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Chairs Corner- July 2006
It was a pleasant evening in South Carolina. The
APSAF executive committee had just finished its summer
meeting, a scant five hours in length. Issues abound
for APSAF, and the decisions made today will help
shape the future of the organization. We recognize
the need to move forward but strongly respect past
successes. On this course, we are trying to chart
into untested waters. New technologies reduce the
cost of information dispersal and ease the ability
to “shotgun” information out via e-mail.
This has positive and negative impacts on our members.
For example, earlier this summer, I e-mailed North
Carolina and South Carolina Division’s summer
meeting announcements to the known APSAF e-mail addresses.
A day later, a misprint was spotted in the announcement,
so I sent another e-mail with the correct information.
It took me less than 10 minutes to send out the correct
information. However, I received a couple of replies
from individuals who viewed the information as SPAM.
Of course, I immediately removed their e-mails from
our list (at their insistence). This brings up a
very important point: if e-mails from APSAF are viewed
as intrusions into members’ private lives,
yet according to some we are slow to get news to
members, how should we proceed? We could enlist professional
web help to build databases, secure areas on the
web for sensitive information, rely on snail mail,
or use inexpensive e-mail. I think a combination
of the above may be the solution. In APSAF’s
on-line survey soliciting input on how members would
like to receive information, 252 of the 1753 members
who answered the survey had varying opinions, ranging
from “change and utilize technology” to “don’t
change a thing.”
I greatly value each and every member’s input,
but we need to find a solution that meets the members’ needs,
is cost effective, and perhaps most importantly,
uses our volunteer’s time effectively. Time
is rapidly becoming the limiting factor in our lives.
We do not have enough time to meet the demands society,
family, the profession and a myriad of other activities
placed upon us. Therefore, when a member does have
time to donate to APSAF, we need them to be productive,
not simply looking for an answer or wondering what
has been done in the past.
The moral of the story is we need you to become involved.
Let us know your needs, how the Society can assist
you, and how you are willing to assist the Society.
Together we can make a difference!
April 2006
It is early spring, and the precipitation that was
forecast to blanket Virginia proved to be another
cruel tease by Mother Nature. In Virginia, we are
currently experiencing more spring wildfire activity
than we have for a number of years. I understand
the same is true in North Carolina and South Carolina.
The fire situation provides a chance for our local
foresters to inform the public and the media about
the ways forest management can reduce the number
and/or severity of wildfires. Although our situation
pales in comparison to the recent problems in Texas
and Oklahoma, we do have a story to tell. When you
have the opportunity to engage the public, speak
up! Being open and honest casts a favorable light
on our profession.
I believe that the forestry profession is currently
experiencing a time of increasing credibility. This
is welcome news. Why are we viewed in a more positive
light now? I cannot pretend to understand all the
reasons, but I have my opinions (and those of you
who know me know that I am not bashful in sharing
them). As a profession, we have taken many steps
to have a positive impact on society. Most of them
deal with engaging people. In speaking recently to
a group of allied professionals, I stated, “forestry
is more about effectively dealing with people than
it is managing trees.” I expected some incredulity
from the audience, or at least some raised eyebrows.
Instead, the reply from the audience was, “What
took you so long to figure that out?” Is it
just me, or were we slow to realize the shift in
our role? Our profession once held technical proficiency
in the highest esteem, to the point that we downplayed
a job applicant’s people skills, if that person
demonstrated good knowledge and practice of forestry.
Today, outreach skills, such as the ability to deliver
a timely message, are a must for our workforce.
While we have the spotlight, let’s use it
to maximum effect. To illustrate, a couple of weeks
ago Virginia experienced 4 days of extreme fire behavior.
While the Department of Forestry and its partners
have been doing a great job of suppressing these
wildfires, we have not always had good media exposure.
The Department made a conscious effort to increase
its media exposure - not to brag about the Department,
but to alert the public about the dangers of wildfire.
When the Department reached out to the media, a light
switch turned on, and we were swamped with media
interest! We could not match the sensationalism of
the vast acreages burning in Texas, but we did portray
that wildfire tragedy can and does strike in Virginia.
The AP was calling at all hours of the day and night
for updates, the Washington Post ran a huge article,
and multiple local TV stations devoted large blocks
of their prime news shows to the fires in Virginia.
Perhaps more importantly, the public became our allies.
They reported fires, reduced their open air burning,
and clamored for information on how to make their
houses and neighborhoods more fire-safe. I am sure
that there are many other positive stories within
APSAF borders.
