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President's Message
by Gary Flanagan |
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Well, it has been two years and my term limit is up and now it is time for a new President of Granite Bay Flycasters to take over. My new job is to support the new President. As I look back, I remember the promises I made to you. I knew when I took over from the past president, we had a great Club but I wanted to make it even better. While we already had a great group of members, great programs, great fishouts and great clinics, I saw a need for better communications. My promise to you was to create several media avenues where you would always know what the Club was offering. This was accomplished in three ways. First, we made the Leader a professional looking publication that contained current information. No one had to wonder who the monthly speaker was going to be. You always knew what fishout and clinics were being offered and who was assigned as the Fishmaster. This was accomplished by asking for articles by members in charge of the various activities be submitted in advance of reasonable deadlines and by the hard work of Jeff Burkholder, a man who would normally charge fifteen hundred dollars each month to produce such a publication. Jeff owns a marketing company but still donates his time and expertise to provide the best darn newsletter a club like ours could ever have. Next, Paul Meyers became our Webmaster and through his skill and hard work, he whipped the GBF Website into shape and added the message board. Kent Ripley took over as Webmaster this year and is doing a great job too. Keeping current information on the website has been responsible for part of the huge increase in membership over the past two years and the website is not only used for communicating with the membership, it showcases the professional nature of Granite Bay Flycasters and its members. Finally, with e-mail blast, (group e-mails), we are able to provide the membership with last minute information and reminders which help you plan your activities with the Club. It bothers me when I hear some members say that Granite Bay Flycasters is just a “little ‘ol fishing club.” We are so much more that that. We are a vital Conservation Organization that makes a difference. We are a strong and targeted membership that businesses, organizations and groups seek out because of our numbers, buying power and influence. We are an educational entity that teaches Flyfishing, Fly-tying, Rod Building, and Net Building and creates an environment for children and adults that instills the attitude of conservation and protection of the natural environment. Future adults learn about our Club and fisheries management through our “Eggs in the Classroom Program.” Over the past two years we have seen our numbers swell. The saying that was popularized in the movie Field of Dreams applies, “Build it and they will come” holds true. Not only did you come, you stayed. In previous years, we lost about 25% of our membership at renewal time. The past two years we have retained most of our members. I am convinced that communication, coupled with lots of activities plus the interaction between new and old members made it happen. Our Club is like a family that has their act together. We are all accountable to each other and everyone is treated equally. We don’t have a clique of old members that exclude new members that join the club; we embrace and welcome new comers.
For those of you who did
not attend the Annual Dinner I thought you should know I selected Art
Hawkins as the recipient of this year’s President’s Award. This is the
same award I received from Denny Welch when I was on the Board the year
before I became President. I did not give this award to Art lightly He
is one of those hard workers that makes this Club so successful, doing
what is needed without having to be asked. He carried out his
unprecedented three terms as Club Treasurer flawlessly and
professionally as well as volunteering to do many other jobs. Art is
one of the most organized people I know. He is truly an asset to our
Club. Finally I want to thank all the other members who have served as officers, board members, clinic leaders, fishout organizers and activity hosts during my term as President. It is individuals that are willing to give their free time for the benefit of the membership that makes GBF such a great club. Thank you for allowing me to serve you fine people. It was my pleasure and I hope to be able to fish with you all in the next few years. I have once again accepted the position of Fishmaster and I promise I will continue to provide you organized and fun fishouts. Tight Lines and please, keep your feet dry… Gary Flanagan President |
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