Help Needed!!
By Larry Forte
Today’s date, as I write this, is April 25th, 2018. It looks like spring has finally arrived. However I have been thinking more about next year and I must admit, with some concern. I consider myself very lucky to be part of such a great club. It’s a vibrant organization with a growing membership with plenty of activities to offer our members.
For example, the recent Casting Clinic held earlier this month had the highest turnout of any other casting clinic in the past. This past weekend, several members and I spent a day with over 300 Boy Scouts helping them learn how to cast a fly rod. This coming weekend, our club will be helping at the “Frank Smoot Commemorative Stream Cleanup Project” on Big Hunting Creek – our second stream cleanup in a couple of weeks. Add the fly tying classes and fishing outings, and you have a pretty special organization.
This is all made possible by a great Board and many awesome volunteers. Our volunteers are a big reason we have such a great club. Without them, it would be a rather boring club. Now, why am I concerned? Looking ahead to 2019, as a club we face some challenges. Unfortunately, several volunteers will be resigning from the Board.
This includes:
- Bill Kulp, Director, is retiring and moving to North Carolina in June.
- Jon Thames, Vice President, is stepping down at the end of this year.
- Paul Dobson, Treasurer, is stepping down at the end of this year.
- In addition, my tenure as Club President will end at the end of this year.
First, I cannot thank these gentlemen enough for all of their hard work and dedication to PVFF while I have been President. They have made my job a lot easier.
Our club is not unique. This is just part of what volunteer organizations like ours deal with all of the time (The nerve of some folks to actually have a life and interests outside of PVFF☺). The key is getting new folks to step-up and help.
So, now, more than ever, our club needs your help and we are looking for new volunteers for next year. Here are a few selling points for you to consider if interested:
- It’s very, very rewarding.
- It’s a great way to learn more about the sport we love.
- No experience required.
- Plus, you will get to know some awesome individuals in the process.
I encourage you to get involved and help the club that you enjoy being part of. The reality is that in order to continue to be the active club, we need your help. Without the help of its members, we will need to eliminate some of what we do and offer.
Believe me, you will not regret getting involved. Contact me if you would like more information.
Thanks and hope to see you at the May monthly meeting.
Larry