President's Campfire . . . . Winter '07
25/03/09 08:02
We can look forward to 2008 with a lot of enthusiasm,
the UBNJ has never been stronger than it is right
now, under Jack Spoto’s leadership the
organization has flourished, becoming the premier
bowhunting organization in the State. From across the
country other United Bowhunter Organizations are
looking at us as a model for their future growth and
success. Our membership continues to climb each month
and our Council has grown to over forty members. The
UBNJ Council today is a wealth of talent, diversity
and dedication and it has been the coordination of
their hard work and the support of our membership
that has made the UBNJ what it is today.
Matt, Jack and I had actively discussed the future of the organization and were very much on the same page as to the key points that needed to be focused on. We had set a fairly aggressive goal of doubling our membership in the coming year; we hope to accomplish this through an organized membership drive complete with incentives and Grand prizes. New Jersey’s general elections this past fall and the events leading up to them have not only emphasized the importance of sportsmen being involved in the political process, but also just how much of an impact that they can make. Hunters, fisherman, trappers, and farmers all came together this past fall, through the organizing force of the NJOA, and helped defeat Senator Ellen Karcher and Assemblyman Michael Panter in their bids for re-election. These two legislators were the sponsors of bills that would have destroyed the Fish and Wildlife Council and responsible wildlife management in New Jersey. I am confident that bowhunters played a major part in this effort and victory based upon just how much we have accomplished in the past and how organized and vocal we can be.
With that in mind we recognize that it is not enough just to increase our membership, we also must get our members and their families involved in our events, fund raisers and the organization in general, so expect to hear from us. County representatives will be reaching out to the members of their counties informing them of regional meetings, and other events as well as looking for members who are willing to help and participate within the organization. If you want to get involved right away you need not wait for a phone call, our magazine and our website both list contact numbers for all our Council members feel free to pick up the phone and reach out to us, I guarantee we can find a place for you to help out.
We also remain dedicated to the introduction of archery and bowhunting to our youth, we continue to donate funds and archery equipment to schools and organization such as the Girl Scouts that promote archery, this in turn may lead youngsters to explore bowhunting opportunities. Many of our Council members are hunter education instructors as well as certified archery instructors, at our events and shoots we strive to have games and contest geared specifically for young archers or for a young person who may wish to explore archery for the first time.
The UBNJ has a commitment to those less fortunate; we have been a sponsor for many years of “Hunt of a Lifetime”, a program that allows terminally ill children the opportunity to go on truly magnificent hunts as well as being partnered with “Hunters Helping the Hungry” an organization facilitates the donation of venison to the hungry right here in our own State.
Lastly we plan to address some organizational details and update our By-laws to make them more consistent with the times, making our meetings more effective and efficient and allowing our Council to accomplish more during the time that they so willingly give from their own personal lives. Our organization is on the cusp of becoming something extraordinary and it will be accomplished through the selfless efforts of our Council and our membership. I look forward to being a part of the future of the UBNJ and am humbled to be in the position of taking the reigns of leadership from Matt Trembow at this point. Key your eye on us I think you’ll be proud.
Tranquility is a bow in your hand, an arrow in your quiver, and a walk into the woods.
Joe Mills, Acting President
Matt, Jack and I had actively discussed the future of the organization and were very much on the same page as to the key points that needed to be focused on. We had set a fairly aggressive goal of doubling our membership in the coming year; we hope to accomplish this through an organized membership drive complete with incentives and Grand prizes. New Jersey’s general elections this past fall and the events leading up to them have not only emphasized the importance of sportsmen being involved in the political process, but also just how much of an impact that they can make. Hunters, fisherman, trappers, and farmers all came together this past fall, through the organizing force of the NJOA, and helped defeat Senator Ellen Karcher and Assemblyman Michael Panter in their bids for re-election. These two legislators were the sponsors of bills that would have destroyed the Fish and Wildlife Council and responsible wildlife management in New Jersey. I am confident that bowhunters played a major part in this effort and victory based upon just how much we have accomplished in the past and how organized and vocal we can be.
With that in mind we recognize that it is not enough just to increase our membership, we also must get our members and their families involved in our events, fund raisers and the organization in general, so expect to hear from us. County representatives will be reaching out to the members of their counties informing them of regional meetings, and other events as well as looking for members who are willing to help and participate within the organization. If you want to get involved right away you need not wait for a phone call, our magazine and our website both list contact numbers for all our Council members feel free to pick up the phone and reach out to us, I guarantee we can find a place for you to help out.
We also remain dedicated to the introduction of archery and bowhunting to our youth, we continue to donate funds and archery equipment to schools and organization such as the Girl Scouts that promote archery, this in turn may lead youngsters to explore bowhunting opportunities. Many of our Council members are hunter education instructors as well as certified archery instructors, at our events and shoots we strive to have games and contest geared specifically for young archers or for a young person who may wish to explore archery for the first time.
The UBNJ has a commitment to those less fortunate; we have been a sponsor for many years of “Hunt of a Lifetime”, a program that allows terminally ill children the opportunity to go on truly magnificent hunts as well as being partnered with “Hunters Helping the Hungry” an organization facilitates the donation of venison to the hungry right here in our own State.
Lastly we plan to address some organizational details and update our By-laws to make them more consistent with the times, making our meetings more effective and efficient and allowing our Council to accomplish more during the time that they so willingly give from their own personal lives. Our organization is on the cusp of becoming something extraordinary and it will be accomplished through the selfless efforts of our Council and our membership. I look forward to being a part of the future of the UBNJ and am humbled to be in the position of taking the reigns of leadership from Matt Trembow at this point. Key your eye on us I think you’ll be proud.
Tranquility is a bow in your hand, an arrow in your quiver, and a walk into the woods.
Joe Mills, Acting President