JrAHA October 2007 Newsletter

October 2007 News Letter

"THE LAST CHILD IN THE WOODS"

"An evening with Richard Louv" at the Wortham Center on Oct. 02 was attended by an estimated 800 plus parents, educators, city leaders and supporters of 16 dedicated non-profit public service organizations along with a lot of outdoor enthusiast. They listened intently to Richard Louv speak about our how a connection with nature impacts our children's learning, problem solving, leadership skills, happiness and spirituality. The energy in the auditorium was powerful.

JrAHA was one of the underwriters of the special reception and program in support of the principal sponsors, The Trust for Public Land and Houston's Parks & Recreation Department. It was a great evening and Richard Louv challenged all of us to address the issue of "saving our children from nature-deficit disorder" which realistically can be resolved with proactive actions by individuals, educators, parents and their communities.

Richard Louv's best selling book, The Last Child in the Woods, is offered as a gift for all who subscribed to JrAHA's annual membership ($39.00) or lifetime membership ($500.00). If you have not subscribed, please support JrAHA's efforts to connect children with nature through recreational fishing and hunting by becoming a member.

NEW MEMBERS OF GOVERNING BOARD & LEADERSHIP COUNCIL

Cecario "CG" Guerrero, was elected to the JrAHA Governing Board at the September meeting. "CG" has taught Hunter Education and Wildlife Management through the FFA and AG-Science programs at Houston ISD's Stephen F. Austin High School for 11 years. He is recognized statewide for many of his services and accomplishments in the Outdoors and education.

Dr. Ronald Johnson is retired from Houston ISD after 35 years of distinguished service and has a great reputation for his many contributions and services to educating young people about nature and the outdoors through programs such as the FFA and Ag-Science studies. Dr. Johnson was inducted into JrAHA's Leadership Council in September.

Mike Shirley, AIA LEED SP, is an architect with FKP Architects and a supporter of JrAHA from the inception. Mike joined the Leadership Council in September. Mike's credentials as a lead design architect are numerous, and currently he is working on the new Texas Children's Hospital major addition to be constructed in the Texas Medical Center . Mike is an avid hunter & angler and is a qualified TPWD Angler Instructor.

Scott Andre, (M-Sgt, USAF ret.) became a member of the Leadership Council in September. Scott is the Operations Manager at Houston Executive Airport and has great passion for the outdoors and philanthropic service. He is a qualified TPWD Angler Instructor and has volunteered for numerous training events and has been a great recruiter of volunteers.

VINSON & ELKINS LAW FIRM ADOPTS JrAHA

Effective October 01, 2007 Vinson & Elkins, has signed an engagement letter with JrAHA to provide legal services. Matthew Strock, Attorney with V& E is the primary contact for providing pro bono legal services to our organization. E. Scot Dixon, Attorney is currently assisting JrAHA with our real estate contracts for the down town Houston project. We could not be more excited about this relationship! We are looking forward to having V & E employees becoming involved in the organization's program services as well. Thank you V & E for your community service!

JOHN L. WORTHAM & SON, L.P.

We are now working with John L. Wortham& Son for our risk management and insurance coverage. They have a group that specializes in 501 (c) (3) organizations and their special needs. We are very fortunate to be entering a client-professional relationship with this firm. Numerous employees of the firm are reported to be active in fishing and hunting and we are looking forward to their involvement in our programs as well.

JrAHA PROGRAMS & SERVICES

"Children connecting to nature is a good thing!"

This theme will be repeated over and over again as part of our teaching outdoors recreation skills, specializing in fishing and hunting for families and young people.

Since we began in 2005 we have continued to increase our outreach and programs to inner city families. Our "free" Angler Education classes and events are frequent and well attended. We are encouraging more companies, churches and organizations to participate in these programs with their employees & families, members, congregations and constituents.

We are now ready to conduct the Texas required Hunter Education program for those persons wanting to hunt in the state. We will be posting classes on the TPWD website and we are available to arrange special classes for groups who request it. Children over 12 can be certified and all hunters 17 or older must have the certification to hunt in Texas if born after September 2, 1971. Anyone hunting in another state will need the certification regardless of age. The Texas mandated fee for certification is $15.00. Call us to arrange a class.

THE 16th ANNUAL TPWD EXPO

October 6 & 7 was TPWD's big annual exposition in Austin and JrAHA had a volunteer contingency on hand to work at the Junior Angler booth. The two day event had a total of 42,569 visitors, the highest total since 2002.

One interesting trend is that since 2003, the percentage of youth visitation has increased from 35% to 51% this year.

TPWD has set the standard for outdoor expos and is a model used by others across the nation. Some 17 other states now have their own expos.

It is a massive show and well worth the drive and time to visit and see the wonderful way Texas works to not only manage and protect the natural resources but also opens the opportunities for the public to enjoy the outdoors.

Put this on your calendar for next year and join JrAHA in attending and participating in the EXPO.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED

We need 50 additional volunteers to become instructors in Angler Education, Hunter Education and Boating Safety. JrAHA also needs volunteers for a wide range of support requirements essential to carrying out our mission. Please contact us and give some of your very limited and precious time. You will find it pays enormous dividends in personal gratification and in being a proactive participant in the community at large and you will have fun!

JOIN JrAHA: MEMBERSHIP FEES SUPPORT OUR OPERATIONS & PROGRAMS.

Our life line is the membership that supports day to day operations and the free programs for the inner city children. Please join and help us carry out the mission.

LIFETIME $500 (Includes a 8 X 8 Pathway Recognition Brick and includes a free copy of the best selling book, LAST CHILD IN THE WOODS, by Richard Louv, a $13.95 value or a special Lone Cypress JrAHA Tee Shirt).

ANNUAL* $39 annually (includes a free copy of the best selling book, LAST CHILD IN THE WOODS, by Richard Louv, a $13.95 value or a special Lone Cypress JrAHA Tee Shirt).

Privileges for members

· Unlimited free access to JrAHA training center fishing ponds as they open (except for days of scheduled events).

· Special Discounts from “Field & Stream” sponsors as available *

· Priority Invitations to Special Events & Seminars

· Newsletter by email

· Lottery drawings for Very Interesting Special “ACCESS” opportunities (VISA’s).

· “ACCESS” opportunities available per reservations and volunteer awards points.

· Discounts from “Field & Stream” magazines and other publications as available.

· TPWD volunteers who are JrAHA members can process requests for training events and classes through JrAHA for expedited administrative assistance, use of the training facility, and receive assistance from other qualified JrAHA & TPWD volunteer instructors to make the training & education evolution as easy & convenient as possible.

DONOR AND CORPORATE SPONSORS ARE INVITED TO INSCRIBE THEIR NAMES AT THE "LONE CYPRESS" OUTDOORS CENTER & DEFINE THEIR LEGACY WITH JrAHA

We are inviting individuals, foundations and corporate sponsors to support our future and be formally recognized on the permanent Donors Wall in the foyer of the planned Lone Cypress Outdoors Center. The journey to complete the downtown Outdoors Center is well underway as are the financial challenges. We need your support.

Platinum Level $25,000

Gold Level $10,000

Silver Level $5,000

Bronze Level $2,500

Naming Opportunities are also available. Please inquire  

Press Release 02/16/2006 Houston, TX

Junior Anglers & Hunters of America launch their first Chapter in Houston, TX tonight with a kickoff BBQ dinner at OTTO's.   Plans are for programs to begin in the summer for both fishing and hunting training for kids and their parents (or other responsible adult). 

Future plans are for a Texas wide roll out begining in 2007 and additional states are targeted in 2008.