Why not use the media’s focus on fire to pique
their interest in other important work we as foresters
do? When planning a SAF work day, a “Walk in
the Woods”, or a “Teach the Teacher” program,
make contact with the media. Sell them your positive
story, and you may be surprised at the interest.
Making the initial contact requires preparation.
You must have a great idea for an appealing story
line. You must “sell” the idea to the
media contact. Give them honest dialog, an interesting
topic, and advance notice, and you will get your
foot in the door. Your goal should be to cultivate
a new professional relationship with that media contact.
You may reach a point where they know a story will
be worth covering because they trust you to tell
an interesting and truthful story. Never compromise
the truth or your ethics. Also, remember that everything is “on
the record.”
I encourage you, as foresters, to make a conscious
effort to continue expanding our profession's newfound
credibility. Tell others about your success. You
will find it extremely rewarding!
David
Chairs Corner- January 2006
This is a new endeavor for the Executive committee
(especially for me, the current Chair). In an effort
to better communicate with you, our members, I have
made a commitment to at least monthly post a short
update about APSAF activities on the website. This
will be in addition to our normal communication efforts.
Below are the goals we have set for the coming year.
I have titled it “In the Mix for 2006”.
Vision:
The APSAF Executive Committee will provide active
meaningful leadership to its society. Communications,
technology, and good old fashioned “common
sense” will solidify APSAF’s position
as your professional society and will promote the
forestry profession.
Mission:
Promote pride within APSAF, ensuring an active,
energized membership of proactive foresters benefiting
society.
Goals:
- Increase our ability to provide meaningful, timely
information to our members through the use of traditional
and electronic media.
- Continue our commitment to our members by continuing
the membership retention and recruitment program
started in 2005.
- Build partnerships with other organizations to
expand outreach and education about the benefits
of professional forestry to the general public.
- Explore options for increasing member involvement
in the Society by making time commitments more
flexible.
On a related note – this is a request. We
need to make a concerted effort to relay local successes
to our membership at large. Your success may plant
the seed for future success APSAF wide. This is YOUR
society and YOUR involvement matters. Get involved,
have fun, and benefit the profession at the same
time.
Finally, in the near future, we will have conducted
an online survey to collect data about the Trailblazer.
The survey will be available from Feb. 20 through
March 20.
Stay tuned for future updates!!!!
David Powell, CF
Assistant Regional Forester
Virginia Department of Forestry
470 George Dean Drive
Charlottesville, VA 22903
(434) 977-5193
David.powell@dof.virginia.gov
From my Perspective….
Reflections of a Past Chair
William Snyder
Someone asked me in the Fall of 2004, why I would
want to serve as Chair of The Appalachian Society
of American Foresters. Frankly speaking, I never
thought I had a choice.
The interesting thing about that question is that
it was posed on the streets of Edmonton in Alberta,
Canada, the site of SAF’s 2004 Annual Meeting.
It’s safe to say that had I refused the ‘opportunity’ to
serve, I would never have walked the streets of Edmonton,
or the streets of Fort Worth one year later. I would
have missed the opportunity to experience Canada’s
perspective on modern forestry, the opportunity to
explore the biomass issues of America’s National
Forest, the opportunity to learn about the Texas
Forest Service’s efforts in the wake of the
shuttle disaster, and the opportunity to meet so
many wonderful and dedicated professionals from all
over the continent.
So what has been given in return? Most of the successes
are the results of efforts from individuals and groups
that are dedicated to this profession of forestry.
In this regard I cite Judd Edeburn for his work in
clarifying and responding to the VOS Report (and
his mentorship), Liz Bourgeois for her transition
to the Secretary/Treasurer position, Carlyle Franklin
for developing a strategy for students, National
SAF for their willingness to hear and accept our
position on the Foresters Fund, our Division Chairs;
Mark, Tom and Shep for their dedicated leadership,
Susan Cohen for her work with Charley Finley and
the Trailblazer, Barry New for his leadership in
Membership (we exceeded the goal!), Chuck Gresham
for publishing the Proceedings from the 2005 APSAF
meeting, John Scrivani, Greg Meade and their teams
for such a wonderful 2006 APSAF meeting, Fred Cubbage
for representing us on Council, and now David Powell
as he begins his term as Chairman.
So you see, I’ve had the opportunity to learn
about things I never questioned, and I’ve had
the opportunity to be surrounded by some really great
folks.
And now I ask – Why would you NOT want to
serve?
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