Page 25 - Marketing Times v1

“I think this energized the membership. We’ve had good feedback that it sounds like RGS has a goal and a strong mission,”
adds Soberg. Eichinger further explains
that members feel more engaged in
the mission of RGS, evident by the
increase in chapters doing more
activities such as habitat work outside
of their annual banquet fundraisers.
THE CHALLENGES
OF MEMBERSHIP
& PUBLIC PERCEPTION
Much of the mission objectives are an uphill battle because of the times. “RGS and its membership are, unfortunately, feeling the impact that many other hunting organizations are facing. Many of our members are
Baby Boomers, older gentlemen who
hunted in the glory days when birds
were abundant. Now they aren’t
as active because they’re getting
older. So a challenge is to get the
youth involved and excited about
RGS, what we’re doing, as well as
hunting,” explains Soberg. Chapters
often host youth education days,
plus the current members hope to
pass their love and dedication on to the
next generation.
Another big challenge is public perception and acceptance of forest management practices, which in this day and age are very controversial, making it dif cult to nd new members to replace the older generation. Soberg explains it this way: “Young forest habitat is critical to support ruffed grouse, woodcock, and other species of forest wildlife. So we advocate scienti c forest management, which means cutting down trees, and some people really don’t like that. But everything we do is based on science; we have biologists on staff. The rst several months after a
cut can be pretty devastating looking, but it doesn’t take long to see regeneration and wildlife coming back. Our practices are meant to bene t the whole ecosystem, and they do.
If people could better understand and have some patience, they could see that, too.”
The Society is growing so well right now that Eichinger has plans to add some new faces: “We’re looking to expand our staff in some important areas next year [2015], which is the next logical step in the organization’s evolution,” says Eichinger.
In fact, RGS launched the American Woodcock Society in 2014, and so far it’s been well-received. “The launch of this organization responds to the needs of members who don’t live in places with ruffed grouse. It’s attracting grant money, too, so that means we have
Fall 2014 • Traverse City Marketing Times 25
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