August 2007

So, how are you doing on your “one” thing? At the Annual Meeting I challenged each of you to do one thing for the Missouri Chapter. Have you done it yet? If not, why? If so, can you do more? Please drop me a note to let me know how you are doing. I can be reached at wordof1mouth@earthlink.net or brian.canaday@mdc.mo.gov. I will compile the list and let you know what we have been doing as a chapter in my next column.

Are we seeing The Redd again? Yes! I am so glad that we are able to communicate through our website, e-mail, the Annual Meeting, the Missouri Natural Resources Conference, and this newsletter. As promised, we have a great year planned and we are well on our way to accomplishing many of the annual goals and priorities we discussed (and approved) at the Annual Meeting.

First – Cheers to the membership for volunteering your time in the many things that you do for the Missouri Chapter. The Annual Meeting, the committees, the booth and fundraiser, the Kids fishing clinics, professional development, disabled angler events, attendance and statements at legislative meetings are not going unnoticed. Keep up the great work and encourage other members to get involved. Like most things, you get out of this organization what you put into it so GET INVOLVED!

Second Challenges- we will continue to be faced with many challenges to Missouri’s aquatic resources this year including stream sand and gravel mining, handfishing, angler recruitment and retention, membership recruitment and retention, student support, and professional development.

My personal challenges and goals for the Missouri Chapter this year include:

1). Increasing communication within and outside the membership.

We will do this using the newsletter (both paper and electronic), creating a new chapter brochure, using the web, and by our participation and various public events.

2). Angler recruitment and retention

We will continue to do a good job working with Disabled Anglers and youth anglers, but at least one event in Central Missouri will focus on first time adult anglers teaching them the basic skills of this life long sport.

The Chapter will also work with local libraries in an effort to establish a rod and reel loaner program through the library system.

3). Advocacy

We will continue and increase our involvement in issues related to Missouri’s aquatic resources with specific emphasis on Sand and Gravel mining, regulations, and invasive species

4). Membership

We will continue to work to increase active membership in the chapter through education and training opportunities. Frankly, I am looking for committee chairs right now and I would welcome any takers.

5). Student involvement

We will re-focus our efforts to connect with students at all Missouri colleges and universities to let them know what we have to offer and how they can get involved with the Missouri Chapter.

6). Public outreach and education

As stated above, we will revise the Chapter brochure, finish and publish the Stream Guide, staff info-ed booths at various events, use our newsletter (both paper and electronic), use our expert membership, our web site, direct mailings and various other ways to get our message out to the Public.

In doing so we will continue to strengthen partnerships with other groups with a similar set of goals and mission

Get out and enjoy the fruits of your hard work. Get your feet wet, cast a line, or better yet take your family and reconnect to the natural world. I will leave you with these thoughts and challenges:

► Get involved. MOAFS is only as strong as its membership

► Talk to, advise or mentor a student or young professional in the fisheries field. I have been on both sides of this coin and both have paid huge rewards to me in multiple ways.

► Talk with local communities, schools, NGO partners, newspapers, etc about water and fisheries issues and just how people can get involved

► For those of you that do not know me that well, I am a coach in my other life. One thing I always tell my teams is to:

Set a standard of excellence and set it high. Push yourself. Go beyond your comfort zone a little. Stick to it. Demand it. Live and work by that standard and encourage others to do the same. I think you will be amazed at the end of the year with how much more you accomplished. I know I am.

As always, if you have any ideas on what we should be doing or would like to find a way to get involved, just let me know and I can help. If you have any concerns of complaints…..talk with Vince or Mike (just kidding)!

Until next time

Brian D. Canaday, President

2007 Missouri Chapter of the American Fisheries Society