There are plenty of tools in our toolbox for what we need to do.

From our Constitution: “We aid in the formulation and establishment of sound policies and practices designed to conserve, protect, restore and perpetuate forests, wildlife and scenic and recreational areas with especial regard to the state of New York, to the general end that the present and succeeding generations may continue to enjoy and to use these great natural resources.”

For you new timers and some of us old timers, the NYSCC has a proud records of serving the outdoor sportsmen and conservationist since 1933. Under the Rebuild 2020 initiative a three-prong approach was identified/introduced to help insure the future of the NYSCC and the ones we serve. That three-prong approach includes Business Efficiency, Fund Raising, and Awareness/Education. For this article I want to center in on just one element under education and awareness.

R-3 within the outdoor sporting and conservation community stands for Recruitment, Retention, and Reactivate. (This concept packaged under the R-3 heading was introduced to the NYSCC at our Fall Convention of 2019 by Keith Tidball.) Pertaining to the NYSCC the principles R3 seem easy to understand and something we all would say we support. Here are some quick facts that promote the principles fund under the banner of R-3.

The Baby Boomer generation makes up the largest portion of hunters, fisherman, trappers, and most other outdoor recreational activities.

• The Baby Boomers tend to be the traditionalists of the outdoor sporting community.
• We as Baby Boomers are aging out.
  
• The Millennials and other Generations are not replacing the Boomers as fast as they drop out.
• With the passing of the boomers, we are missing out on the number of mentors to teach the next generation.

Some of the R-3 Principles are:

• Introducing outdoor sports to a more diverse group than typically done by the traditionalist. (Minorities, women, and those not from traditional outdoor families.)
• Their work is helping to increase access, and opportunity, to hunt fish, and trap.

Right now, in the back of my mind I am hearing the comments from our membership on how we/they already participate with the R3 principles through youth hunts, hunter safety classes, mentoring, fishing events and the like and greater access for all regardless of ability, this is so true. May I say well done.

Can we do more? Here is something to think about.

• The NYSCC has insurance that can be used to help with access for an event you may have coming up.
• The NYSCC spends somewhere in the neighborhood of $2,500 to $3,000 in following the legislative actions in the New York State Legislature.

- Are we as affective as we could be when it is asked that we write our Legislators?

The Groups that identify and promote R3 are many and exist throughout the USA. (Just google them.) Should the New York State Conservation Council put itself in the position of becoming a leading group in New York State when it comes to promoting the elements of R3? If that is the case, wouldn’t that be just another principle that would help support the Sporting Community and in turn the future of the NYSCC?

The ideology of R-3 is just one factor that supports the elements found under the NYSCC three prong approach. Depending on when this newsletter is published R-3 is one subject that will be or has been discussed at our Spring Meeting. One element of discussion. One element that deserves positive action.

NOTE: The Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports https://cahss.org/r3-overview/whatis-r3/ and Responsive Management https://responsivemanagement.com/?s=R3 were used as a reference in writing this article.

REMINDER

• We are in search of the following positions for the NYSCC board, we ask that all federations really look within their federation and participating clubs and submit nominations to Casey at [email protected]. All nominations will be properly vetted and voted on.

- President

- 1st Vice President

- Secretary

- Treasurer

• If your federation has not submitted your officer and club spreadsheet or your renewal payment, or if you don't know if you have, please contact Casey ASAP! Without this information we don't know who is allowed to vote on your federations behalf at the Fall Convention.