On February 25 about a dozen Outings leaders from throughout Redwood Chapter got together with several conservation activists to figure out ways to revitalize the program, which has seen a reduction in participation in recent years, and is in particular need of Outings Chairs on the Group level. National staffers Melanie MacInnis and Sascha Paris led the discussion, which began with a two-hour first aid course.
“The meeting was quite the success,” MacInnis reflected afterwards. “It was really awesome that so many motivated and dedicated folks showed up from across the chapter”
The top priorities that came from the meeting:
- desire for community among leaders
- eagerness to use new communications tools
- need for clarity and transparency
- desire to offer a variety of outings, establish partnerships with other organizations, clarify the leadership process and move ahead vigorously to recruit volunteers
Participants also expressed a strong desire to get to know each other better, and committed to work together more closely by going on each other's trips, and coming together socially to share information and brainstorm.
Several leaders volunteered to
- Organize opportunities for Group leaders to get together
- Take a "shift" as Group outings chair
- Take a "shift" in other leadership positions as needed
- Actively recruit new leaders and participants
- Reach out to potential partners
- Offer a variety of outings to attract different audiences
We’re hoping to repeat this chapter-wide meeting at least once a year and to supplement by phone or webinar to enable leaders to build on the inspiring feeling of belonging to a larger whole.
by Victoria Brandon, Redwood Chapter Chair
Front row: Jonah Freedman, Melanie MacInnis;
middle: Carl Inglin, Rue Furch, Victoria Brandon, Phil Kohlmetz;
back: Lorrie Lagasse, Yvonne Kramer, Ned Forsyth, Jim Moore, Doug Tracey, Suzanne Doyle, Sascha Paris.