By Jim Hess

Please let me introduce myself. I have been a member of SWTU for 20 years, joining the chapter after moving to Madison in 2000 to be the director of Monona Terrace. Since retiring in 2010, I have focused my efforts on conservation issues, including volunteering at our workdays. I have been the Conservation Committee Chair for the last six years and really enjoy planning and organizing these events and getting know everyone. I previously served on the SWTU Board from 2013 to 2019.

What a year this has been! Who would have thought that 2020 would be this way, needing to cancel chapter meetings and workdays? Your board and committee chairs are working hard to guide our chapter through these uncertain times. We correspond regularly by e-mail and our official meetings are conducted through conference calls and on-line platforms. We are staying in contact with county and state agencies on conservation issues and new easements, and pass along updates to our members through email, Facebook and Instagram.

I am working with other chapter presidents to create a new strategic plan for the national office. Some of the questions being addressed are:

1. What can the national organization do to strengthen the grassroots?
2. What can the grassroots do to help strengthen the national organization?
3. Are we a fishing club or a conservation organization? and
4. What are your ideas for attracting younger and more diverse members and supporters to our organization?

I look forward to meeting you at a future chapter meeting. We are in the process of planning some type of a virtual chapter meeting in the near future. Look for more information on this soon.