THANK YOU!
“Nothing happens until a sale is made,” is a maxim sometimes used in the business world. For the Ruffed Grouse Society and American Woodcock Society, we could modify it to say, “Nothing happens until a volunteer steps forward.”
In the last issue of this magazine, we presented excerpts of the 2015 RGS & AWS Annual Report to highlight the progress your organization has made in pursuing our mission to preserve our sporting traditions through the creation of healthy woodland habitat for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and other forest wildlife. 2014 was a tough year to follow because in that year RGS and AWS set records for habitat projects accomplished – in terms of project dollars invested and the number of impacted acres.
I’m very happy to report that 2015 was even better! Our investment in habitat projects increased from $1 million in 2014 to $2 million in 2015. The number of acres impacted increased from 10,000 acres in 2014 to 30,000 acres in 2015.
The fact that our mission impact is increasing dramatically is just one example of a great story we can tell about RGS and AWS, but it’s important for you to know that, for virtually every mission-based program we have, none of the accomplishments would happen without the help of volunteers.
Our volunteers embrace the duty to enhance forest habitat and wildlife with a sense of fulfillment from being involved with an effective organization on a local and national scale. Being involved in RGS and AWS is easy – our volunteers come in all shapes and sizes, devoting their time, talent and treasure with all efforts making a difference for the future of habitat and hunting.
For example, a member from Pennsylvania volunteers her efforts in terms of advocacy, habitat, recruitment, fundraising and more. An RGS Life Sponsor from the Upland Bird Hunt Chapter, she donates the lunches and a huntsmen gun to the annual Upland Bird Hunt in Pennsylvania. She is a great ambassador for RGS volunteering hours of time advocating for the RGS mission in many forums including emails, letters, articles and public meetings. She also spends her time in the spring and summer working on habitat projects. This is a great example of how powerful RGS volunteers can be and shows the multitude of opportunities to make a difference depending on your skills and time.
For a list of specific member volunteer achievements in terms of advocacy, habitat, recruitment and fundraising and examples of ways you can help, see this “President’s Message” in the Fall 2016 Ruffed Grouse Society magazine companion.
