make to your community will warrant the work involved,

Your Chapter's Reason(s) for Existing....

Let's assume you have decided your community needs a conservation organization and that it needs Wildlife Action. The next two questions you must now ask yourself are:

1.                  "Why does my community need a new organization?"

2.                  "What will Wildlife Action's special contributions be?"

The variety of activities and projects for a chapter are limitless, Just look around you, put on your thinking cap and you probably will come up with a dozen valuable reasons to start a chapter.

Dividing WLA's "5 Point Law" into specific projects might give you some ideas:

PRESERVATION

·        preserve local rivers and streams

·        protect wetlands from unnecessary destruction

·        purchase acreage being endangered by development

·        protect endangered or threatened species

·        promote wildlife habitat restoration

CONSERVATION

·        build and place duck and owl boxes in the wild

·        build and place bluebird houses along roadways

·        recycle waste

·        plant trees, food plots and ground cover for wildlife

·        release fish into streams and ponds

·        turkey restoration

·        make recommendations on hunting and fishing seasons to your state wildlife department

·        adopt-a-stream

·        fight for responsible storage of nuclear and toxic waste

EDUCATION

·        summer conservation camps for your children (WLA's Pioneers)

·        conduct public hearings on environmental, hunting and fishing issues

·        classes in hand loading ammunition, archery, hunting safety

·        hold outdoor ethic's conferences

·        boating safety courses

·        develop a resource education center

SPORTSMANSHIP

·        annual activity day for your children, our Pioneers

·        boat landing clean-ups

·        fishing rodeos and bass fishing contests

·        rifle, pistol, skeet, archery contests

·        duck and turkey calling contests

·        adopt-a-highway

·        hunting trips

FELLOWSHIP

·        monthly meetings with programs and special meals like beaver stew; venison; blackened fish; rattlesnake

·        horseback riding

·        field trips to natural areas

·        camping and boating trips

·        suppers, picnics, cook-outs

So, could your community be enhanced by your chapter becoming involved in any of the above activities?

Hopefully, your answer is YES! But please remember, these are not simply suggestions; they are successfully proven projects for Wildlife Action chapters.

 

Working Together....

Most of us would rather work with others having similar interests, so it is important to locate individuals from your family, neighborhood or business which have the obvious concern for this good earth that you have evidenced. With a small nucleus of dedicated citizens, you can work towards your goal- establishing a Wildlife Action chapter in your locale.

 

What's the Next Step....?

Interest is the most valuable ingredient to begin a Wildlife Action chapter. A chapter is created because a dedicated individual recognizes a need in the community. If you have decided to organize a chapter, the following must now be accomplished:

1.                  Carefully read the chapter application form in this book (State or Local), complete all requirements to get started, and mail to National.

 

Getting Started....

Once the application form for becoming a chapter has been approved by National and returned to you, you will need to decide on a meeting location, time and date. Local chapters are required to meet monthly (state chapters quarterly) with these meetings open to membership and the general public. The board may meet more if necessary;

Many chapters have found that more participation occurs when a dinner meeting is planned. However, WLA requests that chapter funds be allocated for conservation projects and "dutch treat" be expected for meals.

A sister chapter and ambassador(s) will be selected to assist you the first year of your existence. Information describing our Ambassador Program and "Chapter-Get-A-Chapter" Program are located in this book.

The president, who acts as chairman of the board, is the only individual with the authority to call board meetings.

Any member, though, may request a meeting by contacting the president.

 

Divide Up the Work....

It is mandatory to appointment senior vice presidents in the following areas: education; environment; fishing; hunting. These senior vice presidents can then form committees in their specific area of interest to facilitate a more organized approach to solving problems.

Wildlife Action chapters have found that through organized committees more can be accomplished. The only mandatory committees, however, that a chapter must have are: nominating and; ethics. These committees are more fully explained under Article XIII in the by-laws.

Each chapter has the autonomy to decide what projects, goals and activities it will undertake for the year. One chapter might be more oriented towards hunting, another towards fishing, another wanting to be involved in environmental issues only. It is your chapter's choice.

 

Financial Information....

Send membership fees to National headquarters for processing. At the end of each month, 30% of the dues money will be returned to your local chapter. The state chapter will receive 30% for a total of 60% being returned to your state.

State affiliate and local associate chapters may have checking accounts. No committee within these chapters will be authorized to have its own checking account. '.

All monies borrowed by state affiliate or local associate chapters must receive approval from the National CEO. Once a chapter purchases or leases land and/or equipment, a copy of the deed, lease agreement, mortgage note, etc. must be submitted to National within 30 days. This form, #6, is located in this book.

 

Let Others Know ….

You have a chapter; you have contributions to make and people willing to help you. Now you want EVERYBODY to know about your chapter's goals. Make friends with your local media, the newspapers, radio and television stations. Invite media representatives to your meetings. Visit radio stations with Public Service Announcements. Write news releases about projects your chapter has completed and include photographs. Pictures say a thousand words. Ask to be on a local TV talk show. There is definitely power in the press.

Word of mouth is a terrific way to let others know about you. The more people you can get to participate in your programs, the more they will talk to others. Good news spreads fast, too!

 

Community Cooperation....

It's interesting to note that once an organization becomes active and the community becomes aware of the contributions being made by that chapter, people will begin to look to you as an authority regarding conservation issues and sporting activities. Welcome inquiries with open arms. Your success is showing, so pat yourself on the back.

Contact your schools and suggest programs your chapter might be competent to give. Work with local governmental agencies to establish better communication between citizens and elected officials and ask their assistance in achieving conservation projects beneficial for the community as a whole.

 

Political Involvement….

Some chapters work closely with elected officials; other chapters opt to go it alone. Again, it is important to decide what your chapter wants and needs. Experience has proven that when chapters do get involved in working closely with politicians, changes can occur. This quote is a favorite of WLA members: "If the people lead, the leaders will follow." Your chapter has the opportunity and freedom to be heard and to lead.

Politicians have informed us that when they receive 5 letters or calls, the office opens a file on an issue. When 25 letters or calls come in, it is considered a "landslide issue". That gets our politician's attention.

 

Go Slowly and Don't Get Disappointed....

Remember what happens with a "fat-lighter" fire? It ignites with a burst of energy, bums rapidly, bright, hot and fierce. But in a few minutes, the combustion has been spent, and the fire goes out. WLA does not want that to happen to anyone. Plan your time wisely; plan reasonable chapter projects. Work hard but don't overwork yourself. You need to get a few very capable people to help you. If you try to do it alone or discourage "new blood" from entering your chapter, you diminish your effectiveness and, like the "fat-lighter" fire, you will fade away.

 

Effective Leadership….

What sets leaders apart from followers? It is the enthusiasm they generate, the desire to improve things and create new opportunities, leaders have a passion for a cause and they want to give something back to society. The twelve common denominators - twelve qualities - that all effective leaders possess are: